Panel faults Marine for response to Iraq killings (Slanted Headline)

AP ^ | December 12, 2009 | ELLIOT SPAGAT

[Syncro]

Panel faults Marine for response to Iraq killings

By ELLIOT SPAGAT (AP) – 2 hours ago

SAN DIEGO — A military panel found that a Marine officer displayed substandard performance in his response to the deaths of 24 Iraqis but said he should maintain his rank.

*snip*

Last year, a military judge dismissed a criminal charge of dereliction of duty against Chessani because of improper conduct involving two other people, the general overseeing the case and an investigator. Chessani was relieved of his command in 2006.

*snip*

"The only thing we're disappointed in is that we still don't believe, after all the evidence is in, that Col. Chessani was substandard in his performance," Brian Rooney, his civilian attorney, said Saturday.

*snip*

Chessani resisted an investigation after an initial inspection found no evidence of insurgent activity and Haditha leaders met with Marines to complain of war crimes, prosecutors said at the hearing. A full investigation did not begin until January 2006 when a Time magazine reporter inquired.

*snip*

Eight Marines were charged with murder or with failing to properly report or investigate the killings. Charges were dismissed against six and one was acquitted. The sole remaining defendant is Wuterich, whose court-martial is not yet scheduled.

[Syncro]

Last year, a military judge dismissed a criminal charge of dereliction of duty against Chessani because of improper conduct involving two other people, the general overseeing the case and an investigator. Chessani was relieved of his command in 2006.

From Here

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A military panel is calling a Marine officer's response to the deaths of 24 Iraqis a substandard performance. But the three-member Camp Pendleton board of inquiry says Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani shouldn't be demoted. He's accused of failing to investigate the November 2005 killings in the town of Haditha (hah-DEE'-thuh). It's up to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus (MAY'-buhs) to rule on the panel's recommendation.

Panel faults Marine for response to Iraq killings

The Associated Press - Elliot Spagat - ‎4 hours ago‎

The recommendation Friday by a three-member Board of Inquiry at Camp Pendleton is a mixed result for Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, who was accused of failing ...

Examiner.com

USMC Lt. Col. won't be punished for inadequate investigation of killings

Examiner.com - ‎4 hours ago‎

The panel of senior officers said yesterday that Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani “demonstrated substandard performance of duty, but did not commit any acts of ...

MILITARY: Mixed ruling for Marine in civilian slayings in Iraq

North County Times - ‎21 hours ago‎

The military board said it will recommend to the secretary of the Navy that Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, with 22 years of service and three tours of duty in ...

Testify in Haditha case about leader's 'outstanding military character'

WND.com - Chelsea Schilling - ‎Dec 10, 2009‎

A long line of "stand up" officers and enlisted men who served with Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani are testifying before a three-member ...

[Syncro]

An article from yesterday at WND:

IN THE MILITARY

Marines stand up for embattled officer

Testify in Haditha case about leader's 'outstanding military character'

---

Posted: December 11, 2009
12:10 am Eastern

By Chelsea Schilling
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani

A long line of "stand up" officers and enlisted men who served with Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani are testifying before a three-member military panel, four years after the so-called "Haditha Massacre," and vouching for the Marine's outstanding military character.

The panel will determine whether Chessani should be demoted in retirement for dereliction of duty. It will hear closing arguments tomorrow.

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm, has been defending Chessani at no charge. The center reported Maj. Jeffrey Dinsmore, Chessani's former intelligence officer, informed the board on Dec. 9 of the complexity of the daylong engagement in Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005. He said his intelligence assessment indicated Marines were going to be attacked in Haditha that day. Later intelligence confirmed the attack was one they were expecting from foreign fighters – namely Syrians.

[Syncro]

Indexing related threads here at Free Republic:

• MILITARY: Mixed ruling for Marine in civilian slayings in Iraq (LtCol Chessani)

  Friday, December 11, 2009 7:09:41 PM · by jazusamo · 65 replies · 872+ views

  NC Times ^ | December 11, 2009 | Mark Walker

• TMLC: Closing Arguments This Morning In LtCol Chessani Board of Inquiry

  Friday, December 11, 2009 2:19:45 PM · by Gene Eric · 2 replies · 117+ views

  Thomas More Law Center ^ | December 11, 2009 | e-mail

• TMLC: "Grunt Civilian" Gives Account of LtCol. Chessani's many Character Witnesses

  Friday, December 11, 2009 12:30:25 PM · by Gene Eric · 14 replies · 255+ views

  Thomas More Law Center ^ | December 11, 2009 | e-mail

• TMLC: LtCol Chessani’s BOI Cont. - "Stand Up" Marine Officers Substantiate Chessani’s Innocence

  Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:08:19 PM · by Gene Eric · 14 replies · 302+ views

  Thomas More Law Center ^ | December 10, 2009 | e-mail

• TMLC:A Self Described “Grunt Civilian” gives First Hand Account of Chessani BOI...

  Wednesday, December 09, 2009 12:34:38 PM · by Gene Eric · 24 replies · 301+ views

  Thomas More Law Center ^

[Syncro]

Jazusamo, I saw a thread from yesterday that you posted.

I found this stuff, and thought I would post it here in Front Page News.

Perhaps you could ping people interested in this outcome?

Thanks

Just A Nobody, FYI

[USNBandit]

So charges were dismissed against six, and one was acquitted so far. Chessani’s “sub-standard” performance seems to have been coming to exactly the same conclusion that the convening officer did.

[Syncro]

Yea, it seems the military panel was politically charged.

They had to find something to hit him with.

His attorney expressed what the evidence showed.

"The only thing we're disappointed in is that we still don't believe, after all the evidence is in, that Col. Chessani was substandard in his performance," Brian Rooney, his civilian attorney, said Saturday.

[Yorktownpatriot]

When might we expect an apology from Comrade John Murtha-C (communist)PA?

[bigheadfred]

Lancey referred to the finding as “lame” on a related thread. I would like to add that this finding seems prissy. To me, “prissy” and “Marines” are antonyms. Crapalotta is living up to his name.

I am afraid the bull they are going to pull with SSgt. Wuterich is going to far surpass all the bull they have pulled so far. If it hasn’t already. He is the last man standing. Just like Evan Vela.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping and posts, Syncro. You've compiled a lot of info.

HADITHA MARINE PING!

[Gene Eric]

>> “substandard performance”

Who didn’t see this bullshit coming???

[jazusamo]

THE HADITHA MARINES:

        

Eight were charged. One awaits justice.

Charges dismissed, BOI-no misconduct

[Marine_Uncle]

So the pricks had to pin at least something on him. Now what is his chance for advancement to full bird. Probably not.

[smoothsailing]

Good work, Syncro, gathering these articles on the same thread.

I'll add one more link to it. The Encyclopedia of all things Haditha, the dedicated mission of our very own Red Rover...

DEFENDOURMARINES

[jazusamo]

I'll add one more link to it. The Encyclopedia of all things Haditha, the dedicated mission of our very own Red Rover...

Most appropriate you added "Defend Our Marines" link, Red has gone above and beyond for the Haditha Marines!

[Tribune7]

Slap On Wrist For Chessani Means Bloody Lip For Murtha

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the nice package of links regarding this case. Think I shall bookmark it for future reference.