Defense team begins presenting its case in USS Bonhomme Richard fire

The trial against the Navy seaman accused of setting fire to the USS Bonhomme Richard continued Monday morning.

On Friday, prosecutors rested their case against 21-year-old Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays. Monday, the defense team began calling its witnesses to the stand in an attempt to cast reasonable doubt on the government's case. Defense attorneys have always maintained there isn't enough evidence proving Mays started the fire.

Last week, two of the prosecution's witnesses testified they heard Mays admit to setting the fire when they transported him to the brig.

Monday, the defense team called MA1 Jonathan Cannon to the stand. He testified he also helped transport Mays to the brig, but said he did not hear any confession from him.

MA1 Cannon testified that Seaman Recruit Mays was acting playful and joking around on his way to the brig. He said Mays said things like he would at least get a lot of push-ups done at the brig, and that he was going to miss his tinder date that night.

[carlv]

From day one with this story the media has referred to Mays in several different pay thing from a Seaman Apprentice (E2) to a Seaman Recruit (E1), to now a freakin Seaman (E3). However, his uniform shows no hash mark rank stripes; just a freakin lone anchor (but not the "fouled anchor" of a CPO). Historically, Seaman Recruits didn't have a rank device or hash mark, while an E2 has 2 hash mark stripes and an E3 has 3 hash-mark stripes, respectively. Can we assume that the lone anchor represents the rank of Seaman Recruit (E1)? If I recall, earlier stories on this guy mentioned disciplinary action with a reduction in rank and forfeiture of pay. Thanks in advance for anyone's input on this.

[whiskeybuck]

The navy does not know how to deal with people who know how to defend themselves. It’s pathetic really.

[zcvxs]

How is it possible that there are no video cams all over the ship???? Its just way too unreal in todays easy tech life where the whole world is on camera...
that the miltary would not have cams aboard any ship or fighter

[brittanyrenee]

We must put our faith in Jesus before it's too late. Each day we draw closer to our eternal destiny and we see the world has become a very uncertain place. And what we believe about Jesus Christ will determine where we spend forever. It is an extremely urgent matter because we cannot be sure we will be alive tomorrow. Jesus said you are saved by grace through faith. And faith comes by hearing a message concerning Christ. Jesus said if you continue in my word then you are my disciples. We see how the Jews crucified Jesus, they did not believe he was the Messiah in fact they accused him of being a blasphemer bc he claimed to be from God. And he healed on the Sabbath day which they considered a violation of scripture. They were blinded from the truth by their sinful ways. People were so blinded during the ministry of Jesus that he left a man dead for four days, then brought him back from the dead just to try to convince all his nay sayers that he was the son of God. Has the world blinded your eyes and alienated you from the life of God? Jesus said many are going to think they are on their way to Heaven only to find themselves in Hell. Jesus said there is a narrow way that leads to life that FEW find. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Is your faith superficial? Jesus said whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And if you can confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you shall be saved. Sometimes it takes a little desperation like we heard King David have pleading to God create in me a clean heart and renew a right sprit within me oh God Purge me with hyssop so I might be clean wash me so I may be whiter than snow. We must have a life saving type of faith. We see in the bible even the devils believe there is one God and tremble. And we see in the New Testament Jesus did not commit himself to everyone who believed in his miracles, because he knew all men. And had no need for anyone to tell him about man he knew what was in man. He knew their belief was superficial. So the idea it only takes believing to go to Heaven is not so. In the book of James it clearly shows faith without works is dead. Through our faith and works we are justified. Every man is appointed once to die and then the judgement. Come all the way to Christ by faith, repent and be saved. Before it's too late. ..



Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him



And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof...