SSgt Wuterich Tells His Story in Court Today (Last Haditha Marine-Trial-Day Eleven)

Puckett and Faraj PC ^ | 1-20-2012 | Neal Puckett and Haytham Faraj

[smoothsailing]

SSgt Wuterich Tells His Story in Court Today

Neal Puckett and Haytham Faraj

January 20, 2012

Scott Pelley of CBS 60 Minutes, asked just as direct and hard-hitting questions as any government prosecutor in a 2006 interview of SSgt Wuterich. Today in court the prosecution played nearly 3 hours of outtakes where Pelley attempted to get Wuterich to admit his Marines went on a rampage in Haditha Iraq.

The prosecution team hoped to show that Wuterich admitted to shooting 5 military aged men and made irresponsible decisions to declare a house hostile and then prove he did it without clear understanding of the rules of engagement. Instead, those in the court room watched the last Marine take responsibility, correctly define the rules of engagement in force in 2005 and all specific training for the squad as well as identify the truth of what happened that day.

SSgt Wuterich identified that he used 4 main indicators to determine that the men who drove up simultaneously with the IED explosion could have been insurgents. He further explained the incoming small arms fire on the smoldering remains of the 4th Humvee as emanating from a house south of the explosion site. With careful detailed descriptions, Wuterich told Scott Pelley how he positively identified the house, which may have harbored insurgents and how his squad cleared that house and a second one right behind it.

In the entire 3 hours, Wuterich never once blamed the Marine Corps, his squad, his commanders or the intelligence briefs given to his squad that day. He calmly explained combat and the results of engagements. Throughout it all, Wuterich took responsibility as the senior person in the squad. He came across as truthful, forthright and humane. His testimony was in stark contrast to Sgt Mendoza. Mendoza gave rambling, contradictory testimony and at times admitted to lying to investigators. Nevertheless, Sgt Mendoza has been awarded a combat action ribbon and been promoted three times since the events at Haditha. SSgt Wuterich has yet to be awarded his combat action ribbon for the same day in combat.

[Girlene]

Sounds like the prosecution didn't get a lot from these tapes.



Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich walks to the military courtroom Friday morning with his lawyers Neal Puckett, left, and Haytham Faraj, right. — Charlie Neuman

Another article, Wuterich jury hears '60 Minutes' interview

Beyond the playing of the 60 Minutes tapes, the article describes Mendoza's testimony which had been interrupted on Wednesday. It sounds like allowing Mendoza to regain his composure may have helped the prosecution score some points. I'm interested in what Nat Helms thinks about Mendoza's testimony on Friday.

[freema]

<3

[Girlene]

AP article describing Friday's testimony, Marine's Iraq Killings Trial Resumes in California

[jazusamo]

Welcome to the Haditha Marine ping list, paterfamilias, you’re on.

[jazusamo]

Sounds like the prosecution didn't get a lot from these tapes.

That was my take on them too. Sure was a lot of todo about little.

Thanks for the link on Mendoza's Friday testimony.

[jazusamo]

Great to “see” you here, Ma, hope all is well!

Semper Fi

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Under Obama's ROE, Marines are probably now required to send possible hostiles a polite text to inquire about their intentions.

[freema]

Thankful to be here, jaz. Miss you. All is pretty well <3

[bksanders]

"In the entire 3 hours, Wuterich never once blamed the Marine Corps, his squad, his commanders or the intelligence briefs…"

Thx SS… I needed this.
Your rewards await you SSgt Frank.

[smoothsailing]

Hey Darlin’! Long time no lookie! ;-)

[smoothsailing]

whoa...how could they withhold the SSgt’s CAR ?

It's inexcusable, just plain gutter dirty.

[smoothsailing]

Please add me to the Haditha Marines ping list.

You're on, paterfamilias! Welcome Aboard!

[smoothsailing]

I'm interested in what Nat Helms thinks about Mendoza's testimony on Friday.

Word is we should have an update from Nat later today.

[paterfamilias]

“You’re on, paterfamilias! Welcome Aboard!”

Thank you!

[Girlene]

Thanks, smooth!

[smoothsailing]

Wouldn’t that be wonderful!

[Marine_Uncle]

Scott Pelley = snake.
This clown should be bitch slapped. And for the record I never performed such a action against a women. But I can see where there are times it should be carried out.
On main subject. Sure looks like the prosecutions case is going down the drain. Freaking NCIS clowns screwed the pooch from day one.

[jazusamo]

Well said, MU. The prosecutors probably want to be somewhere else about now and the NCIS people don't seem like much of a threat. I'm sure the defense have transcripts of their prior testimony and they sure never hurt these Marines then, most just looked inept.

[smoothsailing]

We'll keep the light on for you! :o)

VIDEO TOUR

[jazusamo]

Very nice, brings back memories when I lived in So CA, it's beautiful along the coast. That Motel 6 fits right in with the architecture.