Posted on 02/20/2012 6:21:00 PM PST by smoothsailing
Mark Walker
February 20, 2012
[EXCERPTED]
The Camp Pendleton Marine at the center of two dozen Iraqi civilian killings in 2005 has left the service. Former Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich's last day in the Marine Corps was Friday, said a base spokesman, Lt. Col. Joseph Kloppel.
Wuterich pleaded guilty Jan. 23 to one count of negligent dereliction of duty for his role in the killings.
That ended his high-profile court-martial at Camp Pendleton, where he was being tried on manslaughter and related charges in the deaths that took place in the city of Haditha.
The Murrieta resident was reduced in rank to private as part of the plea deal, but spent no time in behind bars.
Efforts to reach Wuterich were not immediately successful. His lead attorney, Neal Puckett, confirmed that his client is now a civilian and was given a general discharge under honorable conditions, one step down from an honorable discharge.
Wuterich had remained on duty at Camp Pendleton as his case wound through the military justice system. ...
Two weeks after Wuterich's trial started at Camp Pendleton on Jan. 9 ---- and after a parade of prosecution witnesses essentially defended Wuterich and his squad's actions ---- prosecutors agreed to the plea agreement.
Some of the most damaging testimony for prosecutors came from Wuterich's immediate superior at Haditha, former Marine 1st Lt. William Kallop, who testified that he gave the order to "clear" houses where the 19 Iraqis died.
That testimony made it unlikely that the jury hearing Wuterich's case would have convicted him...
Wuterich, a Connecticut native, intends to pursue a career in information technology and has said he intends to remain in Southern California.
(Excerpt) Read more at nctimes.com ...
I can’t wait to hear what he does with the profits.
it seems more than a few figured out that issue...
Well Ma, there's one thing that's certain. If there is a book, and there are profits, we can rest assured they will be used to further a noble cause.
Semper Fi
..............................................................................................
DEFEND OUR MARINES
This website was established to provide the facts about the Haditha incident. It was war, not murder and there was no cover-up.
Many will still insist there was a massacre in Haditha despite any actual evidence. Repeating what you've heard, especially if you're a member of the media, is easier than seeking the facts.
From start to finish, this website provided the public with more accurate coverage of the entire Haditha incident than any media source. We've never been paid or taken advertising or contributions. We just did what we felt was right. It's been our pleasure to serve our readers--those who sought the truth.
|
|
Amen to that, Smooth!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.