Rep. Torres to Mothers of Ft. Bragg Soldiers: Demand Your Child Speak Out About Roman-Martinez Murder
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today delivered an impassioned plea for information from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to the mothers of seven soldiers who were present on a camping trip on May 22nd when Fort Bragg Paratrooper Enrique Roman-Martinez went missing.
Originally from Chino, California, twenty-one-year-old Roman-Martinez was camping in the Outer Banks in North Carolina the night he disappeared. The seven other soldiers on that trip failed to notify the police of Enrique's disappearance the next day when officers asked them to move their illegally parked cars. Seventeen hours after he disappeared, they gave notice that Enrique was missing and claimed to be worried that he was suicidal.
Specialist Roman-Martinez's partial remains were found one week later, and his death was ruled a homicide. The seven soldiers present that night have since remained silent and attained legal counsel.
Key excerpts:
"We don't know what happened that night…but what we do know is it cost Enrique his life. And the seven people who would seemingly have a lot of explaining to do – remarkably – had nothing to say."
…
"If you are the mother of one of those seven young soldiers…say something. Talk to your son or daughter and demand that they speak out. Lawyering up is not enough."
Rep. Torres to seven Fort Bragg soldiers: "Your silence is not acceptable."
Rep. Torres represents Specialist Roman-Martinez's home district in Congress. She previously released a joint statement with Enrique's mother, Maria Martinez, urging the public for information in this case.
Watch Rep. Torres' floor remarks here.
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