Posted on 06/15/2007 1:12:11 PM PDT by Defend Our Marine
“Marines don’t abandon a fellow Marine in time of need..”
We won’t abandon you your son or any of the Marines, Soldiers or Border Patrolmen who have been caught up in this PC madness. Not now or ever.. I know how bleak in many ways things look right now.. If the outcome is the worst we will fight. If the outcome is the best we will still work to help you rebuild your lives... We will not forget nor abandon you or the other families, your Son or the other Marines. In the end all will be vindicated.
W
Five days after a hearing began at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for a former Granger resident -- who faces murder charges in a 2005 squad action that killed 24 Iraqi civilians -- his father feels nothing short of elated.
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, who graduated from Penn High School in 2003, faces three counts of unpremeditated murder stemming from the controversial Nov. 19, 2005, killings in Haditha. He was one of eight Marines to face charges in the civilian deaths.
But after hearing testimony during this week's Article 32 hearing -- which began Monday and was expected to end Friday, with this upcoming Monday also remaining open -- father Darryl and mother Theresa Sharratt couldn't be more confident that charges against their son will be dropped. Sharratt's hearing initially was set for April but was postponed until this month.
"Everything shows that Justin should be exonerated," Pennsylvania native Theresa Sharratt told The Tribune Friday morning from her hotel room in the Camp Pendleton area.The Article 32 hearing is similar to a probable cause hearing in civilian court. Darryl Sharratt said that after the hearing, investigating officer Lt. Col. Paul Ware is supposed to present a report to Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who decides whether to drop charges against Sharratt or proceed to a court-martial. If convicted, Sharratt could face life in prison.
"The military justice system is a slow-moving animal," Darryl Sharratt said before Friday's hearing, "and it could be days, it could be weeks or months until we truly find out the disposition of this case."
Sharratt, 22, on Thursday gave an unsworn statement -- after which he could not be cross-examined -- in which he acknowledged shooting several men, including one in the head, according to the Associated Press.
Sharratt's statement followed testimony by former Lance Cpl. Trent Graviss, who said the Marines were not under machine-gun fire from insurgents when they committed the killings, the Associated Press reported. U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., last year also alleged that the Marines had acted "in cold blood."
The incident started when a roadside bomb exploded and killed a Marine. Aside from Sharratt and two others who are charged with murder (prosecutors dismissed charges against a fourth enlisted man), four officers are charged with dereliction of duty for failing to investigate the killings. But sister Jaclyn Sharratt, who lives in Chicago and could not attend her brother's hearing this week, said several witnesses have argued that the three Marines charged with murder were under attack, contrary to Graviss' testimony, and that the Marines responded as they were trained to do.
"You have to stay positive in it no matter what," Jaclyn Sharratt, 25, said, "and our attorneys are doing so wonderful."
Darryl Sharratt on Friday said forensic evidence introduced this week by Air Force Lt. Col. Elizabeth Rouse and Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Michael Maloney proved his longtime conviction: It did not appear that the three men Sharratt is accused of murdering in an Iraqi home were killed at close range, and the bullets he fired fell exactly where he had testified in his statement.
"We are very happy about this testimony," Darryl Sharratt said. "The two forensics evidence showed that the Marines did not lie about what happened."
The Sharratt family's defense counsel in the largest U.S. criminal case of the Iraq War includes civilian attorney Gary Myers and Maj. Brian Cosgrove. The family set up a Web site filled with photos and blogs months ago in support of Justin Sharratt.Coney Express in Mishawaka also is collecting donations for the former Granger resident. The eatery has gathered a little more than $250 during the past month or so, said 21-year-old Jamie Bonder, who graduated with Sharratt from Penn High School and whose mother, Marilyn, owns the restaurant.
"Very relieved," Jamie Bonder said of how this week's hearing has turned out. "I've been keeping up in the readings. ... I've been very happy with what they've said so far."
The IO will keep the record open for 10 days?
Truer words have n'er been spoken, ant.
I'm hoping we can play a role in that. It's important for everyone to realize the significance of the words of the investigating officer on Friday:
"What the evidence points to is that the version of the Iraqis isn't really supported," [Lt. Col.] Ware said.
Remember "the version of the Iraqis" was the basis for the Time magazine article and for everything subsequently that Congressman Murtha said.
I would also point out that Darryl Sharratt (hideously enough) is actually a constituent of Murtha's. Darryl had asked repeatedly for a meeting with Murtha and was just as repeatedly brushed off by Murtha's office.
The charges against Justin have not been officially dropped (and may not be for weeks) so we have time to strategize.
Darryl is one pissed-off American who wants to take on Time magazine, Wolf Blitzer, Chris Matthews, Murtha, etc., etc. We have time to figure out a plan so I hope we can strategize. Legal exoneration for our Marines, at this point, is not nearly enough.
There are plenty of Freepers a whole lot smarter and better experienced than me so I'd be grateful for anyone who can help.
Excellent observations, Red. You are absolutely correct in saying there should be repercussions for murtha and members of the enemedia for the pain, misery and expense they have brought down on these Marines and their families.
And once the IO sends his recommendation to Gen. Mattis, the general may want to postpone a decision until the other 32s are complete.
I may be suggesting an e-mail campaign. A V/R campaign—not spam or spleen, naturally. We’ll know more early next week.
No question about it, we have some major unfinished business with Dirty Jack.
Freepmail to you.
Very good observation, Red, very good.
I think the way command has handled this whole thing is the worst stain on the Corps in its entire history. And to think this is being inflicted from within makes it a case of pure masochism for a guilt I cannot fathom! A sad chapter for the USMC and it would not make a good recruiting poster either.
PUT AMERICA FIRST!
Semper Fidelis
Bob Rohrer
www.BobRohrer.com
Been off the boards due to really rough work schedules. So I have passed on a number of pings. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
Watching Nifong’s trial, I am hard put to disagree. But I will reserve judgment on the command at this point in time.
Suppose the current speaker at Nifong’s trial was a Marine?
Suppose the current speaker at Nifong’s trial was a Marine?
WRAL link (copy and paste)
http://wm-live.world.mii-streaming.net/live/cbcnm/pull/1
ABC 11 link (copy and paste)
mms://a839.l1178539888.c11785.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/839/11785/v0001/reflector:39888
Kinda sounds like it doesn’t it, Ma?
F. Lane Williamson, Chair
My goodness. That was something else, wasn’t it? I feel like a goose walked over my grave listening to those closing remarks.
LOLOL!! You do have a way with words, Ma.
Interesting reading here: http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:f7_-0Mb1DRMJ:liestoppers.blogspot.com/search/label/Dudley%2520Witt+F.+Lane+Williamson&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us
If you haven’t been following this, back up this thread and catch it.
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