From A Charging Elephant:
Jan 2, 2011 (13 hours ago)Update: PFC Corey Clagett follows superior officer’s order to kill unarmed Iraqi insurgeant confined to solitary confinementfrom Charging Elephant by divingnews@gmail.comby Jim Campbell
PFC Corey Clagett was trained by the United States Army to obey orders, fight for his country, and to obey rules of engagement.
While in Iraq for no longer than three months, his squad was given orders to ”kill all of military age males” in an operation called Iron Triangle. Instead of coming home an army hero, he rots in the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) in solitary confinement at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Has the military forgotten the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War? Lt. William Calley was convicted of premeditated murder of 104 innocent civilians.
Calley was sentenced to life in prison at Fort Leavenworth at hard labor. He gave the order for the massacre, yet he served three and one half years at Ft. Benning, GA under house arrest. In contrast with PFC Clagett’s remorse and wiliness to aid the army in his trial, Lt. Calley showed no remorse and tried to cover up what happened lying during his court-martial.
Is the military court system so incompetent that it can’t make a distinction between an officer who gave the order to kill, and PFC Corey Clagett? PFC Clagett followed an order to kill. He cooperated with the military and admitted he wrongfully followed the order to kill.
The case of Corey Clagett requires immediate review and his release so that he can once again become a productive member of society.
Clemency hearing video:
After viewing this video one must ask the question should the Uniform Code of Military Justice, (UCMJ) be forever called the Uniform Code of Military INJUSTICE—(UCMIJ)?
Are you outraged that Corey and all soldiers of the Leavenworth Ten and elsewhere must pay for their phone calls while terrorists held at GITMO now have FREE video phone privileges to talk with their to their family members?
The first clemency hearing was concluded with a single question from a member of the board.
The board member’s question was clearly out-of-order, and was indicative of both a lack of preparation on his part and a lack of understanding and respect for the law. At this point one must ask were all the board members as equally ill prepared?
Contact members of new 2011 members of Congressional Military Oversight Committee
Please send Email and letters to the Secretary of the Army
It had already been stipulated in the original hearing followed by the court-martial that PFC Clagett’s squad had been given the order to shoot all al Qaeda and those of military age on sight.
The board member’s question was a clear violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
10 USCS § 876, Art. 76. Finality of proceedings, findings, and sentences
The appellate review of records of trial provided by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], the proceedings, findings, and sentences of courts-martial as approved, reviewed, or affirmed as required by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], and all dismissals and discharges carried into execution under sentences by courts-martial following approval, review, or affirmation as required by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], are final and conclusive.
Please sign: Petition Site to be presented at clemency hearing.
Corey literally lives for mail. According to his mom it’s about all that keeps him going. You can write Corey your words of encouragement at:
Corey Clagett 82477
1300 N.Warehouse rd
Ft.Leavenworth, KS
66027
Corey can receive donation for his phone bank. You will help him by sending a United State Postal Service Money Order in any amount to the above address. Again, it must clearly have the address with his serial number on it or it will be returned.
If you would like to send him postage stamps they must come online at www.usps.com Corey’s serial number must be included. He can also receive books as long as they come directly from the vendor like Amazon etc.
The operation was called Iron Triangle and carried out in an area called Thar-Thar, 120 kilometers north of Baghdad.
According to Iraqi officials, the area was the largest insurgent training camp that had been discovered in the war at that time.
Just before leaving, on their May 9th the soldiers had been given an order to “kill all military-age men” at the site by their superior officers. The soldiers were also told to expect heavy resistance because an Army Ranger Unit had previously suffered casualties while in the area.Military officials in Baghdad have declined to comment on whether such an order, which would have been a violation of the law of war, might have been given.
Clagett was among 9 American Cavalry Scouts who accompanied 100 Iraqi commandos on the raid.
Corey’s squad reported to the colonel, Michael Steele, the brigade commander. Col Steele led the 1993 mission as a captain in Somalia made famous by the book and movie “Black Hawk Down.”
Please contribute here: All contributions used for Travel, Printing Supplies, Web-Site Maintenance, and Corey’s phone bank at Leavenworth when he is allowed to phone his family.
A Blackhawk helicopter dropped Corey’s squad off on an island consisting of two homes. The squad then approached one of the homes and discovered three military-aged males using two women as human shields. Corey’s squad handcuffed and detained the three men while the squad leader, Staff Sergeant Girouard, radioed Command to report the three detainees. The response was, “Why aren’t these terrorists dead yet
Girouard held a meeting of the entire squad. He then ordered Corey and another soldier, William Hunsaker, to kill the three detainees. Corey and Hunsaker were coincidentally the two lowest-ranked members of the squad.
