[9], A charge of obstruction of justice was brought against Gallagher for alleged witness intimidation. [1], The defense also claimed that the lead NCIS agent slanted witness statements and interviews to be more hostile to Gallagher than warranted in his notes. He emerges in the reams of testimony as the most prominent SEAL pushing superiors to block his former platoon chiefs advancement and Silver Star and terminate him from his training assignment. [3], Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 29, 1979, Gallagher graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School. Gallagher was charged with murdering 17-year-old Khaled Jamal Abdullah in 2018, along with other charges. Scott claimed it was an act of mercy. After repeatedly changing his story and denying that he killed the teenage prisoner at all, he finally conceded a half-truth on Apple TVs The Line documentary: He admitted to killing the prisoner, just not in the manner that my teammates saw, or in the way that he told me and other SEALs. [8] On March 30, President Donald J. Trump intervened and ordered Gallagher transferred to "less restrictive confinement" after complaints from his supporters, particularly commentators on Fox and Friends, about his detainment. He was attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit until he enrolled in Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) class 252 to become a Navy SEAL in 2005. To the SO1, it was a sign that Gallagher was putting his beliefs into action. All right, Steve Walsh of KPBS in San Diego, thank you very much. Last summer, Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher was acquitted of shooting civilians and killing a captive ISIS fighter. One of the SEALs served as a sniper in Iraq and left the Navy when he returned to California. Gallagher was accused of several war crimes by some of his platoon subordinates, including that he shot civilians and stabbed a wounded ISIS fighter in the neck, killing him, while in Iraq in 2017. Process should move quickly! [39][36] President Trump congratulated Gallagher on his acquittal over Twitter. He turned to the jury of all members of the military, Marines and a couple and one SEAL, as a matter of fact, and said, who among us had not had their commander threatened to kill them at one point or another? [47][48] Esper immediately fired Spencer for going outside the chain of command. He's been following the story for KPBS Public Media in San Diego, and he was there for the verdict and sentencing today. Please check your inbox to confirm. The charges were lodged and prosecution depended heavily on statements made against Gallagher by platoon mates who deployed with him to Iraq to fight ISIS in 2017. Investigators later placed the alleged incident in July, without specifying the date. Green ordered Gallagher's case to be investigated by the Trident Review Board, in order to determine whether Gallagher should be stripped of his SEAL Trident insignia, the official symbol of certification within the Naval Special Warfare SEAL community. But Trump May Get in the Way", "Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher found not guilty on murder and attempted murder charges", "Shocking Revelation In Navy SEAL War Crimes Trial: Witness Says He Is The Real Killer", "Jurors picked for Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher's war crimes trial", "Navy SEAL Chief Accused of War Crimes Is Found Not Guilty of Murder", "Navy dismisses case against SEAL accused of covering up war crimes", "Jury to decide SEAL's punishment for posing with corpse", "Navy SEAL demoted for posing with corpse", "Congratulations to Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher, his wonderful wife Andrea, and his entire family. Gallagher The lead investigator for Naval Investigations, Joe Warpinski, he had only been with NCIS for two-and-a-half years before he got this incredibly high-profile war crimes case. During Alpha Platoons deployment, the SO1 had served as the lead petty officer, or LPO, and his initial statement to NCIS took the agent back to Badush a village in the suburbs of Mosul in early May of 2017, when the platoon was conducting an Advise, Assist and Accompany, or AAA, mission with Iraqi coalition forces members. So Gallaghers trial ultimately will ask a panel of officers and senior enlisted sailors to weigh the credibility of witnesses mostly junior SEALs testifying about what they allegedly saw or heard, and then evaluate their possible motives for expressing their recollections that way. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. It has been speculated that this image was intended to find leakers violating the judge's gag order, as reporters (including Prine) have repeatedly scooped private documents related to the case. The SO1 told Warpinski that by mid-August of 2018 Portier had become angry at Gallagher for allegedly mischaracterizing incidents that occurred during the deployment, including how Islamic State fighters ended up shooting both an interpreter assigned to the SEALs and an explosive ordnance technician. A telling text seems to suggest that one of the SEAL witnesses at one point tried to get others in the platoon together to make sure their stories jibed with what theyd tell investigators, according to evidence files provided to Navy Times. Iraqi security forces distribute food to refugees from Badush outside of a patrol base near Al Tarab, Iraq during the offensive to liberate West Mosul from ISIS, on March 10, 2017. Eddie Gallagher The plan for the platoon was to have a perimeter around (Gallagher) to prevent this from happening again, he said. