Posted on 09/26/2008 11:31:04 AM PDT by smoothsailing
By Michael Jones, Staff writer
PITTSBURGH - Hours after filing a federal slander lawsuit against Congressman John Murtha, 24-year-old Justin Sharratt coolly described in one word what he wants from the man who said he and his fellow Marines killed "innocent civilians in cold blood."
"Justice," Sharratt said without flinching. "Basically, just showing America that a congressman can't get on TV and say anything he wants."
Sharratt, of Canonsburg, was charged in 2006 with three counts of unpremeditated murder after a battle on Nov. 19, 2005, in Haditha that left 24 Iraqis dead. The charges were dropped in July 2007, but his resentment toward Murtha lingers because of what it has done to his reputation.
"What (Murtha) did was completely unnecessary and outrageous," said Sharratt's lawyer, Noah Geary, at a news conference in his downtown office.
The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday morning in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, alleges Murtha, D-Johnstown, made comments outside the scope of his employment as an elected official that slandered Sharratt, presumed he was guilty and violated his right to due process. It also claims Sharratt has "lost significant employment opportunities" during this time and has "suffered permanent, irreversible damage to his reputation."
Six months after the Haditha incident in 2005, Murtha said he was briefed by military officials about an investigation involving the Marines. At a news conference on May 17, 2006, he told reporters that the Marines snapped after one of their comrades was killed by a roadside bomb and killed innocent civilians in retaliation.
"There was no firefight. There was no IED that killed these people," Murtha said, alluding to an initial report that 15 civilians were killed by a roadside bomb. "Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood."
He went on several talk shows over the next two weeks and repeated his claims, citing top military officials. The Department of Defense distanced itself from the comments, and Geary bluntly said Thursday that he thinks Murtha made the story up.
"And if he did hear something, it was speculation at best," Geary said.
Murtha did not return a call seeking comment.
Sharratt testified that two of three men he killed were armed with AK-47 assault rifles. He said he killed a third man who appeared to be moving toward a closet where weapons were later found. Sharratt said he never entered two other houses where more Iraqis were killed.
Friends have been supportive of Sharratt, but people who see him on the street have called him a "baby killer" or accused him of "slaughtering people." He also said he has received numerous threatening e-mails.
The family has phoned Murtha's office about 50 times, and Sharratt's father, Darryl, spoke to the congressman once. Murtha was unapologetic about his comments, the family said.
"I feel a lot better now knowing Murtha is getting the justice he deserves," Justin Sharratt said.
The timing of the lawsuit raises questions of whether Sharratt is trying to influence the upcoming election between Murtha and his Republican challenger, William Russell. Geary disputed that suggestion and said this is a legal action designed to show that Sharratt's constitutional rights were violated. It also falls within the one-year statute of limitations, Geary said, because Sharratt was honorably discharged from the Marines last fall.
Sharratt added that he has met Russell only once, last year while at a campaign event for Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey. He has not had any communication with Russell or his campaign since then, Geary said.
In an an interview last December with the Observer-Reporter, the family said they would like to see Murtha removed from office, and they were endorsing Russell.
Murtha will have 60 days to respond to the lawsuit and could hire a lawyer through the Justice Department. Geary expects Murtha will attempt to dismiss the lawsuit by saying he was acting in the scope of his duty as a government employee.
And although Geary acknowledged there are "tricky issues with immunity and an uphill battle" with the lawsuit, he said Sharratt remains committed to clearing his name.
Thursday's filing was another step Sharratt and his family have made over the past three years.
Sharratt has moved back from California and is living with his parents in their Canonsburg home. He said he is looking to apply to several Pittsburgh-area colleges and wants to study criminal justice.
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
Sharratt-Murtha ping!
I’d like to spit on the author/editor who decided to put “justice” in quotation marks.
I fear murtha’s mouth has immunity .
Hours after filing a federal slander lawsuit against Congressman John Murtha, 24-year-old Justin Sharratt coolly described in one word what he wants from the man who said he and his fellow Marines killed "innocent civilians in cold blood."
"Justice," Sharratt said without flinching. "Basically, just showing America that a congressman can't get on TV and say anything he wants."
http://www.justinsharratt.com/donations.html
Murtha's opponent, Bill Russell, has already raised over $2 million
The family has phoned Murtha's office about 50 times, and Sharratt's father, Darryl, spoke to the congressman once.
In spite of Murtha's arrogance this shows what a coward he is.
To be added to the Murtha Watch ping list please notify myself or RedRover.
