Posted on 05/23/2008 11:08:44 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
RALEIGH , N.C. - A Marine Corps general says two officers whose unit was accused of killing up to 19 Afghan civilians in 2007 will not face criminal charges.
The Marines said Friday that Lt. General Samuel Helland made the decision not to bring charges after reviewing the findings of a special tribunal that heard more than three weeks of testimony in January.
The tribunal investigated allegations that as many as 19 Afghan civilians died when a unit of Marines special operations troops opened fire after a car bomb targeted their convoy in March 2007.
It was the first time in more than 50 years the Marines empaneled a Court of Inquiry. It only considered the actions of two officers: company commander Maj. Fred C. Galvin and platoon leader Capt. Vincent J. Noble.
I’m gonna bump you on Parmy’s good synopsis.
If some scrote (pardon my jarhead) tries to accost me, I’m not calling the cops and waiting on protocol, I’ll take care of it anyway I can.
Finally. ‘Bout time this went away.
I hadn’t seen it either. Nor did I remember that frank h. III was after others.
Isn’t it, though.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty tired of fish stew.
BUMP for sanity, finally.
I'm sure there are a few JAG lawyers with integrity, but from closely following the railroad job foisted on the Haditha Marines for the past two-plus years, and the JAG/NCIS corruption evident in that pathetic mess, I can't seem to work up any respect for JAG in a general sense. Nothing personal.
FRegards,
LH
It just depends on the personal integrity of the individual.
I know there is ONE good JAG out there. However, the one appointed to defend Evan Vela, well, if there was anyone more deserving of a B!+ch Slap it would be his mother.
Our job as JAGs is to enforce the law as it currently exists, not to change it to suit our personal view (and mine is generally the same as yours). Changes to law and treaty are for politicians, not for warriors. And JAGs are warriors, subject to the orders of their superiors. Once again, WE DON’T MAKE THE LAWS, except insofar as some lawmakers are also lawyers (though Lindsay Graham is the only lawmaker I’m aware of who is also a JAG). Get the people who GIVE the orders to rule that the conventions are not applicable and we JAGs revise our advice accordingly. Till then, it would be helpful if people didn’t blame the messenger.
Colonel, USAFR
To blame the lot for the actions of a few really isn’t helpful either. The vast majority of JAGs, regardless of service, have integrity. Our job, when we’re prosecuting, is to look at the evidence and decide whether probable cause exists to believe a violation of the UCMJ was committed. If that’s found to be so, our job/charter is to carry out the wishes of the commander and represent the government in ensuring justice is done, NOT to secure a conviction. Those who just seek convictions are either young and foolish or twisted in their view of justice. The Mike Murphys and Tom Fiscuses of the AF JAG Corps give the rest of us a bad name - but make no mistake, they’re in the TINY minority.
Colonel, USAFR, proud to be a member of the USAF Judge Advocate General’s Corps Reserve.
I think that we are being overly sensitive and decidedly off the topic.
The gist of the discussion is that 'rules of engagement' are in reality causing people to be killed. And, these rules should be eliminated. If that is not acceptable, then don't fight wars and don't put the people who do the heavy lifting in positions of judicial liability for doing their jobs.
What I see from your comments is this: One, you just follow orders. Sixty years ago that was cause for conviction and hanging. Two, worrying about blaming the messenger doesn't say much about 'command presence'. If one wants the position of leadership, then be a leader.
I am not impressed with Lindsey Graham. He, in short, is a RINO. He is definitely not conservative and from what I can gather, dearly wishes acceptance from the other party.
Finally, I take a moderate amount of umbrage with your idea of 'warrior'. The warriors that I have known get dirty. They burn s*** when it is necessary. They back up and stand by their fellow warriors. They work 24/7 for days, weeks and even years on end. Their uniforms generally aren't tailored. They eat and live on crappy meals. And, the comparisons go on.
Ping!
