NORFOLK, Va. - The general court-martial for U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mario A. Madera-Rodriguez is scheduled to begin Monday with voir dire and is docketed to last three weeks. The accused has elected to be tried by a panel of eight military members. Opening statements are expected to begin Wednesday, June 9.
Madera-Rodriguez faces charges in connection with the death of Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for Conspiracy, Assault; Conspiracy, Obstruction of Justice; Burglary; Felony Murder; Involuntary Manslaughter; Hazing; and False Official Statements.
Melgar died June 4, 2017 while serving in Bamako, Mali.
Madera-Rodriguez was arraigned in court on November 5, 2019. If found guilty of felony murder, the maximum possible sentence is life in federal prison without parole, reduction in rank to E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and either a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.
The Consolidated Disposition Authority for the case is Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.
The military justice system, like the civilian justice system, follows the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
Media interested in attending the court-martial should contact the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs Office by 4 p.m. Monday. If there are more requests to attend than space is available in the courtroom, a media pool may be established.
Media attending the court-martial should plan on meeting outside the Naval Station Norfolk Tour & Information Office at 7:30 a.m. each day. The address is 9079 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Va.
Charge sheets in this case and additional information about the military justice process and courtroom decorum are available at www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/news/media.htm.
