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.

[Girlene]

And, hey, did you catch Rush?

No, but I caught a lot of cobwebs in the cellar tearing out the furnace that has to be replaced. I didn't hear nuffin' working with the heating and cooling guy. :-( But thanks to smooth's great link, Here ya go!



"RUSH: Jack Murtha alert, big news, ladies and gentlemen: "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"........

............."Here's why this is big. From the moment television news started running pictures of this, the Democrats in Congress -- led by Jack Murtha and echoed by no less than Senator Kennedy -- gleefully, joyously, happily picked up the refrain that our military was rapists, murderers, uncontrolled criminals.

They then said, "We have compassion for them. We understand that the failed Bush policies and our continual rotation of deployment is causing untold stress. But we still need to punish these people!" Murtha had no facts. He proclaimed all of these Marines guilty, in the process demoralizing the US military and lying to the American public. The Drive-By Media -- predisposed to also sanction defeat for the United States and for our military in Iraq -- happily, joyfully picked up the refrain and started running stories about how these Marines were nothing but rapists and murderers. And that was the picture that was allowed even before any trial had begun, even before any evidence had been presented. Murtha didn't call anybody. He relied on news reports, pure and simple, because it fit the template. It fit the narrative. Once again, we have an example of the unpatriotic behavior of elected Democrats in power positions in the House and the Senate: eagerly, joyfully doing whatever they could to impugn, falsely accuse, and pile on a bunch of charges which have turned out to be false. Murtha, Kennedy, and all the others that piled on here owe all of these people and the people of the United States of America the US Marine Corps an apology on public television with everybody knowing that it's coming, so as many people as possible can watch this. No less than a public apology will suffice. It won't happen, but this is who your modern-day Democrats are. "..............



SMOKIN'!

[Just A Nobody]

As far as I know, he wants to stay in.

No way! For real???

[RedRover]

When you and pissant started the ping lists, I wonder if you imagined we’d still be at two years later! This has been like an eight-act play, with many twists and turns, and one more act to go. My thanks to you both.

[brityank]

What does this mean, that a new investigation will be conducted if the prosecution does not appeal the ruling?

Great news, but a troubling question; one I don't have an answer to. Looking through some of the other responses, it looks like the option -- appeal or start a new 'investigation' -- is with JAG. I don't see any good outcome for either one of those. The level and depth of the listed UCI presented by TMLC's lawyers looks like a very strong wall they'll need to crack; any additional 'investigation' would run into timeliness and prejudice from both sides.

I also think this opens up SSgt. Wunterich's case for the same UCI charges, as the same group of investigators and prosecutors were used.

So once SSgt. Wunterich's case is closed, where do they all go to recover their good names and their stolen time and treasure?

[pissant]

It is amazing what they have done to these men. All based on Tim McGirks bullshit slander.

[Just A Nobody]

Folsom, ordered that a new investigation be conducted.

Oh for crying out loud! This has be going on for over 2 years. Millions of dollars have been spent trying to hang these Marines. They have been called "cold blooded killers" since before an investigation had barely begun. And worst of all...John al-Murthawi is still sitting on his fat azz on capitol hill. ENOUGH!

[Just A Nobody]

She didn’t like that!

WTG! Tough darts! I didn't like that her boss said; "they killed innocent civilians in cold blood" much either.

[lilycicero]

Bump to pissant and delacoert!

[Just A Nobody]

In comparison, murtha makes Benedict Arnold look honorable.

Ya know...on second glance, you are absolutely correct! ;*)

[RedRover]

Roger. Scuttle the scuttlebutt.

[brityank]

Red; do you know if Col. Folsom’s decision is out on the web yet? Curious to see just what he had to say for those 45 minutes or so — would only have taken any one of us 45 seconds!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the post.

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....

If that same principal applied to politicians, their lips would never move!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping to this article. I already forwarded it to someone that will use it wisely.

[LadyPilgrim]

Dear one...
I had to run errands and just got back in.

It is evident, that murtha isn’t on the side of our precious, brave and courageous, soldiers!

He needs to brought up on charges of treason or whatever else can be thrown at him.

[RedRover]

So far, all the officers have. As Major Jeff Dinsmore said when deciding to stay in, “All the cool people are in Iraq.”

There’s actually conflicting rumors about LtCol Chessani. Only he knows for sure, and he isn’t talking.

[brityank]

ENOUGH!

Nah !

It ain't over 'till the Fat Man sings.

[Just A Nobody]

Send an email to this loathsome, sorry excuse of a "man" and let him know how you REALLY feel!

Reading your post I had a thought... (I know...very rare)

How about if we all print out the graphic in post #205 and send them all on the same day?

We could add YOU LIED ... NOW RESIGN across the top.

[RedRover]

Not yet. According to one source, Col Folsom took apart the prosecution in exhaustive detail. Fingers crossed it’ll be made available soon. Though it may be closely guarded until the appeals clock has run out.

[Velveeta]

I hope smarmy Tim McGirk and that traitorous bastard John Murtha are sued for every last penny they own.

Almost to the finish line. One more Haditha Marine to set free.

May God bless them all.

[Girlene]

Red; do you know if Col. Folsom’s decision is out on the web yet? Curious to see just what he had to say for those 45 minutes or so —

Bumpin' that, brit. That's a very detailed and long dissertation of the Undue Command Influnece decision. I've never heard a judge go on for that long. That would be quite interesting to read.