Hollywood Movies Play Role in Marine Testimony
The names of a couple of movies have surfaced in the Article 32 hearings (the military version of a preliminary hearing) for the Marines accused in the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha.
The hearings will determine if any of the four officers and three enlisted Marines will go to court martial.
Marine Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt is accused in the deaths of three civilians. However, his defense asserts that he acted in self-defense when confronted with a man pointing an AK-47 at him.
During the hearing for Sharratt, a defense expert witness pointed out in testimony that Hollywood movies have distorted the public’s perception of death and dying.
“Hollywood too often deceives the public on what is an ability to fire or inflict death or grievous injury,” said Air Force Lt. Col. David Bolgiano.
Lt. Col. Bolgiano explained that people don’t fall to the ground and remain motionless after being shot, but rather it can take 20 to 40 minutes to bleed to death and the wounded individual is still a danger.
Lance Cpl. Sharratt also referenced a Hollywood film in his testimony. The Marine officer testified that before the battle in Fallouja in late 2004, a Marine recited one of the rousing speeches from Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart” to help Marines find courage in the upcoming battle.
Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace is best remembered for the last word he uttered: “Freedom!”
For the sake of that one word, if these brave young men are not exonerated, President Bush better have his pardon pen ready.
