Category: Felony Crime

Retired Army Veteran Marinna Rollins Died by Suicide Less Then Two Weeks After Arrested & Charged with Shooting & Killing her Estranged Husband’s Dog (May 7, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Scandals, Sexual Assault, SuicideLeave a comment
Screen Shot 2017-05-21 at 7.14.37 PM
Marinna Rollins, US Army Retired

Army veteran Marinna Rollins, 23, was found dead of an apparent suicide on May 7, 2017 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. According to reports, Rollins was medically retired from the Army with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a traumatic event while stationed in South Korea. Rollins was involved in the execution style killing of her estranged husband’s dog Huey around April 16 or 17. The harrowing incident was filmed and released to the public resulting in worldwide coverage. Marinna and her accomplice, Jarren Heng, were both facing felony charges in court. Jarren Heng is an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Bragg and he still faces felony charges, although the conspiracy charge was dropped after Marinna died. Meanwhile a Facebook page was created called Justice for Huey and they are also petitioning the Army to take action. According to Marinna’s estranged husband, Matt Dyer, Marinna was watching the dog for him while he was in South Korea but at some point decided she wanted to keep the dog and didn’t want to give Huey back.

Meanwhile, she registered the dog as an emotional support animal. Matt shared that he was okay with her keeping the dog because he thought Huey would be good for her PTSD. Matt and Justice for Huey have been empathetic of Marinna and believe that had Jarren Heng never entered her life, this would not have happened. Matt expressed that he was aware that Jarren hated Huey and was controlling of Marinna. Marinna and Matt grew up together in Windham, Maine and were still technically married as their divorce had not been finalized yet. Initially it appears that Marinna did try and find a home for the dog with no success. Matt thinks Jarren Heng convinced Marinna to get rid of the dog. Did Jarren Heng pressure her to get rid of the dog because it was her soon to be ex-husband’s dog? We may never know the answer to that question but nonetheless this is a very heartbreaking situation: an innocent dog lost a life, another soldier with Post Traumatic Stress lost her life, and Matt lost his childhood friend & wife and his dog.

Related Links:
Justice for Huey on Facebook
Petition: To Seek UCMJ Punishment of Army Specialist Jarren Heng
Owner of dog slain by veteran and soldier speaks out on what really happened
Accused dog killer’s sister, separated husband still trying to process ‘shocking’ incident
Marinna Rollins & Jarren Heng: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Army veteran from Maine accused of brutally killing service dog
Vet And Her Soldier Boyfriend Shot Dog 10 Times, New Report Shows
A Veteran Tied Her Service Dog to a Tree and Shot It 5 Times, Officials Say
Cops: Ex-soldier kills her service dog while her boyfriend videotapes
Prosecutor: NC military couple laughed as they fatally shot service dog
Army vet, boyfriend laugh while killing PTSD service dog, DA says
Army vet and special ops soldier boyfriend charged with shooting her service dog
Veteran Charged with Tying PTSD Service Dog to Tree, Shooting 5 Times
Bail raised for veteran, soldier accused in execution of veteran’s PTSD therapy dog
Army veteran who filmed herself killing her own service dog gets bail increase to $25K
Marinna Rollins army vet: Why I filmed myself shooting my service dog dead 5 times
Veteran who shot service dog on video found dead
Army vet who killed her service dog is found dead
Female soldier caught on video killing dog found DEAD
Marinna Rollins: Ex-Soldier Recorded Shooting Service Dog Found Dead
Windham veteran accused of executing therapy dog, posting video on Facebook, found dead
Marinna Rollins, ex-soldier who was recorded fatally shooting service dog, is found dead
Army veteran kills herself after being filmed tying service dog to tree and shooting it dead
Army veteran accused of murdering service dog commits suicide nine days before trial
Female army veteran ‘who tied her PTSD dog to a tree and killed it is found dead’
Veteran arrested in dog’s killing on Facebook found dead
Army Veteran Arrested For Murdering Her Dog Commits Suicide
Sad end to grisly episode: Ex-soldier who killed dog is found dead

48 Hours NCIS Premiered ‘The Double Cross’: Navy Sailors Elise Makdessi & Quincy Brown Found Murdered in Makdessi’s Virginia Home (April 25, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, ScandalsLeave a comment
P.O. Elise Makdessi, U.S. Navy
P.O. Quincy Brown, U.S. Navy

