Former Marine Acquitted of Iraqi Killings in Landmark Trial

IRVINE, Calif. — A former Marine accused of killing unarmed Iraqi detainees was acquitted of voluntary manslaughter Thursday in a first-of-its-kind federal trial.

The jury took six hours to find Jose Luis Nazario Jr. not guilty of charges that he killed or caused others to kill four unarmed detainees on Nov. 9, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, during some of the fiercest fighting of the war.

The verdict left the 28-year-old defendant in tears. He cried so loud that the judge smacked his gavel to call for order. Nazario's family and friends also sobbed in the courtroom.

"It's been a long, hard year for my family," Nazario said outside the courtroom. "I need a moment to catch my breath and try to get my life back together."

Thursday's verdict marks the first time a civilian jury has determined whether the alleged actions of a former military service member in combat violated the law of war.

One of the jurors, Ingrid Wicken, hugged Nazario's sobbing mother, Sandra Montanez, without speaking after the verdict was read. "I watched her all week. She was being tortured every day," Wicken said later.

Wicken said the panel acquitted Nazario because there was not enough evidence against him.

"I think you don't know what goes on in combat until you are in combat," she said.

Amen.

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Labels: Fallujah, Good News, Iraq, Jose Luis Nazario Jr, Troops on Trial, USMC

Labels: Fallujah, Hey Al Dubat, Iraqi, photos

Face the Future
An Iraqi child watches U.S. Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment patrol in Hadari Precinct, Fallujah, Iraq on June 3. The U.S. Marines patrol the area to help reduce violence in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Martin Moman.

Labels: 3-6 Marine Regiment, children, Fallujah, Hadari Precinct, Iraq, photos, USMC

A Sister of Fallujah, searches a woman’s bag of canned tomatoes at Entry Control Point 1 in Fallujah, Iraq. She searches every woman, child and their belonging at the ECP before entering the city; looking for any suspicious items that could be harmful to the public such as bomb-making material. Photo by Sgt. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc; submitted 03/02/2008.

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Labels: Entry Control Point, Fallujah, Iraq, photos, Sisters of Fallujah, USMC

From Multi-National Force Iraq


Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, patrol the city streets and alleyways of the Andaloos District of Fallujah. With the help of Victor (middle), the Co. K interpreter and Middle Eastern native, the “Darkhorse” battalion Marines maneuver through the city with the capability to speak with locals. Interpreters, such as Victor, play an integral role in the everyday fight. He helps the Marines make progress through communications while leading them through an unfamiliar culture. Photo by: Pfc. Brian D. Jones, Regimental Combat Team 6.


Sunday, 02 December 2007

FALLUJAH — Over the radio, a Marine’s voice was heard: “Yeah, this dude is crazy. We had Victor ask around and everyone confirmed it, over.”

An Iraqi man had told Marines rumors about insurgent activity in Fallujah. Victor, an interpreter with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, saved the time and effort of pursuing false tips from the bogus source, proving his worth to the Marines.

Victor plays an integrated role in the Marines’ day-to-day job in keeping the city safe and prospering. His skill in translating provides the Marines with the means to overcome the language barrier they face every day. He’s native to the Middle East and offers the Marines the ability to decipher the unfamiliar Arab culture.

Whether they’re patrolling the streets, training the Iraqi security forces or simply purchasing goods in the market, without the help of someone like Victor tasks would be much more complicated.

“Victor” was the name given to him by the Marines since no one could pronounce his Arabic name with any accuracy. He works, lives and endures the long days alongside the “Darkhorse” battalion Marines, who have taken him in as a friend and colleague.

“Victor is awesome,” said Sgt. Ysac M. Perez, a squad leader. “He’s always willing to help us out with anything we need to get done.”

Victor said he came to the job by replying to an advertisement in a newspaper from his hometown in a nearby Middle Eastern country. He said he then passed the required exam and was offered the position of a lower-level interpreter.

As they walked down the streets on a recent patrol, adults and small children alike called out Victor by name, and openly greeted him and the Marines as they passed.

“I feel like I’m doing a great job, and feel like I can help the Iraqi people and American people because I can speak English and I can make it easier for both,” said Victor. “I feel like I am one of (the Marines). They are my friends and they treat me good. They’re nice people until they know someone is not good.”

