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 ...
One last ping.
I’d call that a “Good Friday”.
“Free at last, free at last”
It is fitting this being Black History Month...
God Bless Frank and family!
.
It’s over. Finally Frank is free to get on with his life and concentrate all of his energy on his family. He must feel like he’s walking on clouds! :)
I couldn’t agree more, Smooth. It’s a great day for him and his family! :-)
Thank you Frank.
Enjoy your life, you’ve earned it.
SF
-NYLeatherneck
Best wishes to Frank and his family.
They couldn't give him a regular honorable discharge? Wow. One final slap in the face.
>> 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.
I guess it’s okay now to lay the pernicious framing of the casualties to rest.
That testimony made it unlikely that the jury hearing Wuterich's case would have convicted him.
...after a parade of prosecution witnesses essentially defended Wuterich and his squad's actions ---- prosecutors agreed to the plea agreement.
________________________________________________
Those were some pretty crafty defense lawyers, somehow managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Thanks smoothsailing.
This is a sad loss to both the Marines and our country. It is a damn shame the way this whole thing went. The ramifications to our soldiers of second-guessing themselves for fear of court-martial or worse will be felt long after.
Here's a recent headline from their pretty crafty new and improved website...
such a travesty.....the result of trying to fight a ‘humane’ war. There are some things that W. should be ashamed of.... this is one of them
It's the hearts and dedication of our Defenders that stops our enemies, domestic and foreign.
May the treachery the REMFS and Perfume Princes find there is a new dawn, one that will no longer tolerate and honor is acknowledged rewarded.
A sad and dangerous legacy that should haunt all those who condemn our defenders while sitting free and comfortably on their high and mighty politically correct perches.
He’s a good man and a great patriot, he will overcome.
If you read here SSgt Frank you are in my eyes a true hero deserving of full honors once we deport the thug-in-chief.
My blood boils, my heart aches.
Blessing on you and your daughter.
Thx Smoothsailing…
Let those who have not walked in these men's shoes cease to criticize them. These men have been exonerated by the UCMJ even though lesser men that have not faced the ordeals they did have called for their punishment.
It's over for them all and way past the time that it should have been.
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