Marine Charged With 13 Civilian Murder Counts (Haditha)

MSNBC ^ | 12/21/06

[areafiftyone]

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A Marine Corps squad leader was charged Thursday with 13 murder counts stemming from the killings of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha last year, his attorney said.

Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich was charged with 12 counts of murdering individuals and one count of murdering six people by ordering Marines under his charge to "shoot first and ask questions later" when they entered a house, according to charging sheets released by defense attorney Neal Puckett.

As many as eight Marines could be charged in the case, the biggest U.S. criminal case to emerge from the war in Iraq in terms of people killed.

The deaths occurred on Nov. 19, 2005.

Lawyers for two Marines already have said they expect their clients will be charged and it’s believed up to six others could join them.

[Just A Nobody]

It's a laugh when everyone shows up with rocket launchers!

Yep. Then there are always a couple of stragglers that fight their way to get there.

[Thunder90]

I believe that they are being tried in the Civilian court system. The problem with this is that the UCMJ is supposed to handle these cases.

[BykrBayb]

That's quite a comprehensive site. Thank you.

[oceanview]

the "rules" are a big part of the reason why we are not winning this war, why we can't stop an insurgency deeply rooted amongst certain parts of the population.

[editor-surveyor]

"I have faith in our military justice system. They will have a fair trial."

Like specialist Michael New had?

[RedRover]

I need to update it. Maybe tonight.

[verity]

It was a fair trial.

[RedRover]

Seems these leaks turning the screws. By the way, Corporal Salinas was one of the Marines who didn't have a civilian lawyer. That made me nervous when I found that out.

[Just A Nobody]

Sometimes, the rules even allow troops to shoot at civilians, if they can't be distinguished as such and appear to pose a threat.

Civilians can be distinguished as such. It is distinguishing the civilians from the terrorists that pose the problem.

Stories fresh from Iraq:

8 y/o boy greets the troops everyday and is their little buddy. One day, said 8 y/o boy comes running toward the platoon. As he is running to them he pulls open his jacket to show them he is strapped with a bomb. The troops beg him to stop. He yells back that he can't.

A "civilian" engages our troops. He has an AK47 in one hand and a baby in the other as he grins at them.

Our troops are out on patrol all day. Upon return to the base their ammo is counted. If there is a bullet missing, a report must be filled giving the circumstance in which it was used.

[RedRover]

were turning the screws...

[catroina54]

since you're simply relentless
and on the wrong "blog"-
take a rest
and give yourself a break.
or you can enlighten yourself about this.

http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/budding-journalist-sat-on-haditha-tape
http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/reporter-jailed-by-us-broke-haditha-has-familiar-name
http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/former-cnn-inbed-doesnt-buy-haditha-allegations
http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/time-corrects-its-mistakes-about-haditha
http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/behold-the-student-journalist-of-haditha

[jazusamo]

but signs are pointing in a particular direction: Corporal Salinas copped a plea.

That looks like a strong possibility, Red.

[editor-surveyor]

It was a politically correct treasonous sham.

[Just A Nobody]

I spoke in a general way before given a general and casual understanding of the facts.

Thanks - that's why I provided the link. You can also search FR using Murtha, Haditha or Marines for past posts and research on this incident.

[Just A Nobody]

Corporal Salinas copped a plea.

Makes sense.

[Just A Nobody]

OK...thanks Ernest!

[Just A Nobody]

Yes, and there is lots more.

In FACT, the little girl thought the Iraqi soldiers were responsible: ""We were lying there, bleeding, and it hurt so much. Afterward, some Iraqi soldiers came. They carried us in their arms. I was crying, shouting 'Why did you do this to our family?'

http://www.time.com/time/world/printout/0,8816,1174649,00.html

[freema]

Ping.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the ping. Don't feel obligated to respond this late in the thread. I'll just add what probably has already been noted a few times.
They followed their ROE within the SASO. Clear the building/house/dwelling first, upon being fired at, then relay after action reports.
How can they be expected to play mister nice guy and knock on a door to ask if any insurgents are inside when they are being fired at.
These charges cannot hold ground. And they are only charges at this point. Most probably political to appease some Arabs.

[RedRover]

We have to pray that that the Marines will get a great defense. I'm waiting to hear details about the trial itself--whether they'll be tried at the same time or in groups or individually. If tried separately, it makes the defense even more challenging.