Alleged Slashers May Walk in Pike as Victims Fight in Iraq

[thedrifter]

Alleged Slashers May Walk in Pike as Victims Fight in Iraq
By Pat Camuso

MILFORD, PA- Several alleged violent criminals may get a free pass in Pike County because their victims are fighting in Iraq and can’t show up for court.

The incident occurred during the first few minutes of 2004 at a New Year’s Eve party in Dingman Township’s Birchwood Lake community. According to police, Christopher and Michael Jahn, 21-year-old identical twins from Dingmans Ferry and both on active duty with the United States Marine Corp, were home on leave and at the party when two uninvited guests showed up and began to cause trouble.

Witnesses said that one of the uninvited guests forcefully shoved a young woman and an altercation ensued prompting the twin Marines to take action and they, forcefully, persuaded the intruders to leave.

The intruders, however, didn’t stay away long. Police say the unwelcome pair returned to the party less then a half-hour later with no less then ten associates who barged their way into the home “brandishing a handgun, knife, pipe and a baseball bat.” And needless to say, another, but much more serious, altercation ensued.

According to witnesses at the scene, the Marines were attacked by the gang and eventually overpowered. At one point, Michael was held as another assailant allegedly sliced his face from his lip down through his neck to the collarbone while nicking a primary artery in the process.

At the same point in time, Christopher was allegedly pummeled and pistol whipped to the floor and held down, face to the floor, when an assailant viciously sliced a huge “X” across the full of the Marine’s back.

The twins received multiple stitches to close the gaping wounds as police managed to capture a few of the alleged assailants. At a preliminary hearing in front of district magistrate Stephen McBride, Reginald Spearman and Paul Grey, both from Pike County, faced several charges including “aggravated assault” and conspiracy to commit the same. They were bound over for trial with bail set at $75,000 for each suspect. Police say that Jennifer Spearman was also charged with aggravated assault and secured with a $25,000 bail.

One of the Marine’s, Michael, testified at the preliminary hearing while Christopher returned to duty. The case was due to come to trial in November but, according to Pike County district attorney Doug Jacobs, it has been postponed to January’s trial term because both Marines are on active combat duty in Iraq and, at least one, cannot attend the proceedings that were planned for November.

Jacobs explained, however, that it is unclear if the Marine’s will be able to leave the war zone in January. One of the Marine’s tour of duty in theater may end in January or February but the other, Christopher, may be facing combat until next spring.

Michael, according to his Mother Georgette Jahn, is a corporal specializing in combat communications and finds himself in harms way in Iraq on a daily basis. Mike’s exact whereabouts in Iraq is classified and unknown even to his family. Christopher is a heavy machine operator working in war-torn Faluja – one of the most dangerous areas for an American on the face of the earth. Both men celebrated their third anniversary as Marines yesterday, October 15.

According to Jacobs, if both Marines do not show up at court in January, there is a definite possibility that the case may be dismissed and the alleged slashers may walk free. Jacobs said the court would make this decision.

“My husband Nick and I were devastated by the assault, “ said the Marines’ Mother. “Now my boys are fighting in Iraq for security and freedom for all Americans– including these bad guys. If they should walk free because my boys are serving their country in war it would be a slap in the face – a terrible injustice. I see many car stickers nowadays saying ‘support our troops’ and it makes me feel wonderful. Now we can support our troops by not letting these people go free.”

One of the Mother’s concerns is for the safety of all military people. She explained that should the alleged assailants walk free, she fears it will then be open season on all military personnel enjoying leave at home before being deployed overseas.

The Jahn family now hopes that public awareness of this situation may help in their fight to see justice served in Pike County.




Pike County's twin Marines less then a week before the assault.....contributed photo




Christopher Jahn.....contributed photo



Michael Jahn....contributed photo

http://www.tristatenews.com/article_4055.stm


Ellie

[hrscowboy]

The justice system needs to do everything it can too make sure these *******s get what they deserve for what they did to these Marines...