Soldier gets 19 years in killingJudge gives midrange sentence to man with role in murder of comrade

ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune Published: July 25th, 2007 01:00 AM

A federal judge sentenced a Fort Lewis soldier to 19 years in prison Tuesday for setting in motion a series of events that led to the murder of his former Army buddy.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton told Michael Antonio Jordan he bore responsibility for the death of Christopher Jerry, even though it was another man who fired the gun that killed him.

“A buddy, or a former buddy, is dead, and it’s because of you,” Leighton said during Jordan’s sentencing hearing at Tacoma’s federal courthouse. “You’re going to have to live with that for the rest of your life, sir.”

Jordan, 21, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of kidnapping that led to a death.

Federal prosecutors contend Jordan orchestrated the kidnapping of Jerry, his former roommate, the night of Aug. 30, 2005. Jordan intended to recover $1,500 he loaned Jerry, prosecutors said.

After he and others beat Jerry at a remote area of Fox Island, Jordan drove Jerry to Lakewood. Once there, Jordan enlisted help from members of a violent street gang in dealing with Jerry, according to court documents.

One of them, Thomas Evans Dunigan, made a plan to kill the 22-year-old man, a plan that gang member Markus Moore later carried out near a fence surrounding Fort Lewis.

Moore was sentenced last month to 29 years in prison for shooting Jerry. Dunigan was sentenced last month to 20 years for his role in the murder.

Jordan’s lawyer, Charles Johnson of Tacoma, told Leighton on Tuesday that Jordan deserved a sentence of 16 years, saying his client was an Iraq war veteran with no criminal history.

Jordan joined the Army at 16 to escape a life of gangs and crime but made poor judgments the night of Aug. 30 and the early-morning hours of Aug. 31, 2005, Johnson said. Diagnosed mental health issues played a role in Jordan’s decision-making, his attorney said.

Federal prosecutor Gregory Gruber argued that Jordan should get at least the same sentence Dunigan received.

While Jordan served honorably in Iraq, he betrayed the loyalty of a fellow soldier when he turned Jerry over to men who he knew to be violent gang members, essentially signing his death warrant, Gruber said.

“Who should value life more than a soldier who has seen death?” the prosecutor told Leighton. “None of this would have happened without Mr. Jordan.”

Given a second chance to address the court, Johnson countered that Gruber was unfairly using Jordan’s military service against him.

“He tried to make something of his life, and they want to punish him for it,” Johnson said.

Jordan declined the opportunity to speak on his own behalf.

Leighton then decided on a midrange sentence for Jordan, who faced 16 to 22 years under sentencing guidelines.

“You assembled the cast of characters,” the judge said. “You set it all in motion.”

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644

adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/crime/story/117962.html

Soldier gets 19 years in killingJudge gives midrange sentence to man with role in murder of comrade

ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune Published: July 25th, 2007 01:00 AM

A federal judge sentenced a Fort Lewis soldier to 19 years in prison Tuesday for setting in motion a series of events that led to the murder of his former Army buddy.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton told Michael Antonio Jordan he bore responsibility for the death of Christopher Jerry, even though it was another man who fired the gun that killed him.

“A buddy, or a former buddy, is dead, and it’s because of you,” Leighton said during Jordan’s sentencing hearing at Tacoma’s federal courthouse. “You’re going to have to live with that for the rest of your life, sir.”

Jordan, 21, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of kidnapping that led to a death.

Federal prosecutors contend Jordan orchestrated the kidnapping of Jerry, his former roommate, the night of Aug. 30, 2005. Jordan intended to recover $1,500 he loaned Jerry, prosecutors said.

After he and others beat Jerry at a remote area of Fox Island, Jordan drove Jerry to Lakewood. Once there, Jordan enlisted help from members of a violent street gang in dealing with Jerry, according to court documents.

One of them, Thomas Evans Dunigan, made a plan to kill the 22-year-old man, a plan that gang member Markus Moore later carried out near a fence surrounding Fort Lewis.

