Marine kills injured Afghan.

[Geckos48]

Just think, we'd be calling these fellas Heroes had they not been caught.

Makes my blood run cold.
www.itv.com/news/2013-11-07/court-marshall-releases-recording-of-marines-killing-afghan/

So disappointed in our armed forces. Once again.

[NorthernLurker]

If there are matters that are still sub judice then you shouldn't be posting about them should you? Risks affecting the case.

[IamInvisible]

You never know when to stop do you?

Read what NorthernLurker said in her second paragraph. They are very wise words.

[KwaziiCat]

This is such a sad case. For the Afghans and for the soldier's family and so on. But this case rather proves our point...the soldiers in question (currently just one) are being made to pay legally.one has lost his family, his future, his freedom. This tells you that they aren't being treated as all heroes and how the UK is at least trying to obey the GC.

My current nearest hospital is regularly in the news for it's failings and the deaths in maternity and for old people. Does that mean all people there are criminals? No. Does it mean all nurses and doctors are criminals? No.

This case shows that one soldier was a criminal, possibly three. It doesn't say ANYTHING about the criminality of the rest of the armed forces.

[KwaziiCat]

Wy do you seem to hate the armed forces so much? They've done a lot for thousands of people, me included. Your posts are goady, and every thread has a message of AF-hate.

[Geckos48]

I think he should receive a small sentence, he will be on life-license as it is but it is unlikely he will reoffend as he will not be in that situation again.

[IamInvisible]

I do think he should be treated differently to someone who has just gone up to a random person in the street and killed them, yes.

I watched the interview on the BBC this morning and did agree with the man on there.

[JanineStHubbins]

I don't think the marines who carried out this act are represntative of every member of the armed forces. I also think it's to the credit of the armed forces that this man was brought to justice in this way.

But I'm v wary of the line that it's 1 bad egg among 120,000. That line was thrown out in NI over and over again, and we are only now beginning to uncover the criminality of that dirty little colonial war. Let's not fool ourselves: members of the armed forces at times act in a criminal fashion; at times that was part of a deliberate policy; even more alarmingly, the political and military leadership continue to cover that up.

[EdithWeston]

I think he should receive a normal mid-tariff sentence.

And he should be screened to see if psych support is required. The events at the time of the murder (which, if BBC are correct, include the discovery of British soldier post-blast body parts being hung from a roadside tree) might have led to acute stress that has already treated/resolved, but the possibility of long term issues needs also to be evaluated.

[Geckos48]

I think as far as the sentence goes, it comes down to whether he is likely to do this again, if he not going to be welcomed back into the army (which to be honest wouldn't surprise me) then I cannot see a situation where he would do the same thing again.

So a few years, to show justice has been done but I don't think he should get long inside.

[PassTheCremeEggs]

Gecko in the interests of being factually correct this man isn't in the Army. He is a Royal Marine who form part of the Navy.

[Geckos48]

Sorry, if he were welcomed back into the 'armed forces'

[Nancy66]

I think it's the right verdict but also feel enormous sympathy for the convicted marine.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is quietly released after a few years

[Geckos48]

He will probably not serve long in prison, his life license will be for life though.

[Geckos48]

I don't blame 'him' either, I blame the culture of our armed forces and the position they choose to put themselves in.

[IamInvisible]

This culture that you blame and keep talking about Geckos, what is it exactly?

[HoneyDragon]

And when you've told us what it is, do tell us what you want to change?

[Nancy66]

It was a battlefield. One of the enemy was killed - it's a bit different from shooting a stranger in the street.

[IamInvisible]

Oh, and the Armed Forces don't "choose to put themselves into positions" either.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Oh, I just knew Geckos would be thigh-rubbing over this.

Most military I know think he was a murderer who got what he deserved.

He was a senior NCO ffs, they train and train and train for this. He was grandstanding, he knew he'd committed a war crime.

[Geckos48]

Agreed kim

But I would add that you join the forces, you know you might be put in this position AND you know that the wars you are fighting are dubious and bordering on illegal.

I actually think I have more compassion for this solider than many on this thread, I think he reacted how many, many soldiers would and probably have reacted (without getting caught)

I don't think he is any different from any other solider except he was caught and has been tried for his crime. I think lots of crimes go on and are ignored by 'comrades' in such an environment. That is the culture of our armed forces and no conversations with any members of them (I have had many) have led me to believe any differently.