Sentence first ... trial later.
Posted on 06/01/2006 8:15:24 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
June 1, 2006 — Military sources told ABC News that there are likely to be charges filed against officers up the chain of command in connection with the killing of 24 civilians by U.S. Marines in Haditha, Iraq, in November 2005.
Those who could be charged include senior officers who were not on the scene at the time of the killing but should have known something wrong had happened and done something about it.
Today the White House confirmed that it was nearly three months after the Haditha killings that an investigation began, only after Time Magazine showed a video to a military spokesman.
Until then, the military insisted the civilians in Haditha had been killed by a roadside bomb.
But the video showed a bloody scene that suggested otherwise and prompted officials to launch a preliminary investigation into what happened.
The investigation quickly uncovered evidence the civilians were killed by the Marines, not a roadside bomb. From that point interest in the case quickly reached the highest levels.
"This is just a reminder for troops either in Iraq or throughout our military that there are high standards expected of them and there are strong rules of engagement," Bush said. "The Haditha incident is under investigation. Obviously, the allegations are very troubling for me and equally troubling for our military."
Bush was first told about what happened on March 11, one week before Time Magazine first reported the story. Since then, the president has received regular updates on the investigation from the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Sources familiar with the investigations told ABC News that the initial report claiming the civilians were killed by a bomb was filed by Sgt. Frank Wuterich. Wuterich was the top ranking Marine on the team that went into the houses where the civilians were killed. The question now, though, is where were his superiors?
Yesterday..
Lawyer: Officers not targeted in Haditha probe ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1640779/posts
Posted by pissant
On News/Activism ^ 05/30/2006 1:47:41 PM PDT · 54 replies · 910+ views
AP via MSNBC ^ | 5/30/06 | staff
Let us try them in public first, then let them try to clear their names later.
I am not in favor of wanton killing, but there are many mitigating circumstances that are already coming out. My fear is that more soldiers will delay and avoid for fear of a career disaster when he should be shooting at all genuine targets.
ABC has already had the trial. There might be another side to this Murtha driven tale
One of the officers?
Marine officer a "political casualty" of Haditha investigation
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1641949/posts
AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 6/1/06 | Thomas Watkins - ap
Posted on 06/01/2006 1:51:16 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
This is turning into another case of the story was not gaining any traction last week, so the MSM cordinates to "sex it up" to make sure it stays front page, including quotes from "anonymous" sources and sunni insurgents.
The BBC and world press are now all over this.
This is ignorant beyond belief. Our justice system doesn't work this way.
Sentence first ... trial later.
So, if you get orders to Iraq, the first thing you need to do is lawyer up...
Please don't try to insert facts into this liberal media inventing news circle jerk.
The enemy set those people up to great danger. Now the Marines are expected to have the wisdom of Dear Abby, and know exactly what's up and what to do about it? Comeon now, Bush, get yer head out.
I pray that some genius someplace is playing these Dems to make them look like the anti-soldier, anti-americans that they actually are.
Someone serious needs to run against Murtha in PA.
If I were facing prosecution in this case, I'd offer to plead guilty and admit all wrongdoing after every pr!ck in the chain of command that sent me to that sh!t-hole was prosecuted for dereliction of duty.
The Government won't be prosecuting them. The Military will be. If need be.
Few dislike the MSM more than I. In fact, I called AP last night and chewed them out over the selection and framing and sensationalizing of "US soldiers kill pregnant Iraqi woman" which turns out to be a car-runs-through-the-checkpoint tragedy.
But I've gotta say, I think this story is being played pretty straight. Those men and officers are in a heap of trouble. Underlying it, I imagine this must be an extreme case of unbearably unfair Rules of Engagement where the enemy threatens to kill locals if they squeal on their setting IEDs, and the Marines can't do squat about it.
My heart goes out to those men, but there is no stopping the justice coming their way.
Pardon me for being naive here, but I operate under the assumption that the U.S. military functions as an arm of the U.S. government.
"'Scuse me, Sir. I hate to do this, and I apologize profusely, but I am going to have to kill you. Would you sign here, please, and also on the line where it says you promise not to sue me."
Redcoats and Minutemen ....
No way!
This thing is old news that was hyped up for MEMORIAL DAY!
This is how our media wants our troops to be remembered-- as murderers of the innocent.
This is an absolute outrage.
There is no conviction of these soldiers. They have had no trial an no opportunity to defend themselves.
".....Those who could be charged include senior officers who were not on the scene at the time of the killing but should have known something wrong had happened and done something about it."
We are going to prosecute officers who had nothing to do with the killing, had nothing to do with a cover up, had no knowledge of the crime or cover up?
What exactly will they be charged with: being too focused on winning the war and keeping their men alive?
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