Former marine sentenced to 11 years in prison for killing 3 fellow servicemen

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (KABC) -- A former Camp Pendleton U.S. Marine Corps sergeant was sentenced to 11 years in prison Friday for killing three of his fellow marines.

Several marines attended the sentencing for Jared Hale, 25, who was convicted of killing 23-year-old Sgt. Jeremiah Callahan, 21-year-old Cpl. Christopher Arzola and 22-year-old Cpl. Jason Chleborad in 2012.

Prosecutors said Hale agreed to be the designated driver when he went out drinking with his friends.

Hale denied drinking with his friends that day, but his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree in Dana Point.

The prosecution added that Hale failed his fellow marines that night. Impact statements from the father and brother of Chleborad were also read in court.

"Jason's injuries were so horrific the autopsy report listed him as being 6 foot 2 on the cadaver table. He was 6 foot 8 alive. Mr. Hale failed his fellow marines that night in epic proportions," one of the statements said.

The defense argued Hale's drinking was "self-medicating" to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the heavy casualties his unit suffered when he was in Afghanistan.

"There's a phenomenon going on in our criminal justice system involving this veterans," defense attorney William Paparian said.

Paparian also wanted Hale to have shorter jail time and treatment. Hale said he would trade places if he could.

"That is something I will have to live with for the rest of my days," he said.

The judge said it was a "tragic case," but that Hale took advantage of his position of trust and has not taken responsibility for his actions.