![\"gallagher\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/gallager-e1540133163485.jpg\")
Special Operations Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, a highly decorated Navy SEAL, is fighting murder charges tied to the death of an Islamic State operative in Iraq. He says he’s innocent and will battle authorities to clear his name. (photos provided)<\/p>\n
Charged earlier this month with multiple war crimes in connection with the 2017 stabbing death of a detainee in Iraq, Special Operations Chief Edward \u201cEddie\u201d Gallagher vows to fight for his freedom.<\/p>\n
The 19-year Navy veteran has hired two high-powered criminal defense attorneys who specialize in military law \u2014 Colby Vokey of Dallas and Phillip Stackhouse of San Diego \u2014 and he\u2019s exploring a civil rights lawsuit against Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents for alleged misconduct linked to his Sept. 11 arrest and detention in San Diego\u2019s Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar.<\/p>\n
An Article 32 hearing with a special military judge sent from Florida will begin to sift through the evidence against Gallagher on Nov. 14 in San Diego, according to Stackhouse.<\/p>\n
The judge will then recommend which charges should be forwarded or withdrawn by an admiral who could convene a general court-martial. Gallagher has been accused of murder, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice and professional misconduct.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the burden is very, very low to send the charges to court, Chief Gallagher will, like he has on every combat deployment, fight. Fight to clear his name, fight for justice, and fight to expose the lies that are being made against him,\u201d said Stackhouse in a written statement emailed to Navy Times.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Multiple criminal defense attorneys, senior military commanders in the Navy and several special warfare units told Navy Times that the ongoing war crimes probe isn\u2019t focused solely on Gallagher but includes more than a dozen SEALs who also deployed between 2017 and early 2018 near what then was Islamic State-held Mosul, Iraq.<\/strong><\/p>\n
NCIS agents are not only probing a number of serious allegations involving the death of the detainee, but also images that allegedly depict SEALs posing with the body. They\u2019re also exploring concerns about how Naval Special Warfare Group 1 officers and senior enlisted leaders handled the initial reports about war crimes and the internal investigation that followed in their wake, they say.<\/p>\n
But the central question in Gallagher\u2019s case is whether he and other SEALs rendered first aid to the wounded Islamic State fighter or if they executed him.<\/p>\n
Because the military judge has sealed most evidence in the case and has placed a gag order on all parties, Stackhouse said he can\u2019t address specific allegations or delve into most details of the NCIS probe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what we\u2019ve learned in our independent investigation into these allegations is that a crime simply didn\u2019t happen,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Gallagher\u2019s spouse, Andrea, states:<\/p>\n
\u201cThese allegations are malicious and shameless, and I do know that my husband didn\u2019t do what\u2019s alleged, and I\u2019ll stand by him and I do know he can be exonerated of those prices. His household, pals, SEALs and former Marines and his scout sniper colleagues all stand beside Eddie. Eddie is a hero, and we\u2019re patiently awaiting the restoration of his good identify and repute.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
NIS lost credibility with their mishandling of the investigation of the turret disaster onboard USS Iowa. Is this another NIS witch hunt?<\/p>\n
The entire article may be found in The Navy Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"