Navy Petty Officer Elise Makdessi worked as an Air Traffic Controller at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. Elise was married to Eddie Makdessi for five years and they lived off base in Virginia Beach. Elise unknowingly helped plan, organize, and carry out her own murder and it is unclear if she was a willing participant in the original plot with Eddie to scam the government out of money or if she was controlled by Eddie. Eddie Makdessi murdered Elise Makdessi and Navy Petty Officer Quincy Brown on May 14, 1996 as part of an elaborate scam. The whole thing was a set up. Elise thought she was part of an arrangement where she would invite Quincy Brown to the house, have sex with him, then accuse him of rape. She also manufactured evidence to make it look like she was documenting sexual abuse in an effort to sue the Navy and make millions. She had journals and created what looked like a rehearsed video outlining what four Navy men, including Quincy Brown, did to her on the job.

Read more from MJFA here.

Related Links:
48 Hours NCIS Premiered ‘The Double Cross’
“48 Hours: NCIS:” The Double Cross
48 Hours: NCIS: The Double Cross [Podcast]
Navy Petty Officer Elise Makdessi Double Crossed & Murdered by Husband; Eddie Makdessi Found Guilty of Murder for the Life Insurance, Sentenced to Life in Prison (May 14, 1996)
Navy Petty Officer Quincy Brown Murdered by Military Spouse Motivated to Kill by Wife’s $700,000 Life Insurance Policy (May 14, 1996)
Solved Premiered ‘Last Man Standing’ on ID: Navy Sailors Elise Makdessi & Quincy Brown Found Murdered in Makdessi’s Virginia Home (October 26, 2009)
Unusual Suspects Premiered ‘Deadly Accusations’ on ID: Navy Sailors Elise Makdessi & Quincy Brown Found Murdered in Makdessi’s Virginia Home (January 25, 2015)

Fear Thy Neighbor Premiered ‘Hysteria Lane’ on Investigation Discovery: Ronald Ragland Harassed, Gaslighted & Executed Army Vet Robert Mitchell (April 20, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Scandals, True Crime, Veterans1 Comment

ID Go: A couple who tragically lost their son are thrilled when a family with two boys moves in across the street. But the relationship soon sours, engulfing all of them in conflict, accusation, and finally a deadly shooting. Hysteria Lane, Fear Thy Neighbor (S4, E3)

