An update on the two Marines charged with battery after beating a gay man so viciously that he was left unconscious on the street in Savannah, Georgia. Marine Aircraft Group 31 is currently conducting an investigation. The two Iraq vets say they were "threatened" and claim the young man made "unwanted verbal advances" , reports WCBD-TV.
From a preliminary internal investigation the Marines in question stated they were subject to unwanted verbal advances, that they were closely followed, and that a threat was communicated by a member of the other party. Col David Robinson, Commanding Officer, MAG-31 stated. "Although this certainly does not justify the actions of the Marine who punched the individual, it is important for us to consider both sides of the story."
"The United States Marine Corps does not tolerate discrimination or violence of any kind between military members and the citizens we defend," said Col. David Robinson, commanding officer, MAG-31. "Military authorities and civilian agencies are cooperating. As the investigations shed more light onto the situation, the appropriate actions will be taken regarding the uniformed service members involvement and if it is determined that civil or criminal laws were broken, the individuals will be held fully accountable."
The Marines are identified as 22-year-old Keil Joseph Cronauer and 23-year-old Christopher Charles Stanzel. They were booked into Chatham County jail on misdemeanor battery charges, released to military police and currently restricted to MCAS Beaufort.
Twenty-six-year-old Kieran Daly suffered bruising to the brain and two seizures immediately after the attack. Daly remains hospitalized and denies coming onto the soldiers. The victim says he "only came out six months ago."
If these Iraq War vets were "threatened" by a gay man allegedly "winking" at them and making "verbal advances", I'd seriously hate to see them on patrol in Baghdad.
Some Background:
2 Marines Arrested After Vicious Assault on Gay Man
and these are so called marines?
gimme a break
these are trained killers who beat this kid into a pulp
Posted by: Greg G | 14 June 2010 at 22:31
I AM SO SICK OF THIS FOOLISHNESS!
So are gay men OVERPOWERING THREATS or WEAK PUNKS?!
Wow are TWO MARINES going to feel threatened by ONE GAY DUDE?
I agree Greg G...WHAT THE WHAT?! They could have killed this guy with their bare hands AND YET they are saying that FEAR (?????) made them do it?!
UGH!!!!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 14 June 2010 at 23:10
That defense is not going to fly. They are going to jail.
Posted by: FREELEO | 14 June 2010 at 23:17
Someone on once told me.. "Sometimes our fears are actually visions of our own selves". They guys should pay dearly...
Posted by: jdcole | 14 June 2010 at 23:32
As a woman, I've had straight guys ask me - Why don't women trust us? Why do they act hostile to us? Uh - well, this is why. This, right here. It's sorry trash like this who make all guys look bad, but most of the straight guys I've come across just don't seem to get it, because they turn around and defend these jerks.
Posted by: Julianne | 15 June 2010 at 00:22
They won't go to jail they were charged with misdemeanor battery they may pay a fine and do some sensitivity training. I hope the man pursues this to the fullest extent and hits them in the pockets!
Posted by: Jamal | 15 June 2010 at 04:31
Why is asking a man out on a date a reason to beat him to death?
I'm a good looking young man and i've never been on a date in my life mainly because of this very reason. Every time i get enough nerve to ask a guy out i'll always feel afraid like omg what if he doesn't like me and punches me, i mean its sad but thats what i gotta worry about being a gay man.
i would love to live in a world where I ask a guy out and he says yes or no without their being a big problem. god how i would love to live in that world
Posted by: Jacob | 15 June 2010 at 06:05
That's unfortunate Jacob that you live with that fear, but I know what you mean, you can't even give a dude a compliment without wondering how he's gonna react.
Also, they still havent gotten to the point that dude was struck in the back of the head. How does someone threatening you get hit in the back of the head? He was obviously moving away from them and they were the pursuers.
I'm gonna start selling self defense batons with a little rainbow emblem on em just for gays cause these dudes need their asses whipped.
Posted by: Procrastination_Xtravaganza | 15 June 2010 at 08:10
It pisses me off everytime I hear that old "he was coming on to me" line of crap. And we all know what happened here. But what if he was. Why is it ok for these guys to beat on gay guys if they feel "threatened"? Sometimes if feels like we spend all our lives walking around with a bullseye on our backs.
Posted by: Ealan | 15 June 2010 at 08:51
I am with ya, Ealan, this is trash. The whole "coming on to me" crap is pretty lame. Say no thanks and keep it moving. When the so-called aggressor is the one who is beat up, that tells the whole story there.
Now if the one being asked was raped, like what usually happens with hetero women (rape/fight) when they turn down a hetero man, then it is a different story.
Posted by: CC | 15 June 2010 at 17:12
What a bunch of punks! I HATE people like this!
The guys definitely deserve the harshest criminal and civil charges possible!
Posted by: MW09 | 16 June 2010 at 12:03