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)
Bump.
Is the “My Rifle” creed required reading for Marines?
The above from 15 Dec and from the twitter acct of the Faraj Puckett (counsel?) is intriguing.
I'm betting one prong of his attack will be to go after the "Status of Forces" angle made evident by Murtha's old aide, John Hugya. Hugya's words can easily demonstrate that a much higher level was messing in Wuterich's case.
Wuterich needs to be exhonerated, promoted, and given a medal and back pay.
I don't recall having to memorize it (like "General Orders", for example) but we were definitely made very familiar with it in boot camp.
As I understand the real charge against Staff Sergeant Wuterich, he, in the mind of liberals, sent his troops on a killing spree by giving the "shoot first, ask questions later" instructions.
If every Marine is indoctrinated with the above creed "I must shoot him before he shoots me.", and since the ROEs at the time did NOT require positive ID but only a feeling of endangerment, then I see no way he can be convicted on any of the true charges.
There's always the possibility they're trying to salvage face by secretly targeting the "did not clean under his fingernails prior to dress mess" law. Just so they can say, "convicted on one charge....in the killing of 24 innocent civilians".
And you know they'll do it. It's not what's true in their mind; it's what they can spin that matters.
” (It was an M16A1, actually, with the forward assist.)”
I remember it well!
http://www.armyproperty.com/Equipment-Info/M16A1.htm
Hey Girlene! Long Time No Lookie!!! :)
Hiya, Girl.
Happy you’ll be here for the final round and Frank’s exoneration, that was a good piece by Malkin.
Yeah, we saw it.
Nat Helms at Defend Our Marines wrote an excellent rebuttal to that NY Times garbage...
Glad to hear from you, girl. Hopefully the nightmare(s) are for to be over.
Thanks for the link - cool site.
They Sucked, M-14 mo better.
Great piece, Red and just finished reading it, he stated it perfectly!
Hope to have a story on Day One in an hour or so. I’m standing by.
OK! I'm Ready!
Thanks smooth. I’ve been off this site until a few minutes ago. Looks like this is going to be a real nail biter. I did notice as of this morning, four charges where already dropped.
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