Call on trio’s possible courts-martial due in a week

An officer probing charges that three Hawaii-based Marines hazed another Marine who later committed suicide in Afghanistan has received an extension to make his recommendations on whether the accused should face a court-martial.

Lt. Col. Douglas Gardner is evaluating whether there is enough evidence for the three to be taken to trial.

He is due submit his recommendations to Col. Nathan Nastase, the commander of the Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Regiment. It is up to Nastase whether the three will face courts-martial.

U.S. Marine Forces Pacific spokesman Lt. Col. Curtis Hill said Wednesday Gardner received an extension until Sept. 29 to finish his report.

Gardner is investigating allegations that Sgt. Benjamin Johns, Lance Cpl. Carlos Orozco III and Lance Cpl. Jacob Jacoby mistreated Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, who killed himself on April 3. Lew had been caught sleeping on guard duty.