Moore was sentenced last month to 29 years in prison for shooting Jerry. Dunigan was sentenced last month to 20 years for his role in the murder.

Jordan’s lawyer, Charles Johnson of Tacoma, told Leighton on Tuesday that Jordan deserved a sentence of 16 years, saying his client was an Iraq war veteran with no criminal history.

Jordan joined the Army at 16 to escape a life of gangs and crime but made poor judgments the night of Aug. 30 and the early-morning hours of Aug. 31, 2005, Johnson said. Diagnosed mental health issues played a role in Jordan’s decision-making, his attorney said.

Federal prosecutor Gregory Gruber argued that Jordan should get at least the same sentence Dunigan received.

While Jordan served honorably in Iraq, he betrayed the loyalty of a fellow soldier when he turned Jerry over to men who he knew to be violent gang members, essentially signing his death warrant, Gruber said.

“Who should value life more than a soldier who has seen death?” the prosecutor told Leighton. “None of this would have happened without Mr. Jordan.”

Given a second chance to address the court, Johnson countered that Gruber was unfairly using Jordan’s military service against him.

“He tried to make something of his life, and they want to punish him for it,” Johnson said.

Jordan declined the opportunity to speak on his own behalf.

Leighton then decided on a midrange sentence for Jordan, who faced 16 to 22 years under sentencing guidelines.

“You assembled the cast of characters,” the judge said. “You set it all in motion.”

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644

adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/crime/story/117962.html

NCO accused of beating chooses judge over jury

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, July 24, 2007

MANNHEIM, Germany — Sgt. Rodney Howell opted Monday for a judge to determine the outcome of his court-martial instead of a jury composed of fellow soldiers.

Howell faces five charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in a 2005 alleged gang initiation beating that resulted in the death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson.

Last Thursday, a jury convicted Pvt. Terrence Norman of involuntary manslaughter and associated charges in Johnson’s death. Shortly after the conviction, the jury gave Norman his maximum possible sentence of 12 years confinement, a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. The next day, Howell and his attorneys requested court-martial by judge alone.

Howell’s court-martial began Monday in Mannheim with Col. Julie Hasdorff presiding as judge. As of Monday afternoon, the prosecution had called several witnesses. If found guilty on all charges, Howell could be sentenced to a maximum of 24 years behind bars.

Prosecuting attorney Capt. Rebecca DiMuro said the case was about Howell’s taking responsibility for the results of his actions.

“Like wolves on a piece of meat is how the eyewitness will describe how for six minutes nine men beat Sergeant Johnson,” DiMuro said.

As many as nine current or former servicemembers beat Johnson at the initiation to the Gangster Disciples on July 3, 2005, near Kaiserslautern, eyewitness Pvt. Latisha Ellis said.

Howell punched Johnson multiple times during the initiation and hosted a July 4, 2005, cookout in which a cover story was concocted, Ellis testified Monday.

Defense attorney Capt. Jeffrey Fox acknowledged that Howell was close with some of those involved in the case but those were relationships forged when Kaiserslautern’s 66th Transportation Company was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

“The government is trying to confuse you with guilty by association, which they can prove, and guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which they can’t prove,” Fox said.

Ellis testified using many of the alleged gangsters’ nicknames such as “Hurt,” “Peewee” and “Zay.” When asked by defense attorney Capt. Joe Venghaus what they called Howell, Ellis said Howell was called by his last name.

Venghaus questioned Ellis’ credibility, noting that she has been convicted of making a false official statement to investigators in the case. Venghaus pointed out that not until February when she made a deal with the government did Ellis reveal to prosecutors what she was now saying in court.

Ellis testified she lied when first talking to investigators in August 2005 because she was scared of Rico Williams, a former Ramstein Air Base airman and the self-proclaimed leader of the Gangster Disciples in Kaiserslautern.

Also on Monday, autopsy photos of Johnson were displayed that showed abrasions and bruises on his back, flank and arms. Col. Kathleen Ingwersen, who performed Johnson’s autopsy, said he died of multiple blunt force injuries.

