Marine Charged With 13 Civilian Murder Counts (Haditha)

MSNBC ^ | 12/21/06

[areafiftyone]

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A Marine Corps squad leader was charged Thursday with 13 murder counts stemming from the killings of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha last year, his attorney said.

Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich was charged with 12 counts of murdering individuals and one count of murdering six people by ordering Marines under his charge to "shoot first and ask questions later" when they entered a house, according to charging sheets released by defense attorney Neal Puckett.

As many as eight Marines could be charged in the case, the biggest U.S. criminal case to emerge from the war in Iraq in terms of people killed.

The deaths occurred on Nov. 19, 2005.

Lawyers for two Marines already have said they expect their clients will be charged and it’s believed up to six others could join them.

[jazusamo]

And they are only charges at this point. Most probably political to appease some Arabs.

I couldn't agree with you more, Uncle. Even though the Marines took fire from the houses I think the powers that be are using technicalities in the ROE to satisfy the Iraqis. I hate to even think that but I do.

[freemike]

I just cannot imagine what must go through a soldiers mind in critical moments. Always, that thought, way in the back, will I hang if I pull the trigger, will I die if I don't.
The Dems disgust me, but honestly, the Commander in Chief has set these rules of engagement. It pains me to say this. It just is not right.

[pinkpanther111]

Thanks guys, Things got to busy for me on the home front!

[pinkpanther111]

Good catch, I wonder what that means?

[kindred]

[I have faith in our military justice system. They will have a fair trial.]

I have less and less faith in the whole judicial system, even the military justice system has been infected with liberal phychotic judges and the hate America system grows stronger with support from the radical leftists.

[smoothsailing]

A GREAT ANSWER TO A DUMB QUESTION:

Pirkie Pinko Liberal Katie Couric, while interviewing a Army sniper, asked: "What do you feel when you shoot a terrorist?"

The soldier shrugged and replied: "Recoil."

(Hard to fault a Soldier that eloquent)

(Pardon me for the interruption,Red,I'm just venting.)

[pinkpanther111]

Thats a good question! I want to hear details on this, I bet these folks are the "innocent civilians" we hear about.

[pinkpanther111]

are = are not

[freema]

Haditha, Iraq Investigation

Press Statement

The following is the statement made by Col. Stewart Navarre during a press conference held at Camp Pendleton, Calif. at 1:00 p.m., Dec. 21, 2006. Navarre is the Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Installations West, headquartered at Camp Pendleton. The following statement may be attributed to Col. Navarre.

Lieutenant General James Mattis, Commanding General of Marine Corps Forces, Central Command has conducted a thorough review of the investigations into the circumstances of the deaths of Iraqi civilians that took place on 19 November 2005, near Haditha, Iraq, as well as the investigations into the response by the chain of command.

I will describe the events and actions taken so far.

On the morning of 19 November 2005, a four vehicle convoy of Marines from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division was moving through Haditha when it was ambushed by insurgents employing an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

One Marine was killed and two were wounded by the explosion. Over the next several hours, 24 Iraqi men, women and children died in the vicinity of the IED explosion.

On 20 November 2005, 2nd Marine Division issued a press release stating that 15 Iraqi civilians were killed in an IED explosion, and Marines and Iraqi Army soldiers killed eight insurgents in a follow-on fire-fight.

We now know with certainty the press release was incorrect, and that none of the civilians were killed by the IED explosion.

As the result of a query by a Time magazine reporter in January 2006, there were several distinct but related investigations into the circumstances of the deaths of the 24 Iraqi civilians, and into how the chain of command reported and investigated those deaths.

On 14 February 2006, Lieutenant General Peter Chiarelli, Commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, initiated an Army Regulation 15-6 investigation concerning the incident. This investigation focused on the circumstances of the attack and whether the Marines involved followed the Rules of Engagement and Law of Armed Conflict. Colonel Watt was the investigating officer and this investigation closed on 9 March 2006. Colonel Watt recommended further criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigative Division or the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

On 12 March 2006, in response to the recommendation of the Watt investigation, Major General Richard Zilmer, Commander of coalition forces in Al Anbar, initiated a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation, to determine if there was any criminal responsibility for the deaths of the Iraqi civilians.

On 17 March 2006, Lieutenant General Chiarelli, Commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, initiated a second Army Regulation 15-6 investigation, appointing Major General Eldon Bargewell as the investigating officer. Major General Bargewell was appointed in order to provide an officer with sufficient seniority to interview the most senior officers in the chain of command in Al Anbar province.

