Anti-War U.S. Marine Sentenced to Six Months in Jail

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 17:10

Tsk, tsk.

Anti-War U.S. Marine Sentenced to Six Months in Jail
2 hours, 41 minutes ago

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Reuters) - A military jury found an anti-war U.S. Marine reservist guilty of unauthorized absence and sentenced him to six months in jail for refusing to report to his unit during the Iraq (news - web sites) war, his lawyer said on Sunday.

The verdict was less than the desertion charge the U.S. military had sought, which could have put Lance Cpl. Stephen Funk behind bars for a year, but defense attorney Stephen Collier said he would still appeal for a lighter sentence.

Funk, 21, has said he was the target of unfair prosecution because he was a conscientious objector who spoke at anti-war rallies. He was the only one of 28 Marine conscientious objectors to the Iraq war to face prosecution, but the military said that was because he was the only who did not report for duty.

A jury of four Marines reached the verdict late on Saturday after two days of testimony in a court martial at the 4th Service Support Group command, headquarters for the Marine Reserve, in New Orleans, which is where the Marine Corps processes conscientious objector cases.

Collier argued that Funk did not respond to his unit's call up on Feb. 9 because he claimed conscientious objector status and believed he would not be deployed. His unit, based in San Jose, California, loads cargo for transport.

But prosecutors said his refusal to report was a simple case of desertion.

Funk also informed the military he was gay, but military Judge John Maksym forbade that from being an issue in the court-martial.

Collier said Funk, who was immediately sent to jail, took the jury's decision well.

"Stephen was ready to serve some time. He knew this was likely to happen," he told Reuters.

Funk also will receive a bad conduct discharge from the military, Collier said.

MichaeltheGreat · September 7, 2003, 17:16

The USMC is going to hell in a bucket, I see.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 17:21

No lie. Couldn't nail his dumbass for desertion.

I think people who join the reserves and then are shocked when they are called up are funny.

MichaeltheGreat · September 7, 2003, 17:38

They prosecute 1 out of 28, and he gets a lousy six months?

Dis · September 7, 2003, 17:44

what's wrong with being against the war?

Sprayber · September 7, 2003, 17:47

What the hell did he expect to do when he joined up. There needs to be a serious cleaning out of the reserves in all branches.

Sprayber · September 7, 2003, 17:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
what's wrong with being against the war?

If your against war, the Marines isn't the best place to be.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 17:51

This isn't the same as, well, as some here beating their chests, in error.

This dude was trying to yank down some "easy part-time bucks".
Fooled him.

Dis · September 7, 2003, 17:58

well the lefties seem to think the military is only a job to help kids get into college

. They get upset when the soldiers actually have to do their job.

Still though, there should be an escape route for these guys. If they don't want to fight they should be given a general discharge and lose their gi bill.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 18:03

No there shouldn't. They signed a contract.

Ramo · September 7, 2003, 18:05

Then he should pay civil damages for renegging, not go to prison.

Sprayber · September 7, 2003, 18:05

There should be a better screening process before they get in, not an easier way out once they have sucked up resources from the goverment.

GePap · September 7, 2003, 18:09

Citizen armies are so passe. Why not go back to good old fashioned private enterprise and mercenaries? since we all know anything gov. can do business can do better: no need for college funds, housing family at bases, or fear of this happening.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 18:14

Ramo. You're thinking with a civilian mind.
You can't help that.

"Funk also will receive a bad conduct discharge from the military, Collier said."

6 months prison time will pass, this won't, It should be dishonorable.
Good enough to screw him, though.

Lawrence of Arabia · September 7, 2003, 18:20

Slow relishes other people's misfortunes.

Nubclear · September 7, 2003, 18:21

MichaeltheGreat · September 7, 2003, 18:22

Quote:

Originally posted by GePap
Citizen armies are so passe. Why not go back to good old fashioned private enterprise and mercenaries? since we all know anything gov. can do business can do better: no need for college funds, housing family at bases, or fear of this happening.

There are already PMC's operating in Africa.

If the market takes off, I might just start a little side business.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 18:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
Slow relishes other people's misfortunes.

No. This is misfortune self-induced.
What I relish is living up to my word, and I expect it from others.
This guy was, and is, a dumbass.

Zylka · September 7, 2003, 18:25

He was a stupid bastard who brought this misfortune upon himself, and then tried to weasel out with the Gay card (not considering whether or not he was ACTUALLY gay)

He signed a contract which clearly stated his duties, and lacked a special clause of "if I disagree with (whatever) current war...". You John Hancock - you honor the "ing contract. No one signed it but himself!

At least this little scumbag thinks he's going to jail for his beliefs, and not being a complete retard. That way, all sides of the political spectrum can be pleased!

MichaeltheGreat · September 7, 2003, 18:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
Slow relishes other people's misfortunes.

It's not "misfortune" - he decided, hey, I'll join the Marine reserves, sponge off the government, get a whole bunch of bennies for college, for a home mortage, for medical care, and I won't have to do a thing except show up on the occasional weekend.

Then it's "oh, that's so inconvenient. Loading freight in Kuwait, gee shucks, I've changed my mind"

He should get a couple of years, plus restitution of all pay and benefits received, plus a DD. And the other 27 yellowbellies who slid and didn't get prosecuted should get the same thing.

Ted Striker · September 7, 2003, 18:29

Quote:

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat

There are already PMC's operating in Africa.

If the market takes off, I might just start a little side business.

Can I carry your guns and jockstrap?

MichaeltheGreat · September 7, 2003, 18:30

No, but I'd tell you what you can do with them.

Zylka · September 7, 2003, 18:31

Dirty Sanchez?

Ted Striker · September 7, 2003, 18:31

Quote:

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
No, but I'd tell you what you can do with them.

SlowwHand · September 7, 2003, 18:32

Leavenworth-bound? Won't be easy on a "non- reporter".
I know a guy who was sent there to do 25.
He probably got out recently, assuming all went...well.

Ted Striker · September 7, 2003, 18:33

So what are these military prisons like? Normal prisons? Fed Country Clubs?

Starchild · September 7, 2003, 18:33

If you sign a contract that says you've gotta show up on weekends and, possibly, bomb smiling Iraqi babies then you've got to honour that contract dammit. Who else will bomb the babies?

Won't somebody please think of the children?! And then bomb them.

Ted Striker · September 7, 2003, 18:35

funny

Zylka · September 7, 2003, 18:35

Oh go stuff your Martini up his own ass if he's such a hero, you eccentric bat.

Ted Striker · September 7, 2003, 18:36

yeah, and stop paraphrasing from full metal jacket