We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:56:53 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification ...gets a reprimand, 60 days restriction, and a $6K fine? I would note that he's also (at this point, depending on Major General Mixon's review) a convicted felon. MG Mixon can reduce the penalty or set-aside the conviction, but not make it worse. But that's a pretty light sentence for the charged crime. Having sat on a Courts Martial panel that did something similar (convicted reluctantly, assessed a $1 fine) my gut feel (and that's all it is, I have *no* inside info at all) is the panel strongly feels this never should have made it to a Court, but... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html Tue, 24 Jan 2006 06:49:02 -0600 Aparently 'All your bias belong to Us' Jason van Stanwyck has something on this too. Grim of Grims Hall has links. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39581 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39581 Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:56:51 -0600 whoops! Mea Culpa! I think I was wrong, above. I think that Lt. Caputo inadvertently ordered his men to kill the wrong guy. Be careful about those inadvertent orders, guys! That Light Brigade thing was right embarassing. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39580 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39580 Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:29:44 -0600 I mind Philip Caputo's story about being a Marine officer charged with murder in VietNam because he was kinda inexact when giving an order. No mistake, somebody died because of what he said, but also (he was acquitted) that somebody "needed killin" at that time and place. I think of Major Unger and some stories he told me about his experiences in VietNam: When he was an advisor over there, 'way before Jack Kennedy got shot, he had a Sgt. Goodrow (Goodroe?) with him as his only American comrade. Well, it seems that Sgt Goodrow was a Texan from a well-off family who didn't *need* to go into the Army, he just wanted to. One of the things the Sergeant did to help him do his mission was to bring his own rifle from home, which he had built, himself. Well, at some time when the Major and the Sergeant were both present, the Sergeant decided to try out his rifle on a Viet-Cong type person. I discussed this later (obviously) with the Major and we both agreed that the shooting was militarily, practically, morally, ethically, and prudentially justifiable, maybe even praiseworthy. Problem was, legally it was murder. Nobody I know knows anything about it, and of course I'm sure my informants lied to me. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39578 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39578 Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:21:18 -0600 "Which is why I'd like to see the transcripts. I'm guessing there was a *lot* of extenuating and mitigating testimony provided - all of which will be glossed over by those with axes to grind." Exactly. And that glossing is why it is a PR nightmare. On one hand I'm relieved that occifers don't make decisions in this realm based off of what's best for the PR campaign. Integrity matters. Seeing a man get a fair trial matters. But, at the same time, Katherine Harris has to be having dreams of drawing and quartering the officers who sat on the board for handing her such a bad situation to deal with when trying to improve the US image in the ME. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39577 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39577 Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:52:40 -0600 The most junior of the 4 involved, a Sp/4 was, I believe, given an article 15. I've lost track of the NCO, and what happened to him. Remaining to be tried is WO Jeff Williams, who served with my son when they were both "pups", and has become a family friend. You're right, John........this should have never gotten this far. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39541 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39541 Wed, 25 Jan 2006 12:52:05 -0600 We're talking the difference between a trial and a show trial. Unfortunately, both sides will look at the same trail and come to opposite conclusions. The panel knew what was at stake. You didn't get a bunch of field grade officers in there who weren't fully aware (as if the prosecutor would have allowed them to remain that way) of the implications of the crime. Which is why I'd like to see the transcripts. I'm guessing there was a *lot* of extenuating and mitigating testimony provided - all of which will be glossed over by those with axes to grind. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39487 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39487 Wed, 25 Jan 2006 05:49:01 -0600 BUt this is a serious PR nightmare for us. I haven't looked yet, but I'm fairly certain that in the next couple of days there will be copious op-eds in Arab language and Western press running with the 'it's okay to kill Arabs/Moslems, see, they wouldn't punish an obviously guilty man,' line. NPR was going somewhat in that direction this morning, can the rest of the world be far behind. But PR isn't the only consideration in this. We are talking about a man's life(both the dead man and the living one) afterall. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39483 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/01/army_interrogator_welshofer_convicted_of_negligent_homicide.html#comment-39483 Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:04:18 -0600