"Defend Our Marines" Website Steps Forward in Spades
Below is a re-print of a blog post on the United American Patriots blog. Please access their site, with link to blog, at:
http://www.unitedpatriots.org/
These organizations are providing such incredibly important assistance to military families in need, based on accusations of "war crimes" out of armed conflict in the Middle East! We owe them our thanks, and we owe the soldiers they assist our respect and support.
------------------------------------------------
“Defend Our Marines” website steps forward in spades.
By Major Bill Donahue, USMC -RET August 18, 2008
DEFEND OUR MARINES
_____________________________________________________
Trial for Marine in civilian court two weeks away
Defend Our Marines offers match for defense fund donations by David Allender August 7, 2008
Major Bill Donahue (USMC, retired) heads United American Patriots, a national non-profit 501(c) 3 organization and its Warrior Fund project. His mission is to ensure justice for soldiers and Marines accused of crimes arising out of combat in Iraq.
Donahue speaks with passion about his cause. And he speaks with understandable pride about his successes. Donations from Warrior Fund were crucial to the recent exonerations of Sgt. Leonardo Treviño and Sgt. 1st Class Trey Corrales. Regarding contributions from across America, lawyer Rich Stevens said “you all played a part in these victories”.
“My Board of Directors and I are doing this because we know that the government isn’t giving our troops a fair shake,” Donahue says. “We also know that our soldiers and Marines already have the deck stacked against them. When a sitting congressional representative, John Murtha, can publicly proclaim our Marines as being ‘cold-blooded murderers’ even before any investigation begins, it is evident that politics is playing a major hand in these prosecutions. Either patriotic Americans step forward with money they would otherwise spend at the movies or these troop’s families will have to mortgage their lives to pay for an adequate civilian legal defense. JAG-appointed attorneys are notoriously inexperienced in these sorts of cases. We know times are tough for many citizens, but think about how tough spending the rest of your life in a military prison would be like–for just doing your duty.”
As has been reported extensively by Nat Helms for Defend Our Marines, the Third Battle of Fallujah will take place in courtrooms.
Jose Nazario will go on trial in civilian court in just two weeks (Donahue’s organization is shouldering the lion’s share of his legal fees). Nazario is charged voluntary manslaughter for the deaths of insurgents inside a house during combat operations. He is also charged with a long list of lesser charges including “knowingly using and carrying a firearm”.
As a Marine, Nazario faced the full might of the Iraq insurgency. Now, as a defendant, he faces the full might (and unlimited resources) of the United States government. Nazario’s resources are practically nonexistent, but Bill Donahue aims to tip the scales just a little by raising cash for his defense.
Here’s how you can help.
Go online to the Warrior Fund (www.unitedamericanpatriots.org) and donate now (just write “Jose Nazario Defense Fund” in the comment field during the checkout process). Or if, you prefer, send a check, to…
United American Patriots Inc.
Attn: Warrior Fund / Jose Nazario case
5817 Starboard Drive, Suite 100
Greensboro NC 27410
Defend Our Marines will match the first $1,000 dollar-for-dollar with a $1,000 contribution of our own.
We’ve never made such a direct appeal for help here on Defend Our Marines but are doing so now because we believe that Jose Nazario deserves the thanks of a grateful nation, not the prospect of life in prison.
We also believe in Bill Donahue as a man who is totally committed to justice. And we believe neither Jose nor his family should have to forfeit their lives in financial ruin to prove his innocence.
It’s urgent and imperative that the defenders of our nation receive just treatment from the citizens they’d give their lives to protect. If you agree, please step up today. Without your help, a good man like Nazario will never have the justice he so richly has earned.
[Blog Note: True to his word, David Allender has sent UAP a personal check for $1,000.00. And, through his website, he has raised more than $830.00 more for Nazario's defense. David is a true American Patriot]
Go to the Defend Our Fallujah Marines main page at:
http://www.warchronicle.com/TheyAreNotKillers/DefendOurMarines.htm
Or, contact David at at WarChronicle@verizon.net
----------------------------------------
By: Richard V. Stevens
civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Frank Spinner and I (Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Fourth of July!
Happy Fourth of July to you and yours! Before the cookouts and fireworks, please take a moment to give thanks for the brave men and women of the American military, and their families, whose courage and sacrifice ensure our freedom.
Have a great and safe Independence Day!
By: Richard V. Stevens
civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com/
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com/
Blog postscript: Frank Spinner and I (Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
Monday, May 26, 2008
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
We wish you all a very Happy and Meaningful Memorial Day. Please take some time today to reflect on the meaning of the day and to thank those brave Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Please also keep in your thoughts and prayers those brave Americans (and their families) who are currently serving our country, particularly overseas in the War on Terror.
On this Memorial Day, I am going to particularly remember a couple things...
This is the one year anniversary of a tragic loss of American soldiers near Muqdadiyah, Iraq on Memorial Day 2007. On this day last year, an American helicopter was downed by terrorist insurgents in Iraq. Lost were the two pilots: LT Keith Heidtman and CWO Theodore Church.