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Gallaghers case became a cause clbre in conservative circles, with President Trump championing his innocence. Thats something the other medically-trained SO1 also told investigators; He returned to the area and was surprised to find the prisoner dead. [5] The Navy cited his text messages as attempting to undermine the investigation, with messages sent to "pass the word on those traitors", meaning cooperating witnesses, and to get them blacklisted within the special warfare community. And I wanted to read what these texts say. When our injured partners from the Iraqi Army flooded into our casualty collection point, our medics spent their free time saving their lives. The SO1 told Warpinski that Chief Gallagher knew a considerable amount of Bible scripture but does not practice it, instead using religion as an excuse for his actions.. Although only convicted of taking a photograph with a murdered teenage prisoner, his charge sheet accused him of shooting civilians on multiple occasions, possessing a controlled substance, torturing and killing a prisoner, and obstructing justice. Throughout the trial, Gallagher acted as though it was not he who had been accused of wrongdoing but the investigators, prosecutors and witnesses. But he said Portier wanted to hold off reporting the incident until he determined Iraqi security forces hadnt shot the girl. [55], In March 2020, David Martin of CBS News interviewed Gallagher, his wife, and his attorney on the CBS program 60 Minutes.[56]. Most are very private about where they serve and how they are serving. Corey Scott Now: Where is SEAL Team Medic Today? ", "Navy SEAL Demoted For Taking Photo With Corpse Of ISIS Fighter", "After Contentious Trial, Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher Found Not Guilty of the Murder of an ISIS Fighter", "Trump restores rank to Fort Wayne native, Navy SEAL Gallagher", "Decorated Navy SEAL Is Accused of War Crimes in Iraq", "A Jekyll and Hyde portrait emerges of the SEAL accused of murdering an Islamic State prisoner", "Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw fighting for fellow Navy SEAL being held on war crimes charges", "Navy SEALs Were Warned Against Reporting Their Chief for War Crimes", "Uncovering a Military Culture Split Between Loyalty and Justice", "Second Navy SEAL charged in war crimes probe", "Iraqi Family Identifies Their Son As ISIS Teen At Center Of Navy War Crimes Trial", "Trump's Intervention in SEALs Case Tests Pentagon's Tolerance", "Judge Denies Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher's Request to Dismiss War Crimes Charges", "Navy SEAL War Crimes Trial in Turmoil Over Claims Prosecutors Spied on Defense", "Marine testifies Navy SEAL did not stab Iraq captive", "Prosecutors, NCIS investigator accused of 'misconduct' in war crimes case", "In honor of his past service to our Country, Navy Seal #EddieGallagher will soon be moved to less restrictive confinement while he awaits his day in court. Support C&L Go Ad-Free Today and blamed his accusers for being the cowards. The only thing he was convicted of was posing in a photo with the dead captive's body. From this clip, it doesnt appear that will be the case. Eddie Gallagher Well, I guess that's not lighter. For a couple of lighter stories, check out Zero Blog 30's new episode that just came out this morning, one of which highlighted some Army Rangers who performed multiple blood transfusions in the middle of a firefight. It is not always pretty, but just like first responders, that is the nature of our work. Eddie outing these people and the units they are in might be unprecedented in the SEAL community. He was the first non-Marine to graduate from the United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper School that he attended. Once the SEALs reached the other side of the river, there didnt appear to be any options if they got pinned down by insurgent gunfire, the AOIC added. A lot of remarkable things happened on that deployment. When ISIS launched a counterattack on our partner force, it was our SEAL platoon working in sync firing every single weapon in our arsenal from pistols to 500-pound bombs that stopped the counter-attack during an eight-hour firefight. [58], In 2021, Gallagher said on the podcast The Line, although he did not stab the ISIS fighter, "[the ISIS fighter] was killed by us, and that nobody at that time, had a problem with it", and the group performed medical procedures on the prisoner which killed him (including inserting an emergency airway into the ISIS fighter's throat, "just for practice"). Chief Gallagher was awarded Sailor of the Year for Naval Special Warfare Group One. (Army). By that time, government records indicate that Alpha Platoon already was embroiled in another probe into war crimes allegations. They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted, now they are trying to take it after the President restored my rank and after we just filed IG exposing all the corruption that has been going on during my case. When seemingly endless processions of women, children and elderly people were fleeing ISIS, we offered up what little MREs and water we had, and gave medical care when possible. SEAL Eddie Gallagher was found not guilty That had a significant impact on the battlefield. In fact, I talked to the ZBT group chat before writing this blog. / AFP PHOTO / MOHAMED EL-SHAHED (Photo credit should read MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images). Late last month, this trial took a dramatic turn when one of the prosecution's witnesses, Navy SEAL Corey Scott, testified that, after he saw Gallagher stab the teenager, Scott killed the captive by plugging his breathing tube. That said, facts are facts. Recon. Chief Eddie Gallagher (right, in cap) takes control of a prisoner (far left), an ISIS fighter who had been wounded. This is a false narrative peddled by Gallagher and his supporters. They said that he went up in the sniper tower and shot at civilians. On May 28, Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Eddie Gallagher will be guided into a courtroom inside Naval Base San Diego, where he will face a panel of his peers sifting evidence in a war crimes case. The decorated Navy SEAL had been accused of stabbing the wounded teenage captive, as well as attempted murder of Iraqi civilians and obstruction of justice. Green Berets. Another text said: "Good story behind this. Another SEAL told investigators that he saw Gallagher shoot the elderly man in the back and watched him drop to the ground and saw blood on his back, but its unclear if hell testify. We do our best but cant control the outcome. Eddie Gallagher Directors Doug Shultz and Jeff Zimbalist secured the participation of Gallagher; his wife, Andrea; and the members of SEAL Team 7 who accused Gallagher of war crimes. [43], Gallagher and his lawyers made an appeal for clemency at the conclusion of the court martial; such requests are frequently made, although rarely successful. Anguish and Anger From the Navy SEALs Who Turned Real brothers dont chase medals. To Gallaghers legal team, theres a problem with these alleged motives. SEALs. According to a former Navy prosecutor, the top admiral in the Navy directly handling such a matter is extremely rare, but not unmerited due to the high profile of the case. [9] By 2015, Gallagher had acquired a reputation as someone who was more interested in "fighting terrorists", but less interested in complying with rules. Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher Releases The Names [51] Gallagher's case was scheduled for a hearing by the Navy SEAL review board on December 2, 2019. [1] Some potential witnesses were non-cooperative, citing the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination when refusing to testify. In a statement to the paper, Naval Special Warfare Command spokeswoman Capt. [15] As a result of the spying controversy, the judge ordered Gallagher freed from prison while awaiting trial as a remedy to interference from the prosecution. Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on June 9, 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Chief Eddie Gallagher (right, in cap) takes control of a prisoner (far left), an ISIS fighter who had been wounded. SEAL Eddie Gallagher was found not guilty As usual, Fox News figures prominently. [34], The jury for Gallagher's court-martial was composed of five enlisted men, including a Navy SEAL and four Marines, plus a Navy commander and a Marine chief warrant officer, after the defense had rejected several other candidates. As usual, Fox News figures prominently. Edward R. Gallagher (born May 29, 1979)[1] is a retired United States Navy SEAL who was accused of war crimes. [5], Gallagher was also charged with nearly a dozen lesser offenses. Another sniper who also has indicated he might not testify later told prosecutors that he saw an old man go down, but he didnt see Gallagher shoot him, according to emails to prosecutors provided to Navy Times. Parlatore said that information in the video about the SEALs was already known. To attempt to out (their) status raises questions about the decision to do so.. The accusations against Eddie were numerous, with the most prominent being the alleged murder of an Iraqi prisoner of war. But we trusted Jake. [44] After Richardson's retirement in August 2019, his replacement Admiral Michael M. Gilday took ownership of the request. He was slated to be awarded a Silver Star during that fateful deployment in Mosul when the After two weeks of testimony, Chief Edward Gallagher was found not guilty of murdering a suspected ISIS prisoner in Iraq. I have got my knife skills on." You have been following this trial all along. As much as some fringe creatures want to argue about our rules of engagement, ROEs were not the problem on this deployment. We know that mistakes and accidents happen on deployment and innocent people always die in war. It will mark a sea change in the sea services clandestine and close-knit cadre of SEALs, a secretive and elite military force that rarely testifies against each other, especially in war crimes probes attracting an international audience. Green noted that SEALs with criminal convictions almost always lose their Trident Pin. [14], According to the original Navy prosecutor Chris Czaplak, "Chief Gallagher decided to act like the monster the terrorists accuse us of being. And a fellow sniper intends to tell the panel that Gallagher claimed, he averaged three kills a day over 80 days, according to legal filings obtained by Navy Times. Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Eddie Gallagher in Iraq in 2017. ", "Trump Orders Navy to Strip Medals From Prosecutors in War Crimes Trial", "The Prosecutors who lost the case against SEAL Eddie Gallagher (who I released from solitary confinement so he could fight his case properly), were ridiculously given a Navy Achievement Medal. At no time is loyalty to each other put over loyalty to the country and mission. On the stand, his attorney said called them entitled young SEALs. 2023 Barstool Sports. Platoon members said they saw Chief Gallagher shoot civilians and fatally stab a wounded captive with a hunting knife. Former Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Gallagher posted the 3-minute video on both his Facebook and Instagram channels Monday. [5] He allegedly fired his rifle far more frequently than other snipers;[5] according to testimony, the other snipers in the platoon did not consider him a good sniper, and he took "random shots" into buildings. Truth be known, I fucking hate talking about this kinda shit in the military community. Directors Doug Shultz and Jeff Zimbalist secured the participation of Gallagher; his wife, Andrea; and the members of SEAL Team 7 who accused Gallagher of war crimes. He added that he was only about a foot away from the prisoner when Gallagher pulled out his knife and stabbed the boy two or three times in the neck. All appear on camera. Would we do something different if we could go back in time? He came to national attention in the United States after he was charged in September 2018 with ten offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Gallagher was originally accused by fellow SEAL members, members of his own platoon, which, in and of itself, is sort of odd, given the historically tight-knit nature of the SEAL organization. Retired SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher sues Navy clothing line and nutritional supplement endorsements. Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Eddie Gallagher in Iraq in 2017. The request was initially rejected by Rear Admiral Bette Bolivar. Joseph Warpinski is the lead NCIS special agent assigned to the Gallagher probe.
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