Killer's Ashes Kicked Out of Arlington National Cemetery

[Woodmonkey]

Killer's ashes kicked out of national cemetery


HAGERSTOWN, Maryland (AP) -- The cremated remains of a convicted murderer must be removed from Arlington National Cemetery under a new federal law.

The provision ordering the removal of Russell Wayne Wagner's remains was included in a veterans' health care and benefits bill that President Bush signed into law on Friday.

Wagner, a Vietnam veteran, was convicted in 2002 of stabbing to death Daniel Davis, 84, and Wilda Davis, 80, in their home in 1994. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Wagner died in 2005 of a heroin overdose in prison at age 52. Because he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972, he qualified for interment at Arlington. His remains were placed there July 27, 2005, at the request of his sister.

Vernon G. Davis, the son of the victims, objected to the honor for Wagner and has since tried to get the remains removed from the cemetery.

A 1997 law prohibited people convicted of capital crimes and sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole from being interred at military cemeteries.

Wagner would have become eligible in 2017 for a review that could have led to parole, according to the Maryland Division of Corrections.

In January, Bush signed into law a ban on burial at national cemeteries for veterans convicted of capital crimes, which eliminated the loophole that allowed Wagner's remains to be placed at Arlington.

The law Bush signed Friday includes a specific order to remove Wagner's remains from the cemetery.

The ashes must either go to Wagner's next-of-kin or the Army must "arrange for an appropriate disposition of the remains," according to the bill.

The Source

[BonnieBlue]

Flush em'! This dude isn't worthy of a place in this hallowed ground. That is only for the bravest and finest who gave all.

[Woodmonkey]

Now all they need to do is to get all those politicians who never served out of there. IMO only military should be buried there.

[EdNigma]

The man paid for his crimes. He should be honoured as a soldier, and pardoned for his faults.

That is what prison is FOR folks. To pay for your mistakes, and when that price is paid there is nothing more owed.

I do not have 'prisoner pity', but I DO respect those that do the time and live right afterwards.

[BrianK]

Originally Posted by Woodmonkey

Wagner, a Vietnam veteran, was convicted in 2002 of stabbing to death Daniel Davis, 84, and Wilda Davis, 80, in their home in 1994. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Wagner died in 2005 of a heroin overdose in prison at age 52. Because he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972, he qualified for interment at Arlington. His remains were placed there July 27, 2005, at the request of his sister.


Wagner would have become eligible in 2017 for a review that could have led to parole, according to the Maryland Division of Corrections.


The Source

No honor in this man. I tend to think the family that spent time & effort to have his cremated ashes removed would spend even more time trying to make sure he was NOT paroled.

I noticed that prison didn't make any differance in Wagner's life choices. He died of a heroin overdose.

When all the factors are weighed Wagner doesn't measure up to the respect that our military deserve and the honor of burial in Arlington.

[EdNigma]

I pray people do not get me wrong with my post. I am not saying 'he' should be honoured. Just saying he paid his price.

One of my favoutite quotes.
Percy Wetmore: Adios, Chief. Drop us a card from hell, let us know if it's hot enough.
Brutus "Brutal" Howell: He's paid what he's owed. He's square with the house again, so keep your goddamn hands off him.
-The Green Mile-

[BrianK]

Originally Posted by EdNigma

I pray people do not get me wrong with my post. I am not saying 'he' should be honoured. Just saying he paid his price.

One of my favoutite quotes.
Percy Wetmore: Adios, Chief. Drop us a card from hell, let us know if it's hot enough.
Brutus "Brutal" Howell: He's paid what he's owed. He's square with the house again, so keep your goddamn hands off him.
-The Green Mile-

I don't think your point is off, just that this particular man hadn't completed his sentence. While still in prison he died of an overdose of heroin.

His service to our country prior to incarceration does merit consideration. I can see where there can be a conflict in how to separate his service from later acts.

But In January, Bush signed into law a ban on burial at national cemeteries for veterans convicted of capital crimes, which eliminated the loophole that allowed Wagner's remains to be placed at Arlington.

We might have personal conflicts about prior vs. latter acts and that is most likely the reason for the law to be enacted. I happen to agree with the law because it sets a standard that was ambigous before.