National Military Defense Firm Takes on Okinawa Attempted Murder Case

A Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps was recently tried for the crime of attempted premeditated murder. The charge carried with it a maximum possible punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Marine retained the services of Gagne, Scherer & Langemo, LLC, to defend against the charge.

The allegation stemmed from a stabbing incident in the barracks on Camp Futemna on the island of Okinawa. The evidence presented at the court-martial showed that the accused stabbed the victim three times while the victim was lying in his bed. A third roommate, a Navy medical corpsman, managed to stop the assault and treat the victim’s wounds. The evidence also intimated that the accused was under the influence of alcohol and highly agitated at the time of the offense.

After a vigorous defense, the Marine was convicted of the charge by a court-martial panel of enlisted and officer members. At the sentencing hearing, the prosecutors asked the panel to sentence the Marine to the maximum possible punishment, life in prison without the possibility of parole. In response, the defense argued that the Marine deserved a much shorter sentence.

“This case is about why the Marine did what he did,” stated civilian defense counsel Doug Rawald. “Without the influence of alcohol or anger, this never would have happened. He should be given the chance to return to society after paying his dues for his actions” The defense put on substantial evidence of the accused’s rehabilitation since the incident, including his enrollment in an alcohol abuse treatment program, as well as his remorse for the assault in support of this request for leniency.

The court-martial panel returned a sentence of 13 years in prison, taking into account the Marine’s rehabilitation leading up the trial and the need to address his misconduct. Rather than spending the rest of his life in jail, the efforts of the defense resulted in a sentence that will allow the Marine to be parole eligible after serving only part of his sentence. Even if not paroled, the Marine will be able to return to his family while still a young adult.

Gagne, Scherer & Langemo, LLC, is currently accepting new military clients across the United States and abroad. For more information, call the firm toll-free at1-877-TOP-JAGS (1-877-867-5247) or visit www.gslattorneys.com