“If he would not have received these injuries, he would not have died at that time,” she said.
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55173&archive=true

NCO accused of beating chooses judge over jury

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, July 24, 2007

MANNHEIM, Germany — Sgt. Rodney Howell opted Monday for a judge to determine the outcome of his court-martial instead of a jury composed of fellow soldiers.

Howell faces five charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in a 2005 alleged gang initiation beating that resulted in the death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson.

Last Thursday, a jury convicted Pvt. Terrence Norman of involuntary manslaughter and associated charges in Johnson’s death. Shortly after the conviction, the jury gave Norman his maximum possible sentence of 12 years confinement, a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. The next day, Howell and his attorneys requested court-martial by judge alone.

Howell’s court-martial began Monday in Mannheim with Col. Julie Hasdorff presiding as judge. As of Monday afternoon, the prosecution had called several witnesses. If found guilty on all charges, Howell could be sentenced to a maximum of 24 years behind bars.

Prosecuting attorney Capt. Rebecca DiMuro said the case was about Howell’s taking responsibility for the results of his actions.

“Like wolves on a piece of meat is how the eyewitness will describe how for six minutes nine men beat Sergeant Johnson,” DiMuro said.

As many as nine current or former servicemembers beat Johnson at the initiation to the Gangster Disciples on July 3, 2005, near Kaiserslautern, eyewitness Pvt. Latisha Ellis said.

Howell punched Johnson multiple times during the initiation and hosted a July 4, 2005, cookout in which a cover story was concocted, Ellis testified Monday.

Defense attorney Capt. Jeffrey Fox acknowledged that Howell was close with some of those involved in the case but those were relationships forged when Kaiserslautern’s 66th Transportation Company was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

“The government is trying to confuse you with guilty by association, which they can prove, and guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which they can’t prove,” Fox said.

Ellis testified using many of the alleged gangsters’ nicknames such as “Hurt,” “Peewee” and “Zay.” When asked by defense attorney Capt. Joe Venghaus what they called Howell, Ellis said Howell was called by his last name.

Venghaus questioned Ellis’ credibility, noting that she has been convicted of making a false official statement to investigators in the case. Venghaus pointed out that not until February when she made a deal with the government did Ellis reveal to prosecutors what she was now saying in court.

Ellis testified she lied when first talking to investigators in August 2005 because she was scared of Rico Williams, a former Ramstein Air Base airman and the self-proclaimed leader of the Gangster Disciples in Kaiserslautern.

Also on Monday, autopsy photos of Johnson were displayed that showed abrasions and bruises on his back, flank and arms. Col. Kathleen Ingwersen, who performed Johnson’s autopsy, said he died of multiple blunt force injuries.

“If he would not have received these injuries, he would not have died at that time,” she said.
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55173&archive=true

