A US Military Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a USMC Scout Sniper who -along with his fellow Marines- urinated on the bodies of Taliban fighters back in 2011.
The decision, by the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, was handed down Wednesday, half a decade after the original conviction had been delivered to Staff Sergeant Joseph Chamblin.
Chamblin was sentenced to 30 days’ confinement, docked in pay, and demoted to Sergeant for his role in the incident, which was filmed and posted to YouTube.
The video made global headlines, with many people demanding the punishment of the Marines involved.
According to Military.com, the incident would spark years of controversial aftershock, including allegations that then-Commandant of the Marine Corps General Jim Amos had attempted to interfere and ensure harsh punishments for the Marines involved.
As evidence mounted, the original general in charge of the case was replaced, causing even more controversy.
Constant in-fighting and dragging on of appeals ultimately resulted in dismissal of charges for Chamblin, who the court felt had suffered enough.
“We … find that public confidence in military justice requires dismissal with prejudice in this case,” the court found.
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