Date: May 2, 2010
Victims: Robert Mitchell, Sr., 53, Army veteran, disabled and Robert Mitchell, Jr., 18
Offender: Ronald Ragland, 54, Truck Driver
Location: Brandywine, Maryland
Circumstances: Ronald Ragland lost his son to a drunk driving accident, Robert and Donna Mitchell moved in next door with their two sons, Robert Sr. is an Army veteran who served with distinction but was discharged due to an injury, the two families spent a lot of time together initially and regarded each other as good friends, as the Mitchell boys settle in, they make new friends and suddenly the neighborhood is full of kids, more kids means more noise, Ronald slept during the day so he could drive truck at night, Ronald yelled at the Mitchell boys, Robert tried to make Ronald understand they were just kids playing, one day the boys started skateboarding and the noise made Ronald angry again, Ragland grabbed one of the kids by the collar and was throwing him around like a rag doll, Robert Sr. confronted Ronald, Ronald was the type that would not be disrespected and he held a grudge, Robert Sr. told his kids to stay away from Ronald, Ronald wanted things his way in the Charm Court neighborhood, neighbors suspected Ronald may have been jealous of Robert and his two sons, it appeared he was trying to sabotage their life and make them feel his pain, once the boys become Seniors in high school, they had a lot of friends over and listened to music, Ronald would stand in his driveway & make demands of the neighbors, he dictated everything that went on in the neighborhood, Ronald called the police and complained about the neighbors, the Roberts family hadn’t done anything wrong, police asked Robert Sr. to help de-escalate the situation, there was a break-in at a neighbor’s home and someone called to complain that the Roberts kids were the one’s who broke into the home but there was no proof so the police moved on, this didn’t sit well with Ronald, Ronald tried to turn everyone against Robert Sr. and his family, he claimed they were bad for the neighborhood, neighbors admitted to feeling hatred towards the Mitchell family, the situation takes a toll on the Mitchells relationship, one night some unknown kids vandalized Ronald’s house, he didn’t see who did it but he thought he knew who was responsible, he now had a personal vendetta against the Mitchell boys, someone threw a rock through his window as well, Ronald called the cops to complain about the vandalism but the Mitchell boys denied vandalizing Ronald’s property, there was no proof the Mitchell boys committed the crimes, Ronald decided he had to fend for himself, he installed cameras around his property, Ronald sat in front of the different angles of the cameras and watched the neighborhood disintegrate, Ronald tried to gaslight Robert by giving him a hard time about the problems with his wife, Ronald purchased a gun and his hate continued to brew, Robert’s wife left the family and Ronald taunted the boys about their mother leaving them, Ronald was vindictive, one of the Mitchell brothers moved out, Rob Jr. stayed in the house with his dad, Ronald complained about all the cars showing up throughout the night, he suspected drug activity, Ronald called the police and Rob Jr. was arrested for possession of drugs, Rob Jr. smoked marijuana but he denied selling drugs, Rob Jr. told Ronald he wasn’t going anywhere after he returned home from the police department, the case was dropped, Ronald claimed he felt threatened by Rob Jr., Ronald taunted the family once again on May 2, 2010 and Rob Jr. walked towards Ronald gearing up for a fist fight, Ronald started firing his weapon at Rob Jr. in an attempt to execute him and then walked over to Robert Sr. sitting in his car and shot him at close range in his head, Ronald then walked back over to Rob Jr. who was injured but not dead and pointed the gun at him again but he was out of bullets, Ronald returned to his home to reload his gun, the neighbor helped Rob Jr. get into the house out of harm’s way, Ronald returned to the Mitchell home with his gun and taunted Rob Jr. to come back outside, he threatened that he was next, the police arrived just in time and arrested Ronald, Ronald claimed self defense and said Robert Sr. had a gun in his car, the police found a gun in Robert’s car, the neighbor told the police she saw Ronald carry the gun across the street and plant the gun in Robert’s car, the police determined the gun was inoperable and believed Ronald had been planning this for a long time, Ronald purposefully provoked the situation, it was cold blooded murder, Ronald executed Robert Sr. and tried to execute Robert Jr., the Mitchell’s family home went into foreclosure
Disposition: Ronald Ragland was convicted of second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, first degree assault, and use of a handgun in a violent crime in March 2013, Ragland sentenced to 40 years in prison, appealed in 2015

Robert Mitchell
Robert D. Mitchell, Sr. (Photo: Investigation Discovery)

Source: ‘Hysteria Lane’ Fear Thy Neighbor, Investigation Discovery

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. Download the ID Go app and binge away. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Related Links:
Obituary: Robert D. Mitchell
Victim identified in fatal Capitol Heights shooting Sunday
Police Make Quick Arrest in Homicide on Charm Court
Brandywine man is charged with killing neighbor
Two men convicted of murder in Prince George’s County
Two men convicted for Prince George’s shooting deaths
Ronald Ragland v State of Maryland | Court of Special Appeals (September 24, 2015)
Ragland v State of Maryland | Court of Special Appeals | PDF (September 24, 2015)
Ronald Ragland, Robert Mitchell: Neighbor Feud That Left Dad Dead, Son Injured On ‘Fear Thy Neighbor’ On ID
Hysteria Lane | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (S4, E3)
Hysteria Lane | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (website)
Hysteria Lane | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Fear Thy Neighbor: 23 Veteran Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Unsolved Homicide: Fort Hood Army Pvt. Justin Lewis Shot & Killed Near Vacant Lot in Killeen, Texas Neighborhood (April 17, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy1 Comment
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Pvt. Justin Lewis, US Army

Fort Hood Army soldier Pvt. Justin Lewis, 19, was shot and killed near a vacant lot in a neighborhood outside the post in Killeen, Texas on April 17, 2017. Justin was pronounced dead on April 18, 2017 by the coroner. Pvt. Lewis’ home of record is listed as Henderson, North Carolina and he entered active-duty service in August 2016. Pvt. Lewis was a cavalry scout assigned to 3rd Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, Texas. The circumstances surrounding the unsolved homicide are under investigation by the Killeen Police Department in Killeen, Texas. The point of contact for the investigation is Ofelia Miramontez, Public Information Officer, Killeen Police Department. Miramontez’s phone number is (254) 501-8941/8807 and her email is omiramontez@killeentexas.gov. Eight months later, the Killeen Police Department does not have any updates in the case according to Killeen Police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez. Justin’s Army buddy, Logan Duty, told the TDT news: “[Justin] was just gunned down in the middle of the night, and no one’s able to find out why. If I was there, and I was one of the detectives, I wouldn’t rest until I figured out why. … (Lewis) wanted to help others, willing to lay his life down defending someone. I haven’t met anyone who was dedicated to serving like him.”

