Yes, it’s always been about all eight.
I do know the lawyers of the seven cooperated with each other and wanted to cooperate with Puckett but he wouldn’t have it.
One lesson is that cases of military justice go best for the defendants when they stay united. Compare the Haditha case to Hamdaniya (or however it’s spelled) where there was a great splintering.
I’m just a civilian puke, but I think squads should be tried as squads—all eight on trial at once—for reasons Lancey spelled out above.
Hey Red !
Have you uncovered any emails resembling this yet?
________________________________________________
•To: Free Republic
•Subject: Re: Haditha massacre
•From: neal@puckettfaraj.com
•Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2008 18:14:54 +0900
Your wishes came true! I won AND got done today and will be ready for departure tomorrow. Prosecutor argued strenuously for manslaughter. They convicted my client of negligent dereliction. Max authorized sentence was 30 days. They gave a pass on jail time and demoted him to private. Fair, in my mind. The whole case was in the verdict though, not the sentence. As I told you, I didn’t care if they gave him 30 days. Because remember the best the gov’t offered was life, but he was required to plead guilty to unpremeditated murder (a charge that Wuterich doesn’t face any more). Wasn’t going to happen. So instead they LOSE the trial and get ony 15% of what they thought is was worth. Another win for Team Puckett! There will no doubt be a 3rd feature article in Stars and Stripes to conclude the case. If not tomorrow, then on Friday. Perhaps we can post all 3 on the website and/or blog?
Neal A. Puckett, Esq.
LtCol, USMC (Ret)
The Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC
Washington DC - San Diego CA
www.puckettfaraj.com
888.970.0005