As they patrolled and stopped to speak with people in the city, Victor investigated how the people of Fallujah feel about the situation the war has brought on them in the past, present and future.

People told Victor about the hard times they have gone through in the city. They explained to him that for a long time, they could not sleep. They could not go outside. Things went missing from the market. Terrorists took their money. They had no power or water and the children quit attending school. Terrorists liked to kill and they killed by sword, not by bullet. They didn’t understand what the terrorists wanted exactly.

“The people feared that (having Coalition forces in the city) would be bad for them like it was before, especially Fallujah,” said Victor. “The people now understand that the Marines are here to help them, not control them. Nobody believed it would be as good as it is now.”

Victor recalled a story an Iraqi policeman told him about how he feared taking out the trash each day because he would find severed human heads in his trash can.

“The Marines were a gift to them from the sky,” Victor said. “For (Iraqis) it was hard times when the terrorists came. They were controlling them. They were not allowed to smoke, listen to music, eat certain foods or wear (Western) clothes and they were forced to go to the mosques and pray. They were not allowed to do this or that. They were not allowed to do many things. It was very scary for them. (Terrorists) killed a lot of people. When they woke up in the morning, they would find people lying dead in the streets and they did not know why the terrorists were doing what they were doing.”

Throughout the day, Victor is also tasked with translating prayers coming from the loudspeakers atop of mosques.

“Don’t worry about the struggles of today. There is a greater afterlife awaiting you where you can have all that you desire,” was just one of the messages resonating from the speakers through the streets as Victor translated.

“They felt that one day (terrorists) would come again, but now the Marines are here and have worked with them and trained them well,” said Victor.

Victor said he believes the Fallujah Iraqi Police (IP) have come along well for being so new.

“They need more training, but there are a lot of them, a good number,” said Victor. “Day by day, they are working and learning to function better on their own, and I think if something were to happen they could control it on their own.”

On a daily basis Victor maintains good working relations between the Marines and IPs, translating for both parties.

“(IPs) are happy, and I think the moment the Marines leave, they will be sad,” said Victor. “They know the Marines are here to support them. They have to learn to do the job alone because the Marines cannot stay here forever, but they feel safe now because the Marines have experience, and if anything happens, they know Marines can control it right away.”

Every day a smile was brought to Victor’s face as people expressed their gratitude to the Marines through him.

“‘Who would believe that Fallujah could be like this?’ the people would say,” said Victor. “You can go down to the market and see how good things are. (Iraqis) are so happy. The Marines have helped them a lot. They’ve made them a peaceful home with security, made them IDs, trained them and gave them jobs.”

Victor pointed out the cement barriers that block the streets as examples of the difficult but necessary adjustments residents have had to make in putting a halt to violence in the city.

“People know that everything is (secure) now and it must be like this,” said Victor. “I think everyone is happy now. No one complains.”

(Story by Pfc. Brian Jones, Regimental Combat Team 6)

In Other Recent Developments Here:

BAGHDAD — Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Friday and Saturday to disrupt al-Qaida operations in the central and northern parts of the country.

BALAD — Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics team detained a suspected high-level improvised explosive device facilitator during operations Nov. 30 to disrupt extremist networks operating in the area.

Labels: 3-5 Marines, Andaloos District, Darkhorse Battalion, Fallujah, Interpreters, Iraq, Regimental Combat Team 6, USMC

In the Hole
A U.S. Soldier feels inside a tunnel for hidden weapons during a joint cordon and search with Iraqi National Police at a brick factory in Narhwan, Iraq, Nov. 6, 2007. The Soldiers are from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Timothy Kingston.




PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2007) - Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 warm up with a set of jumping jacks before going on a two and a half mile march in full battle gear on board Port Hueneme. NMCB 3 is training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the Middle East. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez




A Marine with third platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, patrols his neighborhood in Fallujah's Nazaal district, Nov. 6. The leathernecks with third platoon moved into a house soon after they arrived in country and began assimilating into the neighborhood. This increased proximity to ordinary Iraqi folks in the city has brought them to the point of inclusion in the community. Photo by: Sgt. Stephen M. DeBoard , 2nd Marine Division Read the story associated with this photo




