{"id":18285,"date":"2017-08-24T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/24\/parris-island-recruits-death-relevant-at-drill-instructors-trial-judge-rules\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:10:09","slug":"parris-island-recruits-death-relevant-at-drill-instructors-trial-judge-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2017\/08\/24\/parris-island-recruits-death-relevant-at-drill-instructors-trial-judge-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Parris Island recruit’s death ‘relevant’ at drill instructor’s trial, judge rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A military judge has denied an attempt by the attorneys representing a former Parris Island drill instructor at his upcoming court-martial to exclude evidence of a recruit\u2019s death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gunnery Sgt. Joseph A. Felix is accused of slapping recruit Raheel Siddiqui moments before he leapt to his death, and ordering another Muslim recruit to sit in a commercial dryer as Felix turned it on and insulted the recruit\u2019s religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Felix has been charged cruelty and maltreatment, drunk and disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful general order and obstruction of justice. His trial is slated for Oct. 30 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 27, Felix\u2019s defense counsel asked the military judge in charge of the case to prevent any discussion of Siddiqui\u2019s death during the trial, Training and Education Command said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe trial counsel opposed the motion,\u201d the TECOM statement said. \u201cThe court found that the death of Recruit Siddiqui would likely be relevant to this trial, and will permit the parties to present evidence of the fact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t