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Current News  October 14, 2008Sgt. Weemer's criminal contempt proceedings scheduled for September 29th, 2008, were taken off the calendar. Assistant US Attorney, Jerry Behnke, the government prosecuting attorney in the Sgt. Nazario trial, and subsequently, the attorney having brought criminal contempt charges against Sgt. Weemer for not testifying, asked the US District Court for Central California to remove the scheduled contempt hearing from its docket, thus dismissing the contempt case against Sgt. Weemer. In a brief proposed order given to the honorable Judge Stephen Larson, Mr. Behnke stressed that further action on the matter would not be in the interest of justice. On September 30th, 2008, Sgt. Weemer sat through a motions hearing at Camp Pendleton in order to prepare for his own trial initially scheduled for October 27th, 2008. During the two-day hearing, Sgt. Weemer's attorneys, Paul Hackett, Capt. Gregory Jensen, and Capt. Michelle Over, argued many issues in his defense. SgtMaj. Brad Kasal was called as a character witness and as a Marine testifying to the nature of combat in Fallujah at the time of the alleged incident. SgtMaj. Kasal spoke highly of Sgt. Weemer's actions under fire during the first days of the fight. He highlighted Weemer's heroic actions while being shot by enemy fire three times, ignoring his own wounds, and continuing to extract other injured Marines, including SgtMaj. Kasal, from the now infamous "Hell House" that received nation-wide media attention. The prosecuting attorneys called on Sgt. Jermaine Nelson to testify against Sgt. Weemer during the hearing in order to give his attorneys a chance to cross-examine and further defend him later on in trial. Sgt. Nelson was unable to testify given the nature of charges in his trial scheduled to start sometime in December, 2008. Given that Sgt. Nelson would refuse to testify, the prosecuting attorneys motioned for a continuance in Sgt. Weemer's trial until after Sgt. Nelson's, in what many have deemed a ploy to force Nelson's testimony against Weemer later on. The honorable judge Lt. Col. Thomas Sanzi granted the delay to a later date: January 12th, 2009. In the meantime, Sgt. Weemer works at Camp Pendleton, away from his wife, away from his family, his job, and his school, eagerly awaiting his chance at justice. September 5, 2008 On August 19, 2008, Sgt. Ryan Weemer was given a subpoena to appear once again in front of Federal Judge Steven Larson. He was asked to testify against his former squad leader, Jose Nazario, who was facing manslaughter charges allegedly stemming from combat operations while on active duty status in November, 2004. Sgt. Weemer faces similar charges in an upcoming Military Courts Martial, while former squad leader, Nazario, was unable to be tried under Military jurisdiction due to his end of active service obligation. Sgt. Weemer was unable to testify as any testimony by him in federal court could ultimately be used in his prosecution at his Military Court Martial scheduled to start October 27, 2008. Following the advice of his attorneys, Sgt. Weemer invoked his Constitutional 5th Amendment rights—rights for which he valiantly fought—as a result, he now faces criminal contempt proceedings on September 29th, 2008 which could lead to federal incarceration. When asked by reporters, why Sgt. Weemer refused to testify, one of his attorneys, Mr. Christopher Johnson stated: Sgt. Weemer was assigned to one of the combat patrols. His best friend died in his arms from combat injuries. He took three rounds himself during the ‘fight for Hell House.’ He’s given his all to this country, and where he is right now is on trial for his life. So with respect to, what is Sgt. Weemer attempting to do right now? He’s simply trying to get by. He’s trying to do the best he can under very difficult circumstances. On Thursday August 28th, 2008, Jose Nazario was acquitted—found NOT guilty on all charges. Though this outcome has little, if any, direct effect on Sgt. Weemer’s trial in the not too distant future, it is a positive outcome for the Marine Corps in general and the fighting men and women who fear that doing the right thing in combat may be second guessed by civilian authorities and Monday morning quarterbacks. July 21, 2008 We have great news to report; Ryan was released from detainment July 3, 2008 after serving 21 days on contempt charges. He is back on active duty at Camp Pendleton. His Article 32 Hearing took place July 10-11, and he was present for the proceedings. We are anxiously awaiting the decision of the hearing officer, which should be announced in the next few weeks. PRESS RELEASE June 17, 2008 Hell House survivor Corporal Ryan Weemer held in contempt and imprisoned. On November 13, 2004 twenty one year old Lance Corporal Ryan Weemer fought room to room in the deadly fight of Hell House to save the lives of his fellow Marines on day four of the now historic battle of Fallujah. By the end of the day he and his squad saved the life of Sgt. Major Kasal who was later awarded the Navy Cross in this same Hell House fight. By morning's end though Weemer was dragged half alive from the building after being cut down by an insurgent's AK 47 fire. Nearly four years later Weemer is still fighting for his life as he sits in a California prison cell at the direction of Federal Judge Stephen Larson who ordered Weemer held in contempt of court as part of the prosecution of another Marine, Sergeant Jose Nazario who is charged with killing an insurgent on day one of the battle of Fallujah. Weemer is also charged with killing a confirmed insurgent on the first day of the battle of Fallujah. Despite Weemer's initial cooperation with investigators and his willingness to make a sworn statement to federal authorities as part of their investigation, he has been charged with murder of an insurgent in Fallujah and forced to rely on his Constitutional privilege to remain silent. After Weemer was charged, Federal Judge Stephen Larson ordered Weemer to testify at the Grand Jury responsible for considering additional charges against Nazario. Despite Weemer's prior cooperation and testimony he was ordered held in contempt and sent to prison for an undetermined amount of time. All this despite the fact that Weemer had already testified regarding the matter and the testimony given to the federal prosecutors and the Grand Jury. Weemer, who was recalled to active duty in 2008 by the Marine Corps to be prosecuted now sits in a federal prison cell contemplating his fate and his short life; escaping death in Fallujah only to be prosecuted for the act of surviving. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT RYAN WEEMER'S ATTORNEY, PAUL HACKETT AT 513-333-0050. Download Press Release June 16, 2008 Ryan was ordered to testify by the federal judge despite the fact that he has provided two previous sworn statements to the government answering all of their questions and cooperating fully. Now the government's real goal is apparent: to intimidate and harass Ryan despite his prior good faith. What is most troubling is the federal judge, a presumed neutral party, has taken off his robe and started playing on the side of the federal prosecutors and Ryan has been held in contempt of court. Ryan was detained on June 12, 2008. The full period of his detainment has not been determined, but he can be held up to 18 months, until he decides to testify, or until the end of the current Grand Jury session. He is being held in a public facility away from Camp Pendleton. May 8, 2008 A Note From Ryan An article 32 hearing is scheduled for July 10th, in order to decide if my case will go to trial, and I am obligated to pay for my attorney's flight and hotel costs from Cincinnati, OH. to Los Angeles, CA. I am ready and willing to give up everything I own for the rest of my life except my family and friends to fund my own defense...I gave my blood, almost gave my life for your freedoms, please help defend my freedoms as well. God bless all of you, thank you for believing in me, and thanks for your donations. Semper Fidelis |
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