Marcus Laurean Dropping Off Radar
January 29th, 2008 by Marcus
I've continued to watch the Laurean story unfold over the last week and I've found myself highly disappointed. Laurean has been on the run for almost three weeks and it doesn't appear authorities are any closer to finding him. Mexican officials have finally issued a warrant for his arrest. There was a huge spotlight on Camp Lejeune in the past weeks, but it is quickly fading along with the spotlight on Laurean.
I strongly believe many aspects of this case have been mishandled. The Onslow county sheriff made a complete fool of himself and the investigation numerous times before stepping out from behind the microphone. Sheriff, I applaud you for finally learning you don't need to speak in public about the investigation. Allowing your aides trained to speak was a good move to save face.
The media hasn't handle this much better. I know there are news directors all over the country drooling on themselves. The case has all the makings of a made for TV film, and the media is exploiting that for everything it is worth. Lauterbach's mother isn't helping at all in airing all of dirty laundry to the media. I have no clue what would motivate her to go to the media other than she is looking for her own spotlight.
I guess all my complaints about the case thus far are only magnified in my mind because I worked so closely with Laurean. I'm still shocked that someone I've known for so long could be suspected of a crime so horrible. I want him to either surrender or get caught as soon as possible so that we can all move on. Lauterbach's family, Laurean's family, and the Marine Corps family really needs this case to close with the truth and justice served.
Tags: cesar laurean, maria lauterbach
Posted in General Perspective
Mishandled?! You bet your sweet ass it was mishandled!!!
is it possible that Laurean knows his life is in danger from a 'so-far-not-publicly-known' person? Laurean may know that his only chance to live through this is to surrender to someone he can implicitly trust and that someone would have to have sufficient clout that he (she) also would not be in danger. And so far no one fits that description.
There are folks he trusts. There are folks with life-saving clout. But alas, no one may have both qualifications.
Too many aspects of this case do not gel.
Marcus, I know this is really hard on you, the families of all those involved and even the integrity of the honor of the Marine Corps, itself. Do you remember when you started your first day in the Marine Corps? You had a "gentleman", I use that term very loosely, who was up front and in your face, personal. He most definitely had your attention! This is the type of investigator you need.
The Corps itself is NOT innocent! This dead female marine had 2 sequential protection orders against Laurean. The public affairs people say the dead marine had nothing to fear. From one old vet, this starts to sound like there was a failure within the chain-of-command. Now, they have found the bodies of both the dead marine and the unborn child. First, gather as much forensic evidence on the paternity of unborn child. Then, go from there.
What is at stake? The obvious is truth and justice. There is something a little more subtle. This would be the "Historical Traditions ond the Future Hopes of the United States Marine Corps." Let's just say you have a younger sibling, male or female, who is thinking of joining the military. You've got this whole event running through your mind. This sibling comes up to you at that pivotal point in their lives where they explain their intent to join the military. After they explain everything, they ask, "Well, what do you think?" Well, what do YOU think?
Grumpy
Marcus, like Grumpy said, this has been hard on you.
From looking at the evidence, I really don't think he has done anything wrong. Marines don't lie, I know that. I myself have always wanted to join the US Marines and I know that honour is of upmost importance.
Still, him not being gulity is just a gut feeling and it should not be taken as a full opinion.
Grumpy said: "Well, what do YOU think?"
Join the ARMY!! hehe. Sorry, couldn't resist. Why would an innocent person run? ZSU, if Lorean is fearing for his life, good. Maybe he should be.
I think people lie regardless if they are Marines, Policemen, Firemen or just everyday people.
I also believe that one bad apple doesn't spoil the crop. For whatever reason people sometimes crack in stressful situations. In my opinion it doesnt matter whether your military or law enforcement everyone is human. Their careers dont make them the people they are or turn out to be.
I believe that if Laurean is guilty he should be punished to the fullest extent. I also believe that running makes him 100% guilty.
Marcus, I think you said it just about right. I pray for you and all the others who know him personally. It has to be very hard for you.
