"Soldier charged for killing man after finding him in bed with wife"

2015-06-19T18:12:14-04:00

Originally posted on popularmilitary.com:
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A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with first degree murder after he returned home to find another man in his home with his wife.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealy, 31 is stationed at Fort Polk, LA but was away training in Texarkana, TX. On Friday night the police were called out to Mealy’s home in Hinesvine, GA, where his wife resides, for a burglary call. On Saturday, Mealy deicide to drive from Texas to Georgia to check on his home.

Around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, the Hinesville Police Department responded the Mealy’s home and found 41-year-old Nathanial Brown, Jr. shot multiple times in the chest and stomach.

According to WTOC, a preliminary investigation has revealed that a fight broke out between Mealy and brown before the shots were fired.

Brown was rushed to the Liberty Regional Medical Center but was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A fellow soldier and close friend of Mealy, Charles Duke has come forward in defense of Mealy and his character. Duke was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield and deployed to Iraq with Mealy. He told WTOC that they have become very close over the last ten years.

According to Duke, Mealy has only been married to his current wife for three years and has two children from a previous marriage at Fort Polk.

Duke went on to say, “regardless of the situation that is happening, we need to tell the truth and make sure that we are honest and we are not doing this with any other intentions but to make sure that the right story gets told.”

He wants everyone to know that “Mealy is a good man who he trusts and will always love until the end of his days. He does not want his image to always be a negative one and wants to make sure the truth is told when it comes to this story.”

Mealy is scheduled to have a bond hearing today at the Liberty County Jail.

http://popularmilitary.com/soldier-charged-for-killing-man-after-finding-him-in-bed-with-wife/

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 19 at 2015 6:14 PM

2015-06-19T18:14:50-04:00

I'm not saying he is right, but I understand

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 6:46 PM

2015-06-19T18:46:09-04:00

I agree with his buddy. I am glad he has a true friend. The situation sucks.. I would hate to have him only thought of because of this.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-06-19T18:55:45-04:00

Sounds like Jody got what he had coming to him.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 19 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-06-19T19:03:27-04:00

If I was on the jury or panel, I couldn't convict him.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-06-19T19:11:13-04:00

If that would have happened to me, I don't know what I'd do exactly. What I can say for sure is that dude would not make it out of the house in one piece. I would see red, Fists would clench, and I would proceed to destroy him mercilessly.

Then I would pick up my wife, take her outside, and deposit her calmly next to the rest of the trash.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 8:22 PM

2015-06-19T20:22:34-04:00

I don't even think I would blame the dude. I'd beat his ass anyway, because the rage levels would be high, but I'd be most concerned with throwing a soon-to-be ex-wife out into the street along with all her possessions. Then I'd go pick up women as a single man.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 19 at 2015 9:58 PM

2015-06-19T21:58:19-04:00

That should be NO CHARGES FILED. You go up in somebody's house and they see you, you get what you deserve. the guy that got shot got what he deserved...Down with OPP.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jun 20 at 2015 1:18 AM

2015-06-20T01:18:19-04:00

I recon that's a case of coming and going at the same time

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 21 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-06-21T14:40:03-04:00

Unless he knew his wife was cheating and deliberately planned to kill the dude, 1st degree murder isn't going to fly. 1st degree implies planned intent. Most likely, if he gets convicted, it would be 2nd degree.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-06-21T15:16:48-04:00

One man is dead, one man is incarcerated and the real problem is sitting on her sorry butt free....so there's nothing new under the sun...

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jun 21 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-06-21T15:19:05-04:00

IF you would really like to help this solider. Call the district attorney's office and request he lower the charge to voluntary manslaughter.
District Attorney [login to see] double so if you are a voting resident of the county.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-06-21T15:40:04-04:00

Depending on the circumstances and forensic evidence, he really has the perfect defense here. Since there was a police call for a burglary the day before, Chief Mealy could rightly claim that he believed the trespasser was robbing his house and presented a threat to himself or his wife.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 21 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-06-21T15:42:50-04:00

He killed a guy that was porking his old lady. She does not deserve the title of Wife. She was porking another guy, I hope it was not another service member, Yep, one guy in jail, one dead and the real cause of it walking free. If she were not happy, that is what divorce is for, trust me I have done it and while it was expensive it was well well worth it to be shed of my X wife creature from Hell.
She should find a street corner and a lamp post, or maybe a pole to spin on.
Just Sayin'

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-06-21T16:19:13-04:00

How can they charge him on first degree murder charges... Sounds to me like more of a crime of passion no pre meditation

Response by CW2 Geoff Lachance made Jun 21 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-06-21T16:20:22-04:00

This is a very sad situation! Prayers for Chief Mealy!

