Newport News sailor’s killer won’t be court-martialed
Darren W. Mackie, 22, in August received 10 years for manslaughter in the February shooting death of fellow sailor Caitlin E. Trask, 20, at his Newport News apartment.
By Peter Dujardin posted at http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_trask_0121jan21,0,1019805.story
January 20, 2010
NEWPORT NEWS – The White House has turned down a request from the parents of a Navy sailor killed in Newport News last year to order a court-martial for the fellow sailor convicted of killing her.
For months, Don and Mary Trask, of Bradford, Mass., pressed the Navy to court-martial — and dishonorably discharge — Darren W. Mackie, 22, the man who admitted putting a gun to the head of sailor Caitlin E. Trask, 20, and firing one February afternoon at his downtown Navy apartment.
After the Navy rebuffed their requests — saying justice was served by Mackie’s manslaughter conviction and 10-year sentence in civilian court — the Trasks took their case to President Barack Obama. They won the backing of U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who said Mackie should receive a dishonorable discharge “at the very least.”
“I read your letter with deep concern and recognize your desire to see justice done,” wrote A.G. Liggett, of the White House Liaison Office. “While it would understandably mean a great deal for the President to assist you, responsibility for U.S. Navy personnel matters is delegated to the Secretary of the Navy.”
The Trasks aren’t happy.
“We … always will believe the Navy did not punish Mackie sufficiently by not giving him a dishonorable discharge,” Mary Trask said. “It truly is a disgrace to Caitlin’s memory and service.”
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Michael Waddington is a court martial lawyer – court martial attorney that defends military personnel worldwide as well as deployed civilian contractors subject to the UCMJ. He defends Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and civilian contractor court martial cases. He has successfully defended military personnel as a court martial lawyer Army Navy Marine & Air Force court martials in Germany, England, San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Yokota, and throughout the United States.
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