Paris Island D.I. to Face Court Martial in Jason Tharp Death

Investigating Officer recommends general court martial against Parris Island swim instructor (WIS-TV, NBC10, Columbia, SC)

The Article 32 investigating officer has recommended that charges against a Parris Island swim instructor, including negligent homicide, be referred to a General Court-Martial.

The charges stem from the drowning death of Private Jason Tharp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s pool on February 8, 2005. A Marine investigation found Lopez didn’t get Tharp out of the pool quickly enough when he showed signs of distress. After that, she was placed on administrative suspension.

The Article 32, the military’s version of a civilian grand jury investigation, was held August 4-5, 2005, at Parris Island. During that military hearing, Lopez’s lawyer argued she did everything she was trained to do

WIS has extensive coverage of the story as it unfolded:

via Jeff Quinton

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.