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Presiding judge at Municipal Court of Providence dismisses charges against veteran after testimony about combat injuries
Summary
At a Municipal Court of Providence session, the presiding judge acknowledged veterans’ service, heard a defendant describe combat-related injuries and medical treatment, and announced he would dismiss two charges against the veteran as an expression of gratitude.
At a session of the Municipal Court of Providence, the presiding judge heard testimony from veterans and dismissed two charges against a veteran who described combat injuries sustained during U.S. service.
The presiding judge framed his remarks around Veterans Day, noting the holiday commemorates the end of World War I and saying there are "nearly 17 and a half million living veterans in The United States." He spoke about his own service in the Rhode Island National Guard from 1954 to 1962 and said the court encounters veterans frequently.
During the hearing, the veteran identified as the defendant (Speaker 3) told the judge he served 13 months in Iraq in 2003–2004, lost hearing when "an IED blew up near my Humvee," described being a cancer survivor he attributed to radiation exposure while deployed, and said he receives monthly psychiatric care and medication for PTSD and other conditions. "I lost my left side of my hearing," he said.
After hearing the veteran’s account, the presiding judge said he felt the least he could do was show gratitude. "The least that I can do is dismiss this ticket," the judge said, and later announced, "I'm gonna dismiss both of these charges." The judge characterized the veteran's service and injuries as having been brought about by his military service and dismissed the charges without a recorded vote.
Other veterans in the courtroom also spoke about their service. One veteran (Speaker 1) recounted serving in the Pacific from 1943 to 1945 and described battles including Iwo Jima.
The proceeding closed with the judge reiterating thanks to veterans for their service and the dismissal of the two charges against the defendant veteran. No additional formal actions or appeals were recorded in the transcript.
