Posted on 08/15/2007 5:58:15 PM PDT by RaceBannon
Marine Adviser Recuses Himself From Case By Associated Press 10:32 PM EDT, August 14, 2007
: CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A top legal adviser at Camp Pendleton who was accused of making "inappropriate and imprudent" comments recused himself from the case against a Marine charged with murdering Iraqi civilians in Haditha.
Lt. Col. Bill Riggs is a senior legal adviser to the general overseeing the prosecution of five Marines charged in the slayings. Riggs recused himself from the case against Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, a military spokesman said Tuesday.
His action came after he contacted Lt. Col. Paul Ware, the investigating officer who had reviewed evidence against another Marine facing murder charges. Riggs allegedly criticized the officer for being too stringent in assessing the government's case against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt.
: CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A top legal adviser at Camp Pendleton who was accused of making "inappropriate and imprudent" comments recused himself from the case against a Marine charged with murdering Iraqi civilians in Haditha.
Lt. Col. Bill Riggs is a senior legal adviser to the general overseeing the prosecution of five Marines charged in the slayings. Riggs recused himself from the case against Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, a military spokesman said Tuesday.
His action came after he contacted Lt. Col. Paul Ware, the investigating officer who had reviewed evidence against another Marine facing murder charges. Riggs allegedly criticized the officer for being too stringent in assessing the government's case against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt.
News on Haditha Marines
News on Haditha Marines
“He believed my report ... adjudicated facts like in a trial and was interpreted by some as a declaration that Lance Cpl. Sharratt is innocent,” Ware wrote in an Aug. 1 e-mail to several attorneys. “I viewed Lt. Col. Riggs’ comments as inappropriate and imprudent. ... I was ... offended and surprised by this conversation.”
After Ware filed his report about Sharratt, Lt. Gen. James Mattis dismissed all charges against the Marine.
Ware is also assessing evidence against Tatum, and will be the investigating officer at the upcoming preliminary hearing for Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, who is accused of murdering 18 civilians on Nov. 19, 2005.
Riggs could not be reached for comment. He recused himself from the Tatum case “to make sure there was no appearance of impropriety,” Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Sean Gibson said.
Tatum’s lawyer Jack Zimmerman declined to comment on Riggs’ recusal.
A total of 24 civilians died when a Marine squad responded to a roadside bomb attack. Four enlisted Marines were originally charged with murder; prosecutors subsequently dropped charges against two of them.
More articles
could you give us a report on the 411 of Riggs? or at least give us the places where we can see what this so called Marine does or has done?
Riggs is the reviewing officer for Mattis, the Staff JAG for MAttis
He is the lead person who is prosecuting these Mariens, Both Hamdania and Haditha
He is out of CENTCOM
Also, remember those SOC Marines from several months ago who were charged with excessive use of force in Afghanistan? Heard anything ofrom them lately? That’s because they aren’t home yet.
That’s right. They arent home yet, they are still being held in Afghanistan.
ping
Is that right?
Or is it that Riggs know his case against the other Marines is based on the same flimsy shit and he’s just bailing?
Riggs didnt get his way, his side of the story failed to get prosecution, and Ware stuck up for what he believed was right.
Ware may have an attitude correction soon, or at least watch for Ware to retire after the ceremony...oops, I mean Court Martial
ping
Hmmmm.
Some Marines are having their Chesty Puller moments, while others are having a Frank Burns moment.
I wonder if recusing oneself in the military is similar to wanting to spend more time with ones family as a politician.
BUMP!
Her is still #1 in the Wuterich case, though
wish it meant “more time with the family”,,,,
That’s true for now but maybe it’ll change. We can hope.
I believe LtCol Ware is still the IO for Wuterich, isn’t he?
have to check, but I think it is Riggs
As far as I know Ware IS still the IO for Frank.
Thanks, Mom. That’s what I was thinking too. I believe this developement is for the best and our prayers are with y’all.
BUMP
this would make a great article or book...
Why is the Marine Corps doing this? What or who can we use to find out the down and dirty basis for this whole jihad against the Marine Corps.
I really hate reading about this cause I've got a bad temper and all I'll do is get banned from the FR or write something that gets me in trouble.
For the record, I hate liberals, all of them. They are not an "argument" or "debate among civil people". I've seen what their politics brings to people and the death and loss of any hope for freedom that they bring.
What is so dangerous is that they are unable to sit in one place like....Detroit, Cuba, China, Newark, Los Angeles and be happy driving it into the ground....but have to spread their cancer to anyone that succeeds in hope of sucking off the rewards of better men. They are in every organization and every area of the world. They are the "limiting" factor of any human endeavor.
They are the ultimate parasites.
That is a queation that is now paramount, and I never thought of it until the last 2 or 3 days:
WHY are they attacking the Marines for these killings and NOT the Soldiers who were in combat?
Man, that is a quote for the ages. You are a genius.
I think it’s a bit worse than that. Riggs was attempting to influence the investigating officer, Ware, whose responsibility it is to report to Gen. Mathis his recommendations about the Art 32.
Riggs was LEGALLY out of line, and was smacked by someone. I assume it was Gen. Mathis.
You got it. Gen Mattis deserves credit for this as well.
That's my take on it too, Chaplin.
LtGen Mattis is the head man, he makes things happen. Nobody is going to recuse himself from a case without his input, I believe his input was responsible for the "recusal."
The good General probably finds these trials very distastefull at best. At least we start to see some of the creeps being exposed.
Good to see you, Dick.
I love Dick’s way with words.
He does have a way with words.
Hi, lily.
And to think, I almost just read the post on the ping page...but no, I had to make sure your TAG didn’t say something funny.
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