MEXICAN JUDGE ORDERS MARINE SERGEANT TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY ON GUN CHARGES A Mexican federal judge ordered Andrew Tahmooressi back to prison after the U.S. Marine sergeant made his first official courtroom appearance since being locked up March 31 for accidentally crossing the border with guns in his pickup truck. The 26-year-old veteran of two tours in Afghanistan was finally able to tell his story to a judge, after his case had been delayed by both Mexicos unpredictable legal system and his own trouble settling on a lawyer. It was not immediately clear what Tahmooressi said at the evidentiary hearing, which was closed to the public. But before he entered the federal courthouse in Tijuana, his attorney Fernando Benetiz vowed to get the truth from prosecution witnesses, including two Mexican border officials who initially detained Tahmooressi. I hope they tell the truth, because if not, Im gonna make them tell the truth and its not gonna be pretty, Benetiz said, prior to the hearing. Beneitiz had earlier sought to dampen hopes that federal Judge Victor Octavio Luna Escobedo would free Tahmooressi, although supporters, including his mother, Jill Tahmooressi, had held out hope. Tahmooressi has been held since he accidentally drove into Mexico at the San Ysidro, Calif., Port of Entry late March 31, after becoming disoriented from poorly lit street signs and being in a position on the road unable to make a last ditch U-turn. His family believes his post-traumatic stress disorder also may have contributed to his confusion. He was charged with violating Mexicos strict gun laws because he had three registered guns, along with all his worldly possessions, in his vehicle. Tahmooressi appeared in court on April 28, but that hearing was gaveled before it began after the judge learned Tahmooressi had his attorney fired the night before for advising Tahmooressi to commit what the family considered to be perjury. After Wednesday’s hearing, Tahmooressi was taken back to El Hongo Prison in Tecate under heavily-armed guard. #MARINEHELDINMEXICO foxnews/us/2014/07/10/marine-held-in-mexico-hearing-outcome-sgt-andrew-tahmooressi/
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 03:48:39 +0000
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