Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, August 11, 2007 Jailed Mukilteo Marine set free By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer MUKILTEO - A Marine Corps enlisted man from Mukilteo who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy to kill an Iraqi civilian was released Friday from a military jail in California, Marine officials said. Pvt. Robert B. Pennington, 22, was released after a meeting Friday with Lt. Gen. James Mattis. Mattis agreed to grant Pennington clemency, thereby reducing his sentence, as allowed under military law, officials said. "We are overjoyed. Thank you God," his father, Terry Pennington, said. "We're bouncing off the ceilings and walls and we couldn't be more pleased with Gen. Mattis' decision." Pennington was the last of the five Marines who pleaded guilty in the April 2006 death of a Hamdania man to have his sentence reduced. Mattis, commanding general of Marine Forces Command, reduced Pennington's sentence after reviewing the case. At the time of the incident, Pennington was 21, was not a squad leader or fire-team leader and he did not fire his weapon, Mattis said. He was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. In February, Pennington entered the guilty plea. Under the plea agreement, Pennington was reduced in rank and was to be dishonorably discharged. He was to serve an eight-year sentence. "The biggest concern we had was getting him out of the hellhole they had him locked up in," Terry Pennington said. Now, Pvt. Pennington will remain in the military for an undetermined amount of time while Mattis reviews the plea agreement, his father said. Mattis could waive all the findings or let them stand, Terry Pennington said. Robert Pennington graduated from Kamiak High School in 2002. He participated in the Running Start program and finished his high school career attending classes at Edmonds Community College. He joined the Marines in 2002, in part as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Friday, he was granted a leave to spend the weekend with his family members who were with him during the meeting with the general. "He's looking forward to some real food," Terry Pennington said. The father thanked supporters in Mukilteo who have stood by the Marine during the ordeal. "Apparently there is a God," he said. The Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.

1. Snohomish County man dies of swine flu 2. Lynnwood bank reprimanded by government 3. Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run 4. Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington 5. IRS joins puppy mill investigation 6. Jetty Island ready for sand castles 7. Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order 8. Warriors & Patriots: Many American Indians served before getting full citizenship rights 9. Movin' out 10. Marshals seize swindler's home 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people