SAN DIEGO -- Three Marines and a Navy man convicted of aiding the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man have been ordered removed from the military, the Navy said Wednesday.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus issued the ruling more than two years after the accusations were aired in a Camp Pendleton courtroom. The men had been allowed to stay on active duty after serving short jail terms for charges linked to the death in the village of Hamdania.
Navy corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Melson J. Bacos, of Franklin, Wis., pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap and making false official statements. Marine Lance Cpl. John J. Jodka III, of Encinitas, Calif., pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Jackson, of Tracy, Calif., pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Marine Lance Cpl. Jerry E. Shumate Jr., of Matlock, Wash., pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
All will get either an honorable or general discharge.
The secretary denied clemency for Pvt. Lawrence G. Hutchins III, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence for unpremeditated murder and other offenses.
