Father Sues Marine Corps in Son's Death

Father Sues Marine Corps in Son's Death


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(Salt Lake City-AP) -- The father of a Utah soldier killed during a training exercise in Camp Pendleton, California is suing the Marine Corps.

Jon Purcell filed the wrongful death lawsuit against the Marines claiming extreme negligence by the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and other officers.

His son Jeremy Purcell was shot to death in August 2002 by Sergeant Cody Ottley who had mistakenly loaded his rifle with live rounds for a training exercise that was supposed to involve only blanks.

Ottley was sentenced to a year in prison and his platoon commander and sergeant were reassigned.

The lawsuit seeks more than 75-thousand dollars.

A base spokeswoman says military officials have not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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