Marines order probe into Haditha leak (Lt. Gen. Mattis orders investigation)

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 1/29/07 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

The Marine Corps said Monday that it has ordered a probe into how a government report on the killings of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha was leaked to the news media.

Lt. Gen. James Mattis, the top general at Camp Pendleton, ordered the investigation after several defense attorneys complained that sensitive information about their clients had been leaked, Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Sean Gibson said.

The Washington Post published photos and eyewitness accounts Jan 6 from the military's investigative file that had not been made public. One photo showed five Iraqis who had been shot dead near a taxi.

Four enlisted Camp Pendleton Marines were charged Dec. 21 with unpremeditated murder and four officers were charged with failing to properly report the killings.

Jack Zimmerman, attorney for Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, said Mattis ordered the investigation Jan. 23.

"I was very pleased that he shared our thought that the investigation should never be released," said Zimmerman.

The killings are the biggest U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths to come out of the Iraq war. A total of 24 Iraqis - including women and children - were killed by Marines on Nov. 19, 2005.

Marine lawyers have said the troops were responding with legitimate force after a roadside bomb killed one of their squad.

[lilycicero]

I heard they are going to ask a group of Freepers to investigate.

[RedRover]

Now you're talking! Night, sweetpea! See you tomorrow.

[lilycicero]

Good night indeed!

[onyx]

BUMP!

[pinkpanther111]

they would be in trouble then!

[smoothsailing]

Freepers, did you say Freepers?

Bring it on!

[lilycicero]

Outstanding group of people!

[Rembrandt]

I believe we can trust the Marines to not sweep anything under the tent. OOrah!!!

[RaceBannon]

That's the problem, they already are sweeping this under the tent.

[RedRover]

Which sign is Justa hiding behind? ;)

[Just A Nobody]

;*)

[Just A Nobody]

no "alleged" civilians

This is a HUGE improvement! Not long ago it would have read...

The massacre of 24 poor, unarmed, innocent Iraqi civilians - many of whom were women and children - were killed by .....

[pinkpanther111]

Attorney: Haditha leak could lead to dismissal request
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01/30/military/1_00_551_29_07.txt

Did anyone see this?

[smoothsailing]

I ain't talking! :-)

[lilycicero]

She said that when such a story comes out, it is immediately picked up by Internet bloggers, and military personnel around the world see it. "And people assume that what is in the newspaper is true when it comes from a very credible source like the Washington Post," Siegel said ________________________________________ Do you have a problem with getting the blame for charges to get dropped? I didn't think so.

[pinkpanther111]

NO PROBLEM!!! Obviously I am not typing fast or hard enough!!!!

Must type more, must type more.....

[RedRover]

Hiya, Pink! Sorry, I've been a busy worker bee all morning. Do you want to post it as a thread? If you post it, I'll ping it.

[pinkpanther111]

OK, I actually have time today!

[RedRover]

LOL! I think we ALL have to type more! Thankfully, my wife is on our side and (generally) doesn't mind being a Freeper widow. When I come from work, she doesn't ask how my day went. She says, "How are the Marines?"

[jazusamo]

"The real question is whether the affected individuals can obtain a fair trial and the military justice system has a variety of protections," Fidell said.

One option is a change of venue

Good catch, Panther. It's encouraging to see some other people picking up on the atrocious way this case has been handled.

This Fidell has got to be kidding, change of venue? Just where does he think Murtha's big mouth was not heard.