Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-04
Light Sentence Urged
By McKeon Counsel


drinking By Sergt. McKeon on
the day of the march. It's find
ing apparently was based on
the fact that the sergeant led
his men into a tidal creek with
out proper reconnaissance and
other safeguards.
Recruit Tells Of Drinking
On the fourth charge, on
which the sergeant was found
not guilty, he was accused of
taking a drink in the presence
of Recruit David H. Mcpherson
The recruit testified that on the
day of the march the sergeant
raised a vodka bottle to his lips.
The defense commended the cork
was still in the bottle and the
sergeant's act was a gesture in
his efforts to impress the recruit
with the thought he must act
like a man before he could drink
vodka.
The courts findings provided
an emotional crest for three
weeks of courtroom drama sur
charged with tensenesS. 1t had
been built up into a national is
sue by Mr.. Berman's appeal for
eX-Marines to rally to Sergt.
defense by volunteer
ing that such exercises as night
were an accepted Ma
rine practice.
The appearance of Gen. Ran
dolph Nice. Pate. the Marine
commandant, and retired 1t.
Gen. Lewis B. CChesty) Fuller,
testifying as defense witnesses,
set the stage for the final day of
the trial itself.
The Jury" of seven officers
received the case at 1888 pm.
yesterday. Tension mounted as
the afternoon wore on and their
deliberations continued. Once
there was ripple of excitement
as the court sent for all exhibits
in the trial.
7 PM. Set for Report
At $50 pm. came word that
the court would report at 7
o'clock. The courtroom in the
base school house was two
thirds filled as Capt. Klein and
others walked in. At 1925 pm.
an MP. called out, spectators.
please rise"
The seven court members took
their seats and Col. Edward L.
Hutchinson. the president, called
the court to order. Then Capt.
Klein spoke. will the accused S
attorney and the accused come
forward"
Mr.. Berman and Sergt. Nc
Keen stepped forward and stood
before the court. The sergeant's
wife, sitting midway of the
courtroom, had tears in her eyes,
and held her hands as in prayer.
Then Col. Hutchinson, 40
year-old combat veteran of
Woodbury.. N. j.. who commands
the Sixth Marine Regiment at
Camp Lejeune. IN. c.. intoned:
"Sergt. Matthew C. McKeon,
it is my duty as president of the
court -"
Findings Are Read
Then came the findings. one
by one. When Col. Hutchinson
had finished, Mr.. Berman and
the sergeant, a wooden express
sion on his face. turned and
walked back to their seats.
Capt. Klein quickly suggested
an overnight recess before the
pre-Sentencing procedures were
taken up, and this was agreed to.
Experienced Marines who I'M
derstood the significance of the
courts findings rushed up to
congratulate the sergeant.
In time Maj. Sewer, who had
prosecuted the case vigorously.
walked over and shook hands
with Sergt. McKeon. You Just
keep on going as you're doing
and you'll be all right" said the
major, The sergeant replied:
THANK you, major, for a fair
trial"
Afterwards. Maj. Sewer, a
tank officer stationed at Camp
Lejeune, told reporters:
Il think it's a fair finding"
Finally the crowds thinned
cut. In the defense's room,
Sergt. McKeon turned to his
brother Edward and asked,
what do we do now?"
Let's go back to Father
Cooks" said Edward.
They went back to the quar-
tiers of Comdr. Maurus Cook. the
Catholic chaplain who has stood
by the sergeant throughout his
ordeal. The sergeant stayed for
a supper of pork chops and
then went home to his wife in
their modest bungalow in nearby
Port Royal.