“Pvt. Justin Lewis’ uncle, Jerry Lewis, said when you have a loved one go into the military, you deal with the fact you may lose them on the battlefield. They never imagined they would lose 19-year-old Justin on American soil, near a vacant lot in Killeen, Texas.” –11 ABC News

Related Links:
In loving memory of Justin Lewis
Pvt. Justin Antwan Lewis | Fallen Warriors
Death of a Fort Hood Soldier – Pvt. Justin Antwan Lewis
Fort Hood soldier found dead identified
Man found dead in Killeen identified by police
Fort Hood soldier shot dead Monday night in Killeen, Texas
Killeen homicide victim was Fort Hood soldier, Army says
Teen found dead near vacant lot in Killeen neighborhood identified
19-year-old Fort Hood soldier shot and killed in Killeen
Young soldier from NC shot and killed in Texas
Soldier from NC shot to death in Texas, officials say
Soldier from Henderson shot, killed in Texas, army base says
Family seeks answers after NC soldier slain in Texas
Family grieves loss of Henderson soldier, looks for answers
Friends remember Henderson man killed in Texas
School Remembers Soldier from Vance County Found Dead Near Fort Hood
Soldier’s death in Killeen weighs heavy on friend 8 months later
52 Deaths at Fort Hood Since January 2016 ~ 14 Since January 2017…Normal Or HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS?
73 Fort Hood Soldiers Died Since January 2016: 4 Insider Attacks & 2 Suicides Overseas; 67 Stateside Deaths Including 34 Alleged Suicides & 1 Unsolved Homicide
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas (US Army)
Killeen Calling in Feds to Combat Crime
Gangs in the US Army Documentary
The Fort Hood Fallen on Facebook
Seeking Justice with Change Your POV

Huey, Matt Dyer’s Beloved Dog

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, ScandalsLeave a comment
Marinna-Rollins
Huey of Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fort Bragg Army soldier Matt Dyer’s dog Huey passed away in Fayetteville, North Carolina on April 16 or 17, 2017 (the exact date is unknown). Matt’s childhood friend and estranged wife, Marinna Rollins, was watching Huey for him while he was stationed in South Korea. Unfortunately, at some point Marinna and her current boyfriend, Jarren Heng, also a Fort Bragg Army soldier, decided they were going to kill Huey. The two filmed the event, it was released to the public, and went viral resulting in outrage from around the world. Less then two weeks after the news hit the airwaves and the two were charged and arrested, Marinna Rollins committed suicide. Matt Dyer is devastated by the loss of both Huey and his wife and childhood friend from Maine. Marinna was medically discharged from the Army and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress, Bi-Polar, and other mental illnesses after a traumatic event in South Korea. Matt thought Huey would be good for Marinna, who was a disabled veteran and even registered Huey as an emotional support animal. Keep up with the latest developments in Jarren Heng’s animal abuse case and other news at Justice for Huey on Facebook.

Air Force AMN Cameron Owens Arrested for Attempted Murder of Female Colleague in Dorm at Aviano AB in Italy; Found Guilty, Sentenced to 18 Years (2017)

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USAF Seal
Cameron Owens, US Air Force

Airman Cameron Owens was arrested for stabbing a US Air Force female service member in the dormitories on April 11, 2017 at Aviano Air Base in Italy. According to reports, Owens remained in military custody while he faced attempted murder charges. At a court martial in Italy, Owens was found guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful entry and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. In December 2017, Owens was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Related Links:
US airman arrested for attempted murder in Italy
US Airman Stabs Female Service Member on Italian Base, Remains in Custody
Aviano airman held in stabbing of fellow servicemember
Aviano stabbing suspect will stay in military custody pending charge
Aviano airman faces attempted murder charge in attack on fellow airman
Defense: Airman charged with attempted murder at Aviano dorm didn’t aim to kill victim
Aviano airman guilty of attempted murder in stabbing of fellow airman

