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October 28th, 2006 - Defense
Attorney Prepares to Defend Soldier Accused of Murder |
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Defense Attorney Prepares to
Defend Sweetwater Soldier Accused of Murder By Sonu Wasu Wate 6 News October 28, 2006 Sweetwater - Dozens gathered
at a church in Monroe County on Saturday in support of a hometown soldier
facing trial for murder. Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard
and three other U.S. soldiers are facing a court martial, accused in the
deaths of three Iraqi civilians. Girouard's defense attorney,
Capt. Theodore Miller, visited Sweetwater from his home base of Fort Lewis in
Tacoma, Wash. to look for character witnesses. The trial is expected to
begin in March. Defense attorneys are trying to gather all the evidence they
can, as quickly as they can. Former teachers, high school
friends, and band mates came to the First Assembly Church of God in
Sweetwater to voice their support for Girouard. In an exclusive interview
with 6 News, Capt. Miller said he was pleasantly surprised with the turnout. "The support in the
community has been outstanding. I was really surprised to show up here today
and find all these people wanting to meet with me. That speaks a lot for Sgt.
Girouard and his family," Capt. Miller said. Military prosecutors
announced two weeks ago they will not seek the death penalty in this case,
but the worst is not over. Sgt. Girouard could still be sentenced to prison
without the possibility of parole. Sgt. Girouard's sister, Joy
Oakes, stands firmly behind her brother's claims that he is innocent. "He stands behind his
men and what they say he believes. That's what happened and he's going to
stand by them," she said. Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard,
Spc. William Hunsaker, Spc. Juston Graber, and Pfc. Corey Clagett, all from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, are
accused of shooting three prisoners on May 9. Military prosecutors say the
soldiers inaccurately reported they shot the detainees in an escape attempt. Earlier this month,
prosecutors said the soldiers will not face the death penalty if convicted,
but could be sentenced to life in prison without parole and a dishonorable
discharge. Military prosecutors claim
the soldiers gunned down the Iraqi's, then staged the crime scene to make it
look like the prisoners had tried to escape. The soldiers say they were
following orders. Sgt. Girouard says he was not even at the scene when it
happened. The soldiers were arraigned
in Fort Campbell, Ky. on Friday afternoon. Defense attorneys filed a
motion asking the judge to release him from custody while they wait for the
trial to start. Capt. Miller argued there is no probable cause to hold Sgt.
Girouard in custody. Oakes says family members
are eagerly awaiting the judge's decision, which could come down as early as
next week. "I hope and pray he does
get to come home. The holidays are coming up and we definitely want him home
here with us," said Oakes. Sgt. Girouard is currently
behind bars at a prison located on the Naval Base in Charleston, S.C. Family members say he seems
to be in good spirits and is relieved the death penalty is no longer an
option. External link:
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5603493 |