Coroner: Death Of Navy SEAL Trainee ‘Repeatedly Dunked’ By Instructor A Homicide

In this undated photo released by the Naval Special Warfare Center shows Seaman James "Derek" Lovelace. Lovelace, a 21-year-old Navy SEAL trainee died last week during his first week of basic training in Coronado, Ca... In this undated photo released by the Naval Special Warfare Center shows Seaman James "Derek" Lovelace. Lovelace, a 21-year-old Navy SEAL trainee died last week during his first week of basic training in Coronado, Calif., a Navy spokesman said Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Seaman James "Derek" Lovelace was pulled out of the pool Friday after showing signs he was having difficulty while treading in a camouflage uniform and a dive mask, Naval Special Warfare Center spokesman Lt. Trevor Davids said. (Naval Special Warfare Center via AP) MORE LESS

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Southern California medical examiner says a Navy SEAL trainee was repeatedly dunked by an instructor in his first week of basic training and has ruled his death a homicide.

The San Diego County autopsy report released Wednesday says Seaman James Derek Lovelace’s cause of death is drowning with a contributing heart problem. The homicide ruling doesn’t necessarily mean a crime occurred, and the instructor hasn’t been charged.

The Navy has said the 21-year-old was pulled out of a pool during a swimming exercise May 6 after showing signs he was having difficulty treading water in a uniform and dive mask.

The military says Lovelace lost consciousness and was taken to a civilian hospital, where he died.

Lovelace had joined the Navy about six months before his death.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. Makes sense to me. America’s armed forces are packed with psychopaths, especially the top brass generals (Petraeus is the poster boy for the genocidal cowardly, lying general), not to mention the esteemed boy toy, “our” Commander-in-Chief.

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