MILITARY: Judge dismisses charges against Marine (Haditha)

NC Times ^ | June 17, 2008 | AP

[jazusamo]

CAMP PENDLETON ---- A military judge has dismissed charges against a Marine officer accused of failing to investigate the killings of 24 Iraqis.

Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges Tuesday against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after defense attorneys raised concerns that a four-star general overseeing the prosecution was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom excluded Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement.

Chessani was the highest-ranking officer implicated in the case.

[RedRover]

Yes, one more: SSgt Frank Wuterich.

[RedRover]

Scuttlebutt at Pendleton is that, if prosecutors are unchecked, it could be two years before SSgt Wuterich is in a courtroom. Prosecutors have apparently signalled a willingness to pursue the CBS case to the Supreme Court.

I seriously doubt that will happen. Care to make a prediction about that?

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[Girlene]

Great post, billmor, and spot on. Excerpting this.....

This should be a lesson to the civilian politicians in this country too: don’t try and micromanage a war...Fund, supply, apply broad policy, but don’t interfere in the lives of your trained troops if they are carrying out the mission to the best of their ability..Keep in mind that in our military academies, the men and women are taught repeatedly: do not lie...That same principal should apply to military journalists and to politicians who want to create stories of malfeasance where there is none....

A bit from MSNBC, Charges dropped in case of Haditha killings

........"Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after finding that a four-star general overseeing the case was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.

"Unlawful command influence is the mortal enemy of military justice," Folsom said. "In order to restore the public confidence, we need to take it back. We need to turn the clock back."

Chessani, of Rangely, Colo., was the highest-ranking officer to face a combat-related court-martial since the Vietnam War.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom barred Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement in the case."..........

[jazusamo]

Yes, SSgt. Frank Wuterich is the last. There’s no date set for his courts-martial as yet and this UCI ruling could delay it even further down the road I suppose. Hopefully this ruling would force his charges to be dropped also.

[smoothsailing]

Rush Limbaugh weighed in on his radio show today. A transcript of the segment has just been posted on his website....

When Will Murtha Apologize?

[lilycicero]

Scuttlebutt...no way.

[Girlene]

Scuttlebutt at Pendleton is that, if prosecutors are unchecked, it could be two years before SSgt Wuterich is in a courtroom. Prosecutors have apparently signalled a willingness to pursue the CBS case to the Supreme Court.

WHAT????!!!!!

I seriously doubt that will happen. Care to make a prediction about that?

Yes, they are crazy, and will be placed on more meds than you can put in a 5 gallon bucket. Marine leadership made their point with the new "winning hearts and minds" policy associated with COIN. Time to give it up. Let these families get on with their lives. Continuing on to the Supreme Court over CBS outtakes of the 60 minutes interview? Head meet brick wall. How much would the Marines like to ruin their reputation and recruitment via their prosecutorial branch?

[lilycicero]

It’s official....no to the scuttlebutt.

[RedRover]

This could be all wet, but I just heard that the only way there could be a new investigation and new charges if the SecDef (not even the SecNav) orders it himself.

[Semper Fi Mom]

Just getting on the thread - been on the phone most of the day - still trying to undo my “knots”. This is definitely a GREAT DECISION FOR CHESSANI; however, the next 72 hours will either make or break this case. I hope the prosecution has enough sense to just DROP IT ALTOGETHER!!

As for the case against Frank, we are still waiting for an answer to the last appeal by the prosecution for the CBS interview “outtakes” and praying that he won’t be used as a scapegoat to justify the millions of dollars the prosecution has spent.

Please keep him and his family in your prayers!

[jazusamo]

Excellent segment by Rush, Smooth. He’s got it right about Murtha and knows full well what a despicable old man he is.

[jazusamo]

Our prayers are with Frank and all of you, SFM.

[jazusamo]

That sounds like it might be to the Marines advantage, hope it’s true, Red.

[lilycicero]

Stay strong...almost there.

[Girlene]

For all those who phoned Congressman’s Murtha’s office or the White House, or otherwise let your opinion be known beyond FR regarding Lt. Col. Chessani...... Awesome Job! Fatima, the prayers were answered.

[RedRover]

I second all that, Girl.

And, hey, did you catch Rush?

[RedRover]

Word on the grapevine is that Col Folsom made it very clear in his decision that Sullivan had no case to go on with. That’s second-hand, but it fits. Hopefully, Sullivan won’t take the full 72 hours to drop an appeal.

Mom, many, many people here are praying for Frank, his family, and you and Dave. We will all keep the faith until Frank is free.

[RedRover]

Glad you’re here for the celebration, ASGM! All signs point to an end, at last, to this terrible ordeal.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping to this picture filled statement!

And a HUGE THANK YOU to the Defense Team: Capt Jeff King, TMLC Atty Rob Muise, TMLC Atty Brian Rooney, and LtCol Jon Shelburne.

Well done!