On Friday British film maker John Laurence, director of '"I Am An American Soldier"', spoke out regarding his criticism of articles written recently here at AmatoTalk.com.
Today defense attorney Anita Gorecki responds to to Mr. Laurence's comments. Ms. Gorecki was the lead civilian attorney representing SSG Raymond Girouard during his recent court martial in what is known as The Iron Triangle Case.
The defense was unsuccessful in their attempt to call Commanding Officer Col. Michael Steele as a witness in the case. Existing film footage believed by Gorecki to be favorable to SSG Girouard- of Col. Steele giving a 'pep talk'- is available in the film ' I Am An American Soldier'- but also was not shown at the trial.
The pep talk included the message:
" Don't let them live to fight another day. They’re going to breed, multiply . . .,’You'll be eaten unless you act like the dominant one on the food chain...rely on your training to do what's right, do not hesitate...you’re the hunted … don't bring any of them back".
The film will be seen at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York starting April 26th. The film's trailer can viewed here: http://www.iamanamericansoldier.com/
Below is lead civilian defense attorney Anita Gorecki's response:
The decision as to what is "relevant" is an issue for the Court, specifically here, the Military Judge in the trial. Is Mr. Laurences' opinion relevant to the Court? No. Unless you were one of the attorneys on the defense team (myself, Captains Miller & Merriam) you have no idea what was relevant to our defense strategy or to the co-accused and their attorneys. I pray that when I see this film I deem it irrelvant to the trial.
My concern is that it will be and SSG Girouard, a decorated, multiple combat tour soldier, is sitting in the Fort Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks and a piece of evidence, the documentary, could have been used at his trial.
Again, I was not afforded the opportunity to form my opinion as his attorney because I was not allowed to see the entire film. Mr. Laurence's job is creating Documentaries and my job is defending Soldiers - why could the 2 have not come together?
Bottom line:
1.COL Steele was given immunity by the Government so his 5th Amend. rights are not at issue
2.I saw a snipit of the documentary on the Saturday before the start of trial and had no idea that this documentary existed until the eve of trial. Did you know of this court-martial or this investigation? I did not know of you so the real question is did you know of the Iron Triangle Investigation?
3. A news anchor who saw the piece stated, as I understood it, and I could be wrong, that you (John Laurence) allegedly threaten legal action.
4.I never said that a briefing alone, given 8 months prior was an excuse for the killigs in this case. Again, you and no one else for that matter are privy to the defense strategy. I was charged with defending SSG Girouard from Life Without the Possibiity of Parole. My curiosity is what if anything else do you have closer in time to the event? Had a he made similar speeches as the one given the day before?
5.Finally, and most importantly, SSG GIROUARD WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF PREMEDITATED MURDER! He was found guilty of Negligent Homicide, in essence he negligenty entrusted those detainees to those 2 squad members, the 2 sqaud members who actually shot the detainess not SSG Girouard.
All this being said, we both obvioulsy care about soldiers and I hope too see the entire film and I hope that it facilitates more dialogue on the issue".
Anita Gorecki