Posted on 04/23/2009 9:20:20 AM PDT by xzins
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- A Justice Department attorney said U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., should be immune from a defamation lawsuit filed by a former Marine from western Pennsylvania.
Murtha
Essentially, Murtha's attorney said the lawsuit filed in September by Justin Sharratt, of Canonsburg, should be dismissed for the same reasons that a federal appeals court struck down a similar suit by Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, of Meriden, Conn., last week.
The court ruled that Murtha couldn't be sued because he was acting within the scope of his employment when he accused Wuterich's squad of killing innocent civilians "in cold blood" in Haditha, Iraq in 2005.
Sharratt has been cleared of wrongdoing. Wuterich remains charged by a military court but says he's innocent.
Sharratt said Murtha's comments on TV news shows go beyond his duties as a congressman.
Great news, Smooth.
Thanks for letting us know this and I suppose we’re all just as shocked as you about the smoke signals. LOL!
That’s good news, if true.
I think he still has the problem of Murtha never mentioning him by name in public.
Take it to the bank, my source is impeccable.
I think he still has the problem of Murtha never mentioning him by name in public.
No he doesn't. Murtha was blanketly passing judgement and condemning a specific squad of Marines, of which Justin was a member. The name of every Marine in the squad was known publicly, it wasn't necessary for Murtha to name each one individually, his words condemned them all.
Murtha is a slime ball and I truly hope that Sharratt has a cause of action against him and can prevail. I have read every USSC case related to defamation and I think the fact that Murtha never mentioned anyone by name is a problem. Murtha stating that a Marine squad committed murder does not identify Sharratt individually.
If this case goes forward, I can assure you that this fact will be a defense he presents.
As far as Murtha's defense, I'm sure his attorneys will attempt any stunt they can conjure up. LOL! Let 'em, it will just show him for the fool he is.
But I come from a different mindset.
I don't see it as a problem.
Murtha is a prime, if not thee prime example of why we should have term limits. Especially if there is no limit to the way he terms things.
Either that or he is the reason for birth control.
“We’re surrounded...”
good, now we can kill ‘em all.
Two years after he left the Marine Corps vs. when the statements were made......Interesting. Thanks, again, smooth.
No one who knows anything about class actions would think it is appropriate in this situation.
Our personal views don't count; the law does, or at least it should.
A court clerk has to accept a filing of a new lawsuit whether or not it is filed properly.
The suit was amended and refiled on April 15th. That much is known for certain.
G’Night, counselor! :)
Comment: Anyone who knows anything about Marines knows about Honor. murtha didn't slander a lowly little band of idiots.
The idiot slandered Marines. It doesn't need to be acceptable by a judge, just filing it would get it on record in the court of public opinion. That seemed to work just fine for fat bastard with his objective.
I don’t think you are being an ass, but I will take a back seat to no one when it comes to doing what is honorable for reasons you aren’t aware, but may soon.
Off course snakes have the genes to slither out of any trouble and escape through the tall grass. The ex-Marine and his croonies appear to be among the most adaptable snakes on earth.
I’m beginning to think that pig will never have to answer for what he does. At least not in this life. It’s so sad. But I hold out hope that one day we will see him fall.
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