Signs of foul play ignored in Army investigation of death of female soldier in Iraq

[Limelight]

I got this off Crooks & Liars (http://www.crooksandliars.com):

Apparently there was a young, African-American, female soldier who died on post in Iraq under what should have appeared to anyone to be "Suspicious" circumstances. Circumstances such as:

* Indications of physical abuse that went unremarked by the autopsy
* The absence of psychological indicators of suicidal thoughts; indeed, testimony that LaVena was happy and healthy prior to her death
* Indications, via residue tests, that LaVena may not even have handled the weapon that killed her
* A blood trail outside the tent where Lavena's body was found
* Indications that someone attempted to set LaVena's body on fire

All that and the Army still says she died of a "Self Inflicted" wound. Well her father ain't buying all that and I don't blame him. Something stinks here. I know folks who try to kill themselves generally aren't thinking straight, but who beats the crap out of themselves, tries to set themselves on fire and only after that doesn't work, shoots themselves? All without leaving gunshot residue on themselves I might add. You can listen to her dad speak very eloquently about why he wants further investigation at the 2nd link below.

Here's the crooks and liars page on this:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/08/24/father-of-gi-who-died-mysteriously-in-iraq-speaks-out-wants-investigation-reopened/

Here's the blog story it's linked to:
http://www.lavenajohnson.com/2007/08/dr-john-johnson-speaks-on-lavenas-death.html

And heres the petition to the armed services committee asking to have the case reopened:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pfc_lavena_johnson/


With all we here about how much female soldiers have to fear while serving in Iraq, not from the "enemy" but their fellow male soldiers it is utterly stunning that the Army is trying to sweep this under the rug rather than showing they're serious about not letting this kind of thing go unpunished. They don't want another scandal and are too stupid to get that by trying to cover up the circumstances of yet another soldiers death they're only going to create one.

I find this so reprehensible I wanted to put it up here and ask for the attention of all the good folks at DU to help in the effort.

Peace

[truedelphi]

1. In A Posting about this tragedy or one similiar, one DU'er posted

A URL to an entire site devoted to black women who have died under suspicious circumstances in Iraq.

I found the implications chilling.

[shance]

2. Can you post the url TD?

n/t

[MadMaddie]

3. I say a prayer every night that my sister got out of the Army after

14 years with a medical injury before this bullshit started...Thank God!

[SeattleGirl]

4. I saw this a little earlier on C&L.

It is so infuriating! I, too, think it sounds "fishy"; I don't think she killed herself, not with the kind of damage they found on her.

:grr: