Tag: Washington

The PBS Documentary ‘The Kill Team’ Reveals How the Military Justice System Operates in Response to Media Scandals (July 25, 2014)

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The Kill Team is a PBS documentary featuring the Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers in Washington who were accused of murdering innocent Afghanistan civilians on a deployment in 2010. The media came up with ‘The Kill Team’ designator to describe the actions of five Army soldiers specifically who were involved in this scandal. It turns out it wasn’t the scandal the media made it out to be after all yet all five soldiers featured in the media were sanctioned regardless. There were a total of eleven enlisted soldiers who were punished for their actions in Afghanistan. No Army leadership at the base were held accountable. The real scandals are the lack of oversight in Afghanistan, the lack of accountability for leadership, and the broken military justice system. This film clearly shows how the military justice system operates differently then the civilian justice system. If you want to learn more about how military justice works, watch this film. This film depicted the toxic leadership in the ‘Platoon from Hell’ and the dangers of being a whistleblower in the US Army. The Kill Team was nominated for an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Kill Team is now available for purchase on I-Tunes, Amazon Prime, Netflix, or where ever you purchase or rent films digitally.

Calvin Gibbs: Sentenced to Life; Granted new hearing in 2016
Andrew Holmes: Sentenced to 7 years in prison; Released from prison
Jeremy Morlock: Sentenced to 8 years in prison
Michael Wagnon: Murder charges dropped by Army
Adam Winfield: Sentenced to 3 years; Released from prison

Related Links:
Violent Crime at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

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Dead of Night Premiered ‘Misfortune Teller’ on ID: Navy Veteran Patrick Fleming Found Stabbed to Death in Seattle Home (June 25, 2014)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Navy, True Crime, VeteransLeave a comment

Navy veteran, Patrick Fleming was found brutally stabbed to death in a Seattle elderly home. Detectives are lead to a con-artists named Monica, but DNA from the scene belongs to a man. Soon a call from the lab helps solve this bizarre whodunnit. -Misfortune Teller, Dead of Night (S2,E8)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch 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. 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 $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Navy Veteran Francis Patrick Fleming Found Stabbed to Death; Brenda Nicholas & Charles Jungbluth Received Prison Sentences (December 8, 2011)
Killer Instinct with Chris Hansen Premiered ‘Senseless in Seattle’ on ID: Who Killed Navy Veteran Francis Patrick Fleming? (September 14, 2015)
Misfortune Teller | Dead of Night | Investigation Discovery (S2,E8)
Misfortune Teller | Dead of Night | Investigation Discovery (website)
Misfortune Teller | Dead of Night | Investigation Discovery (Prime Video)

JBLM Army Soldier Shawn Woods Died Saving a Woman Stabbed in Back by Boyfriend; Chase Devyver Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison (2014)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their NameLeave a comment
Shawn Woods
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Woods, US Army

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Woods (JBLM, Washington) was fatally stabbed Sunday, January 19, 2014 while trying to stop an assault outside his home. Chase Devyver was arguing with his girlfriend in the early morning hours in a parked car in front of their residence. When the girlfriend exited the vehicle and began walking toward the house, the defendant followed and stabbed her from behind. Shawn awoke to the screams and intervened in the assault but Devyver stabbed him to death. Shawn Woods died protecting a domestic assault victim. She was hospitalized but lived. He is a hero. Woods was slated to retire from the military after serving 20 years on active duty. Devyver was sentenced to 31 years.

Murdered JBLM soldier identified as member of 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Cedar Hill war veteran dies protecting assault victim
Suspect charged in JBLM soldier’s stabbing death
Man charged in JBLM soldier’s stabbing death
Suspect charged in Lewis-McChord soldier’s stabbing death
Man Charged with Murder in Stabbing of Soldier
Man charged with fatally stabbing JBLM soldier who came to woman’s aid
Cedar Hill war veteran dies protecting assault victim
Jury convicts man in stabbing death
Man convicted in stabbing death of JBLM soldier
Man sentenced to 31 years in stabbing death
Killer of good Samaritan soldier from JBLM gets 30-plus-year sentence
Man sentenced to 31 years in soldier’s stabbing death
War veteran died a hero on the home front
Washington State Domestic Violence Fatalities (Jan 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015)
Honoring Shawn Woods, US Army, in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month

US Army Soldier Jeremiah Hill Convicted in Fatal Stabbing of Fellow Soldier Tevin Geike in 2013, Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy1 Comment
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Spc. Tevin Geike, US Army

