Walter B. Jones: “I am here tonight to once again ask for my colleagues to support Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, a Marine who has…”

“I am here tonight to once again ask for my colleagues to support Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, a Marine who has served our Nation bravely in both Gulf Wars and who now stands accused of murder for defending himself and his country. During his service in Iraq last year, Lieutenant Pantano was faced with a very difficult situation that caused him to make a split-second decision to defend his life. He felt threatened by the actions of two insurgents under his watch; and in an act of self-defense, he had to resort to force. Two and a half months later, a sergeant under his command who never even saw the shooting accused him of murder. Mr. Speaker, next month, April 25, there will be an Article 32 hearing to determine whether or not Lieutenant Pantano will face a court martial for murder. If convicted by a court martial, Lieutenant Pantano can be subject to the death penalty for an action that he took in self-defense on the battlefield. Mr. Speaker, what is happening to this young man is an injustice. Over the past couple of weeks I have stood here in this very spot quoting those who support him and his fight for justice. In his fitness report months after the alleged crime took place, his superiors praised his leadership and talents and even suggested that he was worthy of promotion. Respected journalists, from Mona Charen to the Washington Times editorial board, have defended him as an upstanding citizen and Marine.…”