Suspect in Calif. homeless deaths a former Marine

Lots of people came back from the war and had friends and comrads killed but they never turned into serial killers! Just because you were in the military doesn't automatically make you special or a saint! I retired from the USAF after 20 years and supervised lots of idiots who had no business even being in the military.

The military consist only of volunteers. No one's been drafted since 1972. Every president has sent troops into combat. Combat affects all soldiers who are exposed to it for extended periods of time. Some can cope with it some can't. The only thing that bothers me is that I cannot recall a war or conflict since World War II that was fought primarily to protect the US. I am tired of our young men being sent to countries that do not appreciate our presence there.

I agree with most of you. I also served two tours in Vietnam. I have my demons too but have never even received a traffic ticket much less murdered anyone. Also, stop blaming the V.A. for not caring. I work for the V.A. Almost 60% of the V.A. employees at my facility are vets. We are there because we care. It's certainly not for the money.

Note he didn't see combat, this guy is just a wack-job.

Sad part is possibly the homeless people he killed were vietnam vets, so many vets never received the care & treatment they deserved and needed after returning from that war based upon lies and deception.

I haven't gotten over the deaths of dozens of my friends in Nam, and nobody I know ever became a homicidal killer. Are people saying that the soldiers of today have less fortitude than their fathers and grandfathers? Or is it simply easier to blame an unpopular war (was there EVER a popular one?) as the cause of a lack of humanity among certain people? The problems not with the mental state of our soldiers, the problems with the mental state of individuals, and the lack of personal responsibility they're being taught.

He didn't even serve combat so stop talking about PTSD etc. There's no excuse for him killing people other than being a maggot.

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way...I have deep respect for any and all veterans and servicemen...especially those who suffer from PTSD. But thousands of Marines are coming home with and without PTSD...and they didn't kill anyone. Justice needs to be served.

The Marines are sure gettin a bad rap these days. All our love and prayers should
got out to all who served/serving. No excuse for murder of anyone.

Being a Vet is no excuse...A lot of these people had emotional issues before they were in the service....

John Berry, one of the homeless men brtually murdered by this low life was also a VETERAN but we hear nothing about him! Why does the lib media have a love affair with rapists and murderers, while their victims are treated like dirt! John, America misses you, and thanks you for your service to this country, even if our media DOES NOT!!

Spent two tours in VN and was wounded both tours.
Everyone who has faced death has PTDS. That includes robbery victims, rape victims and even people involved in serious auto accidents. If you dwell on it you can lose the ability to function in life. I, like most people, realized the trauma was history.

No, it’s not something I suppressed. It’s just something I faced and realized it was in my past.

PTSD has become a cash cow for some people and an excuse for others. The solution is not to treat PTSD. The solution is to try and identify those prone to it before they are allowed in the military.

This man never saw combat. Having his friend killed in combat is no different than having him killed in a blotched robbery. PTSD did not cause this man to kill others.

So this guy never saw combat in Iraq and lost his mind??? GTFO of here... I am tired of these excuses... I agree with the Vietnam vet below as I have been saying it for years... You didn't hear about all this with our WWII vets, Korean Vets, and Vietnam Vets doing all this sh**... Every one has a lame excuse today when they f*** up...

the irony in all this is that the homeless men he killed were most likely veterans themselves.

The military needs to monitor these men coming home from battle! Not making an excuse, just tired of reading of ex military personnel going on these killing sprees.

What he did here was totally wrong veteran or not.

The core values of the Marines didn't take hold in this one unless I have a deep misunderstanding of courage, honor and commitment.

Umm once again I did three tours and I'm fine,,,those are just weak people,,period!!!...thank you..

These men and women that served in the Military are suppose to see things and experience things NO ONE is suppose to see or do and "just" come home and go on with their lives---that is if they come home in one piece.........Well folks it just doesn't happen that way. This is so sad! One more casualty of War that caused 4 others. All of you quick to send in the troops it takes MORE than just money---ASK a Vet!!!!!

I don't see this is as a "combat-related" issue. As a survivor of Tet '68 and the hill battles in and around Khe Sanh, I've spent many years studying and counseling combat vets who, like myself, lost many friends in a myriad of grotesque and brutal manners. Most of us dealt with guilt and loss quietly, rather than with homicidal tendencies. I, personally, left my anger on the battlefield. Because no one gave a #$%$ about us, my energies were towards my returning fellow vets. This is just plain murder. The media needs to stop placing emphasis on wartime mentalities, and just see it as it really is...murder. I resent the parallel. Semper Fi and welcome home.