Sir, One more thing. Do you think it would be prudent to contact LTC
West? His story has given me hope. I think his and my hearts were
and are in the same place. I feel like a criminal here on Slaerno.
It's been kind of lonely here and some encouragement from someone
who understands would help. Thanks, Roger
----- Original Message ----
From: "neal@puckettfaraj..com" <neal@puckettfaraj.com>
To: Roger Hill <hillrogert@yahoo.com>
Cc: haytham@puckettfaraj.com
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2008 1:59:20 PM
Subject: Re: Attorney & Client Communications - CPT Hill
Roger,
Thanks for the upadate. It's 0530 here in Okinawa where a murder
trial of my client begins today, so my time for correspondence is
limited right now. But I wanted to reply to your questions before
heading off to trial. I've included my law partner on the cc: line to
keep him informed. He's also a retired Marine attorney, but
additionally a prior infantry enlisted Marine and officer.
I read the attachment, and it appears that you have let higher HQ know
the issues surrounding your command situation and lack of support.
Looks like you did all you could do.
1. The retainer is simply for our work to prepare and present your
case at an Art 32 investigation. You are not billed for travel time,
just actual travel expenses. The mention of time is to allow us to
clock and earn the fee during the time spent preparing for the
hearing. I have no doubt that donations will reimburse you for your
initial outlay and cover the costs of additional litigation, if
required, once the American people learn of your situation.
2. We teach classes to rooms full of lawyers on how to engage and
control the media coverage of our clients. We can develop a great
deal of interest in your case as we have done for other clients.
Public support results in donations to legal defense funds. We can
make sure that you are also put in touch with fundraising companies
who do that for a living. That will be your best bet in the early
going. Raising the funds to pay our legal fees should be relatively
easy..
3. Information I need from you is simply a flow of information
between us so that we can stay abreast of developments in the
investigation. It's so much better to be involved early like this.
4. There is no question that we can help you to get through this. We
are the most experienced firm in the world in handling cases of this
nature; allegations of war crimes in the GWOT. Once we have access to
the 15-6, we can look into how the investigation was done and what
holes were left by investigators. I'm not convinced that asking for
assistance from a LEP is violative of the reg. I think the
investigator can use any resources available. But we'll certainly
look into it.
5. I'll get in touch with Lauren for the access codes. That will
help a great deal. I'll get that info to Mr. Faraj, as well.
Roger, this is an investigation we are fully prepared to tackle in
order to protect you. You and Lauren are not in this alone. We'll be
available to handle any and all obstacles placed in your path. No
need to apologize for delay. Investigations seem to drag on
interminably. We're ready for whatever comes our way in this case.
We've been there before.
Neal A. Puckett, Esq.
LtCol, USMC (Ret)
The Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC
Washington DC - San Diego CA
www.puckettfaraj.com
888.970.0005
Quoting Roger Hill <hillrogert@yahoo.com>:
Sir, I know it has been a while. I was hoping to have the evidence
to share with you at this point, but the investigation is dragging
out. Below are some facts and assumptions. I also have a couple of
questions. Attached is a cry for help I sent in August to my DCGO
b/c I did not feel that my Bn or Bde Commands really cared (I had
tried talking to both). I jumped the chain after a phone
conversation I initiated with the DCGO and him telling me that I
could write him without repercussions. This document is accidentally
mislabled and does not actually contain any Secret or No Forn
information.. I accidentally labeled it as such. Also attached is
the narrative you asked me to write. I may not have captured
everything you were looking for, but it is a start. Send me or call
me with any questions. I understand you may still be out of town.
Respectfully, CPT Roger Hill
1. Fact - Investigation is still ongoing and CID is still
questioning members of my company. A total of 15 people have been
brought in as "suspects" including myself, MAJ Cheasty and my 1SG
(Tommy Scott).
2. Assumption - I have reason to believe that I am looking at a
possible 32 general with multiple charges.
3. Assumption - I have reason to believe that CID is still
questioning members of my company b/c they plan to get those
individuals to trade testimony against me for lessor sentences.
4. Fact - Some of the people being questioned have not done anything
criminal in nature. They may have been at the location of the
incident, but otherwise I am not sure what else they (CID) have
other than placing those individuals at the scene. A handful of the
Soldiers did put their hands on Soldiers, but the instances I
witnessed were only in self defense (a biting incident) or because
detainees physically fought commands and gentler guidance to move.
5. Fact - The prosecution is attempting to bring local national
witnesses into the trial. The detainees taken off our FOB are
currently at NDS.
6. Fact - Both MAJ Cheasty, our doctor and MAJ Smith, our battaion
XO (informal 15-6 officer before the formal) physically screened the
detainees before the NDS came to pick them up. Neither saw any
signs of abuse and should testify to that.
7. Fact - A LEP (government contracted law enforcement professional)
was a part of the investigation team that came for the formal
15-6. I believe that this is against 15-6 guidelines. He
supposedly took pictures of the detainees that showed signs of
abuse. The only thing is, those detainees had been over at NDS for
over 30 hrs before he was able to interview them. Our NDS has a
documented history of killing and abusing their detainees (I am
working with our PMT (police mentorship team) whom I have an
outstanding relationship with for the sworn statements and pictures
they had from an incident in the past.
8. Assumption - The prosecution will try and say that the detainees
had these signs of abuse before going to the NDS. This is B.S. as
per MAJ Cheasty's and MAJ Smith's screenings before they left our
FOB. There are several other witnesses that will attest to this as
well.
Questions:
1. Can you explain the terms of the 15K retainer fee. Specifically,
charge by hour for travel time and if any of it is refundable if
not used.
2. Can you explain how we can get the media involved? Money will be
an issue with Lauren and I. We would need lots of help, especially
since I do not have a pension and us probably having to start over.
How confident are you that we can capture postivie attention from
the public with this if needed?
3. What other information do you need from me?
4. After reading the narrative, what do you think? Do you think
you could help me? I did everything I knew to care for my Soldiers.
I really felt my back was against the wall and eventually reached my
breaking point emotionally and mentally. I've been to combat
stress several times. My doctor was in disbelief when I told him
this story in tears. When I finished he said, "That's it?". He
didn't understand what was so bad until I told him about the
potential charges. He feels that any reasonable person in my shoes
under those circumstances may have acted in a similar manner.. I
am still having trouble dealing with the deaths of my two Soldiers..
I blame myself even though many people have told me not to do so. I
just feel that I should have told my command NO more often than I
did. I just kept trying to accomplish the mission even when I knew
it was too much. I feel that I should have fell on my sword sooner
and I wouldn't have lost Donnie and Paul.
5. Will you pleae contact my wife and ask for the codes to her
calling plan for me and call me with your questions? It won't cost
you anything. Call me any time : )
Thanks.