Soldier gets 12 years in gang-related beating death

Private is first to be convicted in Sgt. Juwan Johnson case, gets dishonorable discharge
By Steve Mraz, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Friday, July 20, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Pvt. Terrence Norman was sentenced to the maximum punishment of 12 years’ confinement and given a dishonorable discharge Thursday for the 2005 beating death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson.
A six-member jury of two officers and four enlisted soldiers took less than three hours Thursday to find Norman guilty of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, violating an Army regulation on hazing and conspiring to violate the Army regulation on hazing.
The charges of aggravated assault and violation of the Army regulation on hazing were later dismissed during the sentencing phase because they were deemed excessive given the involuntary manslaughter conviction.
The panel deliberated for 45 minutes.
After Norman left the courtroom, he tearfully embraced a few friends before being escorted into a room.
Norman becomes the first soldier convicted in the case surrounding Johnson’s July 3, 2005, “jumping in” to join the Gangster Disciples. An eyewitness to the beating testified Tuesday that Norman was one of nine men who repeatedly punched Johnson during the six-minute initiation.
In an unsworn statement read to the jury, Norman called his actions “very stupid and completely unacceptable.” He apologized to Johnson’s family.
“My actions led to the death of your son and husband,” said Norman, 22. “… I am sorry for the pain I have caused you.”
Stephanie Cockrell, Johnson’s mother, testified that she had a particularly difficult time accepting the fact that her son survived a tour in Iraq only to die by the hands of his fellow soldiers.
“You expect in wartime to get the call or perhaps the knock on your door,” she said. “Never in a million years did I expect someone to say to me that your son was beaten to death by other soldiers.”
Johnson’s wife, Kenika, gave birth to the couple’s only son five months after he died. She testified that sometimes it is hard to look at Juwan Jr. and not cry because he looks so much like his late father. Kenika Johnson said she has no idea how she will tell her son what happened to his father.
“I guess I’ll just have to tell him the truth,” she said. “I don’t know how that will go.”
Prosecuting attorney Capt. Jocelyn Stewart recommended to the jury that Norman receive the maximum sentence.
“Do not forget Sergeant Johnson’s pain,” she said. “Do not forget the pain of his family that continues, the pain of that little boy who will grow up fatherless.”
Capt. Chandra LaGrone, defense attorney, told the panel prior to sentencing that Norman was ready to face the consequences of his actions.
“He was and is a young, impressionable kid, who made some very poor decisions,” LaGrone said.
Others who participated in the beating will face courts-martial soon. Six other current or former soldiers and four current or former airmen either beat Johnson or were present at the jumping in, according to testimony from Pvt. Latisha Ellis, the lone Army spectator to the beating. Ellis’ murder charge was dismissed in February in exchange for her eyewitness testimony.
The court-martial of Army Sgt. Rodney Howell is scheduled to begin next week, and Army Staff Sgt. Alre Hudson is set to stand court-martial in late August.
The jury found Norman not guilty of a specification of violating the Army regulation on hazing. The not-guilty finding stemmed from an alleged 2004 Gangster Disciple initiation when Kaiserslautern’s 66th Transportation Company was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq.
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47505

Soldier gets 12 years in gang-related beating death

Private is first to be convicted in Sgt. Juwan Johnson case, gets dishonorable discharge
By Steve Mraz, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Friday, July 20, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Pvt. Terrence Norman was sentenced to the maximum punishment of 12 years’ confinement and given a dishonorable discharge Thursday for the 2005 beating death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson.
A six-member jury of two officers and four enlisted soldiers took less than three hours Thursday to find Norman guilty of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, violating an Army regulation on hazing and conspiring to violate the Army regulation on hazing.
The charges of aggravated assault and violation of the Army regulation on hazing were later dismissed during the sentencing phase because they were deemed excessive given the involuntary manslaughter conviction.
The panel deliberated for 45 minutes.
After Norman left the courtroom, he tearfully embraced a few friends before being escorted into a room.
Norman becomes the first soldier convicted in the case surrounding Johnson’s July 3, 2005, “jumping in” to join the Gangster Disciples. An eyewitness to the beating testified Tuesday that Norman was one of nine men who repeatedly punched Johnson during the six-minute initiation.
In an unsworn statement read to the jury, Norman called his actions “very stupid and completely unacceptable.” He apologized to Johnson’s family.
“My actions led to the death of your son and husband,” said Norman, 22. “… I am sorry for the pain I have caused you.”
Stephanie Cockrell, Johnson’s mother, testified that she had a particularly difficult time accepting the fact that her son survived a tour in Iraq only to die by the hands of his fellow soldiers.
“You expect in wartime to get the call or perhaps the knock on your door,” she said. “Never in a million years did I expect someone to say to me that your son was beaten to death by other soldiers.”
Johnson’s wife, Kenika, gave birth to the couple’s only son five months after he died. She testified that sometimes it is hard to look at Juwan Jr. and not cry because he looks so much like his late father. Kenika Johnson said she has no idea how she will tell her son what happened to his father.
“I guess I’ll just have to tell him the truth,” she said. “I don’t know how that will go.”
Prosecuting attorney Capt. Jocelyn Stewart recommended to the jury that Norman receive the maximum sentence.
“Do not forget Sergeant Johnson’s pain,” she said. “Do not forget the pain of his family that continues, the pain of that little boy who will grow up fatherless.”
Capt. Chandra LaGrone, defense attorney, told the panel prior to sentencing that Norman was ready to face the consequences of his actions.
“He was and is a young, impressionable kid, who made some very poor decisions,” LaGrone said.
Others who participated in the beating will face courts-martial soon. Six other current or former soldiers and four current or former airmen either beat Johnson or were present at the jumping in, according to testimony from Pvt. Latisha Ellis, the lone Army spectator to the beating. Ellis’ murder charge was dismissed in February in exchange for her eyewitness testimony.
The court-martial of Army Sgt. Rodney Howell is scheduled to begin next week, and Army Staff Sgt. Alre Hudson is set to stand court-martial in late August.
The jury found Norman not guilty of a specification of violating the Army regulation on hazing. The not-guilty finding stemmed from an alleged 2004 Gangster Disciple initiation when Kaiserslautern’s 66th Transportation Company was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq.
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47505