Learn more: Violent Crime at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Related Links:
Police release 911 recording of fatal soldier stabbing
JBLM soldier stabbed to death in Lakewood confrontation
3 arrested in deadly stabbing of Lewis-McChord soldier
3 soldiers arrested in JBLM soldier’s stabbing death
3 soldiers arrested in fellow soldier’s stabbing death
Three soldiers arrested in fatal stabbing of JBLM soldier
3 soldiers charged in killing of Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier
Murder charge filed in Washington state soldier-on-soldier stabbing
Three Washington state soldiers charged in stabbing death of fellow soldier
Jeremiah Hill, Tevin Geike Murder Suspect: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Spc. Tevin A. Geike, Soldier Murdered in Racially Charged Clash: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Stabbed Soldier ‘Died Like a Dog,’ Friend’s Mom Says
‘He died like a dog’: Friend’s tears as autopsy reveals white soldier ‘killed by black comrade’ was stabbed through the heart
Tevin Geike Murder: Race not main issue in stabbing death of U.S. soldier in Wash., police and prosecutors say
Maine soldier sentenced in connection with Washington murder
Maine soldier gets year in prison for role in Washington state killing
JBLM soldier accused in fatal stabbing appears in military court
Army: JBLM soldier to face court-martial in 2nd soldier’s death
Friends Testify Against JBLM Soldier Accused of Murder
Pvt. Jeremiah Hill takes stand, claims he stabbed Spc. Tevin Geike in self-defense
Army Soldier Sentenced to 45 Yrs Following Murder Conviction Involving Fellow Soldier
JBLM soldier convicted, sentenced to 45 years in peer’s slaying
JBLM soldier convicted in 2013 stabbing death of comrade
Lakewood killings net vastly different sentences for JBLM soldiers from the same unit
2 soldiers get vastly different sentences for deadly crimes

Darron Wright, US Army (2013)

On By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, ScandalsLeave a comment
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Col. Darron Wright, US Army

Related Links:
Col. Darron L. Wright Bio (Line of Advance)
Iraq Full Circle: From Shock and Awe to the Last Combat Patrol in Baghdad and Beyond by Darron L. Wright
How a jump turned fatal at Fort Bragg
Iraq veteran, author killed in Bragg training exercise
JBLM officer dies in Fort Bragg parachute accident
Paratrooper Killed During Airborne Training Exercise
Fort Bragg Colonel Killed in Parachute Malfunction Accident
Col. Darron Wright, Mesquite native, career Army officer who served in Iraq, dies at 45
Review of fatal training jump leads to discipline for six
Dedication honors former 7ID leader
Report into 2013 parachute death tackles ‘VIP culture’
Army ‘VIP culture’ led to parachute accident that killed former JBLM officer
Army “VIP culture” led to parachute accident that killed former JBLM officer
Parachute death of former JBLM officer keeps raising questions about “VIP culture”

Army Sgt. Robert Chiaravallotti Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole by Military Judge After Murdering Wife Dionne Chiaravallotti & Raping Step-Daughter (February 21, 2013)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

US Army

August 25, 2012 (Date of Crimes)

Related Links:
JBLM bandsmen representing the Army one riff at a time
Soldier Held in Wife’s Murder, Rape of Child
Dionne Chiaravallotti, Former OC Mom, Allegedly Murdered by Soldier Husband
Report: Soldier pleads guilty to killing wife, raping stepdaughter
Soldier pleads guilty to fatally stabbing wife on JBLM, raping stepdaughter
JBLM soldier pleads guilty to murder, rape
JBLM soldier who killed wife, raped girl sentenced
Soldier gets life in prison for murder, rape at Lewis-McChord
JBLM soldier sentenced to life in prison for killing wife, raping stepdaughter
JBLM soldier sentenced to life without parole
Army Musician Pleads Guilty to Rape and Murder
US, Appellee v. Sgt ROBERT S. CHIARAVALLOTTI, US Army, Appellant (2013)

Dateline NBC Premiered ‘A Gathering Storm’: Russel Douglas Found Murdered on Remote Whidbey Island, Washington Road the Day After Christmas (February 15, 2013)

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Russel Douglas
Russel Douglas

Russel Douglas was found murdered in his car in a remote location on Whidbey Island in Washington on December 26, 2003. Russel was shot execution style in the head and there were few clues at the scene but the police knew it was a murder because they couldn’t find the gun. It took the police a few years but eventually they got a phone call from someone who said they had information about a murder. Investigators learned that a man by the name of Jim Huden admitted that he wanted to kill someone and did in fact kill someone. Through the course of the investigation, they also learned that Jim, who was married, had been having an affair with Peggy Thomas, a Navy veteran and former beauty queen in Washington. Peggy was the connection to Russel Douglas because she once worked with his wife Brenna at a hair salon and Russel’s wife was renting a home from her on Whidbey Island. When Jim Huden and Peggy Thomas were interviewed by the police, they didn’t admit to anything and would not cooperate. Therefore, detectives didn’t have enough evidence to arrest them. Read more here.

