TV News LIES

Wednesday, Oct 22nd

Last update07:51:54 AM GMT

You are here News Military In suicide epidemic, military wrestles with prosecuting troops who attempt it

In suicide epidemic, military wrestles with prosecuting troops who attempt it

E-mail Print PDF

Military suicide epedemicMarine Corps Pvt. Lazzaric T. Caldwell slit his wrists and spurred a legal debate that’s consuming the Pentagon, as well as the nation’s top military appeals court.

On Tuesday, the court wrestled with the wisdom of prosecuting Caldwell after his January 2010 suicide attempt. Though Caldwell pleaded guilty, he and his attorneys now question his original plea and the broader military law that makes “self-injury” a potential criminal offense.

The questions resonate amid what Pentagon leaders have called an “epidemic” of military suicides.

“If suicide is indeed the worst enemy the armed forces have,” Senior Judge Walter T. Cox III said, “then why should we criminalize it when it fails?”

For 40 minutes Tuesday morning, Cox and the four other members of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces sounded deeply ambivalent about the complexities involved in prosecuting members of the military who try to kill themselves. While several judges sounded skeptical about the government’s claim that Caldwell’s actions brought discredit to the Marine Corps, judges also sounded hesitant about ruling out prosecution altogether.

TVNL Comment: This is an insane policy.  These are troubled men and women who so often are spurred toward suicide by their military experience.  What a primitive approach to their difficulties.

More...


Most Recent Related Stories...


Lawmakers slam Ice after US military veterans are arrested, injured

Ice attacks US veteransSome of the most decorated military veterans in Congress say they are outraged after a report...

Highway shuts down as Marines’ show sparks clash with Newsom

Marine show in CAA major southern California highway was shut down for a U.S. Marine Corps demonstration on Oct....

Artillery shell exploded prematurely over California freeway during marines celebration

Artillery shell explodes iver Ca. highwayA live artillery shell exploded prematurely during a marines live-fire demonstration that launched over a southern...

US admiral to retire amid military strikes in Caribbean and tensions with Venezuela

Admirl resignsAmid escalating tensions with Venezuela and US military strikes on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean,...
 
America's # 1 Enemy
Tee Shirt
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
TVNL Tee Shirt
 
TVNL TOTE BAG
Conserve our Planet
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
Get your 9/11 & Media
Deception Dollars
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
The Loaded Deck
The First & the Best!
The Media & Bush Admin Exposed!