Charges dismissed in gang-initiation beating death in Germany

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, June 20, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The fate of the case against Spc. Bobby Morrissette in the 2005 beating death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson will rest in the hands of a new command.

On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Scott West, commander of the 21st Theater Support Command, withdrew and dismissed all charges against Morrissette, according to Joe Monchecourt with the 21st TSC public affairs office. West served as the convening authority in the case.

The decision was reached late Thursday, but the information was not released until Tuesday because Friday and Monday were training holidays for the Army.

West’s action was taken to comply with a May 30 ruling by Judge (Col.) James Pohl. Military prosecutors from the 21st TSC and commanders who had convening authority were disqualified from the case for not following protocol during the investigation into Johnson’s death, Pohl ruled. The disqualification surrounded a December 2005 interview of Morrissette in which prosecutors and investigators did not follow proper procedure. Pohl did not dismiss the charges against Morrissette at the late May hearing.

Morrissette’s current unit, the 1st Cargo Transfer Company, is scheduled to relocate from Kaiserslautern to Grafenwöhr in the coming months. Files in the investigation into Morrissette will be forwarded to the command that Morrissette’s unit will fall under for legal matters.

“The gaining command should be free to take whatever action is deemed appropriate,” Monchecourt said.

Upon the move, the company will remain under the command and control of the 21st TSC, but the legal jurisdiction would fall under the Joint Multinational Training Command, said Elke Herberger, a U.S. Army Europe spokeswoman.

Morrissette faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, gang affiliation, hazing and making a false official statement in the alleged gang-initiation death of Johnson. Johnson died of multiple blunt force injuries on July 4, 2005, after an alleged initiation ceremony into the Gangster Disciples. Three other Kaiserslautern soldiers are facing courts-martial in the death.

West also dismissed charges alleging that Morrissette committed an indecent act and used indecent language in another incident.

Also on Thursday, West referred the case of another suspect in Johnson’s death to court-martial. Staff Sgt. Alre Hudson will stand court-martial on charges of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, aggravated assault and conspiracy to violate Army policy on hazing. A date for Hudson’s court-martial has not been set.
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54365&archive=true

Charges dismissed in gang-initiation beating death in Germany

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, June 20, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The fate of the case against Spc. Bobby Morrissette in the 2005 beating death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson will rest in the hands of a new command.

On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Scott West, commander of the 21st Theater Support Command, withdrew and dismissed all charges against Morrissette, according to Joe Monchecourt with the 21st TSC public affairs office. West served as the convening authority in the case.

The decision was reached late Thursday, but the information was not released until Tuesday because Friday and Monday were training holidays for the Army.

