US marine given 40 years for rape

[Sapphire Blue]

US marine given 40 years for rape

A US marine has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping a local woman in the Philippines last year.

The sentence was handed down to Lance Corporal Daniel Smith in a Manila courtroom for the rape of the woman in a van at a former US navy base.

Three other defendants, Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier, were all cleared of rape.

(snip)

He {Judge Benjamin Pozon} said the length of the sentence was aimed at "protecting women against the unbridled bestiality of persons who cannot control their libidinous proclivity".

Continued @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6205324.stm

[EST]

1. I was going to say 'bout high dern time, given some of the

weak willie sentences being assessed for rape/murder in Iraq, like seventeen months in the brig plus dishonorable discharge.
Then, on reading, it became evident that this was Manilla, so they couldn't claim "fog of war" and, since it was in a Manilla courtroom, it wasn't a military trial at all but a civilian one.

I do not find this at all excessive and I am ashamed and saddened at the cavalier way the horrors perpetrated on Iraqi civilians are dismissed by the military. Heads should roll.(figuratively)

[The Stranger]

7. Yet another disparity between crimes in the "War on Terror" and elsewhere.

None of those convicted of murdering Iraqis have received 40 years. Is there yet another set of rules governing for the criminals conducting the War on Terror?

[Trillo]

2. but for undermining democracy,

the GOP gets a fine of about $135,000.

What's wrong with the picture?

[Astrad]

3. To the woman who was raped

probably nothing.

[lukasahero]

4. Thank you. eom

[LostinVA]

6. Exactly n/t

[rainbow4321]

5. Marine to remain in Philippine custody (for now)

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=36279

Pozon ruled on the case 23 days before the one-year deadline under the Visiting Forces Agreement to finish the case or return the Marines to US jurisdiction would have expired.
<snip>

Attorney Ricardo Diaz, Smith’s lawyer, appealed to the court that his client be allowed to remain in the custody of the US embassy while his case was being appealed but Judge Pozon denied the lawyer’s motion twice.


It was unclear whether Smith would serve the sentence in the Philippines or elsewhere. He also could appeal the verdict.


In a separate interview on GMA Network’s QTV-11, “Nicole” said she was “happy” with the verdict. She also praised Pozon for ordering Smith to be sent to the Makati City Jail instead of handing him back to American custody.


http://newsinfo.inq7.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=36303

LAWYERS of US Marine Daniel Smith have informed the Makati City Regional Trial Court that they would elevate his verdict to the Court of Appeals.

Formoso said they would also file before the Supreme Court a petition for habeas corpus to release Smith from the Makati City Jail and return him to the custody of the US authorities while his case is under appeal.

Smith was immediately taken by Makati police to their headquarters before committing him to the Makati City Jail as ordered by Pozon.

However, Formoso said the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and US “provides that custody would still be with the US military until termination of all judicial proceedings,” which includes the appeals process that could go all the way to the Supreme Court.


http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view_article.php?article_id=36320
Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Makati chief of police, said that right after the verdict was read, at least four US security personnel tried to take Smith with them but were prevented from doing so by local police.