SO2 McCabe ACQUITTED of Detainee Abuse
Press Release May 8, 2010, 9:00:00 Eastern: SO2 Matthew McCabe, one of three Navy SEALs charged with the abuse of a detainee who is suspected of killing and mutilating four Blackwater Contractors in Fallujah in 2004, was fully acquitted on May 6, 2010. Petty Officer (PO) McCabe was charged with punching the detainee in the stomach. He faced a special court-martial, a year in jail and a bad conduct discharge.
The military legal process began on September 1, 2009, when a detainee in Iraq appeared to have been roughed up prior to being turned over to Iraqi forces. The resulting command inquiry resulted in charges being served on three Navy SEALs.
Special Court-Martial
SO2 McCabe and the two other Navy SEALs were part of a team that captured Ahmed Hashim Abed, who is suspected of leading the attack that killed four Blackwater contractors in the city of Fallujah in 2004. SO2 McCabe was charged with punching the detainee in the stomach while he was in custody. The SEALs were offered non-judicial punishment under Article 15, which they all declined. They were arraigned in December 2009, and faced military courts-martial in April and May 2010.
The defense teams for the SEALs interviewed the Detainee and determined his story was not consistent. Additionally, the Master at Arms who indicated the SEALs caused the abuse of the detainee, was convincing but his testimony was contradicted by other military witnesses. SO2 McCabe’s special court-martial lasted four days and consisted of motions, witnesses and examination of the evidence. The jury returned a full acquittal after only an hour and a half of deliberations on May 6, 2010. SO2 McCabe’s acquittal followed that of his fellow SEALs, SO2 Keefe and SO1 Huertas. All three SEALs are back in training with their unit preparing for future deployments to safeguard America.
The public outcry over these charges boosted the morale of the SEALs and was very appreciated by the SEALs and their defense teams. Support included Emails, letters, donations, media stories, blogs and petitions. In March 2010, Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-05) and Congressman Dana Rohrabacker (R-CA-46) sponsored a petition in Congress, signed by over 150,000 Americans that called on the senior military leadership to dismiss the charges against the SEALs. Among other petitions circulated for the SEALs, the news site HUMAN EVENTS posted a petition requesting the Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, to dismiss the charges against the three Navy SEALs, SO2 McCabe, SO2 Keefe and SO1 Huertas.
The Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC represented SO2 McCabe, the main defendant in the case and fielded several questions on how to contact the Navy and United States Central Command to voice their support for these three Navy SEALs. We want to thank every individual who sent letters to the commanding officers. Every effort to convey support for the SEALs contributed to their acquittal.
Among the efforts made to support the SEALs, supporters and former SEALs took the time and effort to establish Defense Funds and set up fund raising events for all three Navy SEALs. Their work to raise legal defense funds for the SEALs enabled the defense teams to focus on winning the cases.
The Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC want to thank the two exceptional Military assigned Defense Counsel, LTs Kevin Shea and Kristen Anastos, USN. Their dedication and zealous defense of SO2 McCabe was instrumental in his acquittal. Additionally, the support given by the former SEAL and Special Operations communities was invaluable in continuing to fight for the freedom of the three Navy SEALs. The incredible outpouring of support from the American public to include Emails, letters written to the commanding general on behalf of the SEALs, donations, and blogs defending the SEALs all contributed to their morale as they spent 8 months of their military careers on hold. Thank you one and all for your thoughts, fund raising activities and letters.
I am sorry these Seals are being treated as criminals by the US military. However, I am glad they insisted on bringing this treatment to light in a public arena and hopefully the cockroaches will be forced back into the dark recesses in which they belong.
It is beyond my comprehension that these men are getting this kind of treatment. Un-f***-ing believable! I spent 6 years in the Teams. These men bleed and die by the honor of God and Country to protect our freedom and democracy and defend the human rights of innocent people all over the globe and this is how we treat them? Are they bleeding and dying so that brass and suits in Washington can sit back on their high horses in the safety and comfort of their warm offices half a planet away from real danger, many of them, spineless pen pushers never having tasted the dirt of foreign soil on their ass-kissing lips.
A terrorist fugitive which masterminded the killing of our citizens and desecration of their bodies has been punched in the gut or received a fat lip in the middle of a war where thousands upon thousands have perished and we will ruin the careers and punish those very soldiers who captured him and possibly saved thousands more lives.
What can I do to stop this and I will clearly do it.
Please let PO McCabe that we are behind him. It is ironic that he is set for arraingment on Dec. 7th!
We will be with you in prayer.
I do not know if the letters to our Congressmen will be answered but they have been sent.
There are no words to express my anger that this action.
Peggy McCosh
Klamath Falls, OR
I too am outraged at our government’s treatment of these very special men. I’m embarrassed by it, and my heart goes out to them and their families.Our enemies must be rolling on the ground laughing at us. Please make sure these men, the cream of the crop, know the vast majority of Americans get it. We know they have survived a lot of hardship to get to where they are, and we as a nation would be in trouble without them. I could go on; please just let them know Americans are following the case, contacting leadership, and wanting to give them a HUGE thank you! They are the best!
Hang in there young man. I am happy to donate funds to your attorney on this special day, and help fight for YOUR rights. Although this seems senseless to a lot of good Americans, I am sure you and your peers will shine when this non-sense is over.
Thank you for your service!!
A national embarrassment, and a slap in the face of our military. Free our Seals and restore their honor NOW! Our prayers are with you.
As an ex Navy Diver I must say that the average American knows little about the dedication and hardship that our military has to endure. They face an enemy that hos no problem cutting off the head of a prisoner, but cries foul when they are the recipients of the amount of force equal to a football game or or a good chest bump. Our country does not have the will to win a war or have the guts to stand up and say this is the way it’s going to be. You are our enemy, and your life is in danger if you continue to commit crimes against our people and our property. I’m sure the people in the twin towers wish they could trade their horrible deaths for a punch in the stomach.
We have to stand beside our military people and defend them against these wimps that want to turn the other cheek.
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The work you folks have done is wonderful!! God bless you,Prayers have been answered !!
B.E. Jenkins USN Ret.