West’s action was taken to comply with a May 30 ruling by Judge (Col.) James Pohl. Military prosecutors from the 21st TSC and commanders who had convening authority were disqualified from the case for not following protocol during the investigation into Johnson’s death, Pohl ruled. The disqualification surrounded a December 2005 interview of Morrissette in which prosecutors and investigators did not follow proper procedure. Pohl did not dismiss the charges against Morrissette at the late May hearing.

Morrissette’s current unit, the 1st Cargo Transfer Company, is scheduled to relocate from Kaiserslautern to Grafenwöhr in the coming months. Files in the investigation into Morrissette will be forwarded to the command that Morrissette’s unit will fall under for legal matters.

“The gaining command should be free to take whatever action is deemed appropriate,” Monchecourt said.

Upon the move, the company will remain under the command and control of the 21st TSC, but the legal jurisdiction would fall under the Joint Multinational Training Command, said Elke Herberger, a U.S. Army Europe spokeswoman.

Morrissette faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, gang affiliation, hazing and making a false official statement in the alleged gang-initiation death of Johnson. Johnson died of multiple blunt force injuries on July 4, 2005, after an alleged initiation ceremony into the Gangster Disciples. Three other Kaiserslautern soldiers are facing courts-martial in the death.

West also dismissed charges alleging that Morrissette committed an indecent act and used indecent language in another incident.

Also on Thursday, West referred the case of another suspect in Johnson’s death to court-martial. Staff Sgt. Alre Hudson will stand court-martial on charges of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, aggravated assault and conspiracy to violate Army policy on hazing. A date for Hudson’s court-martial has not been set.
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54365&archive=true

Expert testifies gang beating death was a rite gone wrong

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, July 19, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The six-minute beating in which nine men punched Sgt. Juwan Johnson more than 200 times was a Gangster Disciples rite of passage gone wrong, a gang expert said Wednesday.

Johnson was found dead in his barracks room hours after the July 3, 2005, beating.

Detective John Bowman, head gang investigator with the Killeen, Texas, Police Department, testified Wednesday during the third day in the court-martial of Pvt. Terrence Norman.

The 22-year-old Norman faces four charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in Johnson’s death. If convicted on all charges, Norman could spend 19 years behind bars.

The jury was scheduled to begin deliberating Thursday morning.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Capt. Chandra LaGrone, Bowman testified that aspects of Johnson’s beating were unusual for a gang initiation.

Jump-in ceremonies for Gangster Disciples can involve three people beating an initiate for 60 seconds or six people beating an initiate for 30 seconds, Bowman said. Prior to the Johnson case, the longest Bowman knew of a gang initiation lasting was 90 seconds.

“I’ve never heard of a six-minute jump in,” he said. “That’s a long time for anybody to throw hands.”

Pvt. Latisha Ellis has testified the beating lasted six minutes. The number six holds particular significance with the gang because one of its symbols is a six-pointed star.

Johnson was scheduled to leave the Army three weeks after the date of his beating. Under questioning from LaGrone, Bowman said he never heard of a jump-in ceremony happening so close to the time a person was set to leave the area where a gang operated.

“Usually, jump-ins are for the good of the gang,” he said.

Col. Kathleen Ingwersen, the medical examiner who performed Johnson’s autopsy, testified that the 25-year-old died from multiple blunt force injuries and that, medically, Johnson’s death was a homicide.

Despite an eyewitness who testified Johnson was hit more than 200 times, Ingwersen said the autopsy showed Johnson did not have broken bones, chipped teeth or swollen eyes. She did not detect any bruising on his face at the time of the autopsy.

“I expected more injuries given the history of this, but I’m not surprised,” Ingwersen said.

The autopsy showed Johnson suffered severe injuries to his brain and heart.

The prosecution rested its case around 11 a.m. Wednesday, and the defense followed suit shortly thereafter.

In her closing argument, prosecuting attorney Capt. Jocelyn Stewart told the panel that when they consider every piece of evidence, she is confident they will convict Norman.

“The evidence presented over the past several days will leave you convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the accused’s guilt,” Stewart said.

Defense attorney Maj. Sean Wilson called only two witnesses. Their testimony barely lasted 10 minutes.

