Did Marines show 'proper care' for Lauterbach?

By Margo Rutledge Kissell

Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

An investigation will determine if Marine commanders exercised "proper care and concern" for slain Lance Cpl. Marine Lauterbach's well-being after she reported a fellow Marine had raped her.

The Defense Department's under secretary for personnel and readiness has asked the DOD inspector general for the investigation.

"Specifically, I ask you to address whether appropriate steps were taken with respect to any protective orders," principal deputy Michael L. Dominguez wrote.

The memo requests a review of how the command responsible for the (DOD's) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program at Camp Lejeune responded to the initial report of sexual assault "and subsequent information brought to its attention that LCpl Lauterbach's safety might be threatened.

"This review should include the commander's actions or failure to act."

Lauterbach family attorney Merle Wilberding said he welcomes the investigation and believes it may be "an important step in our efforts to create a more protective environment for women in the military who file reports of sexual assault against fellow military members."

Lauterbach, 20, accused Marine Cesar Laurean of raping her in the spring of 2007 while both were stationed at Camp Lejeune. He has spent the last five months in a Mexico City Jail after he was captured April 10 after a three-month manhunt. The 21-year-old corporal fled his home on Jan. 11, the day Lauterbach's charred remains and those of her unborn child were found in a shallow grave in Laurean's backyard in Jacksonville, N.C.

Dominguez said he attended a July 31 hearing of the National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee where Lauterbach's mother testified. Mary Lauterbach said her daughter was sexually assaulted, her car was keyed and she was physically assaulted in separate events before her murder.

"We understand that the policies at the top may be intended to provide some safeguards," Wilberding said, "but we worry about the protection given on a day to day basis at the unit level.

"Our observations continue to be that all too often the alleged perpetrator is embraced by his fellow unit members and the victim becomes the target. This is particularly true when the victim advocates are in the chain of command and may not be as independent as we believe they need to be to furnish the victim with the advice and protection that is necessary."

Ellie