The name of the Camp Pendleton Marine who is alleged to have beaten to death roommate Lance Cpl. Mario Arias is still a secret, and the Marine Corps plans to keep it that way. The North County Times reports the Marines may not release the suspect's name for several months.
The suspect is being held at the brig at MCAS Miramar, and officials there are using a provision of legal code to withhold his name, according to the North County Times.
Former Marine general and military attorney David Brahms tells the newspaper the Marines' withholding of the suspect's name could create difficulties in finding out the truth of what happened the night of the Arias' death:
Home Post reported previously that the 19-year-old Arias was found dead in his barracks on November 6th. The suspect is believed to have beaten Arias to death, then jumped from the third-floor of the barracks - either to escape or to commit suicide. The alleged murderer was hospitalized for weeks with injuries he sustained from the fall.
Arias was an air-crew trainee assigned to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He grew up in Canoga Park, California, and joined the Marines in August of 2010.