Response by CPO Gregory Smith made Jun 21 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-06-21T16:31:39-04:00

This is exactly why I always told my Sailors to call first. Don't try to surprise your old lady cause you might be the one getting the surprise.

Response by MSG Jacqueline Case made Jun 21 at 2015 4:40 PM

2015-06-21T16:40:36-04:00

This is just one big mess! Unfortunately no one wins here, especially not his kids. I hope the "wife" is happy with herself, however I have a feeling she will just move on to the next...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-06-21T18:05:43-04:00

I understand his feelings, but this warrant officer will likely be remembered for this one big "aw-shit" moment, no matter how excellent a Soldier he may have been before this incident. That principle applies for little things and for big things, unfortunately for him and no matter what his battle buddy wishes were true.

Response by SPC Kortney Kistler made Jun 21 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-06-21T18:50:17-04:00

How much does the Army pay his wife while he is in the pokey?

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Jun 21 at 2015 8:30 PM

2015-06-21T20:30:01-04:00

When passion runs high humans almost always make poor decisions.

Response by Sgt Bemajedareki Williams Sr. made Jun 21 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-06-21T20:38:20-04:00

How could it be first degree murder?/he didn't plan to kill this guy..........this is a crime of passion

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 21 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-06-21T21:24:17-04:00

Well he is in a jam. Courts allow for "heat of passion." Still manslaughter but a damn sight better than murder. Just depends if the Co. Prosecutor elects to keep the case or pass it to the military. If the victim is a civilian, most likely stay with the civilian community. If military, depends.

§31. Manslaughter

A. Manslaughter is:

(1) A homicide which would be murder under either Article 30 (first degree murder) or Article 30.1 (second degree murder), but the offense is committed in sudden passion or heat of blood immediately caused by provocation sufficient to deprive an average person of his self-control and cool reflection. Provocation shall not reduce a homicide to manslaughter if the jury finds that the offender's blood had actually cooled, or that an average person's blood would have cooled, at the time the offense was committed"

The UCMJ at para 119 allows:
“(a) Any person subject to this chapter who, with an intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, unlawfully kills a human being in the heat of sudden passion caused by adequate provocation is guilty of voluntary manslaughter and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-06-21T21:29:31-04:00

First degree murder? Only if Mr. Mealy's intent was to kill the adulterous suitor prior to the fight. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealy must explain why he drove 900 miles from Texarkana Texas to Hines-ville Georgia and he must also explain what his intentions were for driving such a distance. Was Mr. Mealy Absent Without Leave (AWOL)? Upon arrival at his home in Hines-vile Georgia, Mr. Mealy entered his home and discovered his spouse in bed with another man. A fight ensued. Not an immediate murder. The fight may have developed into a "fear for life" situation authorizing him self defense. Interesting. I sincerely hope Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealy is wise enough to plead self defense. In addition, I sincerely hope Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealy is wise enough to file charges of adultery upon his adulterous spouse and the corpse of her adulterous suitor. The display of camaraderie amongst Rally Point subscribers on this issue is impressive. I assume that most can understand Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealys situation; the soldier is away on a training event in the military and a moody and distant spouse fails to reassure him of her fidelity to their marriage. While training, suspicions of infidelity overcame Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermain Mealy and caused him to drive home, over the weekend, without notifying his spouse. I recommend a plea of temporary insanity due to suspicions of spouse infidelity resulting in a 900 mile drive home over the weekend without notification to the spouse. Mr. Mealys intentions may have been to confirm or disprove suspicions of infidelity. Since there was not an immediate killing of the adulterous suitor, simply a fight, I would recommend a plea of self defense. I would also recommend immediate charges of adultery on the adulterous spouse.

Response by SFC Gary Comstock made Jun 21 at 2015 9:46 PM

2015-06-21T21:46:36-04:00

Wrong state. In Texas if this happened he wouldn't have been arrested at all. Texas has a law covering this situation. I know for a fact they do follow this law since I was stationed at Fort Hood when a situation like this happened.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 10:00 PM

2015-06-21T22:00:02-04:00

Shot the wrong person....

