Posted on 01/02/2012 10:28:48 AM PST by smoothsailing
January 2, 2012
It certainly seems appropriate that the last defendant in the Haditha case is the squad leader, SSgt Frank Wuterich. Leaders take responsibility, and SSgt Wuterich has taken full responsibility for the actions of his squad in Haditha. His stance from the outset has remained clear:
As the last Marine originally charged in the deaths of Iraqis in Haditha, Iraq in 2005, SSgt Wuterich will be seated at the defense table in his general court-martial two days from now, Wednesday, January 4th. Barring last minute motions or outright dismissal of charges, jury selection will begin Wednesday or Thursday. SSgt. Wuterich will be tried by a jury of combat-experienced Marines, and the panel will include at least two Marines from the enlisted ranks.
Much has been written over the last six years about Haditha, and links to some of the most recent news articles and commentaries are included at the bottom of this post to help bring readers up to date. For older Free Republic postings, please use this link or enter the keyword Haditha in the Free Republic search engine.
The purpose of this Free Republic thread is to serve as a "Master Post" where trial news and updates can be brought together in one place for easy reference by those interested in following the proceedings as they unfold.
Freepers Smoothsailing, Red Rover, and Jazusamo will monitor the thread, post updates, and attempt to answer questions or direct readers to information sources. Jazusamo maintains the Haditha Marine Ping List. Please ask Jazusamo to be added to the ping list if you wish to be alerted to updates.
Recent News and Commentary:
MILITARY TIMES-Haditha Marine Faces Trial
Count Down to the Last Haditha Trial
MILITARY: Two high-profile cases set for Pendleton courtrooms
Remember SSgt Frank D. Wuterich: The last Haditha Marine goes on trial
Dont rewrite Murthas legacy (Haditha Marines)
Red, are you going to make Nat’s article a seperate FR thread tomorrow? It’s worthy of its own thread if you have the time.
Hard to believe but what we’ve seen all week IS the prosecution’s case. The defense has scored so many points on cross-examination.
I hate to get cocky but I agree that things look very good for SSgt Wuterich. Not sure how the prosecution can recover.
Sure, I’ll do that tomorrow. Then we’ll have the wrap on Sunday and nothing more till Tuesday.
Justin was supposed to testify on the 11th and fly home on the 12th. He hasn’t been called yet and am not sure if they’ll skip him altogether. Hard to imagine how the prosecution thinks he’ll help their (sinking) case.
Hard to believe but what weve seen ALL WEAK IS the prosecutions case.
Got that one fixed. I best for to be praying this fix makes me a liar.
Sounds good tomorrow, Red.
Justin was put in limbo (testifing /travelwise) in the last couple of days over the prosecution’s case? Oh, brother.
Thanks for all the updates! Hopefully, Sean (sinking case) Sullivan gives this one up.
Thank you! I was looking for the update while sticking pins in my Tim McGirk voodoo doll.
Excellent updates, guys. Lt. Kallop came through big time!
And I picked a heck of a night to have a computer crash. Just noe getting back online.
Excellent updates, guys. Lt. Kallop came through big time!
And I picked a heck of a night to have a computer crash. Just now getting back online.
Looks like the way things are going for the prosecution, the good Sargent will soon walk out an exonerated Marine, carrying his head high, knowing the living nightmare is now come to a close.
You bet, Lt. Kallop came through for SSgt. Wuterich, the prosecution twins can’t be happy. :-)
Sorry about your puter crash, wondered where you were but glad you’re up and running.
The prosecution countered Kallop's testimony with that of Maj. Kathryn Navin, a lawyer who instructed Marines heading to Iraq on the rules of engagement.
She testified that a house could not be declared hostile unless the people inside were known enemy combatants. Before killing anyone, she said, positive identification was required.
How pathetic is that?
Please take the next three days and hug and kiss your three granddaughters. Let them know how much you love them. Hug your Marine son and assure him the end to this persecution is nearly over. We are praying for his vindication.
God Bless.
The Sharratt family.
God Bless Our Haditha Marines
Amen.
Always and Forever.
Pinging you to 295 above.
Will post a “weekend wrap” this evening. Good piece. I finally got a look at the actual charge sheet and still can’t make sense of the number of people Frank is charged with killing and caused to be killed through dereliction. Even the PAO is confused and no one else will answer questions. So we’ll do our best to make sense of the confusion. Also, we have some good stuff on ROE. More later!
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