When the helicopter went down, a quick reaction force from 6-9 Cavalry on FOB Normandy was scrambled to respond to the downed helicopter. Tragically, enemy IEDs killed six of these soldiers on the way to the scene. Lost were:
LT Kyle West
SGT Jonathan Markham
SGT Anthony Ewing
CPL James Summers
CPL Zachary Baker
SPC Alexandre Alexeev
This mission played a central role in the case of SGT Leonardo Trevino, and its impact on the entire unit was dramatic. I will be keeping the two pilots, the six Army Cavalry troopers and their families in my thoughts and prayers today.
An article on this incident can be accessed at:
Today I will also be thinking about the Honor Flight program. The Honor Flight program is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for their sacrifices. They fly American veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials from our wars to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. Priority for these free Honor Flights is given to senior veterans. Right now, those are the remaining WWII veterans. After the WWII veterans, the organization will focus on veterans of the war in Korea and the war in Vietnam. When I think of the ultimate sacrifice paid by those who are represented and remembered by our war memorials, I can think of no more fitting tribute to them than to have those they served with visit the memorials and offer their private thoughts, remembrances and reflections about those who were lost.
The Honor Flight program can be accessed at:
We live in an amazing country and our freedoms are protected through the sacrifices of our military. So many have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We thank and honor them all!
By: Richard V. Stevens
civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Frank Spinner and I (Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Support for American Soldiers Accused of Crimes out of Fighting the War on Terror in the Middle East
Reflecting back on the SFC Trey Corrales and SGT Leonardo Treviño cases, I can’t express how important the support – both moral support and financial support – was for the accused soldiers, their families and their defense teams. We thank you all so much.
Last year, I first wrote about organizations that were assisting these accused soldiers and their families with legal bills and other expenses incurred as a result of the accusations they faced. Here is the link to that blog post:
http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2007/10/charitable-organizations-established-to.html
Scott Huddleston (San Antonio Express-News), who covered the SGT Leonardo Treviño case at Ft Hood, TX, addressed this support in his post-trial blog, stating:
"As in the Corrales case, Treviño's family held fund-raisers and relied on groups such as United American Patriots and the Military Combat Defense Fund to give the sergeant the best possible defense."
Mr. Huddleston’s entire blog post can be accessed at:
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/military/2008/05/scott_huddleston_jurys_message.html
In the Treviño case, we received support from the people of San Antonio, TX (Leonard’s home town) and organizations like the Military Combat Defense Fund (MCDF). Some links for the MCDF, “Defend Our Troops” and “Defend Our Marines” can be found at:
http://www.militarycombatdefensefund.com/
http://warchronicle.com/DefendOurTroops/TheseVictories_10MAY08.htm
All of the support we received was so very appreciated. The majority of support we received for the Treviño case, and continue to receive, came from the United American Patriots and their Warrior Defense Fund. They, like the others, doggedly seek support for these cases out of the Middle East. Throughout the Treviño case, they continued to express their support for us and to rally support for the Treviños and the Corrales family. This organization does the same for the other cases they are involved in, as I have seen in their e-mails and mailings since I was introduced to them. Some links to their organization are:
http://www.unitedpatriots.org/
http://www.unitedpatriots.org/Warrior%20Fund/main.asp
http://www.warrior-fund.org/
When asked about the support we received, I have continued to say the same thing – it was absolutely crucial.
As I have written elsewhere, it is very difficult and confusing for our military members and their families, who have sacrificed and contributed so much to the military's missions, to suddenly face accusations of crimes out of combat in the Middle East. Support – both moral support and financial support – is incredibly important for our troops and their families emotionally, and to cover the costs of defending these cases.
In order to properly defend our troops against these allegations, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort. For example, there were multiple pretrial hearings – Article 32 hearing, pretrial confinement hearing, motion hearing – in the Treviño case. There was the need to make multiple trips to Ft Hood to interview all the necessary witnesses. There was the need to spend a lot of time at Ft Hood preparing for trial, and then defending the case in trial. Some of these cases require trips to the Middle East – which means even more time away and more expense.
Most attorneys who specialize in military law, like we do, travel from our offices to the bases/locations where the cases are being held. These trips mean time away from other cases and considerable expenses for us to essentially live at the location of the trial for periods in which we're preparing the case and then trying the case. Without the donations the Treviños received, it would have been virtually impossible for them, or any similarly situated military family, to afford the defense provided.
I certainly feel guilty for saying that. I would love to be in a position to provide defenses to these troops for free. They sacrifice so much for us. But, the reality is that we turn away cases/clients to ensure we have the time necessary to devote to defending these cases, and we amass such considerable expenses in travel and working out of distant locations, that it isn't financially possible for us to defend these cases pro bono.
The support we received in these cases was so vital to a proper defense. Looking back, after two full acquittals (Treviño and Corrales), all the time and effort we poured into these defenses was well worth it. I just hope the organizations who provide this support continue to be able to raise and receive similar support for other cases they’re involved in. It is truly crucial for these families!
