Witness: Markings may have symbolized murders
North County Times, July 17, 2007
By: TERI FIGUEROA --- staff writer
CAMP PENDLETON ---- A lance corporal accused of killing Iraqi women and children in Haditha may have written 24 markings on a piece of his buddy's gear ---- possibly symbolizing the number of Iraqis killed by Marines responding to a deadly roadside bomb attack.
One of the former co-defendants of Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum testified Tuesday that he saw Tatum's signature underneath 24 markings he said he believed signified the number of Iraqi victims. The gear belonged to Lance Cpl. Miguel "TJ" Terrazas, who died in the bombing, and was to be sent home to Terrazas family.
Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz was testifying against Tatum during an investigative hearing to determine if Tatum should face trial in the deaths of six of the 24 victims on Nov. 19, 2005. Dela Cruz himself faced homicide charges, which were dropped in exchange for his agreement to testify against his squadmates about the killings.
The Haditha incident is the largest civilian killing case to result in criminal charges since the U.S invasion of Iraq in 2003.
On Dec. 21, the Marine Corps charged Dela Cruz, Tatum and two other enlisted men, Lance Cpls. Justin Sharratt and Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, with the deaths. Marines also charged four of their commanding officers with dereliction of duty for allegedly failing to properly investigate and report what happened.
All of the men have said directly or through their attorneys or family members that they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
OK Red - I’m trying not to jump headfirst with my emotions but Mendoza’s testimony (as reported) just doesn’t add up. According to previous reports grenades were tossed into the rooms in both houses before firing. How in the world could Mendoza have known BEFORE shots were fired in the houses that it was only women and children?
As far as DelaCruz’ testimony...How does a conversation in January 2006 relate to the events of November 19, 2005?
And 24 markings? Maybe Tatum was a Jeff Gordon fan.
Something stinks here and it’s not my husband’s socks...
Geez Louise I’ve got a headache... Any news from testimony during defense questioning?