5th International Working Dog Breeding Conference
Tech. Sgt. David Adcox holds his military working dog Samo, as decoy Staff Sgt. Jeremy Toliver agitates the dog during a demonstration Nov. 7 for the 5th International Working Dog Breeding Conference at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The conference was attended by 140 people from 16 countries, representing military, government and non-government programs, academia and industry. The conference focuses on the improvement of dogs through selective breeding for working occupations such as military, police, detection and assistance. The sergeants and Samo are from the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Robbin




Coast Guard Rescues Passengers from Grounded Cruise Ship
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A Coast Guard rescue crew from Station Portsmouth ferries passengers of the cruise ship SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET to shore after the ship ran aground in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway approximately 8-miles north of the Virginia, North Carolina stateline,Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. The Coast Guard is investigating investigating the cause of the grounding. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kip Wadlow)

Labels: 10th FAR, Fallujah, Iraq, military working dog, photos, Regimental Team 6, Seabees, US Army, US Navy, USAF, USCG, USMC

SMALL TALK — A U.S. Marine with Regimental Combat Team 6 talks with a group of children in their apartment complex while members of the Iraqi police and neighborhood watch give food bags to families in Fallujah, Iraq, Sept. 7, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samuel D. Corum

Labels: children, Fallujah, Iraq, photos, Regimental Combat Team 6, USMC

Candy thrown by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Helmstetter assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Multi National Force-West, suspends in the air as Iraqi children wait in anticipation for gravity to take its course in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. Moments later, the crowd dropped to hands and knees to gather up the treats. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


An Iraqi child is evaluated by a U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Paolo Hernandez during a medical engagement sponsored by the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Multi National Force-West, in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. Approximately 60 patients approached the doctor for various medical complaints. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Schmidt and Cpl. Thomas Brock assigned to I Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Multi National Force-West, inflate soccer balls to be passed out to Iraqi children. The Marines are participating in a goodwill visit to a village to strengthen ties with the local community in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


Iraqi and Marine leaders talk, during a goodwill visit to a village within the operation area of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Multi National Force-West in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. The primary purpose of the visit is to provide medical assistance to Iraqi citizens in need, but the Marines also spent a significant amount of time building goodwill with the local residents. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


Iraqi children laugh and play with a Marine across concertina, in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. The Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, are sponsoring a medical engagement in the community. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


An Iraqi child lightly grabs concertina while awaiting medical treatment during a medical engagement sponsored by the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Multi National Force-West, in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


Iraqi children reach aggressively for toys being passed out by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Helmstetter, in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. The 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, is hosting a medical engagement in the community, but the Marines also brought toys and candy to spread goodwill. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson


U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment prepare to open a one-day clinic for citizens of a nearby village in Fallujah, Iraq, June 9, 2007. In addition to medical assistance, the Marines also brought clothes, toys and candy for the children. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson



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Labels: children, Fallujah, Humanitarian Aid, Iraq, photo essays, photos, USMC

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert W. Jarvis and Lance Cpl. Ian S. Whoehler sweep the side of a small berm for any weapons caches. Both are assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. Engineers conducted cache sweeps north of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 18-20, 2007. They traveled 31.4 km in two-man teams. During the three-day operation they uncovered a missile, seven 14.5 mm heavy machine-guns, over 8,000 rounds, around 30 mortar rounds and various rifles.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran


U.S Marine Cpl. Timothy W. Literal assigned to 1st Combat Engineers Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, carries the barrel of a 14.5 mm heavy machine-gun. Engineers conducted weapons cache sweeps north of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 18-20, 2007. Marines searched every berm along their 31.4 km search. They checked everywhere their metal detectors sounded. Most of the time it was trash but they did end up with some large caches at the end of the mission. Engineers were happy to take the weapons away from insurgents and help Coalition Forces. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran


U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander M. Babcock assigned to 1st Combat Engineers Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, sets up fuses for a command detonation. Engineers with the battalion performed weapons cache sweeps north of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 18-20, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran


U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Timothy W. Little assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, digs for weapons. Engineers conducted weapons cache sweeps north of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 18-20, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran


U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander M. Babcock assigned to 1st Combat Engineers Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, sweeps around a berm for any weapons caches. Engineers in the battalion conducted cache sweeps north of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 18-20, 2007. During the three-day operation engineers unearthed a guided missile, seven 14.5 mm heavy machine-guns, around 30 mortars, more than 8,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as fuses and a variety of rifles. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran



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Labels: Fallujah, Iraq, Marines, photo essay