thedrifter
05-15-08, 08:52 AM
Marine's slaying inspires protections
Amendment would ensure that restraining orders would not expire during inquiries.
By Jessica Wehrman
Staff Writer
Thursday, May 15, 2008
WASHINGTON — A House committee late Wednesday, May 14, was set to pass a bill that included two amendments inspired by a Marine from Vandalia who was slain last December.
The House Armed Services Committee's Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization Act included a provision that would prevent the military equivalent of a restraining order from expiring during an ongoing investigation as happened at least twice to Maria Lauterbach as a result of bureaucratic oversight.
Under an amendment introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, such an order would have to be rescinded with another order for it to expire.
Lauterbach was eight months pregnant when her body was found charred and buried under a fire pit in Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean's backyard in January.
She had accused Laurean of raping her in April 2007. Laurean was apprehended last month in Mexico, where he awaits extradition.
Turner also added an amendment that would require the military to notify local civilian authorities when they issue a military protective order.
In Lauterbach's case, civilian authorities did not know about the rape accusation until weeks after she had disappeared.
Lauterbach and Laurean both lived off base at the time of her disappearance, and Turner said civilian authorities should have known about the order.
"Local law enforcement should have this information so they can do their job," he said.
In a March 31 letter to Turner, the Marines said the military order, which prohibited Laurean from coming within 1,000 feet of Lauterbach or contacting her, should have sufficed. But The Miles Foundation, a private organization devoted to helping victims of sexual and domestic violence associated with the military, said the Marines should have advised Lauterbach to get a civilian protective order as well.
Also Wednesday, Turner introduced, but then withdrew, an amendment that would require the defense secretary to conduct a study of victim advocate programs in the Armed Forces for victims of sexual assaults.
He withdrew the amendment because it also falls under the jurisdiction of an additional House committee.
Ellie
Amendment would ensure that restraining orders would not expire during inquiries.
By Jessica Wehrman
Staff Writer
Thursday, May 15, 2008
WASHINGTON — A House committee late Wednesday, May 14, was set to pass a bill that included two amendments inspired by a Marine from Vandalia who was slain last December.
The House Armed Services Committee's Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization Act included a provision that would prevent the military equivalent of a restraining order from expiring during an ongoing investigation as happened at least twice to Maria Lauterbach as a result of bureaucratic oversight.
Under an amendment introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, such an order would have to be rescinded with another order for it to expire.
Lauterbach was eight months pregnant when her body was found charred and buried under a fire pit in Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean's backyard in January.
She had accused Laurean of raping her in April 2007. Laurean was apprehended last month in Mexico, where he awaits extradition.
Turner also added an amendment that would require the military to notify local civilian authorities when they issue a military protective order.
In Lauterbach's case, civilian authorities did not know about the rape accusation until weeks after she had disappeared.
Lauterbach and Laurean both lived off base at the time of her disappearance, and Turner said civilian authorities should have known about the order.
"Local law enforcement should have this information so they can do their job," he said.
In a March 31 letter to Turner, the Marines said the military order, which prohibited Laurean from coming within 1,000 feet of Lauterbach or contacting her, should have sufficed. But The Miles Foundation, a private organization devoted to helping victims of sexual and domestic violence associated with the military, said the Marines should have advised Lauterbach to get a civilian protective order as well.
Also Wednesday, Turner introduced, but then withdrew, an amendment that would require the defense secretary to conduct a study of victim advocate programs in the Armed Forces for victims of sexual assaults.
He withdrew the amendment because it also falls under the jurisdiction of an additional House committee.
Ellie