Marine wanted interview to continue, court is told, San Diego Union Tribune, July 24, 2007
CAMP PENDLETON: Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum insisted on resuming a May 9, 2006, interview with investigators even after asking for a lawyer, a Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent testified yesterday at Camp Pendleton.
Tatum then admitted to killing unarmed Iraqis on Nov. 19, 2005, in the city of Haditha, investigator Anthony Flores said during a pretrial hearing for Tatum.
Tatum is accused of working with squad mates to raid homes in Haditha. Those raids and other related activity left 24 men, women and children dead.
Tatum demanded a lawyer after Flores, a former Marine, said the squad's actions in Haditha made him ashamed of his military service, Flores recalled yesterday. Flores said he apologized and told Tatum he wanted to hear more so he would no longer feel shame.
Tatum then agreed in writing to continue the interview, Flores testified.
Attorneys for Tatum want to suppress his alleged admission and other information he gave to the investigators.
Mendoza's wife is in this country illegally. His testimony changed 180 degrees when he was told that he would cooperate or his wife would be deported immediately. He was sent home to be with his wife in Chicago and has been there for the last six months. He has not operated as a Marine nor has he been required to fulfill his military obligations. He has just been put out of the way and now that he is back, his story has changed.
I wonder if anyone knows whether there is any way to verify the current resident status of Mendoza and his wife? Or about the special treatment being given Mendoza as a prosecution witness?
Having something more concrete would make this all more explicable. (And I suspect we'll be hearing from Mendoza at the Wuterich hearing as well.)
Start at Post #122.