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About Contact Archives RSS Columns Photos Michelle Malkin Lead StoryHaditha Marine Lt. Andrew Grayson acquitted
By Michelle Malkin • June 5, 2008 07:10 AM
(Graphic via Defend Our Marines)
Paging John Murtha: Haditha Marine Lt. Andrew Grayson found not guilty on all counts. See if you can find the story on the NYTimes or any other MSM outlet that splashed the original accusations all over their front pages. You’ll need a magnifying glass.
Go to Defend Our Marines for all the background on the case and breaking developments.
Bob Owens at PJM reports and reminds:
Early in the investigations, based upon unknown evidence, Democratic Rep. John Murtha (PA) stated that “there was no firefight, there was no IED that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.”
Barack Obama, asked about Murtha’s charge by Alan Colmes in June of 2006, stated, “I would never second guess John Murtha… I think he’s somebody who knows of which he speaks.”
Murtha’s “in cold blood” statement and the Democratic Presidential nominee’s unquestioning acceptance came seven months before the military charged eight Marines with various offenses in December of 2006. Charges against five of the eight Marines have since be dropped for lack of evidence, and in the first of three scheduled trials, Grayson has been acquitted. It remains to be seen if Rep. Murtha or Senator Obama will offer Lt. Grayson an apology, cold-blooded, or otherwise.
Of the two cases remaining, only Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich faces charges directly related to the killings. The most serious charges he faces are nine counts of involuntary manslaughter. Curiously, his case has been postponed indefinitely, and was not expected to resume until after both of his military defense attorneys had retired, weakening his defense in a complex case. Late-breaking information from Bruce Kessler of The Democracy Project, who has been covering the Haditha cases in detail, states that Lt. Col. Colby Vokey will delay his retirement again to stay with Wuterich’s defense.
The third case, against commanding officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, is said to be tainted by “unlawful command influence” in charging Chessani according to the judge presiding over the case, suggesting that Chessani is a political scapegoat for higher-ranking officers seeking to appease anti-war politicians. His trial is expected to commence June 17.
Flashback: Murtha cuts and runs when confronted about his slander by YAF/Hot Air TV correspondent Jason Mattera:
You can run, but you can’t hide.
***
Bruce Kesler has much more on the steadfastness of Lt. Grayson.
Gary Gross, who has followed the case from day one, writes:
It’s disgusting that these Marines were wrongly accused. It’s obvious that this was a corrupt prosecution that wouldn’t have happened if not for Murtha’s unfounded accusations. He’s one of the most vile, despicable exuses for a human being I’ve ever seen, ranking only a few paces ahead of Judas Iscariot of thirty pieces of silver fame.
Once Sgt. Wuterich and Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cjhessani are acquitted, I will demand a full apology from Rep. Murtha. This blog’s followers know that I called Murtha’s DC office to get his statement after the charges against Justin Sharratt were dropped in july, 2007. Here’s what Brit Hume said about my call on that day’s Political Grapevine:
Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman John Murtha refused to comment today when asked by Gary Gross of the Let Freedom Ring blog for a reaction to Colonel Ware’s recommendation. You’ll recall that Murtha has said the Marines “overreacted” and “killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” But today his office said he would not comment because the investigation is ongoing.
Rep. Murtha won’t be able to hide behind that excuse much longer. When Col. Chessani and SSgt. Wuterich are acquitted, I’ll place that call again. When I call again, I will demand that they fully apologize for Rep. Murtha’s despicable accusations.
That day is coming soon.
This was an obvious railroad job from the beginning by unknown forces in and out of the govt., but most of all by the officers, themselves.
Someone should have had the testicular fortitude to stand up and say, "To carry on with this miscarriage of justice is an 'unlawful' order."
But as I have said before, the officer corps of all the services is full of a bunch of ticket-punchers playing CYA. These individuals need to be flushed out of their respective services and ashcanned.
Now, we have just one more to clear and then those responsible and cupable can be subjected to same kind of treatment, especially hitting their pocketbooks, which they so dearly love and which they forsake all to protect.
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