Haditha witness alleges squad leader planned to kill [SSgt Wuterich Article 32]

North County Times ^ | August 31, 2007 | MARK WALKER

[RedRover]

This is a first report on Dela Cruz's testimony as a prosecution witness. The cross-examination was the exciting part--we'll get a report on that later tonight.

Related thread:

• Haditha Article 32: SSgt. Frank Wuterich

[RedRover]

SSgt Frank Wuterich arrives at his hearing, August 30, 2007

[RedRover]

[JerseyDvl]

Godspeed SSgt Wuterich. Thanks for your service and for keeping us safe from radicals who will kill us anywhere they get a chance.
Prayers for your quick aquittal and release.

[dynachrome]

Dela Cruz

I believe I recognize that name./sarc
How many others backed up that claim?
Keep up the good fight redrover!

[Lancey Howard]

The cross-examination was the exciting part--we'll get a report on that later tonight.

THAT is what I can't wait to hear. It will be interesting to see if the prosecutors threatened Dela Cruz and followed that with promises of dropped charges if only he would say certain things in exactly the right way. This is the BIG ONE for the prosecutors - - Wuterich is their last chance to hang a Marine's head on their wall like a trophy. They probably settled on that months ago.

[jazusamo]

If you would like to help with the civilian lawyer’s legal fees for the
Haditha Marines you can do so by going to these sites.

Defend Our Marines

Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt

SSgt. Frank Wuterich

Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani

NewsMax Fund Drive

[RedRover]

Today’s hearing came to an abrupt end this afternoon, after the Dela Cruz cross. There was no explanation from the prosecutors or attorneys.

The hearing will resume Tuesday and may finish on Thursday or Friday.

Why this sudden change in plans? There’s scuttlebutt that this hearing was brought to an unexpected close because charges are being prepared in the Fallujah investigation. It’s uncertain, however, why that would have an impact on this hearing.

[RedRover]

How many others backed up that claim?

Dela Cruz stands alone on this claim, and was completely undone on cross.

Why, for instance, didn't Dela Cruz tell someone at the time that SSgt Wuterich had made such a statement? Dela Cruz couldn't say.

[Girlene]

"Sgt. Wuterich made the comment that if we ever get hit again, we should kill everybody in that vicinity."

Riiiiigggghhhht. Dela Cruz seems to be privy to a lot of private conversations to put his "brothers" in the worst light. Did SSGT Wuterich also tell Dela Cruz, "After we kill everybody in the vicinity, then we urinate on them?" When did that thought enter Dela Cruz's head? I almsost feel sorry for Dela Cruz trying to put this "stuff" over on his own brothers because he's scared, he's been given immunity, NCIS has him over a barrel....whatever.

Not buying what Dela Cruz is selling. It smells bad.

[GitmoSailor]

bump

[Obie Wan]

Another stinking travesty. Border Guards Ramos and Compean continue to rot in prison for doing their jobs. I truly hope and pray this young Marine doesn’t have to pay the same price to satisfy political correctness !!!

[RedRover]

Agreed. And I seriously doubt he made a positive impression on the IO (who ignored Dela Cruz's testimony altogether in the LCpl Tatum hearing). According to courtroom observers, Dela Cruz makes Mendoza look like an intellectual.

[shield]

bfl

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Thank you for this information, help these fine men.

[proudmilitarymrs]

Our prayers are with the SSgt and his family.

mrs

[proudmilitarymrs]

Our prayers are with the SSgt and his family. Many thanks to all his supporters.

mrs

[xzins]

It's a shame how they're trying to paint this brave young American, SSgt Wuterich. At the time, he was Sgt Wuterich, if I recall correctly. Wuterich, at this moment in time, is roughly 27 years old. At that time he was roughly 24.

TWENTY-FOUR and on a battlefield, and trying to stay alive, and in charge of a group of guys he wanted to get home. He wanted to bring them home to their loved ones.

Imagine that guys were standing around BSing, the way troops do, and they're talking about a couple of their very OWN platoon members being injured. These are guys they eat with, sleep with, pull duty with, party with, dream with, train with, and fight with. Their guys get hurt and a 24 year old says, "I'd want to kill all the SOBs who hurt one of my guys."

As a combat chaplain, I wouldn't give you an ounce of spit for a team member who didn't have those kind of feelings. I'll bet Dela Cruz just stood there nodding. Why didn't he turn him in at the time, if he thought it was such a crime to think that thought?

Why? Because Cruz knew that Wuterich was doing nothing more than venting, and saying nothing more than, "We're gonna stick together. We're gonna pull each other through this. We're gonna fight for each other. We'll shed blood for each other."

I'm sick of this prosecution of our very young.

At 24 that prosecutor was probably in law school chasing skirts and getting drunk on Friday nights. This young American was trying to keep his troops alive.

This weekend we're gonna celebrate the athletic prowess of college guys on football fields who are about 24. Announcers are gonna call them heroic, brave, role models, etc.

And all they've gotta do is chase a freakin' oblong ball down a field of grass.

[jazusamo]

I’m anxious to read about this cross of DelaCruz, I believe it could have much to do with the outcome for SSgt Wuterich.

[Girlene]

According to courtroom observers, Dela Cruz makes Mendoza look like an intellectual.

Wow. I'm trying to imagine that one. Mendoza would have us believe Wuterich told him to knock on the second house's door, then shoot whoever answered. Reminds me of a skit with Chevy Chase playing the Land Shark from really old Saturday Night Live.