Ruddock: I am not prepared to let the matter go without further inquiry. (Insiders)
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has asked for a full report into the outcome of a US military trial of two Marines accused of a brutal attack last year on a young Australian in a Townsville nightclub.
The American military court which heard the case dropped charges against one Marine and acquitted the other earlier this month.
The family of Heath Twomey, who had his throat cut, is questioning his fate at the hands of the United States military justice system.
The Townsville student never had the chance to give evidence against them in the court and he was not told by either the US or Australian Governments of the acquittal, only learning about the case through the media.
Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says his department should have informed the family and he is now seeking to find out if the US prosecutor has appealed the decision.
"I've asked for a full report on the matter," he said.
Ron Twomey describes his son as a troubled soul and says his life was forever changed by the stabbing attack in February last year.
"He was assaulted by being hit with a bottle, he had his throat slashed, it nearly penetrated the jugular vein," he said.
"So God knows what the circumstances or consequences would have been if it had.
"I mean, he's still around and he's still with us, that's the most important thing from a family thing.
"So we're happy about that but how the whole matter's proceeded is just bewildering."
Despite the attack occurring in Townsville and the Marines being arrested and charged there, the case was not dealt with in Australia.
Instead the suspects were transferred to the US to be dealt with by a military court.
Under pressure from US officials, Ron Twomey says his son accepted the transfer believing he would get a swift hearing and that the penalty would be more severe.
Heath Twomey was also told by an American investigator that one of the Marines had made a confession.
"I think he's been left high and dry in the whole matter," Ron Twomey said.
"It's such a foreign outcome compared to what would normally ensue within the Queensland justice system.
"I certainly know Heath was never a participant, I know some witnesses that were supporting him weren't participants.
"I don't know who participated at all."
The US Embassy, when contacted by The World Today, referred the ABC to the Judge Advocate General (JAG), which handles all legal matters for the US military.
A spokesman for JAG was not available for comment.
Mr Ruddock says his department accepted the transfer of jurisdiction on two grounds - that the US military said it would deter US forces operating in Australia from engaging in similar behaviour and to assure Australian citizens it would hold their servicemen accountable for their actions.
Mr Ruddock says he is now asking for advice on the Twomey case.
"I am not on the face of it, without being satisfied, prepared to let the matter go without further inquiry, and that's where it stands.
"I think it's quite clear that they (the department) should have informed the family of the outcome.
"I want to know whether or not [justice has been done], I want that matter tested."
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US Marine Corps Seal
Two U.S. marines were recently cleared of charges in the brutal assault of an Australian youth in a Townsville nightclub February 2004. The alleged assault occurred within Australian jurisdiction, however permission was given by the victim and Attorney-general Phillip Ruddock for the matter to be transferred to a military court in the US. 

"I've asked for a full report on the matter," Mr Ruddock said. 

Heath Twomey, a student in Townsville, had his throat cut during the assault. He wasn't asked to give evidence in the court, and only found out about the acquittal through the media. His father said that Heath had been forever changed by the incident. 

"He was assaulted by being hit with a bottle, he had his throat slashed, it nearly penetrated the jugular vein," he said.

Mr Twomey claimed that his son was pressured by US officials to accept the transfer of jurisdiction. He says that his son was led to believe that the penalty would be more severe. 

"It's such a foreign outcome compared to what would normally ensue within the Queensland justice system," he said. 

Ruddock is investigating the matter, and has asked for a full report from the US Judge Advocate General, who prosecutes all military cases. 

"I want to know whether or not justice has been done, I want that matter tested," he said. 

The US Embassy referred inquiries to the JAG office. They have been approached by ''The World Today'', but are yet to comment.