Jailed Marine's Release Could Be Weeks Away: Mom

A dismissal or acquittal may be close for a U.S. Marine jailed in Mexico on weapons charges his mother said Wednesday.

Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi's attorney expects action after psychiatric evaluations from both defense and prosecutors were filed in court late Tuesday.

"I believe we are just several weeks away. We are very hopeful," Jill Tahmooressi said.

The mother of jailed inactive reservist U.S. Marine Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi spoke in front of Congress Wednesday, pleading for her son’s return.

Many have been following the case of the 26-year-old inactive reservist who served two tours of Afghanistan and was seeking treatment for his PTSD in San Diego when he was arrested in Mexico six months ago.

As she testified before a congressional hearing, Tahmooressi revealed she has not been contacted by President Barack Obama and does not know if the president has intervened on her son's behalf.

She also shared several conversations she has had with her son since he was jailed on charges of weapons trafficking.

On April 14, she said her son told her, “Mom. I tried to kill myself because the guards and the inmates were going to rape, torture and eventually execute me for information.”

Mexican officials report that Tahmooressi crossed the San Ysidro Port of Entry south of San Diego on March 31 with a 12-gauge loaded shotgun, a 5.56-caliber rifle loaded with a 30-round clip and with two additional clips, a .45-caliber loaded pistol, loaded with 10 .45-caliber rounds and with two additional clips.

Supporters have said the Marine accidentally entered Mexico after making a wrong turn.

Mexican officials say the weapons constitute a federal crime. They also claim Tahmooressi made the same crossing three previous times and would not have gotten lost.

On Wednesday, Jill Tahmooressi was one of several who pleaded with Congress to help the Marine who has been diagnosed with PTSD return to the U.S. to seek treatment.

Lieutenant Commander Montel B. Williams, USN, Retired and former talk show host who now works as a veterans advocate testified that he spoke with Tahmooressi two days ago.

In that conversation, Williams recalled hearing the Marine say, “I have a hard time keeping the bad thoughts out.”

He called the delay in getting Tahmooressi home "an abomination" and said the Marine has been treated like a POW, not a person incarcerated for making a mistake.

Lt. Cdr. Montel Williams, former talk show host and veterans advocate, testifies in front of a Congressional hearing on the jailed U.S. Marine Andrew Tahmooressi. In his testimony, he shared that after a 22-year military career he is unwilling to encourage his own son to join the services because of how the U.S. treats its veterans.

Several times they noted that the incarceration in Mexico can be detrimental to someone with Tahmooressi's medical condition.

Sergeant Robert Buchanan, USMC, Retired served with Tahmooressi in Afghanistan.

“Isolation is the last thing anyone needs,” Buchanan said of those living with PTSD. “Please help us get him home and the treatment he direly needs.”

Attorney Fernando Benitez filed a motion earlier this month on behalf of Tahmooressi arguing that the Mexican government does not have the resources to treat his client's PTSD.

Since the purpose of Mexican sentencing laws is to rehabilitate prisoners, Benitez argues his client’s case should be thrown out and he should go free.

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