I saw that, Smooth, and I respectfully disagree. I’ve read many articles about the bloated traitor describing what took place, and rarely if ever did I see “innocent Iraqis” or “civilians” in quotation marks.
The Department of Defense distanced itself from [Murtha's] comments, and Geary bluntly said Thursday that he thinks Murtha made the story up.
You're allowed. :-)
Geary expects Murtha will attempt to dismiss the lawsuit by saying he was acting in the scope of his duty as a government employee.IANAL, but I'd suspect that by making that particular claim, Murtha would be admitting to exerting "command influence" over Sharratt's UCMJ proceedings. Since all military appropriations are controlled by Congress, an argument could possibly be made in that regard.
Freeper lawyers - any thoughts on this?
WTF? Sharratt couldn't start any suit until his case slowly worked it's way through the justice system and he was cleared, which was recently. So that's the timing issue. Things would have worked out better for Murtha if the case kept going on until after the election but that's life. Maybe Murtha should have thrown more mud because that helped drag the case out as long as it did.
I wish reporters would at least try and pretend to work on a story.
Good. Otherwise I was gonna have you fight Glondoor in a stone circle of death match.
Murtha was too stupid to realize that things said on TV news shows are not under the same protection as statements made on the House/Senate Floors. I guess he'll learn the hard way.
This is CHANGE zero. Not empty suit syndrome.
Jury Duty, Criminal case.
I was packed, I mean “packed” in an elevator in the Baltimore City Court House yesterday,
Just as the door tried to close, a 280+ pound African American politician with a large briefcase, forced the doors back, and compressed all of us like sardines. “I work here everyday...sorry “.
At that moment I thought of that knucklehead, Murtha.
After the elevator rose just one, i say again....one floor, he got off allowing everyone to exhale. All of the derogatory comments that followed came from the predominately black occupants.
The defense attorney, in keeping with stacking the jury with African Americans, without looking at me, requested that I be excused. Was it because I was the only male in the jury pool who was wearing a tie?
Was it my zip code, college education?
I guess I am some people's worst night mare...A white, blue eyed,college educated,Christian,Republican, straight,male,Viet Nam Vet. A true Monster.....talk about a Baltimore minority.
I agree with you,HGC. There is a pro-Murtha agenda being attempted in the article. The refreshing thing is, local readers of the paper aren’t fooled. Below I’ve posted the comments they posted below the article on the papers website:
.........................
5 comments
Sharratt VS Murtha = GOOD! : 9/26/2008
Good for you, Justin. We need an address to send contributions, please. Now, how about asking Murtha about that last soldier whose pursuit of justice and being released is being waylaid until AFTER the election? These soldiers stand in our stead, put their lives on the line and THIS is what they have to go through? Dispicable.
A Veteran Who Is VERY Disgusted
JOKE : 9/26/2008
Noah Geary is a Republican hack who fancies himself a political player, and this garbage lawsuit is proof. This is just two guys looking to turn themselves into celebrities; he got his “justice” when he was exonerated of the charges. Geary should be ashamed of this “wrapping myself in the flag” stunt, but with his arrogance, I’m sure that will never happen.
Noah Geary = Publicity Wh0re
Murtha Sells Out Country : 9/26/2008
This piece crap congressman, for the sake of political power, degrades an innocent serviceman and sells out his country. There are quite a few Democrats who would sell out their country in favor of political power. I hope Murtha gets what he deserves.
Another angry veteran
HEY JOKE : 9/26/2008
Typical Dumbocrap....you would defend the devil himself if it mean political power for you LIBTURDS.
Another angry veteran
Murtha knows not Semper Fi : 9/26/2008
Having served with the United States Marines for over 3 years as a member of the United States Navy let me start by saying that there is no military organization finer than the Marines. Mr. Murtha should be ceremoniously stripped of the title of Marine. The time I spent serving with the nations finest was indeed the pinacle of my 10 year career. Mr. Murthas comments were irresponsible and purely made for political gain. To not offer an apology just goes to show you how pigheaded this unpatriotic politician actually is. Please provide us with contact information so that we may aid in costs of any legal representation. Thank you for your exemplary service.
Anthony J. Lewandowski
And a branch campus of the University of Pittsburgh just awarded Murtha their First-Ever Distinguished Alumni Award. *vomit*
http://www.upj.pitt.edu/14735/
http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2008/09/26/news/news/news451.txt
I've got to run out for a few hours. One of you guys wanna start a thread with this? I'll check back later. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.