 |
||||||||
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, six members of the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus attended the parole hearing for First Sergeant John Hatley and spoke out in support of his release from confinement from Leavenworth prison. Those in attendance were caucus founders, Congressmen Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Duncan Hunter (R-CA), as well as Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Rep. Steve King (R-IA). In 2009, First Sergeant Hatley, a respected and highly decorated soldier, was convicted of the premeditated murder of four Iraqi detainees. Despite a thorough investigation by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), no physical or forensic evidence was uncovered to support the allegations against Hatley. The CID found no bodies, no one was even reported missing—all it took was one accusation in the wake of the Abu-Ghraib scandal from a soldier he had recently disciplined. First Sergeant Hatley was ultimately convicted based on the testimony of soldiers who changed their stories after prosecutors threatened them with potential life sentences as co-conspirators. As the linked letter of support makes clear, First Sergeant Hatley is a stellar candidate for release and his conviction is detrimental to the morale of our warriors who know that at any time a single rumor could derail their lives and careers and send them to military prison. STATEMENTS: Rep. Louie Gohmert: “Today, several members of Congress and I testified on behalf of First Sergeant Hatley. Having interviewed First Sergeant Hatley and investigated his case, there is no question that he is an incredible, patriotic American. He has done nothing but protect the troops that were entrusted to his care and has upheld his oath to defend this country and our Constitution. Unfortunately, there are problems with our military justice system and as a result, First Sergeant Hatley was not given a fair trial. We formed the Justice for Warriors Caucus to improve the system so that we do not wrongfully convict our heroes like First Sergeant Hatley. My prayer and my hope is he is released. He deserves to be home with his family.” Rep. Duncan Hunter: “Today, I joined six of my colleagues in testifying before the Army Review Board to ask for the release of 1st Sgt. John Hatley. John was unjustly convicted of war crimes in a proceeding that lacked physical evidence and contained questionable witness testimony. This is a chance for the Army to payback a small portion of what they and the nation owe to 1st Sgt. John Hatley. I hope they make the right decision.” Rep. Bill Flores: “I am humbled by the wide-spread Congressional support that the Justice for Warriors Caucus shared today at Sergeant John Hatley’s hearing before the Army Clemency and Parole Board. Sergeant Hatley is an American hero with an exceptional military career spanning 20 years, earning 55 awards and decorations for his leadership and heroic actions to defend our great nation. I have had the honor of testifying on behalf of Sergeant Hatley for four years and will continue to do so until he returns home and to his family in Central Texas.” Rep. Ralph Norman: “If First Sergeant Hatley were a civilian, it is highly doubtful that the U.S. criminal justice system would have found him guilty given the circumstances that we now believe to be true about this case, including the total lack of forensic evidence. First Sergeant Hatley is a 20-year combat veteran who served our nation at considerable risk to his own life. I believe that our military justice system owes First Sergeant Hatley – and all who serve – the same fair considerations and due processes enjoyed by those of us back home, who live under the freedoms that he fought to defend.” Rep. Paul Gosar: “Innocent until proven guilty. The rule of law. These are words that echo in every court across our country. These words are rooted in the creation of our nation. Sadly, for 1SG John Hatley, the Uniform Code of Military Justice does not currently operate under these sacred principles. In fact, the system failed John. He served his country for nearly twenty years in the United States Army as a Paratrooper, Ranger and Infantryman. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, an Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and a Ranger Tab, to name a few, attesting to the level of his commitment to his country. Despite his distinguished record of service, John was convicted of killing detainees solely on testimony with no physical or forensic evidence, no identified victims, or reports of missing persons being presented at trial. This was a rushed case; a case that went from combat to court martial to confinement. Injustice has been done, and this Caucus is ensuring that it will not be done again. John is a man of good character who deserves nothing more than to return to his family and live a happy, productive life. Free 1SG John Hatley.” Rep. Steve King: “Knowing the case as I do, and listening to the testimony before the parole board, if I were a juror, I see no way that I could have voted to convict 1SG Hatley. Regardless, his further incarceration serves no constructive purpose. This warrior for our God-given liberty is fully deserving of his freedom.”
# # # |
|
|||||||
