Two months ago, Marine Sergeant Frederick McNeill was found unconscious ina ditch outside a U.S. base in Okinawa, Japan. There were initial reportsthat a group of servicemen repeatedly punched and kicked McNeill, butinvestigators have since focused on one airman. McNeill's parents aren'tsure what to believe. The only thing they know for sure is that their sonis no where near the person he used to be.
Fred McNeill flew to Japan to see his son after the beating. The Marineeventually emerged from the coma and was sent back to the United States. Afew weeks ago, his family shot videotape of him at the Walter ReedArmy Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"He still couldn't say anything," said Jeanette McNeill, beaten marine'smother. "He couldn't stand, and they had him restrained in the bed."
McNeill has since been moved to the V.A. hospital in Richmond, where he can use a wheelchair and talk a little, but all is not well.
The McNeills are not only upset about their son's condition, but also theinvestigation. They've heard conflicting stories, including one that hadnine airmen in custody.
The Air Force says its investigation found one airman responsible for McNeill'sinjuries.
Senior Airman David Paaaina is charged with maiming and obstructing justice. A motive is unclear, although there may have been a previousargument in a bar.
As for other airmen near the scene, they will be disciplined for hangingout in a bar district that's off-limits for U.S. servicemen in the earlymorning hours.
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