During his closing argument, Wilson questioned the credibility of prosecution witnesses — particularly the testimony of Ellis, an eyewitness, and Spc. Terance Pope.

“The details will show how those stories completely and utterly fall apart,” Wilson said.

Staff Sgts. Roger LeBlanc and Sermior Mitchell both testified that they knew Pope to be untruthful.

Pope earlier testified that he drove Norman to a Kaiserslautern tattoo parlor sometime between July and September 2005 so Norman could get a Gangster Disciple tattoo covered up before speaking with Army investigators.

Also Wednesday, prosecutors dismissed Norman’s charge of making a false official statement. The dismissal lowered his maximum potential jail time from 31½ years to 19 years.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47483

Expert testifies gang beating death was a rite gone wrong

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, July 19, 2007

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The six-minute beating in which nine men punched Sgt. Juwan Johnson more than 200 times was a Gangster Disciples rite of passage gone wrong, a gang expert said Wednesday.

Johnson was found dead in his barracks room hours after the July 3, 2005, beating.

Detective John Bowman, head gang investigator with the Killeen, Texas, Police Department, testified Wednesday during the third day in the court-martial of Pvt. Terrence Norman.

The 22-year-old Norman faces four charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in Johnson’s death. If convicted on all charges, Norman could spend 19 years behind bars.

The jury was scheduled to begin deliberating Thursday morning.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Capt. Chandra LaGrone, Bowman testified that aspects of Johnson’s beating were unusual for a gang initiation.

Jump-in ceremonies for Gangster Disciples can involve three people beating an initiate for 60 seconds or six people beating an initiate for 30 seconds, Bowman said. Prior to the Johnson case, the longest Bowman knew of a gang initiation lasting was 90 seconds.

“I’ve never heard of a six-minute jump in,” he said. “That’s a long time for anybody to throw hands.”

Pvt. Latisha Ellis has testified the beating lasted six minutes. The number six holds particular significance with the gang because one of its symbols is a six-pointed star.

Johnson was scheduled to leave the Army three weeks after the date of his beating. Under questioning from LaGrone, Bowman said he never heard of a jump-in ceremony happening so close to the time a person was set to leave the area where a gang operated.

“Usually, jump-ins are for the good of the gang,” he said.

Col. Kathleen Ingwersen, the medical examiner who performed Johnson’s autopsy, testified that the 25-year-old died from multiple blunt force injuries and that, medically, Johnson’s death was a homicide.

Despite an eyewitness who testified Johnson was hit more than 200 times, Ingwersen said the autopsy showed Johnson did not have broken bones, chipped teeth or swollen eyes. She did not detect any bruising on his face at the time of the autopsy.

“I expected more injuries given the history of this, but I’m not surprised,” Ingwersen said.

The autopsy showed Johnson suffered severe injuries to his brain and heart.

The prosecution rested its case around 11 a.m. Wednesday, and the defense followed suit shortly thereafter.

In her closing argument, prosecuting attorney Capt. Jocelyn Stewart told the panel that when they consider every piece of evidence, she is confident they will convict Norman.

“The evidence presented over the past several days will leave you convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the accused’s guilt,” Stewart said.

Defense attorney Maj. Sean Wilson called only two witnesses. Their testimony barely lasted 10 minutes.

During his closing argument, Wilson questioned the credibility of prosecution witnesses — particularly the testimony of Ellis, an eyewitness, and Spc. Terance Pope.

“The details will show how those stories completely and utterly fall apart,” Wilson said.

Staff Sgts. Roger LeBlanc and Sermior Mitchell both testified that they knew Pope to be untruthful.

Pope earlier testified that he drove Norman to a Kaiserslautern tattoo parlor sometime between July and September 2005 so Norman could get a Gangster Disciple tattoo covered up before speaking with Army investigators.

Also Wednesday, prosecutors dismissed Norman’s charge of making a false official statement. The dismissal lowered his maximum potential jail time from 31½ years to 19 years.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47483