Since I don't know the actual facts of what happened in the Marine Chain of Command, I will refrain from passing blame. Certainly it APPEARS as if someone in that chain of command made a big mistake. But, I don't see how anyone can equate that with the statement that "The Corps itself is NOT innocent!". Are you going to blame all Germans for what Hitler did? The guilty individuals must be punished, whoever they are. If the "official" proceedures for this type of situation are to blame, they too need to be changed. But to blame the Corps for a rape and murder sounds like something CF and his left wing hate group would do.
Lauren, you are right, many people lie. Running may not make him quilty, but it sure makes him LOOK quilty to most of us.
There certainly are too many "published" "facts" that don't seem to add up. If she killed herself, why would he burn her body (for one). We may never know all of this story, but I pray to God that we do find out the truth and that the actual guilty parties are all punished.
Grumpy, the history, traditions and future hope of the Corps are not at risk. I would tell everyone, male or female, rich or poor, young or old, "If you want to join the US Marines and are willing to commit to a life of Honor, Integrety, Service and more, then YES DO JOIN THE CORPS". I didn't tell my neice not to join the Army because Lt William Kelly had his Mi Lai Massacre in Vietnam. I didn't tell my sister not to become a teacher just because a teacher was accused of being a sexual predator. Heck, didn't they have a male prostitution ring running out of Barney Frank's Office in DC a few years back? Does that mean we all have to vote republican for ever?
Hang in there Marcus,
Semper Fi
Lauren, point of information, running does not make this man 100% guilty, it just raises questions, which need answers. By the way you write, it appears you have no military experience in your own life. I agree, first responders are more important to this Country, then most people realize. These people should receive their due place of honor.
To all, as I read I see many things in the comments. Yes, I'm an Air Force Vet, from the 1960's. I see the acitve-duty, reserve and the civilian sides to this story. Each of you have your own place in this story as it should be. Note: It is not the same! There is a major difference between knowing something and knowing about something. Experience is a very tough old sea hag of a teacher.
As I see it, we have the great divide between the civilian and the military. We have a small group of civilians who make a momentous decision to cross the divide. Because of the weapons we use and our resources, the military voluntarily take upon themselves a whole different branch of law. Yes, some of that different branch of law takes away some of their Constitutional Rights, as in the 2nd and 5th Ammendments. As long as they are in uniform, they build into their lives a Code of Honor for themselves, an Order and a Discipline. Even in many ways, after they're discharged, these things are still built into the very core logic of their being.
As we continue this Global War on Terror, we need to grow a new military. This shows the importance of "The Historic Traditions and The Future Hopes of The United States Marine Corps." This situation on Laurean reflects on a much larger picture. Am I convinced of Laurean's guilt? I have not seen the forensic evidence on the case.
Lauren, there is one thing, I am really glad you had the courage to write! This is the way we learn.
To the rest of you, what do YOU think? Join in.
Grumpy
Grumpy,
Besides supporting the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanastan for the last 4 years my father was in Vietnam and my grandfather was in WWII so I would say yes I do have some kind of military experience in my life.
The point I was trying to make which maybe you mistook was just because one is in the military or law enforcement doesnt mean they arent above doing any kind of crimes. Before you mistake statement I come from a huge family of NYPD and I respect them as much as I do military but unfortunately is does happen.
Lauren, I am GREATLY and GLADLY CORRECTED! The important thing is for the truth come out.
Your first paragraph speaks of the true unsung heroes, the military family. Please understand, some people make absolutely no sacrifice in this overall situation.
The absolute truth brings honor to you and corrects me.
Grumpy
Lauren,
The important thing is for the truth come out. On both levels, there are many people who make NO sacrifice. It appears that you are involved in both the Military/Veteran and the First Responders. This means you are in the truly unsung heroes.
I am GREATLY and GLADLY CORRECTED!