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 21 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-06-21T22:49:32-04:00

There are more than a few cases like this one. The man comes home to find another man in bed with his wife and a few moments later that man is dead. If he's lucky, he will get manslaughter. His jury needs to be sympathetic towards situations like his own.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 11:17 PM

2015-06-21T23:17:00-04:00

There's not much lower than a guy who bangs a Service Member's wife while he's away on duty. Truly unAmerican. It happens far too often- from other Soldiers and civilians. That guy got what he deserved.

Now there's a few kids who can't see their Dad, a few battle buddies missing a colleague, and a whore still out on the prowl.

Response by SSG Keith Bodiford (Ret) made Jun 22 at 2015 2:27 AM

2015-06-22T02:27:53-04:00

Hells nah. That dude got his due. Innocent on all charges for reason of temporary insanity

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 22 at 2015 2:39 AM

2015-06-22T02:39:45-04:00

"A fight broke out between Mealy and brown before the shots were fired."

Sounds to me like a clear-cut case of self defense. You attack me in my home and I have absolutely no responsibility to retreat. I WILL shoot your ass.

Response by CPT Michael Moffeit made Jun 22 at 2015 2:50 AM

2015-06-22T02:50:04-04:00

No Mens Rea in the case, purely crime of passion. I would be very surprised if a jury does convict, and why don't we explore the possibility of military spouses being subject to the same UCMJ article of adultery?

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made Jun 22 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-06-22T10:28:14-04:00

How many service members have been cuckolded over the years?

I've seen chains of command that are really aggressive about charging service members who do sleep with someone else's spouse with adultery. More of this would be nice. I know it's not a big deal in the civilian world anymore, but in the interest of good order and discipline, if a soldier *knew* catching a guy in bed with his wife would result in the dude being incarcerated, he might be less inclined to go homicidal.

I hope it turns out to be self-defense, and at least, I hope they lower the charge to the kind of killing that comes of a crime of passion.

If I had my way, cheating spouses would all wear scarlet letters for the rest of their lives.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Jun 22 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-06-22T10:54:35-04:00

your honor he slipped into my weapon and wouldnt stop trying to get up.

Response by SSG John Sundberg made Jun 22 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-06-22T12:07:00-04:00

He finds a man in bed with his wife and he is jailed?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 22 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-06-22T12:22:51-04:00

It's a shame any of this happened to begin with. I can almost hear all my old Soldiers saying, "Jody got what he asked for!" when they read this article.

Response by PO2 Leonard Anderson made Jun 22 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-06-22T12:39:49-04:00

Sad to hear that.

Response by PO3 Kevin Longacre made Jun 23 at 2015 12:09 AM

2015-06-23T00:09:53-04:00

This is very upsetting. I grew up in Hinesville for 12 years, and these are the stories that make the news in a town full of men and women serving their country.

Response by Sgt Jacob Parks made Jun 23 at 2015 1:50 AM

2015-06-23T01:50:35-04:00

The guy got exactly what he deserved and the stupid slut wife should have gotten it too. This is the shit that happens to good men off serving their country damn skanky slut wives cant wait to hop on the first dick that comes along, and it goes the same for some men married to military women, shit stick to ur cows u pieces of shit

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 2:08 AM

2015-06-23T02:08:59-04:00

He was my motor officer. Always looked out for everyone he served with. This sucks so bad. I fucking hate this.

Response by SPC Anthony Tarver made Jun 23 at 2015 5:06 AM

2015-06-23T05:06:36-04:00

There is a lot that the media is not releasing in this story. like the dudes knew each other. in a motorcycle club toghter. There was a reported break in the night before. The wife in question was a solider that had recently retired. so there is a lot that's not being told.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-06-23T10:50:19-04:00

it feels like he did the right thing. Hope this will teach a lesson to all the rat that sleeps around with soldiers wife.

Response by Sgt Jeff Wilder made Jun 23 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-06-23T12:24:16-04:00

She should serve the sentence.

Response by Cpl George Haley made Jun 23 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-06-23T12:46:06-04:00

I think it was a tragedy, but if you lay in a bears den and he comes home it is of your fault that you don't come out alive.

