Accused troops' supporters busy fundraising

[Barrett808]

Accused troops' supporters busy fundraising
By THOMAS WATKINS, Associated Press Writer

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Friends and family are rallying around the seven Marines and a Navy medic charged with killing an Iraqi civilian, setting up Web sites to raise money and draw attention to what they claim is an unfair prosecution.

The troops are charged with premeditated murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. Supporters are scrambling to raise tens of thousands of dollars to pay defense attorneys.

"We are not rich, but we are doing anything we can," said Diann Shumate of Matlock, Wash., mother of 20-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Jerry Shumate Jr.

Military prosecutors allege the troops kidnapped an Iraqi man from his home, tied him up, put him in a hole by the side of a road and sprayed him with bullets, then sought to cover up the crime by making it appear the man was armed and attempting to plant explosives. The troops are being held in the brig at Camp Pendleton.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060623/ap_on_re_us/marines_iraq_shooting

[AlCzervik]

1. they do need good lawyers and they aren't cheap.

no matter what we think or know about what happened they are most certainly entitled to the best defense they can get.

[Redstone]

2. Well, how about a Public defender? That's what everyone is "entitled to."

Redstone

[AlCzervik]

3. i'm sure some of them will go that route.

[Redstone]

4. Then why the fundraising? If they didn't do it, a PD should be able

to show that in court.

Redstone

[Roy]

5. Probably cuz......

Many fund raisings bring administration costs in the form of stipends, salaries, and/or personal expenses. Also, someone of the excess cash may need a good home.

[Redstone]

6. In other words, somebody (or somebodies) can make a buck

off the situation. You're absolutely right.

Excuse me while I go vomit.

Redstone

[rpannier]

8. You have obviously never been in the military

if you think that a PD is going to be effective. The judge has huge sweeping powers in the case, that includes undermining the defenses case if he or she feels that the defense is asking too many questions. If the witness on the stand is not a defendant, you may NEVER suggest they are acting improperly (ie lying) in case you can prove it. Although they don't say it, the jury will almost always side with the prosecution.
I have a friend who defended a man in a military trial (the guy was a marine). My friend said it was the most difficult case he's ever handled because the court martial really does work against the defendant and in favor of the service.

on note: I served in the army.

[Breeze54]

9. Public defenders are swamped with cases.

That's just the way it is and the time needed for their defense wouldn't be there.
Not like the time a private lawyer could supply. Public defenders are over-worked
and under paid and have high case loads.
At least that seems to be the general concensus of opinions.

In my opinion, they have every right to try to raise money. Why not?
This is still a free country, isn't it? :sarcasm:

"Real Justice" Frontline show on PBS.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/bostonda/elsewhere/babb.html
snip-->

Heavy workloads? Low salaries? High turnover of public defenders in Boston's courts?
Howard Babb, Jr., president of the Florida Public Defender Association says they're common
issues confronting Florida's judicial circuits.

The Legislature must realize that targeting crime as a priority comes with a price tag.
Without a competent professional workforce in the Public Defender system, the State Attorney
system and in the Courts, the Criminal Courts will be in chaos. Some already are.

"For the uninitiated, says Ronald C. Smith, Chicago law professor and former prosecutor
and defense attorney, "Real Justice" reveals enough of the system's underbelly to get you started.
But he thinks the "justice factory" in America's large cities is grittier, darker and more chaotic." <--snip

Stats and Facts on Public Defenders
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/bostonda/etc/stats.html

===================
If they were cutting PD budgets in 1998?
I wouldn't doubt that they have been slashed over and over since then!
Repubs can't stand lawyers :sarcasm: or the poor in this country, remember?
...and they're all lawyers, aren't they?
:shrug:

[nealmhughes]

7. They will be given military defense attornies. There are also ex-JAG

lawyers who provide private defense in military courts. The rules of evidence differ from the standards of civilian courts and there are always "extra charges" that can be tacked on for almost anyone at any time, vague "derelection of duty" and "insubordination" ones -- these aren't even worthy of a court martial, but a "captain's mast" in Navy lingo, NJP.
Court martials are reserved for serious felonies, rape, murder, theft, real crimes, in other words. There will be attornies in San Diego flocking to the brig to get these families' business.

[Breeze54]

10. They have military lawyers and a civilian lawyer.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2109517

snippets:

"All eight of the men were assigned military defense attorneys, paid for by the Marine Corps.
Each has also hired a civilian lawyer."

"...father of accused Marine Pfc. John Jodka III, has hired two defense attorneys
at an initial cost of $10,000 but expects the final bill to be a "six-figure amount."