hey there!
just wanted to let you know that USA Today published an article on June 12 stating that the marine who actually did the throwing received "non-judicial punishment" and is being pushed out of the service. i think the other two marines involved also received non-judicial punishment, but aren't getting kicked out. i'm not positive about that though.
With non-judicial punishment, the maximum permissible punishments depends on the rank of the accused and that of the officer conducting the hearing. Permissible punishments for officers can include forfeiture of pay (up to ½ of one month's pay per month for two months), restriction to base or to the ship (up to 60 days), arrest in quarters (up to 30 days), and a reprimand.
i don't think it sounds like "non-judicial punishment" is enough for what that guy did. i think it was criminal, but apparently receipt of non-judicial punishment does not constitute a criminal conviction. so, no jail time or anything like that.
here's a link to an article published on June 13 that states the video was in fact real, and the puppy was alive and not a doll/puppet. the link might say "server too busy" but it still goes to the article.
Server too busy!
here's a link to the article i mentioned from June 12 as well.
Update: Marines punished for video that shows puppy being tossed off cliff - On Deadline - USATODAY.com
the image of the video still plagues my mind, and i sometimes think about it randomly and get sad. i don't understand how people can have a total disregard for life (human or animal).