Its amazing what happens to a story when it is exposed to testifying under oath. PVT Beachamp was a young kid telling tales inflating himself for his young bride. He was foolish enough to publish these tales as fact, and when confronted to swear under oath withered like a flower in the sun.
I have conducted several Article 32 investigations and found that soldiers for the most part dont lie under oath. If MAJ Cross found information that cooberated PVT Bechamps story he would have to report it. Why would he throw himself under the bus for good PR for the Army.
The major problem here is a media source tailoring stories to fit thier agenda vs telling the whole story. Objective journalism in the United States died when Richard Nixon was pushed from office after Watergate. Young reporters want to be the next Woodward and Bernstien regardless of where the truth takes them. PVT Beachamp is guilty mostly of being a kid and telling tall tales out of class. Anyone who does not hate the military can see through adolescent bravado and see PVT Beachamp for what he is. A scolded child.