The Bargewell investigation focused on three aspects of the incident: official reporting of the events and follow-on actions by the chain of command; training of Marines in the Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict; and whether the command climate in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment encouraged the disciplined application of the Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict. Major General Zilmer initiated a Judge Advocate General investigation that was ultimately combined with the Bargewell investigation. In May 2006, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service also began a criminal investigation into the follow-on actions of the chain of command.

The Bargewell investigation concluded on 15 June 2006. The Bargewell investigation found that the Marines were adequately trained on the Rules of Engagement and Law of Armed Conflict but that reporting of the incident up the chain of command was inaccurate and untimely. After endorsement by LTG Chiarelli, on 7 July 2006, it was forwarded to General Casey, Commander, Multi-National Forces – Iraq and then to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command for appropriate action.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command provided a copy of the Bargewell investigation to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on 17 July 2006. NCIS will continue its investigation until all legal proceedings are concluded.

Based on the findings of the investigations, various charges have been preferred against four Marines relating to the deaths of the Iraqi civilians on 19 November 2005. Also, charges have been preferred against four Marines for failure to properly report and/or investigate the deaths of the Iraqi civilians. These charges include murder, dereliction of duty, false official statement and obstruction of justice. A synopsis of the charges and specifications alleged against each Marine are in your press kits.

It is important to note that the accused are presumed innocent. The charges and specifications are only accusations against the individuals.

In order to preserve the integrity of that investigation, and to ensure fair and impartial legal proceedings, we will not discuss evidence or specific findings of the investigations.

We will endeavor to be as open as possible while preserving the rights of the accused and the integrity and fairness of the military justice process.

All Marines are trained in, and are expected to fully comply with the Law of Armed Conflict.

The Marine Corps takes allegations of wrong-doing by Marines very seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating such allegations. The Marine Corps also prides itself on holding its members accountable for their actions.
We are absolutely committed to holding fair and impartial proceedings in full compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

http://www.usmc.mil/lapa/Iraq/Haditha/Haditha-Press-Statement-061221.htm

[Hawk1976]

In the situations these Marines found themselves in, I would have been following the "it's better to do anything now than the right thing when it's too late" dictum.

I've been in more schoolyard fights than I care to remember, a barroom brawl, spent several hours on foot fleeing the policia in Nogales, Mexico, and got in a mix-up somewhere very south of the border. That rule has always served me well in those times. It bothers me greatly because I think these good men are on trial for something they shouldn't even be investigated for.

[freema]

We now know with certainty the press release was incorrect, and that none of the civilians were killed by the IED explosion. How in the hell could Col. Navarre make this statement.

[TeddyCon]

What bothers the hell out of me is the chance that we've made these Marines the sacrificial lambs to point to after the change in strategy there has begun and we've gotten serious.

A kind of "well, we gave them to you, didn't we?" cover for the not so PC ass-kicking that we may soon start putting to AQ and the insurgents there.

[kellynla]

and just like Lt. Pantano, these Marines will be exonerated.


Semper Fi,
Kelly

[Marine_Uncle]

"We have to pray that that the Marines will get a great defense."
Surely their ROE is the bottom line. How could any sane military judge not understand they had little options other then standard proceedure. If the prosecutors are really going to go the route of crap like, the Marines should have first found out who was in the houses etc., then surely this who thing just might be a political circus the DOS or Administration set up with the military to make it appear the Marines would go on trial to make it appear to the Iraqi that the Marines where being "thoroughly investigated" to and would be punished if found guilty, knowing the prosecution just does not have a case. However.
As we all are sadly aware. The hardships on the Marines and their families both emotionally as well as economically sure is a hard pill to swallow if this is all a carefully devised charade to attempt to quiet the Iraqi goon balls.

[TeddyCon]

From your's to God's ear kellynla.

[streetpreacher]

"shoot first and ask questions later"

They're in a war zone. What are they supposed to do? Read them their Miranda rights?

[PA-RIVER]

Every marine called to testify should where a black arm band in memory of there platoon member who was killed that day. The black band should have his name, with the date he was killed by the civilains in Iraq. The lawyer should then display pictures of the two mutilated marines that did not get a chance to fight back, that were tortured and dragged through the streets by the Iraqi civilians.

[streetpreacher]

You forgot the sarcasm tag.

[lndrvr1972]

Hell, how do you tell who is friend or foe? These people are not wearing a uniform that says "Terrorist" or "Friendly".

[Atchafalaya]

"Breaker Morant"
I've been thinking the same for some time about this case.