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I want to know how he knew there were just women and children in the room. I want him to say he went into the room to check without firing.

In the middle of a firefight he walked into an unknown room unannounced. Not flippin’ likely. He’s lying.

Tatum should simply say, “He did not say there are ‘women and children’ and he should say, ‘I didn’t reply “shoot ‘em”.’ if that did not happen.

If he did say something similar, he should clarify, “Mendoza was just guessing, because he didn’t walk into that room. He didn’t take a head count. He didn’t count noses. He was basing what he knew simply on SOUND. PLUS, he had no idea if they were armed, BECAUSE other women and children had fired or been human IEDs. The rules called for us to clear a room. Period. And I wanted to make it home. But not in a body bag for some stupid mistake of not clearing a room.”

Good points about Mendoza's testimony. Who knows how the whole exchange went down in the hearing.

xzins, Re. your comments ...Tatum should simply say, “He did not say there are ‘women and children’ and he should say, ‘I didn’t reply “shoot ‘em”.’ if that did not happen. Tatum will have his chance at the end of the hearing with a statement. In between, these quotes remain. Another point from this report was this:

According to a report by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service dated May 17, 2006, Tatum told investigators that he shot women and children because "women and kids can hurt you too." He went on to say he later felt remorseful about the incident.

The report describes an interview with Tatum, but it was not signed by the Marine.

Sounds like more NCIS shennanigans that the prosecution is taking advantage of to try to convict Tatum. Would this report be one of those untaped, we write up what sounds good types? I am reminded of a sentence in Lt. Col. Ware's report from Justin Sharratt's hearing where he states

The practice of NCIS agents typing up complete statements then having a witness review can often lead to Special Agents "assisting" with language and coloring the intent of the witnesses.