"U.S. Marine veteran Andrew Tahmooressi has been released from a Mexican jail, where he had languished for months on weapons charges after crossing the border with three guns in his car earlier this year. Tahmooressi has long maintained his innocence, saying that he made a wrong turn at the Mexican border and was unable to return to the U.S. upon realizing his mistake. His release became a cause célèbre for conservatives nationwide.
The San Diego Union-Tribune notes that Tahmooressi's legal strategy shifted in recent weeks: "He initially pressed for dismissal of the case on the grounds that his client’s rights were allegedly violated when he was held at the El Chaparral Port of Entry for hours without the presence of an attorney or a translator....But in recent weeks, the attorney focused on Tahmooressi’s PTSD in an attempt to win him a humanitarian release."
Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi freed from Mexican jail, immediately returns to US after strong diplomatic support William La Jeunesse, Dan Gallo Published November 01, 2014
Zitatfter 214 days in a Mexican prison, Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi crossed the US – Mexican border Friday night, boarding a private jet for Florida shortly after 9 p.m., after a strong diplomatic push convinced a judge to release the former Marine on humanitarian grounds.
His release comes after a lengthy trial and a Congressional hearing in September highly critical of Obama Administration efforts to secure his release and Mexico’s refusal to let him go. Tahmooressi said he made an innocent mistake the evening he crossed into Tijuana with three weapons in his truck on March 31.
While his defense rested its case several weeks ago, Tahmooressi’s release came only after a strong diplomatic push from former Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ).
The three officials, along with Tahmooressi’s mother Jill, have spent the last week in Tijuana pressing officials for his release.
Speaking by phone on his way to board a plane with Tahmooressi, Richardson said the trio, along with talk show host Montel Williams, met with Mexico’s Attorney General and Ambassador to the US, advocating for his liberation.
Upon release, Mexican officials processed him quickly through immigration, Richardson said.
“He was happy. He was smiling. He's looking good. His spirits are high,” Richardson told Fox News, adding that Tahmooressi said he wants a steak dinner and stone crabs.
But Richardson also said Tahmooressi is seeking privacy and still needs to receive treatment for his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, something that wasn’t available in Mexican prison-- a key argument put forth by defense attorney Fernando Benitez.
Benitez said that Tahmooressi was continuing to deteriorate and Mexico didn’t have the expertise or facilities to treat his PTSD, which he suffered after two tours in Afghanistan.
"...Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ)....along with Tahmooressi’s mother Jill, have spent the last week in Tijuana pressing officials for his release."
Who needs 0? That is less the question than asking where was O?
"A group of politicians’ efforts to secure the release of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican jail paid off Friday night. California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher says President Obama was “AWOL” throughout the process.
The Republican Congressman told The Washington Times on Saturday that he and California Republican Rep. Ed Royce, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and Arizona Republican Rep. Matt Salmon took it upon themselves to fight for Mr. Tahmooressi when President Obama did not.
“The president, who is also the commander in chief, didn’t do his job,” Mr. Rohrabacher said. “There is a lack of concern for this man, for this American hero who served our country. As commander in chief he showed a total disdain and non-interest in an American hero who served us in Afghanistan and a total disregard for the fact that he was suffering.”
Mr. Rohrabacher said that while the Counsel General in Tijuana and members of congress were mobilized to try to save Mr. Tahmooressi, Mr. Obama had gone “AWOL” in the battle.