Former Marine lawyer takes on top brass to defend supervisor of 8 who defiled Taliban corpses

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Washington Times:

On a warm June night in 2010, the historic Marine Barracks in Washington opened its gates to honor John M. Dowd, a lawyer who sort of resembles the Corps’ mascot — a bulldog.

 

Mr. Dowd, 72, has doggedly defended U.S. senators and other higher-ups. He conducted the investigation that led to Pete Rose’s withdrawal from any role in Major League Baseball for betting on the game.

 

But what brought him to Eighth and I Streets Southeast for the Evening Parade was his long dedication to the Corps — first as an active-duty captain, then as pro bono counsel to the service’s Heritage Foundation and member of an unofficial “kitchen cabinet” that advises the commandant, the top Marine.

 

His devotion is a major reason Mr. Dowd finds himself locked in battle against the highest levels of the Marine Corps, including the commandant, Gen. James F. Amos, whom he accuses of misconduct.

 

His client is a young, decorated veteran of Afghanistan, Capt. James V. Clement. The Marines charged Capt. Clement with dereliction of duty for failing to supervise members of a sniper team in Afghanistan who urinated on Taliban corpses. A video appeared last year on YouTube, sparking an investigation and discipline against eight Marines.