FINALLY!!!!Hearing held for Marine accused of killing Romanian rock star
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  1. #1
    Registered User Free Member KingDonkeyPunch's Avatar
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    FINALLY!!!!Hearing held for Marine accused of killing Romanian rock star

    July 25, 2005

    Hearing held for Marine accused of killing Romanian rock star

    By Laura Bailey
    Times staff writer


    A Marine embassy guard accused of killing a Romanian rock star in a traffic accident last year began his Article 32 evidentiary hearing at Quantico, Va., today.
    Staff Sgt. Christopher VanGoethem, a former detachment commander at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, is accused of killing Teofil Peter, a popular Romanian musician, in Bucharest on the morning of Dec. 4.

    Charges include reckless driving with a specification of negligent homicide, adultery and making a false official statement. VanGoethem is also charged with drunken driving and disorderly conduct from a March 1, 2004, incident and of wrongfully using a government computer to view and store pornography.

    In the opening hours of the hearing, which will determine whether VanGoethem will face court-martial, military prosecutor Capt. Charles A. Miracle alleged that VanGoethem crashed into the taxi in which Peter was riding at an intersection in Bucharest, causing the taxi to flip over four times, killing Peter immediately and injuring another passenger.

    A Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agent testified that VanGoethem allegedly attended a Christmas party at the U.S. Embassy the night of the incident. He said VanGoethem, who is married, left the party with Ilse Wentworth, the adult daughter of the embassy’s public affairs officer. They went to a nightclub and then to VanGoethem’s residence to have sex, said Special Agent James Lofstrom.

    VanGoethem crashed into Peter’s taxi shortly after dropping Wentworth off at her residence in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, Lofstrom said.

    The defense, led by Maj. Phillip Stackhouse, has yet to present its side in the hearing, slated to last until mid-week.

    Lt. Col. Stuart Couch presided over the hearing and will make recommendations to Col. William Rizzio Jr., commander of the Quantico-based Marine Security Guard Battalion.


  2. #2
    Registered User Free Member KingDonkeyPunch's Avatar
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    I had the pleasure of serving under this piece of work when this happened. He was a real role model let me tell you what.


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    Registered User Free Member CPLRapoza's Avatar
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    I was on MSG Duty in Uruguay and I remember, hearing about this.


  4. #4
    Registered User Free Member KingDonkeyPunch's Avatar
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    I just read another article, it looks like the judge is going to let him off. He says that there isn't enough evidence to hold any convictions. I just wish that they would pull the marines that were under him into court to testify. After they heard what we all had to tell them, there wouldnt be a jury in the world that would let him off.


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    Registered User Free Member Catz1611's Avatar
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    Originally posted by KingDonkeyPunch
    I just read another article, it looks like the judge is going to let him off. He says that there isn't enough evidence to hold any convictions. I just wish that they would pull the marines that were under him into court to testify. After they heard what we all had to tell them, there wouldnt be a jury in the world that would let him off.
    If they DO let him off just know that he'll get his one day. And with this sort of thing in his record..I'd be surprised if he Makes Gunny or even is allowed to reenlist.


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