Nearly every time the national media interviews Ilario Pantano, they ask him about his murder charges stemming from his actions in Iraq in 2004. And although these opportunities present Pantano with a chance to retell the same story, his responses have continually changed over the years.
In a 2004 interview with Stone Phillips, Pantano claimed he was “threatened” by the enemy, and a year later, Ann Curry was told Pantano “defended” himself.
Now fast-forward to 2010, and the story has evolved.
On Fox Business News in June, Pantano claimed “self-defense” along with having to fight the “lame-stream” (a play on “mainstream”) media’s efforts against him. That same day on Bill Bennett’s radio show Pantano is so bold as to say the detainees under his watch “attacked” and “rushed” him, which prompted his killings.
See the evolution for yourself below:
FACT CHECK:
- There was never any evidence that Pantano was attacked or rushed, as the bodies of the detainees were found still in the car he placed them in, on their knees and facing away from the Lieutenant. Nor was there confirmation that the detainees were terrorists.
- As to the number of bullets fired form his M-16, Pantano told Stone Phillips that the judge of how many rounds is enough should be “enough until there is no more threat.”
- However, Pantano previously had suggested his firing was politically motivated, saying: “I believed that by firing the number of rounds that I did, I was sending a message that we were no better friend, no worse enemy.”
At this rate, the next time Pantano is interviewed about his killings in Iraq, the story will be sure to have changed again…
The Facts About Pantano 
Posted on October 16, 2010