Grumpy
"Honor, Courage, Commitment" – after having spent 3 years as a recruiter for the Marine Corps and 2 deployments to Iraq, I am convinced these words are nothing but an advertising slogan to entice unsuspecting young folks to join our imperial Republican gun club. The conduct of this Marine from Camp Lejeune, the Marines at Haditha, the Marines in Afghanistan shooting up civilians, do not reflect positively the supposed values of our Corps. Incidents are occurring with such frequency that I am beginning to believe they are not anomalies, but rather the norm. Shooting up civilians in Iraq is almost a daily occurrence. We call it "escalation of force". I call it overzealousness. I believed the propaganda when I joined the Marine Corps years ago. I don't believe it anymore. My mission is to discourage first-termers from re-enlisting and to discourage kids from enlisting until we are done with with the current Iraq debacle and quagmire. Semper Fidelis.
JD,
Are you still in the Marines? Otherwise, how would you know that such things are a norm? I plan to join the Marines myself, the Haditha Marines are innocent in my opinion and as for "shooting up civilians", the Marines are not guilty of anything. Please check your facts.
I also think that Iraq is getting better and is by no means a quagmire. Vietnam was also the right thing to do, seeing that if the US troops were not there my country would be under communist rule. I hope this sheds some light on all of our thinking as to yours.
"Vietnam was also the right thing to do, seeing that if the US troops were not there my country would be under communist rule."
Man, oh man, oh man! And to think that some of my positions here are met with suspicion! I don't even know where to start with the above statement, other than to say the Kool-Aid being passed around to some of today's youth appears mighty strong!!!
Isaac, let's just take a look at your journey. On 30 Jan 2008, 9:18 AM, you wrote a comment on this situation. First, you talk of the impact on Marcus with this situtuation. I agree with you. But, sadly, Marines do, at times, lie. There is a major difference between "wanting to be in the Marines" and being one. Even though you are not a Marine, you can still respect a Marine. I am from a different era, Viet Nam. I am a service-connected disabled vet from the Air Force. Isaac, you had the COURAGE and HONESTY to actually write it into your comment. For the record, YES, I still respect the Marine Corps. At the end your first comment on this thread, 30 Jan 2008, 9:18AM, you finish it with a caveat. "Still, him not being guilty is just a gut feeling and it should not be taken as a full opinion." Isaac, through much of our lives, we had this very scary adversary named, "Doubt." Yet, Doubt is an absolute part of our learning cycle. If we say, "We have no doubts!" Then, we have no princples or convictions. It is only after our ideas have been put through the heated crucible of doubt, do they have a chance to become real convictions or principles. This is the essential importance of dissenting opinons. As you well know, "gut feelings" do not pass the test for a conviction. It also must meet the test of a "reasonable doubt" not any doubt, for vindication. It is really neat to have a place to write those "gut feelings" and get the insights of others. I always learn.
Respectfully,
Grumpy Old Vet
Grumpy,
Ok, thanks for your insight, I stand corrected. It feels great for a vet to be educating me. Especially since the Vietnam war which you fought in saved my country.
Critical Facts,
If you have not noticed sir, I come from Singapore, also in South East Asia and during the time of the Vietnam War, my own goverment was trying to root out the communist in our own country. It did not help in the early 60s that they had backing from China and Vietnam. The US troops in Vietnam paid for my freedom. I hope you can see my point.
isaac – -
Eternal vigilance remains the price of freedom.
Alas, vigilance includes bloodshed.
isaac, your freedom resulted from that vigilance and bloodshed.
If we listen closely, maybe we can hear the cheers of those whose blood and bruises; muscle and sweat, paid for your freedom. And the cheers would be followed by a resounding, "You're welcome!" Your gracious appreciation makes the sacrifices worth while.
Thank you, Grumpy. Yours is the combined but singular voice of Gettysburg, The Marne, Bastogne, Pork Chop Hill, and Iraq. You learned well, and now you share your accumulated intelligence and smarts to help others form better understanding.
Thank you. You both are 'spirit lifters'.