Kin of slain sailor begs for killer’s discharge
Twenty months ago, Navy sailor Darren Mackie, 22, killed his ex-girlfriend, Navy sailor Caitlin Elizabeth Trask, 20, with a single bullet to the back of the head. Her parents are still waiting for the Navy to dishonorably discharge him.
On Thursday a frustrated U.S. Sen. John Kerry sent a letter asking Defense Secretary Robert Gates to investigate.
“The notion that an active duty sailor could shoot and kill another sailor but avoid a dishonorable discharge,” said Kerry in a statement, “is beyond comprehension.”
And no one seems to disagree except, incredibly, the Navy to which Caitlin devoted her young life. The Navy’s position: Mackie is serving a 10-year term for involuntary manslaughter. Justice has been served.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view/20101003kin_of_slain_sailor_begs_for_killers_discharge/srvc=home&position=alsoI guess as things stand right now, the murderer will receive benefits as a veteran. How sad? You can shoot your Navy girlfriend in the back of the head and kill her while she is wearing her uniform and still collect veteran benefits. Yet, they will dishonorably discharge people for loving another person. Also, what if it wasn't a domestic dispute and he murdered a male soldier. I believe the murderer would have been dishonorably discharged lickity split.
This is just sick.