Semper Fi

A Chicago lawyer got arrested last month for purposely scratching a car belonging to Marine Sgt Mike McNulty. The lawyer had a novel defense, when first confronted:

After caught in the process, the man told Mike, "you think you can do whatever you want with Department of Defense license plates and tags". (In Illinois you can purchase veteran, Marine, or medal plates. Mike has Illinois Marine Corps license plates.) During the exchange, he made additional anti-military comments.

Mike was scheduled to ship back to Iraq for his second tour. So it looked like he wouldn't be around to testify against the lawyer. But then the news got out on the web, and a ruckus got raised.

Today the lawyer pleaded guilty to vandalism charges:

"The Judge then, in as angry a voice as I have ever heard him use, scolded the defendant, saying that the Marine license plates the complaining witness had were not vanity plates or about ego, but the proceeds go toward the Marine and Navy scholarship fund for the children of fallen soldiers, sailors and marines. These Marines protect his very existence "so people like you can enjoy their freedom."

After the lawyer scratched the paint
And maligned the military,
I think the sergeant showed restraint
In merely making a complaint
To the constabulary.

UPDATE: John Kass, of the Chicago Tribune, has a full report here of the court action.