A Navy medic charged with murder, conspiracy and kidnapping in connection with the April shooting death of an Iraqi man in Hamdaniya, is scheduled to testify against seven Camp Pendleton Marines tomorrow, according to the Washington Post.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Melson J. Bacos is expected to testify against the Marines during a court martial proceeding tomorrow morning at Camp Pendleton.
Bacos’ testimony is part of an agreement with government prosecutors and will result in the dismissal of the murder charge against him, the Post reported
Bacos and seven Camp Pendleton based Marines are accused of abducting Hashim Ibrahim Awad, an Iraqi, from his home in Hamdaniya. Prosecutors allege the accused bound Awad’s hands and feet, shot him to death and used a stolen shovel and rifle to make it appear as if he was an insurgent caught in the act of planting a roadside bomb.
Here’s what Bacos’ attorney, Jeremiah Sullivan, told the Post:
“Tomorrow my client will be exonerated of murder, a charge carrying of course the death penalty. He’s pleading not guilty and the charges will be dismissed,” Sullivan said.
“He’s going to discuss the facts of the case. He will answer the judge’s questions regarding the incident truthfully and honorably.”
Bacos allegedly stole a shovel and AK-47 assault rifle from a home in Hamdaniya, according to a narrative of events compiled by government prosecutors. After Awad’s death, Bacos allegedly fired the stolen rifle in the air to make it appear as if Awad had opened fire on the Marines, according to the same document.