Jackson-Lee: Investigate Gay Sailor's Death

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee is planning to demand a congressional inquiry into the death of a Houston sailor whose body was found in a guard shack at Oceanside, Calif.'s Camp Pendleton military base last week.

Family members of August Provost say they suspect he was killed because he was gay, but the Navy says there's no evidence to suggest that was the reason. Authorities have taken a person of interest into custody, though no charges have been filed.

Jackson-Lee is known for her outspoken views on women's and civil rights.

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Name: Jay
Date posted: 7/8/2009 11:07:00 PM
Hometown: Nashville

Comment:
Congresswoman Jackson-Lee, thanks for stepping up and not letting this slip through the cracks. It's standard operating procedure to cover-up and deny, so good luck!
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Name: Renee Thomas
Date posted: 7/8/2009 5:10:00 PM
Hometown: Phoenix

Comment:
Name one - That is, a case where it can be definitively shown that a crime involving a gay service member was not appropriately investigated by NCIS or effectively prosecuted by JAG. Sure, I hear what you're saying, but don't prejudge this investigation before it's complete. NCIS is a civilian agency with the global mandate to investigate crimes involving NAVY and Marine personnel. I'm familiar with the agency and know the agents to be committed professionals who will aggressively go where the evidence leads. Depending on the outcome of the investigation (and its still an open investigation at this point), It will be up to JAG as to what charges will be filed. You can rest assured, if gay bias was a mitigating factor in the death of Seaman Provost than aggravated 1st degree murder, or aggravated manslaughter charges will be brought. As I noted previously, the UCMJ provides for the prosecution of crimes involving bias and JAG knows that.
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Name: Mike
Date posted: 7/8/2009 4:09:00 PM
Hometown: Bucks County, PA

Comment:
While JAG Corps may have adequate procedures in place for investigating this kind of homicide, we've seen time and time again how the military covers up its internal messes, particularly when it comes to gay service members being killed. Let's not be naive. An external investigation may or may not be called for, depending on the reliability and believability of the findings of the JAG Corps investigation. But I personally don't trust the "process" that's in place.
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Name: Renee Thomas
Date posted: 7/8/2009 12:52:00 PM
Hometown: Phoenix

Comment:
While I applaud Ms. Jackson-Lee and agree whole-heartedly with her call for an investigation, I am aware that NCIS-Oceanside currently has an active investigation underway. Further if this matter goes to Courts Martial - under Executive Order # EO 13140 - Effective Date: October 06, 1999 Chapter 47 of Title 10 of the USC - Uniform Code of Military Justice is modified to allow that: " . . . evidence in aggravation may include evidence that the accused intentionally selected any victim or any property as the object of the offense because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any, person . . . " Let's keep an eye on it- but know that NCIS is no slouch when it comes to these kinds of criminal investigations and the Navy JAG Corps is certainly aware of the provisions to prosecute the charge of murder with aggravating circumstances.
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Name: Carol
Date posted: 7/8/2009 11:24:00 AM
Hometown: MO

Comment:
Congresswoman Jackson-Lee will be sucsessful, without a doubt. Enjoyed her lovely talk at Michael Jackson's Memorial yesterday, and the presentation from Congress and The Senate to MJ for his philanthropy and goodwill for people across the world. Thank you Congresswoman.
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Name: Samuel Burson
Date posted: 7/8/2009 4:15:00 AM
Hometown: Wichita Falls,Tx.

Comment:
Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee. Hearing the voice of this family & investigating is very brave. God Bless Her.
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Name: fero
Date posted: 7/8/2009 3:23:00 AM
Hometown: ferosphere

Comment:
as a non usa citizen, must say I am impressed by this lady.
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Name: PJR
Date posted: 7/8/2009 12:08:00 AM
Hometown: Michigan

Comment:
Just another reason to repeal DADT, it's sad that discrimination is still found in our armed forces.
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Name: Brandon
Date posted: 7/7/2009 9:41:00 PM
Hometown: Annapolis

Comment:
I have always been impressed with Congresswoman Jackson-Lee.

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