Montana Men Who Lied About Military Service Ordered To Wear 'I Am A Liar' Signs

[FM123]

(NPR) When Ryan Patrick Morris and Troy Allan Nelson appeared in court after violating the terms of their respective (and unrelated) probations last week, Montana's Cascade County District Judge Greg Pinksi added a unique list of punishments to their sentences — including an order to wear a sign saying "I am a liar" — for pretending that they had served in the military.

Ultimately, the judge sentenced Morris to 10 years in prison for a felony burglary charge with three years suspended, and Nelson received five years for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with two years suspended, the Great Falls Tribune reported.

But before either man can be eligible for parole, Pinski decided, Morris and Nelson must demonstrate remorse for their lies by writing letters of apology to the American Legion, AMVETS and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, among other groups. They also have to handwrite the names of all 6,756 Americans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they have to pen obituaries of the 40 Montanans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pinksi also ordered each man to complete 441 hours of community service — one hour for each of the Montanans killed in combat since the Korean War.

The self-flagellation must continue even after their release. Pinski mandated that every year during the portions of their suspended sentences they'll each have to visit the Montana Veterans Memorial for eight hours on Memorial and Veterans days wearing a placard that reads, "I am a liar. I am not a veteran. I stole valor. I have dishonored all veterans."

"There are certain people — shameful people — who have not put their lives on the line for this country who portray themselves as having done so," Pinski told the defendants, according to the newspaper.

"I want to make sure that my message is received loud and clear by these two defendants," Pinski said. "You've been nothing but disrespectful in your conduct. You certainly have not respected the Army. You've not respected the veterans. You've not respected the court. And you haven't respected yourselves."
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/28/755237153/montana-men-who-lied-about-military-service-ordered-to-wear-i-am-a-liar-signs

[Coventina]

1. While I do not excuse what these men did, I oppose this sort of punishment.

It's too close to the Scarlet Letter and the Yellow Star of David for my comfort.

[saidsimplesimon]

5. Great comment, I agree.

[Aristus]

2. Seems a little excessive.

A fine and then social media mockery would have done the trick.

[FM123]

3. The person who should really be wearing an "I am a Liar" sign is the president. Every day.

While what these folks did was wrong, I too think the punishment is excessive.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Gross.

[Jake Stern]

6. Yeah the judge sent a message. . . that he's a vindictive military worshiper.

Hate to be one of this dickhead's kids.

[procon]

7. That judge was out of control.

His sentencing was extreme and excessive and read like he was on a personal vendetta, not serving justice. I could see making them write a letter of apology to the army for their conduct, but all those other things, in addition to a very long community service just added the shaming and humiliation on top of the legally justified punishments.

[LiberalFighter]

8. Way too much