Written by Calvin Shomaker | Originally published by The Jacksonville Daily News
Two Marine Raiders and a Navy corpsman from 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) known as the “MARSOC 3” have to wait even longer for their judicial fates as their trials scheduled to be held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune have been delayed yet again.
The trial for Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet was scheduled to conclude last week, but the trial has instead been moved to May 10-28, according to a recent report from Military.com. The trial for Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Draher and Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Negron scheduled for April 6-30 has since been postponed to a date to be determined.
The MARSOC 3 are facing charges that include involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide stemming from an incident occurring at a club in Iraq on New Years’ Day 2019.
According to past reports from The Daily News and Marine Corps Times, an inebriated defense contractor allegedly instigated a physical altercation with the MARSOC 3, resulting in a one-punch blow from Negron that rendered the contractor unconscious.
Following the punch, the MARSOC 3 reportedly looked after the injured contractor identified as Rick Anthony Rodriguez, a former Army Special Forces soldier; however, he later died after being transported to a medical facility.
Gilmet, Draher and Negron also face charges of obstruction of justice and violating orders.
According to a MARSOC spokesperson, the location of the trials has been moved from Camp Lejeune to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, but is subject to change.
Reporter Calvin Shomaker can be reached by email at cshomaker@gannett.com.