Response by PO2 Johnathan Kerns made Jun 23 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-06-23T20:36:01-04:00

If I was on the jury I wouldn't convict him.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-06-23T21:26:32-04:00

I would have done the same. Fuck it and Charlie Mike.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 3:41 AM

2015-06-24T03:41:49-04:00

Jodie got what he deserved

Response by SPC Jonathan Holstein made Jun 24 at 2015 4:03 AM

2015-06-24T04:03:24-04:00

I believe he was justified in doing what he did. If an intruder is trespassing in your home stealing anything else and you confront them and a physical altercation ensues you could legally shoot them. Why not if he's stealing your wife.

Response by SPC Tim Beam made Jun 24 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-06-24T09:27:34-04:00

A good whooping would suffice and then move on. Killing somebody for that is just stupid.

Response by PVT Shane Adams made Jun 24 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-06-24T16:13:29-04:00

If it would have been me I would have simply put 3 into his chest center mass and threw her ass out the door. Jodie got exactly what he deserved.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 24 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-06-24T18:26:58-04:00

This happens more that what it is reported. I gave a guy a ride and dropped him at his girl friends house who was arrested latter that night. She had starved her children and one of them died; her husband was deployed at the time and I did not show who she was. I Damn glad I did no go in the house. 1991 Ft. Bragg.

Response by Cpl Brian Beard made Jun 24 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-06-24T22:24:01-04:00

There is no reason for 1st degree murder, ridiculous! !!! It was not premeditated!

Response by SPC Benjamin Izaguirre made Jun 25 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-06-25T12:06:34-04:00

This is what I hate that were out serving our country and u r married and ur spouse doesn't have the courage to keep her legs closed and not cheat on the man she's married too. If she doesn't want to be married get divorced and don't cheat on ur husband in his house and bed. I would do the same thing he did and hurt and dick head that is fucking my wife in my bed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-06-25T13:54:59-04:00

This gentleman was my Warrent Officer at Fort Polk. He is a great leader and professional, tell you the truth I probably would have killed them both!!!!!!!!!!

Response by PFC Cliff Green made Jul 10 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-07-10T11:44:36-04:00

And .. why is this a story at all. It is what it is.. He apparently wasn't thinking when he reacted, let the chips fall where they may.

Response by MAJ Susan Grimm made Jul 14 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-07-14T21:07:27-04:00

Some people might think of him as a hero. I am deeply saddened that his life was ruined by those two.

Response by PO2 Leonard Anderson made Jul 16 at 2015 8:18 PM

2015-07-16T20:18:49-04:00

Killing a man cause your wife is unfaithful is wrong.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 20 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-09-20T10:24:29-04:00

So what exactly is the truth?

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 20 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-09-20T10:29:07-04:00

I was with my ex for 12 yrs. In that time I found out about 7 women...one of which was a good friend a neighbor...some friend, huh? But I didn't kill any of them...I got in their face and confronted them....
You don't kill somebody just because you are hurt and pissed off....I don't care how good of a person you are....you kill, you pay for it.

It blows me away how there are so many of you on here that say the guy deserved it....or this Soldier who shot this guy shouldn't be convicted. MURDER is Murder...it may not be Murder in the first degree because it wasn't pre meditated....I don't think....but murder is murder. Taking some one's life NO matter what the reason EXCEPT for self defense or if it was truly an accident is different from murder.

Have you all ever stopped to think that the Soldiers wife lied to the guy....My ex used to tell these woman that we were on the outs...that we were going to be getting divorced....that the relationship was going down hill.....and all of those women believed him and started having an affair with him.

Yes, this woman is the underlying culprit, but what ever trouble she stirred up, this guy sleeping with her didn't deserve to die.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Jan 13 at 2018 7:07 AM

2018-01-13T07:07:24-05:00

Let the man go. This would be the right thing to do. Betrayal after trust on this level cause a deeper level of animal drive to become unleashed. It is natural.

Response by PFC Richard Loveless made Jul 5 at 2020 8:07 AM

2020-07-05T08:07:40-04:00

He was my chief back when I was I stationed at Polk. He is a great man and was a great Chief. Always had our backs. I still remember the time our 1st Sgt was holding us up for whatever reason. It was going to be hrs till we got our weekend safety brief. Chief Mealy said screw that if y'all are going to be made to wait have some fun and proceeded to tell us all to go wait at the rec center. Good times