The Haditha Marines-The Squad Leader-A Final Chapter (SSgt Wuterich-Master Thread)

1-2-2012

[smoothsailing]

January 2, 2012

The Haditha Marines-The Squad Leader-A Final Chapter

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:

"My Marines responded to the threats they faced in the manner that we all had been trained", he has steadfastly maintained. "I will bear the memory of the events of that day forever, and will always mourn the unfortunate deaths of the innocent Iraqis who were killed during our response to the attack."

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)

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping.

Looks like they’re up and running. Ya think that’s the actual date? :-)

[smoothsailing]

Ya think that’s the actual date? :-)

I guess so but it really is hard to say! :-)

Of all the categories listed on the left on that page, only three have anything posted at their links.

Puckett and Faraj - the "We Fight To Win" link I posted above.
Army - about alleged wrongdoing of a Colonel.
Marines - the goofy "Wuterich trial pending" post. Can't believe it's still there!!!

That's it, everything else on the website that has a date is dated either Feb 9 or 10.

Here's another goofy one!

[jazusamo]

I checked the Marine category and noticed the date but didn’t check any others. I thought they were up and going but it looks like they aren’t and have a long way to go.

[smoothsailing]

It looks like they have full capability, but just aren’t in any big hurry. They seem to be focusing more on twitter and particularly their Facebook account. Alot of activity there.

I wonder when LtGen. Waldhauser will have something on Frank’s discharge. I thought we would have heard something by now.

[jazusamo]

I would have thought there’d be some word on his discharge by now too and there hasn’t been anything printed, I’ve been looking daily. I don’t check the social network sites though, just can’t get into it. :-)

[smoothsailing]

I don’t check the social network sites though, just can’t get into it.

LOL! I know what you mean!

[smoothsailing]

Frank Wuterich no longer in the Marine Corps ******* North County Times--Monday, February 20, 2012

[smoothsailing]

Moving on After a 5-Year Wait for Trial ******** Puckett&Faraj-February 26, 2012

[4woodenboats]

There was another one, in a dome/bomb, predated the bedbomb....per my typical sketchy memory. I think

... I think the domebomb and the accompaning gratuitous murdering against our side whilst making it look like our was starting , but don't remember where & started...whever that was.

[smoothsailing]

Thank you for visiting the Puckett & Faraj website.

Puckett and Faraj has ceased operating as a firm but Mr. Puckett and Mr. Faraj may be contacted directly through the contact information above.

Thank You.

http://www.puckettfaraj.com/

[smoothsailing]

The Law Office of Neal A. Puckett

http://www.nealpuckett.com/

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the heads up, Smooth.

Looks like Puckett & Faraj split the sheets. Would dearly love to hear the particulars on it but doubt we will.

[smoothsailing]

Thread update for the record...

SECNAV Boots Two Sergeants for Lying At Haditha Court-Martial

[smoothsailing]

The DEFEND OUR MARINES website is up and running again!

It appears to have been updated and re-organized a bit.

Special thanks to Red Rover for the work he's put in to the site over the years. It remains the premier source for the history of Haditha and the Haditha Marines.

[jazusamo]

Thanks much for the heads up that “Defend Our Marines” is back on line, Smooth.

Thanks again, Red for your site, have missed it.

[smoothsailing]

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the unraveling of Dela Cruz.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2827761/posts?page=199#199

From this point forward it was obvious to all but the willfully blind that the prosecution was desperate.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2827761/posts?page=222#222

[jazusamo]

Yep, he not only unraveled but shredded himself.

I still don’t understand the thinking of the prosecution, they had to know their case was abysmal but must have been ordered from above to proceed.

[lilycicero]

Hey girl what’s going on...wow you are AWOL for sure here.