Does a rapist deserve a military burial?

[nhboy]

"Consider this, if you can bear to. Jenny Bush, a young Arizona woman just graduated from college, walks into her home at the end of a workday and encounters an armed serial rapist, James Allen Selby. Selby, who had entered through a first-floor window, uses duct tape to gag and bind her, and then rapes her at knifepoint before fleeing.

After freeing herself, Bush has the courage to report the crime to police -- and the conviction to pursue legal justice. Following a nationwide manhunt, Selby is apprehended and accused of attacking Bush (who, with three other victims, took the stand at his trial) and at least 10 others, including a 9-year-old girl. In October 2004, Selby is convicted on 27 counts, including armed robbery, rape, kidnapping and attempted murder (for slitting the throat of one of his victims). But hours before facing sentencing, he hangs himself in a Tucson jail.

For Selby's victims and their families, it may have been tempting to believe a certain accountability remained operative: His suicide put a fine point on how little he had left to live for in the wake of his conviction. But his death also granted this serial rapist a moral reprieve that the civilian legal system couldn't. Selby was a Persian Gulf War veteran and so, in accordance with Pentagon policy, was buried with full military honors at Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Oklahoma."

Does a rapist deserve a military burial? - Los Angeles Times

 

[jetmonkey]

You need some more links in your signature.

 

[cwo_ghwebb]

If one doesn't like the law, work to get it changed.

This sounds like another takeoff of the NY Slimes story how vets are a menace to society, until the facts are put out that totally put the story to shame.

Again, the NY Slimes got nailed by Ghost Busters!

 

[vegmom]

If I were the mother of the 9-year-old I'd personally dig him up and leave him out in the desert for the vultures to have at.

 

[PJumper]

If I were the mother of the 9-year-old I'd personally dig him up and leave him out in the desert for the vultures to have at.

I tend to agree with you, however, if I'm not mistaken, the the policy states that unless you're Dishonorably Discharge from the service, you are entitled to a military burial. Had he been put to trial and convicted, then he will not be eligible.

 

[ewashkow]

I tend to agree with you, however, if I'm not mistaken, the the policy states that unless you're Dishonorably Discharge from the service, you are entitled to a military burial. Had he been put to trial and convicted, then he will not be eligible.

That's correct. What I want to know though, what rank was Selby and when they say full military honors, do they mean 21 gun salute, casioons(the riderless horse and carriage), bugler, that sort of thing?

 

[HouseCat]

As a vet myself, imo, I say it should be no. I can't believe there isn't a law that negates such honors when you commit a felony. Regardless of his military service... this guy is not worthy.

 

[vegmom]

I tend to agree with you, however, if I'm not mistaken, the the policy states that unless you're Dishonorably Discharge from the service, you are entitled to a military burial. Had he been put to trial and convicted, then he will not be eligible.

He was convicted, just hung himself before sentencing.

Oughta pass that article on to a friend who used to be in the Old Guard. At least they did not bury the azzwipe at Arlington.

 

[latinamomma]

I would have to agree with you. the s.o.b. deserved to rot out in the open where the birds could have pecked his worthless body!!

If I were the mother of the 9-year-old I'd personally dig him up and leave him out in the desert for the vultures to have at.

 

[lbreder]

That's correct. What I want to know though, what rank was Selby and when they say full military honors, do they mean 21 gun salute, casioons(the riderless horse and carriage), bugler, that sort of thing?

http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/mhg.asp

Basically the VA says full military funeral honors are: folding and presenting the United States burial flag, the playing of Taps, a detail consisting of two or more uniformed military persons with at least one being a member of the veteran's parent service of the armed forces.

Would you all have the same opinion if this person was a Medal of Honor winner who saved the lives of others? Just posting a question... What a tragedy.

 

[vraiblonde]

Didn't Barbara Mikulski just raise hell not too long ago about some murderer or whatever being buried at Arlington?

 

[jetmonkey]

Didn't Barbara Mikulski just raise hell not too long ago about some murderer or whatever being buried at Arlington?

Yeah, probably because she's fixed everything else.

 

[Lenny]

As a vet myself, imo, I say it should be no. I can't believe there isn't a law that negates such honors when you commit a felony. Regardless of his military service... this guy is not worthy.

Timothy McVeigh.

 

[ReploidGodX]

I say No.

 

[savagecat]

Yes, his service was honorable.