Reply #1: Pleading not guilty is part of a process.

[no_hypocrisy]

If the Marine pleaded guilty, he'd get a truncated trial with just doling out the punishment, which would likely be on the more severe end.

By pleading not guilty, the Marine is asking for adjudication that may lead to acquittal, and if conviction, then adjudication of the severity of the penalty.

Any defense lawyer would recommend pleading not guilty from the outset unless a plea bargain is in place with predetermined punishment.