If you are reading this blog post, you are likely interested in the military justice system. At this time in our country’s history, the military justice system is dealing with many cases questioning the actions of our troops who are prosecuting the war in the Middle East. With so much media exposure, public access to and scrutiny on the actions of our troops, this trend is likely to continue until the troops all come home. As you will see throughout our law firm’s blog posts, we send our support and thoughts and prayers to our American soldiers who are fighting this war in very difficult conditions (insurgent warfare in urban environments) and in a very politically sensitive time. I hope you all continue to support our troops as well.
We thank everyone who expressed their support for our clients and their families throughout the Corrales and Treviño cases – whether it was words of encouragement or financial donations; both were so important for these successful defenses. You all played a part in these victories!
By: Richard V. Stevens
civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Frank Spinner and I (Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
Reflecting back on the SFC Trey Corrales and SGT Leonardo Treviño cases, I can’t express how important the support – both moral support and financial support – was for the accused soldiers, their families and their defense teams. We thank you all so much.
Last year, I first wrote about organizations that were assisting these accused soldiers and their families with legal bills and other expenses incurred as a result of the accusations they faced. Here is the link to that blog post:
http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2007/10/charitable-organizations-established-to.html
Scott Huddleston (San Antonio Express-News), who covered the SGT Leonardo Treviño case at Ft Hood, TX, addressed this support in his post-trial blog, stating:
"As in the Corrales case, Treviño's family held fund-raisers and relied on groups such as United American Patriots and the Military Combat Defense Fund to give the sergeant the best possible defense."
Mr. Huddleston’s entire blog post can be accessed at:
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/military/2008/05/scott_huddleston_jurys_message.html
In the Treviño case, we received support from the people of San Antonio, TX (Leonard’s home town) and organizations like the Military Combat Defense Fund (MCDF). Some links for the MCDF, “Defend Our Troops” and “Defend Our Marines” can be found at:
http://www.militarycombatdefensefund.com/
http://warchronicle.com/DefendOurTroops/TheseVictories_10MAY08.htm
All of the support we received was so very appreciated. The majority of support we received for the Treviño case, and continue to receive, came from the United American Patriots and their Warrior Defense Fund. They, like the others, doggedly seek support for these cases out of the Middle East. Throughout the Treviño case, they continued to express their support for us and to rally support for the Treviños and the Corrales family. This organization does the same for the other cases they are involved in, as I have seen in their e-mails and mailings since I was introduced to them. Some links to their organization are:
http://www.unitedpatriots.org/
http://www.unitedpatriots.org/Warrior%20Fund/main.asp
http://www.warrior-fund.org/
When asked about the support we received, I have continued to say the same thing – it was absolutely crucial.
As I have written elsewhere, it is very difficult and confusing for our military members and their families, who have sacrificed and contributed so much to the military's missions, to suddenly face accusations of crimes out of combat in the Middle East. Support – both moral support and financial support – is incredibly important for our troops and their families emotionally, and to cover the costs of defending these cases.
In order to properly defend our troops against these allegations, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort. For example, there were multiple pretrial hearings – Article 32 hearing, pretrial confinement hearing, motion hearing – in the Treviño case. There was the need to make multiple trips to Ft Hood to interview all the necessary witnesses. There was the need to spend a lot of time at Ft Hood preparing for trial, and then defending the case in trial. Some of these cases require trips to the Middle East – which means even more time away and more expense.
Most attorneys who specialize in military law, like we do, travel from our offices to the bases/locations where the cases are being held. These trips mean time away from other cases and considerable expenses for us to essentially live at the location of the trial for periods in which we're preparing the case and then trying the case. Without the donations the Treviños received, it would have been virtually impossible for them, or any similarly situated military family, to afford the defense provided.
I certainly feel guilty for saying that. I would love to be in a position to provide defenses to these troops for free. They sacrifice so much for us. But, the reality is that we turn away cases/clients to ensure we have the time necessary to devote to defending these cases, and we amass such considerable expenses in travel and working out of distant locations, that it isn't financially possible for us to defend these cases pro bono.
The support we received in these cases was so vital to a proper defense. Looking back, after two full acquittals (Treviño and Corrales), all the time and effort we poured into these defenses was well worth it. I just hope the organizations who provide this support continue to be able to raise and receive similar support for other cases they’re involved in. It is truly crucial for these families!
If you are reading this blog post, you are likely interested in the military justice system. At this time in our country’s history, the military justice system is dealing with many cases questioning the actions of our troops who are prosecuting the war in the Middle East. With so much media exposure, public access to and scrutiny on the actions of our troops, this trend is likely to continue until the troops all come home. As you will see throughout our law firm’s blog posts, we send our support and thoughts and prayers to our American soldiers who are fighting this war in very difficult conditions (insurgent warfare in urban environments) and in a very politically sensitive time. I hope you all continue to support our troops as well.
We thank everyone who expressed their support for our clients and their families throughout the Corrales and Treviño cases – whether it was words of encouragement or financial donations; both were so important for these successful defenses. You all played a part in these victories!
By: Richard V. Stevens
civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Frank Spinner and I (Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
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