Posted By:
Catherine Moy
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One of the most sickening issues to arise in the war in Iraq has been the ongoing prosecution of troops on murder. Murder? Yes. In a war zone. Now, we all now that a wayward troop could do something like this, but the evidence against those who’ve been charged so far has been weak. What is even most galling is when so-called leaders, such as Rep. Jack Murtha, call our troops “cold-blooded murderers” even before a jury has had time to hear the evidence.
So here we are again. Another Marine has been acquitted of specious allegations. Where does he go to get back his good reputation>

By CHELSEA J. CARTER

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Aug. 29)—Jurors wept and embraced former Marine Jose Luis Nazario Jr. after acquitting him of voluntary manslaughter in the killings of unarmed Iraqi detainees during a fierce 2004 battle.
Tears rolled down Nazario’s cheeks and courtroom spectators openly sobbed and cheered Thursday. He is the first U.S. veteran tried by a civilian court for alleged actions in combat.
Minutes after the verdict was read, jurors shook hands with and hugged Nazario and his sobbing mother, Sandra Montanez.
Nazario’s attorney, Kevin McDermott, said he believes the verdict will curb similar federal prosecutions in the future.
“I don’t think they are going to put on a case in the future with a lack of evidence,” he said.
Nazario, 28, was the first former military service member brought to trial under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which was written in 2000 and amended in 2004 primarily to allow prosecution of civilian contractors who commit crimes while working for the U.S. overseas.
It also allows the prosecution of military dependents and former military service members accused of committing crimes outside the United States.

Go to this link for the rest of the story.