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Posted on 01/20/2012 4:33:55 AM PST by RedRover
Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- The decision is in. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Frank D. Wuterich is back on trial this morning to face charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and dereliction of duty for his role in the deaths of 14 Iraqi civilians who died at Haditha, Iraq in late 2005. If convicted he could face the rest of his life in prison.
The 31-year-old father of three young girls was on the verge of submitting a request for administrative separation from the Marine Corps when he suddenly changed his mind. Compelled by the certainty of his own innocence and a deeply ingrained sense of duty he asked his defense team to end negotiations that have been going on for most of two days.
The government’s case now rests on evidence the prosecution has gleaned from outtakes it obtained from the CBS news program “60 Minutes” in 2007 and the testimony of Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agents. The NCIS has said the Haditha investigation was the biggest inquiry in the history so perhaps there is more.
The NCIS special agents who will testify have to overcome the inherent prejudice of eight hard bitten Marines who have already heard how its overzealous agents used reprehensible tactics to badger and bully Marines who had already survived trial by fire.
When the trial unexpectedly recessed Wednesday prosecution witness Sgt. Humberto Mendoza was testifying. He was a Private First Class on November 19, 2005 when his squad was ambushed at the southern edge of the city. The prosecution’s eyewitness was so befuddled by defense attorney Haytham Faraj’s cross-examination when it slammed to a halt, he had just admitted he wasn’t sure what happened the day the entire Marine Corps was stood on its ear.
At the appropriate time Defend Our Marines will reveal what transpired Thursday afternoon to make SSgt Wuterich change his mind.
It is safe to say that Wuterich is once again displaying innate moral courage. No doubt cynics will scoff and pundits will proclaim that duty, honor and country is no longer operable in the age of every man for himself. There must be another reason, they will no doubt say.
The fighting Marine’s brave stand proves them wrong.
The late William Safire, once the speech writer for disgraced former US Attorney General Spiro Agnew, wrote the perfect reply in the turbulent Sixties: "In the United States today, we have more than our share of nattering nabobs of negativism. They have formed their own 4-H club -- the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history."
The more things change the more they remain the same.
WOW!
Joining you in prayers for SSgt Wuterich, his family, and his defense attorneys!
Go get ‘em, Atty’s Puckett and Faraj!
Red, do you know whether Mendoza will retake the stand, or is he done?
BUMP to your post. Thanks for the thread.
lol, thanks, Lancey. I saw that as soon as I posted my question. Smooth and I must have been cross-posting.
I am PRAYING Mendoza gets called back to the stand! It was just getting interesting!
Why is this relegated to Blogs? This is News/Activism and belongs in extended news on the sidebar.
.
Well, it sort of made sense early this morning but I’m having a hard thinking why! I’ll change it on DOM.
Yes, this is wonderful news. There needs to be five of the eight jurists voting guilty for a conviction on any change. Can’t believe that could happen. Pray it’s a unanimous exoneration.
Maybe Defend Our Marines is not recognized as a news source? After all the stories we’ve broken, I hope that’s not the case.
Yes, it has gotten to the point where any conviction for anything would leave a very suspicious stench. And thanks for the info about how the jury (panel) works. I was wondering about that. Five of eight Marine combat veterans voting for a conviction on something in this case? Can't see it.
Yes, they need 2/3rds of the panel for conviction—which is why it can be an even number such as eight.
The Mods know a respected news source when they see it!
We’re on the sidebar in Extended News now.
Thanks Y’All!!! :o)
With a panel of 8, 6 must vote to convict. 5 wouldn’t be enough, it’s short of 2/3rds. That makes it that much tougher for the prosecution!
Two-thirds of 8 is 5.3 so I rounded down to 5. It didn’t occur to me that it was short of 2/3rds.
You’re right, smooth. Six is harder so I like that better!
Seems to me that SSgt. Frank D. Wuterich has a few things on his side, things that are sadly lacking in those who are out to get him.
Honor
Courage
Commitment
I most heartily agree.
Amen, Pop.
We hoped SSGT Wuterich would make this direction his choice, and now we pray he is exonerated.
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