Posted on 10/14/2007 4:06:37 PM PDT by RedRover
Here's the TWO from the JAG at Pendleton:
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PRESS RELEASE #07-021 Oct. 19, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charges Referred to General Court-Martial for Marine in Haditha Investigation
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2007) - Lieutenant General James Mattis, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command today referred charges against Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum to a general court-martial based on his alleged involvement in an incident in Haditha, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005 in which Iraqi civilians were killed.
The charges referred against Lance Cpl. Tatum are involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault. Lt. Gen. Mattis dismissed the charges of murder and negligent homicide.
Lt. Gen. Mattis made his decision after consideration of information developed from investigations by Marine, Army and Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators, as well as evidence produced during an Article 32 investigation hearing.
The charges are accusations against the individual and the accused is presumed innocent. The Marine Corps is committed to a fair proceeding in compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The convening date for the court-martial will be announced when it is established.
-30-
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PRESS RELEASE #07 -022 Oct. 19, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charges Referred to General Court-Martial for Marine Officer in Haditha Investigation
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2007) - Lieutenant General James Mattis, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command today referred charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani to a general court-martial based on his alleged actions and inactions following an incident in Haditha, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005 in which Iraqi civilians were killed.
The charges referred against Lt. Col. Chessani are dereliction of duty and violation of a lawful order for failing to accurately report and investigate the incident.
Lt. Gen. Mattis made his decision after consideration of information developed from investigations by Marine, Army and Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators, as well as evidence produced during an Article 32 investigation hearing.
The charges are accusations against the individual and the accused is presumed innocent. The Marine Corps is committed to a fair proceeding in compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The convening date for the court-martial will be announced when it is established.
-30-
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Someone want to explain why? has to be political interference.
Recommended disposition of ChargesI recommend withdrawal and dismissal of all charges. There is insufficient evidence to find reasonable grounds for offenses charged based on events in house 1 and although there are reasonable grounds for charges arising out of the events in house 2, I do not recommend referral of those charges. The evidentiary hurdles are too great, and basing a prosecution on LCpl Mendoza's testimony is too weak a case to warrant referral to a trial.
Despite my recommendation to withdraw and dismiss, if charges are referred, I recommend that the charges for events in house 1 be changed to Article 119 (Voluntary manslaughter). Negligent homicide is a lesser included offense and the government theory better tracks that the killing was done as a response to the lED explosion and was an emotional response with the intent to kill insurgents. I would further recommend charging LCpl Tatum with seven specifications under Article 118(2) for all seven victims, one charge and specification of Attempt to commit murder under Article 80, one charge and specification of Aggravated Assault with a dangerous weapon under Article 128 as a contingency of proof to the attempt charge, and one specification and charge of Reckless Endangerment under Article 134.
Gen. Mattis discounted the "don't prosecute", so he must believe that LCpl Mendoza's testimony is valid.
Command influence?
By that I mean Murtha, who holds the purse strings on military spending. Could it be that the good of the Corps is more important to Mattis than the fate of two Marines?
I don't want to believe that, it would destroy my understanding of the Corps.
This could be the proverbial "rock and a hard place" for Mattis.
I expect him to honor the Corps, it's his history, he has proven it time and again. To me that means he has to see through the fog of misinformation, defamation, and either deliberate or incompetent prosecutorial excess.
I expect him to do the right thing.
Ping here...more coming.
Ping here...more coming.
This stinks of politics; I really want to believe otherwise, but I am having a hard time.
Justin and Darryl Sharratt will be on "Hannity's America" this Sunday, Oct. 28, at nine, EST. That's the Fox News Channel! We'll have a live thread.
In related news, Fox is reporting that 80,000 personnel are being evacuated from Camp Pendleton. Could bring everything on Haditha to a grinding halt.
Excellent. Thanks for the heads up.
Great!
Another source at Pendleton says they're lighting backfires on one of the ranges--so it's no big deal. Hope so.
That sounds a little more reasonable than what drama queen Sheppie was announcing, thanks.
I’m not going there, Lily. :)
>John Murtha is a pig<
You are too kind! John Murtha is a filthy boar rooting the USMC!
Justin and Darryl Sharratt will be on “Hannity’s America” this Sunday, Oct. 28, at nine, EST. That’s the Fox News Channel! Red will have a live thread.
Guess this means I’ve got to learn how to program the DVD recorder... Thanks for the heads up Red - I’m really looking forward to it!
Thanks for the ping. I will be at work but I do hope many will be able to hear the conversations first hand.
I will be at work. I hope you get to hear what they have to say.
Thanks for the heads-up!
I missed it, but I heard Hannity promoted the interview on H&C tonight with a clip!
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