Sergeant Jermain Nelson appeared in front of Judge Stephen Larson in Riverside, California. Apparently, Judge Larson will hear the case now and didn't accept Sergeant Nelson's refusal to testify. Judge Larson put Sergeant Nelson into custody which means that Sergeant Nelson is again in jail for refusing to testify against his squad leader.

Below is a MUST READ email from a former Marine who was at the hearing in Riverside:

Today was a very emotional day, the outcome was not what we wanted but it was a very good thing we were there.

P., S. and I arrived at the courthouse around 12:15, we parked and who do we see across the street, Sgt. Nelson, another Marine and [his attorney], Joseph Low. Mr. Low told us that the trial wouldn't start until 1:30, they were on their way to lunch and of course asked us to join them.

First I had to give Sgt. Nelson a big hug, from me and C., he was thrilled to get hugs from all of us.

The second marine was his jag officer, a great guy from West Virginia. Sgt. Nelson told us stories of life in Iraq - marines are never based in easy cushy bases, they are beyond the FOBs, live on MREs and sometimes, when their vehicle got blown up - on bread from the locals. As you can imagine, P. and I were ready to hop the first plane and just go cook for these guys.

He said baby wipes are essential, as are socks. Their socks get so wet and sweaty that their skin peels off inside. another great use for socks, they put a water bottle inside, wet the sock and leave it out over night, the wind evaporates the wet sock and in the morning they have a nice cool drink.

After lunch it was off to the courthouse. We met Bill who had just arrived, thinking he was late.

We were wearing Marine T-shirts and the security guards at the entrance were very happy to see us. Outside the courtroom the bailiff came up to us and said: "I can't say anything, but you'll understand, I am a former Marine."

We got the message loud and clear.

And now the bad news, things moved slowly, the judge didn't enter the room until 2:30 and immediately called Sgt. Nelson and Mr. Low. They once again pleaded their case, and the prosecutor had played a dirty trick. Mr. Low had asked for transcripts from Judge Anderson's courtroom [the previous judge in the hearing]. They were only sent this morning, when Mr Low was not around to review them. But that didn't matter to the judge. Despite some very good arguments by Atty Low (who asked the judge at one point, "what benefit is there to hearing Sgt. Nelson speak, over the transcripts and the tapes already available to the grand jury? The information is no different, why do they have to hear it live from him, when the questions aren't about Nazario, they are about his own conduct?"), the Judge had made up his mind.

Sgt. Nelson was put back in custody. His whole body language and demeanor changed - from a handsome, proud Marine to a dejected man.

Despite this judge being appointed by President Bush - it is clear that one can never know what kind of a judge he'll be. Since he will be the presiding judge in this grand jury case against Nazario, he wants this case to go forward - who knows why, his own career advancement, or whatever.

Mr. Low will proceed to file appeals and fight on, it isn't going to be pretty. After the trial a local journalist asked who we were. We simply said we had heard about the case from someone close to the military and that we want to support a man who has fought very hard to defend our lives.

Right now what we need are letters to Sgt. Jermaine Nelson, anything to pick up his spirits. Mr. Low is more than happy to accept email letters and take them over to him. As soon as he knows where to send snail mail, we can also send packages. If there are visiting days (which would probably be weekends) then despite the drive to San Bernardino - it will be very worth while doing.

Sgt. Nelson said he loves our green t-shirts, he wears it every day under his uniform. Hopefully he'll be out and back in uniform soon, [and] that is something to consider sending him as well.

So the fight goes on, a wonderful, strong, young man who has served our country with honor needs our help. I think we're up to the task.

L.

The portions of the post I have not swiped contains the contact data to "lend a hand".

Once again, we MUST stand firm together and denounce and renounce this kind of Judicial Tyranny or suffer the consequences. PERIOD.


If you have the guts; if you have the moral fortitude; if you have the spine for a fight - please visit Blackfive linked above to send emails of support and to send PROFESSIONAL messages to the moron judge.

[UPDATE]

An EXCELLENT article about this is at The American Thinker.