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.

[Just A Nobody]

Pshaw! Ack...you remember that?!?! LOL!

[Just A Nobody]

Now I want to know who is going to reimburse these marines for the legal fees they had to spend to defend themselves for defending themselves.

I've always believed that al-Murthawi should pick up the tab. By force if necessary.

[Just A Nobody]

Happy Anniversay and many more!

[Girlene]

The more I think about it, the more I think it's over. I agree, Lancey. The prosecutors' big chance is over. Continuing on will only be out of spite.

On the other hand.... Maybe a new investigation SHOULD be done so that a new judge can clear Chessani based on the facts of the case rather than on the tainted appearance of UCI.

I think this one should just go away. I think a dismissal is enough to clear Lt. Col. Chessani's name.

[Lancey Howard]

"Putting men on trial based on rumors from a terrorist and a commie thug reporter is preposterous!"

.....is EXACTLY what the next military judge should say as he slams down his gavel and says, "Case dismissed. This court is adjourned!".

[Just A Nobody]

Wish I could figure out a way to get appointed as the next judge.

[xzins]

blueberry cheesecake.

Now I'm jealous! Blueberry cheesecake is in the pantheon of heavenly desserts.

#1 - Key lime pie

#2 - Blueberry Cheesecake

#3 - Lemon Meringue Pie

[Lancey Howard]

I think this one should just go away. I think a dismissal is enough to clear Lt. Col. Chessani's name.

Agreed.
The cowards all the way up the chain of command have handed the terrorists a victory, and a fine Marine Corps combat commander has been lost. Nothing can be done about that now. LtCol Chessani deserves a vacation and the chance to get on with his life.

[amom]

jazusamo, thanks for your hard work and this thread. Wonderful news, greatly appreciated.

[dynachrome]

A late

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[Girlene]

Rooney said in the above what I think is a clear offer to the Marines: Chessani says he's going to retire. In shorthand, "No one's going to try to embarrass you. Let's just let this be over."

According to this AP article, ...."Chessani has served in the military for more than 20 years and has filed paperwork to retire. He is being held in the Marine Corps pending the outcome of the case."...

Good analysis, xzins. It's time to let it go.

[Girlene]

WHAT? No chocolate anything on that list?! :-)

[cookcounty]

WITH THE ANBAR AWAKENING....wouldn't it be a good idea to go back to now largely pacified Haditha and RE-INVESTIGATE???

A serious jornalistic investigation was not possible in Haditha in 2005-2006, but now it is. Some ambitious reporter with a broader view of things might make some interesting discoveries.

[bigheadfred]

If Lt.Col. Chessani stays in, it would be most interesting to follow his career. Is it normal, do they stand on his neck, or is it an automatic 50 attaboys?

Be nice if one could study the thought processes of the Joint Chiefs. But I don’t think nano (and I mean NANO)) technology has progressed that far.

[xzins]

#4 is pineapple upside down cake (with the crunchy fried edges of carmelized brown sugar and pineapple juice)

Chocolate is highly over-rated. :>)

(ducking...and running out of the house...)

[bigheadfred]

Don’t FREAK OUT!!!

X was talking about dessert, not a LIFESTYLE

P.S. More inspiration!!! You people are GREAT!!

[freema]

Very good point.

[Girlene]

Lt. Col. Chessani has filed paperwork to retire, so I doubt we’ll find out. He probably knows his future is not what it used to be in the Marines. However, assuming no charges are refiled, he will now be in total control of his life, unlike the last two years.

[maine-iac7]

Does anyone have a FAX number for Murtha? That could be fun...

PA office fax: F: (814) 539-6229

DC office fax: F: (202) 225-5709

Enjoy!

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

“Then she said Murtha would not be making any statements while judicial activity is ongoing.”

He certainly had plenty to say when charges were made (that was “while a judicial activity in ongoing.”)