Gallagher was acquitted on six of seven charges on July 2 by a jury in a military court. Senior commanders of the platoon allegedly told complaining soldiers that they could have their careers sidetracked and elite status revoked. Gallagher was also accused of threatening service members that would report his alleged actions. Navy investigators said they would investigate Scott's testimony because it was contrary to statements of at least seven different Navy SEALs. Scott, who is a medic, said he himself killed the captive by plugging the teenager's breathing tube with his thumb in an act of mercy. However, Special Operator Corey Scott testified that Gallagher did not kill the teen. Two Navy SEALs said they saw Gallagher stab the teenager. Got him with my hunting knife," read another text. I've got my knife skills on," read one of Gallagher's text messages. "I've got a cool story for you when I get back. Navy Comander Jeff Pietrzyk said that Gallagher sent text messages that implicated the chief petty officer in the captive's death. Under Geneva Convention protections governing war prisoners, the captive should have been protected from harm by the military as he was no longer a lawful target. Gallagher's other prominent charge was that he killed a captive teenage Islamic State fighter with a handmade custom blade. The group chat was organized by members of Gallagher's platoon that were concerned by his actions. I see an issue with that," Dalton Tolbert, a Navy SEAL sniper, wrote in a group chat called "The Sewing Circle." "I shot more warning shots to save civilians from Eddie than I ever did at ISIS. Members of his platoon said he shot at civilians in Iraq, including adolescent girls and old men. The defense argued that Gallagher was being falsely accused by subordinates that did not like the chief petty officer's leadership style. In 2017, members of Gallagher's platoon were concerned by what they saw while deployed with Gallagher, leading to an investigation and trial by the Navy. He was one of few Navy medics ever to complete the Marines' demanding scout sniper school, according to the New York Times. FILE - Acting Defense Secretary Richard Spencer listens during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, July 16, 2019.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |