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Marine charged in Haditha killings wins key ruling from judge (Some Good News!)
LA Times ^ | March 23, 2010 | Tony Perry

Posted on 03/23/2010 5:43:45 PM PDT by jazusamo

The defense for the last Marine facing criminal charges in the fatal shooting of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005 won a key ruling Tuesday that could lead to the case being dropped.

Lt. Col. David Jones, the military judge, ruled that attorneys for Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich had successfully shown that there was the possibility of what the military calls undue command influence in the decision by a general to send Wuterich to a court martial.

Jones' ruling requires that prosecutors prove beyond a reasonable doubt that no such influence existed or that, while it may have existed, it did not influence the general's decision.

Faced with a similar ruling in the case of another Marine charged in the Haditha killings, prosecutors could not meet the burden of proof to the judge's satisfaction. After losing an appeal, the Marine Corps dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani.

Jones set a hearing for Wednesday to hear any evidence prosecutors want to present. Maj. Nicholas Gannon, one of the prosecutors, said he was "99.9% sure" that he has no further evidence.

During the two-day hearing at Camp Pendleton,Gen. James Mattis and retired Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland testified that their decisions to charge Wuterich were not improperly influenced. Jones promised to issue his ruling Friday afternoon.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: haditha; wuterich
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To: jazusamo; Saoirise
Thanks for the ping, jaz, and the update,Saoirise!

So far so good, it appears.

Here's hoping amd praying we can all breath a sigh of relief and joy come Friday.

41 posted on 03/24/2010 6:29:54 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: xzins

I don’t know the thought behind the letter, xzins. I knew about the letter but didn’t know that Winter overruled a non-punitive recommendation by Mattis.

I haven’t heard from RedRover and wish he’d get back here. :)


42 posted on 03/24/2010 6:31:45 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: All

I must correct myself, there didn’t appear to be any media at the hearing today.


43 posted on 03/24/2010 6:35:49 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Good news!


44 posted on 03/24/2010 6:42:59 PM PDT by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck.)
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To: jazusamo; smoothsailing; xzins
I must correct myself, there didn’t appear to be any media at the hearing today.

In that case, Mark Walker must be someplace pecking madly away on a keyboard.

45 posted on 03/24/2010 6:46:12 PM PDT by bigheadfred (BE WHO YOU ARE. SAY WHAT YOU FEEL. Those who matter don't mind.Those who mind don't matter)
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To: bigheadfred

Walker sure didn’t write much about the first day, guess he doesn’t care to expand his articles when it’s good news for the defendant.


46 posted on 03/24/2010 6:53:35 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo; xzins

Defend Our Marines is up and running and updated as of yesterday!

http://warchronicle.com/TheyAreNotKillers/DefendOurMarines.htm


47 posted on 03/24/2010 7:22:55 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

Good! Wish he’d post here. :-)


48 posted on 03/24/2010 7:26:27 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Me too! Maybe we should change deodorants. :o)


49 posted on 03/24/2010 7:30:08 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: jazusamo
yikes...the only post listed for RedRiver is 08/15/09.
That can’t be true.
Did I miss something ?
50 posted on 03/24/2010 7:42:50 PM PDT by stylin19a (Never buy a putter until you first get a chance to throw it)
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To: stylin19a

No, it’s been that long.


51 posted on 03/24/2010 7:47:29 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Damn, this thing needs to be DROPPED. THis sounds like a step in the right direction.


52 posted on 03/24/2010 8:13:51 PM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: pissant

You’re correct, it is a step in the right direction.

Up to this point it’s the same chain of events that took place for Lt. Col. Chessani.

If Judge Jones finds with his ruling this coming Friday that there was indeed UCI, the prosecution will have a choice of dropping the charges or starting completely over with a new command that hasn’t been subjected to the UCI and that’s difficult in the Marine Corps. The prosecution chose not to do that with Chessani.

It’s looking good for SSgt. Wuterich.


53 posted on 03/24/2010 8:24:18 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

It is, but never underestimate the ability of POS crapweasel enemies within to drag this on


54 posted on 03/24/2010 8:29:24 PM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: jazusamo

What great news. Could this really be over for him by Friday? Answered prayer. I know God has great things planned for this young man. Great blessing always follows great suffering.


55 posted on 03/24/2010 10:40:09 PM PDT by athelass (Proud Mom of a Sailor & 2 Marines! The Statist never gives up, and neither do we - Mark Levin)
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To: xzins; jazusamo
Thanks for the ping, jaz!

xzins - Please explain to me how Col Davis’ letter of censure supports UCI. (I’m not questioning it, I’m asking HOW the logic on it works, so I understand how it is UCI.)

I was wondering the same thing, xzins. Maybe the Sec Navy increasing the punishment recommended by Mattis (for Col Davis) is an indication that Mattis WAS influenced from higher ups.

Mattis wanted a lesser punishment; Sec Navy Winters overruled him with a censure on Sept. 6, 2007 (at least that's when it was reported), thus signalling that Mattis needed to be tougher in his decision making. At the time, Lt Col Chessani was waiting on a decision by Mattis on whether he would face a court martial. Also at the same time (end of August to Sept 6, 2007), SSgt Wuterich was undergoing his article 32. So I guess the timing of overruling Mattis' punishment could be a not so subtle way of Sec Navy telling Mattis to come down harder in his decisions on both Wuterich and Chessani.
56 posted on 03/25/2010 6:09:50 AM PDT by Girlene
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To: Girlene; jazusamo; P-Marlowe
So I guess the timing of overruling Mattis' punishment could be a not so subtle way of Sec Navy telling Mattis to come down harder in his decisions on both Wuterich and Chessani.

So, to emphasize to all concerned that they should be harder, Mattis agreed for their senior legal boss to be in the room when the briefings took place. A not so subtle reminder that their career ratings were on the line.

Could be....Thanks Girlene.

57 posted on 03/25/2010 6:14:00 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins

Could be, xzins. As far as I know, Mattis has never explained “why” Col. Ewers was in all those hours of meetings when he was not supposed to be. Mattis has never explained why he would waste Ewers’ time. He expected some input.


58 posted on 03/25/2010 6:27:48 AM PDT by Girlene
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To: Girlene; P-Marlowe; smoothsailing; jazusamo

It is impossible to deny the appearance of UCI.

Likewise, I see no way he can prove there was no UCI. The word of the perpetrator is hardly evidence.


59 posted on 03/25/2010 6:39:56 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: jazusamo

B U M P


60 posted on 03/25/2010 7:03:20 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Support our troops, and vote out the RINOS)
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