At Second Trial, Former Army National Guard JAG Officer & State Prosecutor Curtis Lovelace Found Not Guilty of First Degree Murder of First Wife Cory (March 10, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, National GuardLeave a comment
Screen Shot 2018-05-26 at 12.30.32 PM
Curtis Lovelace, Illinois Army National Guard

Related Links:
Curtis Lovelace | Investigating Innocence
Curtis Lovelace | 1070 KHMO-AM
Cory and Curtis Lovelace: How their story unfolded
Detective’s new look at 2006 case leads to murder charge against former prosecutor
Curtis Lovelace on the shock of being arrested for his wife’s murder
Former Adams County Prosecutor Indicted For Wife’s Murder
Former prosecutor talk of Illinois town after murder indictment
Former Illinois prosecutor asks for lower bond before trial
Former Illinois prosecutor charged with murder out of jail
Former Illinois prosecutor charged with murder out of jail
Football star-turned-prosecutor on trial for wife’s Valentine’s Day slay
Ex-Illinois star Curtis Lovelace on trial for allegedly killing wife
Exoneration Project to Represent Former Illinois Prosecutor During Second Trial
Former U Of I Football Star Lovelace Hires Attorneys In Murder Case
Jurors deliberate in former prosecutor’s murder trial
Judge Orders Retrial After Hung Jury in Curtis Lovelace Case
Former Illinois Prosecutor Curtis Lovelace Back on Trial for Alleged Murder of Wife After Hung Jury
Opening argument scheduled in ex-prosecutor’s murder retrial
Second Murder Trial Of Curtis Lovelace Underway
Judge: 2nd wife can testify about abuse in Lovelace trial
Curtis Lovelace murder trial continues with more witnesses
Prosecution: Lovelace poisoned second wife, grabbed her by throat
Prosecutors: Lovelace choked, poisoned 2nd Wife
Expert Testimony in the Curtis Lovelace Murder Trial
Day 3: Curtis Lovelace Murder Retrial
Lovelace murder trial heats up
Tense Day In Court For Day 4 Of Curtis Lovelace Murder Re-Trial
Pathologist in Lovelace case contends evidence pointed to homicide
Curtis Lovelace called to the stand in murder trial
The Crooked Prosecutor – Inside the Curtis Lovelace Murder Defense
Lovelace found not guilty
Verdict is in: Curtis Lovelace found not guilty of murder
Former prosecutor and U. of I. football captain found not guilty in wife’s death
Ex-Prosecutor Found Not Guilty in Retrial for Wife’s Alleged Suffocation
Former Illinois prosecutor not guilty in wife’s death
Former Illinois prosecutor not guilty in first wife’s death
Second wife of Curtis Lovelace speaks out
Curtis Lovelace: Life After A Not Guilty Verdict
Curtis Lovelace: ’48 Hours’ Valentine’s Day Death Of Cory Didriksen, Not Murder?
‘To say that I murdered the mother of my children is horrible’: Football star-turned prosecutor who was acquitted of killing his wife on Valentine’s Day 11 years ago speaks out alongside his new partner for the first time
Murder Retrial of Ex-Prosecutor in Illinois Cost Nearly $36K
Cory Lovelace Quincy Illinois Murder Allegations Haunt Accused Husband Curtis Through Two Trials
Postcard from the Court of Last Resort
Jim Dey: A fresh start in C-U for Lovelace
What Criminal Law Lawyers Need To Know About The Curtis Lovelace Trial With Curtis Lovelace
2019 Trial Date Set in Lovelace Lawsuit Against Quincy
Tried Twice for Allegedly Killing his Wife, Former Hard-Charging Prosecutor Curtis Lovelace Speaks Out to “48 Hours” About the Case that Made National Headlines
Heartland murder case to be showcased on “48 HOURS”
Death of Valentine’s Day | 48 Hours (website)
Death on Valentine’s Day | 48 Hours Podcast
Former prosecutor Curtis Lovelace acquitted of wife’s murder (Pt. 3) | Crime Watch Daily
Curtis Lovelace on the shock of being arrested for his wife’s murder | 48 Hours

Crime Watch Daily [Video]:
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 1)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 2)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 3)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 4)
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 1
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 2
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 3
Could Curtis Lovelace Finally Be Set Free? – Crime Watch Daily

