Posted on 01/02/2012 10:28:48 AM PST by smoothsailing
I would assume a juror having this knowledge would work to the defense’ benefit, Lancey.......but, who knows.
My favorite part, "Plagued with a terrible memory, the inability to articulate his thoughts, and a deer-in-the headlights demeanor, Dela Cruz didnt seem to reinforce Sullivans case."
Camp Pendleton, Calif. Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz, a battle-rattled combat Marine who made a deal with the government to avoid court martial for murder, testified Wednesday morning that he saw Staff Sergeant Frank D. Wuterich shoot five unarmed Iraqi men after a roadside bomb exploded in Haditha in November 2005.It is either the fourth or fifth version of his observations since he failed a polygraph, and then elected to accept immunity from prosecution, counting the two versions he presented at trial today. (More at the LINK).
I would think Puckett could ask Dela Cruz about each version at some point. The panel seeing him trying to keep his stories straight would be priceless.
Is the fact that Dela Cruz flunked a polygraph admissible in this trial?
That would be a hoot, especially after he already admitted he flunked a polygraph in his testimony.
Another good article by Nat!
You can get your point across that the witness is the biggest liar in the world without mentioning the polygraph," Jones admonished Faraj.
Apparently, the judge would not allow the word "polygrah" to be uttered. Still, that's a pretty funny comment by the judge.
Yeah, I thought that was pretty hilarious!
Justin should be up tomorrow.
What started that in the courtroom was that Dela Cruz volunteered on the stand that he failed a polygraph, he’s not very bright.
I think I'm starting to take a liking to LtCol Jones! :)
Another one of Wuterich’s men who was there that day, former Marine Sgt. Hector Salinas, testified the squad came under heavy small-arms fire after the bombing.
Salinas said he also saw an Iraqi man running from the first of several homes the Marines stormed after the bombing and believed he could have been the one responsible for the attack.
He fired numerous shots at that man, and then took part in a series of “house clearing” operations that resulted in the deaths of 19 people inside that home.
The man seen running was never found.
That testimony could be key for the defense. It’s seeking to convince jurors Wuterich responded to the attack in accordance with his training. The civilian deaths, while regrettable, were not the result of criminal acts, the defense argues.
Either that or he's smarter than he seems. I don't know if witnesses can be "prepped" for testimony by the respective camps that plan to call them to the stand, but I can hardly think of a better way for Dela Cruz to sabotage the government's case than by casually mentioning that he flunked a lie detector test.
That’s a valid point, Lancey that never crossed my mind.
Good for Salinas, that’s powerful evidence.
Salinas was on the stand this morning again. Not sure if they’ve gotten to Justin yet or not.
Thanks, Red. Anxious to see what else Salinas said and also Justin’s testimony.
This is worth reading...
Thanks, Smooth. Excellent piece, Kesler knows what he’s talking about.
How could I tell from the headline that wasn’t a New York Times story?
LOL! Looks like P & F don’t go for NY Times headlines.
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