April 02, 2004

Accused Marine’s drug comments scrutinized

Associated Press


CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marines approached by Cpl. Clayton A. Chaffin said Thursday during his court-martial that they were never sure whether the Ohio Marine was joking when he talked about drugs.
Chaffin, 28, of Franklin, Ohio, faces 152 years in prison on charges of conspiring to cut the suspension lines of at least 13 parachutes used by Marines during a Sept. 21, 2002, exercise at Camp Lejeune and of attempting to frame another Marine for the crime. He also is accused of distributing and using LSD, marijuana and cocaine.

Some testimony by witnesses Thursday, the second day of the court-martial, did not match their previous written statements. Defense attorneys suggested that investigators might have used questionable interrogation techniques, but prosecutors countered that some witnesses might have rehearsed their statements together.

At least one person said another witness had spoken about testimony the day before. The judge, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Colwell, recalled some witnesses to warn them about discussing their testimony outside court.

Five former air delivery specialists testified under immunity from prosecution on drug charges and two former Marines testified to receive lighter sentences in their own courts-martial.

Evidence was limited Thursday to statements that witnesses said they heard Chaffin make, such as “Do you want to get high?”, “Do you want to buy some weed?” or “Do you party?” Under questioning by defense attorneys, all seven witnesses agreed they had not seen Chaffin sell, use or possess drugs.






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Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.

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Ellie