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
Don’t rewrite Murtha’s legacy (Haditha Marines)
The hearing officer, while recommending that Wuterich be sent to court-martial, doubted that he would be convicted. The case against Wuterich, the hearing officer wrote, is riddled with the same problems that led to cases against the others being dropped: contradictory evidence, untrustworthy witnesses and poor forensics.
The pool of potential jurors questioned by attorneys on Thursday included a colonel, two lieutenant colonels, a major, a captain and six enlisted men.
Wuterich has demanded that at least one-third of his jury include troops from the enlisted ranks, a right granted him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
All the potential jurors served at least one combat tour in Iraq. Several served multiple tours, including stints during the height of the war in 2005 and 2006.
Nearly all of the potential jurors also took part in house-clearing operations such as the one Wuterich led during their combat assignments.
During group and individual questioning, all the potential jurors said they had some awareness of the so-called “Haditha massacre” and that the episode had resulted in a tightening of the rules of engagement in Iraq.
But all said they believed that despite what they already know about Haditha, they could serve as impartial jurors.
Thanks for the further feedback.
lol. Thanks, Lancey.
Want to do it as a freestanding thread, Red?
If so, would you do the honors?
I think I’ll post it first thing in the morning (unless jaz wants to do it tonight). I’m just about to call it a day and I hate to post a thread and run!
Good piece, just finished reading it.
It might be better to post in the morning because of the late hour in the East.
What you two think?
:o)
Got it from jaz! Tomorrow morning it is! Night, guys!
G’Night Red!
Night all, I’m hittin’ it too.
G’Night, Jaz!
I just never get tired of that!!!
Love the Ping Swing Pic!
The guy that initiated the charges on these honorable men should be facing court marshal.
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