Please note that since this hearing has begun, reports have turned the closet into a room.
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Lance corporal admitted to shooting, Marine says
San Diego Union Tribune, June 14, 2007
CAMP PENDLETON: Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt admitted shooting an Iraqi in the head and said he would tell investigators a “story” that he did so because the man pointed a weapon at him, a fellow Marine testified yesterday.
Sharratt is accused of killing three civilians in the city of Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005. He made the statements later that day to Lance Cpl. James Prentice, according to Prentice's testimony.
Sharratt said he and another Marine went into a house in Haditha and “that basically, he had shot somebody in the head with a pistol,” Prentice said.
On cross-examination by one of Sharratt's lawyers, Prentice said he wasn't sure whether Sharratt was serious about the Iraqi pointing a rifle at him.
Prentice testified during a pretrial hearing for Sharratt, 22. The hearing will help determine whether Sharratt should be court-martialed.
Six other Marines face charges in the deaths of 24 Iraqis during the Haditha incident.
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The Union Tribune left out some major facts. LCpl. Prentice testified that he'd do anything to get out of being redeployed. He also testified that NCIS agents promised him he would not be redeployed if the lance corporal agreed to testify against LCpl. Sharratt.