Following the meeting, Girouard cut off the detainee’s zip-ties and ordered Corey and Hunsaker to shoot them. Corey recognized that he had been given an unlawful order. However, he knew the Rules of Engagement were to “shoot to kill.” Corey was aware of the Intelligence and knew that under the new “catch and release” program, the detainees would likely be released very quickly. These consequences weighed heavily on Corey as these detainees, once released, would most likely provide damaging intelligence to al Qaeda or even kill other U.S. soldiers. As the youngest and lowest ranking member of the squad, he was fearful of the consequences of disobeying the order.
Corey decided to follow the order and accompanied by Hunsaker, told the detainees to run away and then began to shoot, killing two of them. The third detainee was found alive and barely breathing. However, the squad doctor believed there was no way to save him. As such, Girouard ordered Specialist Graber to put the third detainee out of his misery. Graber shot the mortally wounded man in the head.
Girouard, in an attempt to make the killing seem justified, decided to create the appearance that the detainees had attacked Corey and Hunsaker while attempting to escape. Prior to returning to base camp, Girouard instructed Corey and Hunsaker on the manner in which they would cover up the shooting.
Two days later, command authorities began a criminal investigation into the deaths of the detainees. Corey and Hunsaker were instructed by Girouard to “stick to the story.” Girouard even threatened other members of the squad in order to keep them quiet. The investigation eventually uncovered the actual events of that day and Corey was charged with the deaths of the detainees, along with Hunsaker and Girouard.
During his pre-trial confinement in Kuwait, American guards abused Corey. He would often go unfed. He was forced to sleep while chained in the fetal position. He was subjected to 24 hours of bright lights. He was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, enduring harsher conditions than the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.
Finally, after being threatened with the prospect of life in prison or the death penalty, his military attorney, a jag officer who had never tried a murder case advised the young PFC to take a plea. In doing so, Corey decided to plead guilty to murder. He agreed to cooperate with the government and testify against Girouard. Corey was then sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Incredibly, despite the extent of Girouard’s involvement, he was found guilty of a lesser-included offense. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and released after 3. Additionally, Graber, who was charged with the mercy killing of the third detainee, served only 9 months in prison. Following his release, he was redeployed to Iraq and was subsequently promoted.
How much time is enough for a young soldier who made the tragic error in judgment to follow an unlawful order in a combat zone to kill men who he believed to be Al Qaeda operatives?
How much time is enough for a soldier who took responsibility for his actions and provided substantial assistance to the Government in the prosecution of his squad leader who ordered the killings?
How much longer should this young man, who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with anxiety and depression, continue to be held in solitary confinement at USDB Fort Leavenworth?
Given the unique circumstances of this case, the four years already served in solitary confinement and one year confined to military prisons in Kuwait. His time in confinement has been more than sufficient. It is in the interest of justice that Corey Clagett be released.
A US Naval Academy graduate, Timothy Parlatore was recently retained to handle Corey’s case. Mr. Parlatore, served two deployments to the Middle East as a Lieutenant. Since his graduation from law school, Mr. Parlatore has earned a reputation as a respected defense attorney in New York City.
To learn more about the injustice Corey has endured please click here.
Additionally, a “Free Corey Clagett” Facebook page is now up and running. Please ask anyone and everyone with a Facebook account to join the Facebook group, post supportive comments, and solicit others to join the “Free Corey Clagett” Facebook page. His mother will print all well wishes and send them to Corey.
Corey’s legal defense is sponsored by a non-profit organization The United American Patriots
This organization depends on donations from people like you to insure that our warriors receive the best possible legal defense.
Additionally the numbers of online supporters will be used as evidence at the clemency hearing of public support for Corey’s release.
Those having connections with media coverage please contact Corey’s attorney Mr. Parlatore at Timothy@efranzlaw.com. Phone: 212-355-2200.
Media coverage will provide additional support to bring this horrific saga to a happy conclusion.
Once Corey’s story becomes more prominent, public support for his Clemency will skyrocket. As such, key writers from widely disseminated publications for full coverage of Corey’s story and petition for Clemency are being solicited as well.
In conclusion, have you ever wanted to do something that seems impossible, something bigger than yourself, and once accomplished it will stay in your heart forever? Please join us in making sure that Corey Clagett is released following his upcoming clemency hearing in April.
Copyright © 2010 Jim Campbell
No comments:
Post a Comment