48 Hours [Video]:
“48 Hours” preview: Death on Valentine’s Day
“48 Hours” probes young mom’s Valentine’s Day death
What did the children see? 48 Hours Preview of Curtis Lovelace murder trial
Journalist tipped on arrest of former Quincy prosecutor Curtis Lovelace
Community reacts to arrest of small town’s “golden boy”
Curtis Lovelace on the shock of being arrested for his wife’s murder
Christine Lovelace on coping while husband is in jail
Lyndsay Lovelace on life before her mother’s death
Jurors discuss differences in Lovelace investigations
Pathology testimony an issue for some Lovelace jurors
Maher to jurors: Would Curtis Lovelace have been convicted in 2006?
Christine Lovelace on hearing the jury’s decision
Curtis and Christine Lovelace: “We’re starting over”
“48 Hours” investigates fmr. prosecutor charged in wife’s 2006 death
Former Illinois prosecutor tried twice for wife’s murder speaks out on “48 Hours”

Dateline [Video]:
Dateline Episode Trailer: Mystery on the Mississippi | Dateline NBC


Curtis Lovelace was a college football star and later a prominent attorney, and then one Valentine’s Day morning his wife, Cory, died mysteriously. The case was closed, but now 11 years later, Lovelace is on trial for her murder — again. “48 Hours” correspondent Maureen Maher joins “CBS This Morning” with a preview of her report.

Spc. Marquez Brown & Pvt. Malika Jackson Were Found Murdered in Georgia Home; Army Soldiers Sgt. Shaquille Craig & Spc. Phillip Thompson, Jr. Charged with Murder (2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, ScandalsLeave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Fort Stewart Army soldiers Sgt. Shaquille Craig, 24, and Spc. Phillip Thompson, Jr., 24, were charged with murdering two fellow Army soldiers, Spc. Marquez Brown, 23, and Pvt. Malika Jackson, 21, in Hinesville, Georgia. An anonymous tip led to the discovery of their bodies on March 5, 2017. Sgt. Craig & Spc. Thompson stand accused of shooting to death both Spc. Brown and Pvt. Jackson, one of them had a large knife in their throat. Hinesville Police Department report that Sgt. Craig & Spc. Thompson have been arrested and charged with two counts of murder.

Related Links:
Anonymous tip led to discovery of soldiers’ bodies
Tips to metro Atlanta police led cops to Fort Stewart soldiers’ bodies
Army confirms two found dead in townhouse are soldiers from Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart officials confirm 2 men found dead in Hinesville apartment were soldiers
2 Fort Stewart soldiers found dead inside apartment
2 soldiers found dead in Georgia apartment near Army post
Two Fort Stewart soldiers found dead in off-post apartment
Two Fort Stewart soldiers found dead in Hinesville townhome
Two Fort Stewart Soldiers Found Dead In Georgia Townhome
2 Fort Stewart soldiers Malika Jackson and Marquez Brown found dead in a townhome
Police: 2 Soldiers Shot to Death in Georgia Double Homicide
Police investigate deaths of 2 soldiers outside Georgia Army base
Hinesville police make arrest in death of 2 Fort Stewart soldiers
Georgia soldier charged with killing 2 fellow Army members
Fort Stewart Soldier Charged with Killing 2 Fellow Army Members
Alabama man charged in killings of 2 fellow Army members in Georgia
Georgia sergeant is charged with shooting dead two fellow soldiers who were found ‘in a pool of their own blood – one with a large knife in his throat’
Father of murdered Fort Stewart soldier speaks
Marquez Brown’s family wants answers in his death
Second arrest made in murders of Fort Stewart soldiers
Second arrest made in deaths of two Fort Stewart soldiers
Second man charged in killing of Fort Stewart soldiers
Army charges 2 Fort Stewart soldiers for double homicide in Hinesville
Army charges two 3rd ID soldiers for March 2017 murders
Army charges 2 Fort Stewart soldiers for double homicide in Hinesville, Ga.
Army charges soldiers for murder of two soldiers outside Fort Stewart
Army charges two soldiers with murder in deaths of two other soldiers
Update: Man charged in murders of two Fort Stewart soldiers denied bond again

Massachusetts School of Law Interviews Veteran Jennifer Norris About Violent Crime in the Military & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, National Guard, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault4 Comments

