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September 17th, 2006 - Bittersweet
Family Reunion for Soldier Accused of Murder |
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Bittersweet Family Reunion
for Sweetwater Soldier Accused of Murder By Sonu Wasu WATE 6 News September 17, 2006 Sweetwater - It was a
bittersweet reunion this weekend for a Sweetwater soldier and his family. U.S. Army Ranger Staff Sgt.
Raymond Girouard is incarcerated in a military jail on a naval base in
Charleston, S.C. His family got to see him for the first time in over a year,
the first time since he and three other soldiers were accused of killing
three Iraqi prisoners. Army investigators allege
the soldiers killed the three prisoners, then staged the crime scene to make
it look like the prisoners had attempted to escape.. Girouard, Spc. William
Hunsaker, Spc. Juston Grabor, and Pfc. Corey Clagett are all charged with
premeditated first degree murder. They could face the death penalty if they
are found guilty. Court documents state
Girouard used a knife to cut one of the U.S. soldiers to make it look like an
Iraqi prisoner had attacked him. All four soldiers say they
are innocent. They claim the military is setting them up. Girouard claims they were
given orders by their commanders that day to kill all "military-aged
men" of Iraqi descent. He says men were simply following orders. Girouard claims he was not
even at the scene when the prisoners were shot. Family members are standing
behind their soldiers. Girouard's sister, Joy Oakes
and her husband Jimmie traveled from Sweetwater to Charleston on Sunday to
visit Girouard for the first time. The family stopped by the
WATE newsroom on their way home. Oakes says her brother
appeared to be in good spirits. He was wearing his Army Ranger uniform. He was
also in handcuffs and shackles. "When he got in that
door and I saw him I just couldn't control myself. He was my little brother,
shackled, his arms and his wrists. It was heartbreaking," she said. Jimmie Oakes considers
Girouard as a brother. He calls it an emotional day. "When I saw him in
the shackles not only did I see a brother in law and a friend, I saw a true
American hero, being treated like a criminal." The Army had initially
stripped the soldiers of their guns and badges, but family members say they
have now returned the badges. Jimmie Oakes told 6 News the
family feels betrayed by the military, knowing investigators want to seek the
death penalty. "It's just about
destroyed me and the whole family to think they're seeking the death penalty
on him," he said. Family members say Girouard
is imprisoned in a small cell. His shower is only three feet away, but he is
searched before and after his shower. His cell is also searched
before he is brought back in. Being an Army Ranger,
Girouard is used to living in harsh conditions. Joy Oakes says his biggest
challenge is finding something to do. "I know it's been
really hard for him to not even be able to speak to someone. He's read the
entire A encyclopedia book," she said. The family is looking for a
civilian lawyer to represent him. They're hoping someone will hear his story
and come forward. External link: http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5420017&nav=0RYv |