Related Links:
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Preview)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Sneak Peek)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Facebook)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Facebook 2)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Facebook 3)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Facebook 4)
A Gathering Storm | Dateline NBC (Full Episode)
Peggy Sue got released: TV show recounts sensational Whidbey Island murder
Russel Douglas Found Murdered on Whidbey Island in Washington; Navy Veteran Peggy Thomas & Lover Jim Huden Convicted in the Homicide (December 26, 2003)
Killer Couples Premiered ‘Peggy Thomas and Jim Huden’ on Oxygen: Russel Douglas Found Shot Execution Style on Whidbey Island the Day After Christmas (August 27, 2016)
The Perfect Murder Premiered ‘Whidbey Island Mystery’ on Investigation Discovery: Peggy Sue Thomas Manipulated Jim Huden to Kill Russel Douglas (August 30, 2018)
Photos: The Russel Douglas murder investigation | CBS

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, Scandals, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

Department of Defense

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jessica Wing, 42, NCD, Kuwait, Maine Army National Guard

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Christopher Birdwell, 25, and Mabry Anders, 21, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/27/2012:  Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified: William T. Brown, US Army

08/26/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Patricia Horne, 20, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/23/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Louis Torres, 23, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/22/2012:  Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified: John E. Hogan, US Army Air Forces

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: David V. Williams, 24, NCD, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Coater Debose, 55, Afghanistan, Camp Shelby, Mississippi

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 4 Army Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Brian Hornsby, 37, Suresh Krause, 29, Richard Essex, 23, and Luis Oliver Galbreath, NCDs, Afghanistan, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 2 Navy Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Patrick Feeks, 28, and David Warsen, 27, NCDs, Afghanistan, West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 1 Navy Casualty in Helicopter Crash: Sean Carson, 32, NCDs, Afghanistan, EOD, San Diego, California

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine and Navy Casualties: Gregory Copes, 36, and Darrel Enos, 36, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/19/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Justice, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/18/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Demarsico II, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/17/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Holman, 39, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/16/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Keller, 22, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Scott Dickinson, 29, Richard Rivera, 20, and Gregory Buckley, 21, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Matthew Manoukian, 29, Ryan Jeschke, 31, and Sky Mote, 27, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Trent, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Kennedy, 35, and Kevin Griffin, 45, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ethan Martin, 22, Afghanistan, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Walter Gray, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Clayton Beauchamp, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Daniel Linnabary II, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/06/2012:  Airmen Missing from Vietnam War Identified: Charles M. Walling, US Air Force

08/05/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Russell Bell, 37, and Matthew Sitton, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/03/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Todd Lambka, 25, and Jesus Lopez, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle McClain, 25, Afghanistan, Michigan Army National Guard

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Curtis Duarte, 22, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

Related Links:
Insider outrage: Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr., 21
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2002)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2003)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2008)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2009)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2010)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2011)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2013)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2014)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2015)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2016)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2017)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Afghanistan)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Other Areas)

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army Sgt. David V. Williams Died of Unspecified Causes in Kandahar, Afghanistan (August 18, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment
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Sgt. David V. Williams, US Army

Army Sgt. David V. Williams, 24, died of unspecified causes on August 18, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sgt. Williams was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the cause of death was under investigation.

Sgt David V. Williams Coming Home – Honoring a fallen hero.

Related Links:
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
Honor the Fallen: Army Sgt. David V. Williams
Sgt. David V. Williams dies in Afghanistan
Maryland Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
Frederick soldier dies in Afghanistan
Soldier from Frederick dies in Afghanistan
Soldier from Frederick, Md., dies in Afghanistan
Lewis-McChord soldier killed in Afghanistan
JBLM Stryker Soldier Sgt. David Williams Dies in Afghanistan
Hundreds honor Army Sgt. David V. Williams Monday afternoon
Families, friends remember fallen Marylanders
Soldier’s father: ‘Please remember David Vincent in your prayers’
Mother Remembering Fallen Son, Sending Another Off To Marines On Memorial Day
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)
Violent Crime, Suicide & Non Combat Death at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Highlights of the Myah Bilton-Smith Military Sexual Assault Case (USAF)

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Myah Bilton-Smith and her mother, Tina Clemens

Myah Bilton-Smith is a USAF veteran who was sexually assaulted twice in 2012 at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas. She reported the attacks to her Command but according to reports the case is still under investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and no meaningful legal action has been taken as of yet. After the second attack, she requested an expedited transfer (a military sexual assault policy passed in December 2011) but it was denied. Instead she was forced to work alongside her attackers in a training environment where you do not have freedom of movement. She experienced retaliation from her peers and leaders, punishment for minor infractions, and was eventually forced out of the military. She was finally granted an expedited transfer to Joint Base Lewis McChord, one of the most problematic bases in the country.

Rape victims’ transfer requests denied
Assault victims struggle to transfer to other posts
W. Wash. woman shares story of military rape
Kelso High grad takes on Air Force after daughter reports rapes
Vancouver woman’s story of military rape told before Senate panel
Sexual assault victims say military’s promises of reform don’t go far enough
Reforms not helping military victims of sex abuse
Military often betrays sex-assault victims
Twice Betrayed, Sexual Assault Victims in Military Unjustly Stigmatized, Booted Out
Pending Legislation Regarding Sexual Assaults in the Military
Obama signs defense, budget bills
Defense bill changing military’s handling of sexual assault passes Congress