Ohio Congressman Calls Marine Response "Inadequate"

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – The Ohio Congressman for the district where murdered pregnant Marine Maria Lauterbach's family lives says the Marine Corps' response to his questions about her death is "totally inadequate".

Ohio Congressman Michael Turner asked the Marine Corps last month what it did to protect Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach after she was allegedly raped by fellow Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean.

Lauterbach accused Laurean of raping her months before she and her unborn child were found buried in his backyard.

Turner says the response to his questions shows the Marine Corps did not consider Laurean a threat after the alleged rape.

"And that can't be. The whole concept of rape is inherently violent. So there just doesn't seem to be a recognition of that on the part of the Marines."

The Marine Corps says it took immediate action against Laurean after Lauterbach accused him of raping her, including issuing a Military Protective Order to keep him away from her.

*****

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.