Massachusetts School of Law explored violent crime in the military with Jennifer Norris, Military Justice for All, and the impact it has on civilians too. Jennifer talked about her experiences with four different perpetrators within the first two years of her enlisted career, the reporting & adjudication process, and the retaliation that ensued and eventually ended a fifteen year career. Also discussed was the jurisdictional hurdles that arise with a transient population like the military. For example, Jennifer was not able to press charges against one perpetrator because he moved out of state after learning he was getting reported. Another perpetrator was active duty Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, therefore a state National Guard commander did not have jurisdiction of a federal employee. And finally, although Jennifer was able to move forward with two other cases involving high ranking National Guard members with over eighteen years of service, unlike the civilian world, after the cases were adjudicated, they retired with full military retirement benefits and no public records.

Jennifer also shared that although the Department of Defense downplays violent crime in the military and sexual assault appears to be closely monitored by some female members of Congress, everything is not under control. The crime appears to be escalating. The military doesn’t just have a sexual assault issue, they have a domestic violence and homicide issue as well. They also have a pattern of ruling soldier’s deaths both stateside and overseas as suicides, training accidents, and illness despite families strongly protesting and evidence revealing otherwise. Domestic violence is more likely to lead to homicide and unfortunately the two issues have not been given the attention they deserve because until you do the research yourself and see how many families and communities have been impacted by the crimes, suspicious death, and homicide of a soldier or civilian, you wouldn’t know because Congress and the main stream media do not give it the attention it deserves. Homicide and independent investigations of all suspicious deaths should be given the highest priority not only because people have lost their lives and families deserve answers but because someone needs to be held accountable. We must prevent others from becoming victims of these crimes too.

Jennifer discussed the lasting impacts the crimes and retaliation had on her. Jennifer was empowered after doing all that she could do to protect others from getting harmed by the same people, but her squadron did not see it the same way. After the cases were adjudicated, Jennifer faced hostility from a couple of the perpetrator’s friends and her Chain of Command once she returned back to work. She eventually had to transfer to another squadron. It was the professional and personal retaliation that made her start feeling more intense feelings of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. And unfortunately her next squadron wasn’t any more welcoming then the last. She was told shortly after arriving that ‘no female makes it in the satellite communications work center’ and that she was experiencing hostility from her new Chain of Command because the old squadron called and informed them she was a ‘troublemaker.’ The retaliation had a direct impact on her mental health and cemented an already traumatizing experience with further abuse, indifference, and judgement. By the time she got to her third squadron (almost ten years after the first attack), she learned that the Department of Veterans Affairs treated Post Traumatic Stress resulting from military sexual trauma.

After Jennifer informed her third squadron that she was getting help for the PTS at the Department of Veterans Affairs, she was immediately red flagged and asked to leave the squadron until she could produce a note from her doctor giving her permission to be at work. She did this and jumped through the other hoops asked of her in an attempt to save her career but lost confidentiality in the process. Jennifer walked away from her career in the end because she refused to release her VA records for a security clearance investigation. The entire experience not only opened her up to judgement again (simply because she asked for some counseling due to what someone else did) but she had to prove that she was ‘fit for duty’ while the perpetrators were enjoying full military retirement benefits. Jennifer chose a second chance at a civilian career when she refused to release her confidential VA records for her security clearance investigation because she wanted to ensure a future free of a tainted security clearance. It makes zero sense that someone who is a victim of crime be negatively impacted by the crimes of others in yet another way. The hypocrisy of the system is truly revealed when you look at how the perpetrators were let off the hook but the victim of crime loses their military career because they had the strength to first report and then eventually ask for help.

Forbidden, Dying for Love Premiered ‘The Girl with the Gold Earring’ on ID: Navy Sailor Zachary Littleton Murders to Hide Adultery (February 24, 2017)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, True CrimeLeave a comment

ID Go: A young mom falls for a married military man after a chance meeting at his naval base. -The Girl with the Gold Earring, Forbidden: Dying for Love (S2,E8)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. Download the ID Go app and binge away. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Related Links:
The Girl with the Gold Earring | Forbidden: Dying for Love | Investigation Discovery (S2,E8)
The Girl with the Gold Earring | Forbidden: Dying for Love | Investigation Discovery (website)
The Girl with the Gold Earring | Forbidden: Dying for Love | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Pregnant Samira Watkins Found Dead in Bayou Grande in Florida; Navy Sailor Zachary Littleton Convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (November 3, 2009)