I do not understand how LtCol Chessani can legitimately be excluded from the witness list. He is the flippin’ battalion commander of the Staff Sergeant on trial regarding a day-long engagement that involved more than one element of LtCol Chessani’s command.
Are these nimrod legal beagles so far removed from the battlefield that they don’t realize battalion commanders and E-6 level NCO’s interact on a daily basis?
I would immediately write this down as a reason for appeal. They are denying Wuterich a material witness who can testify as to the ROEs in effect, how they were communicated, the entire scope of the attacks that day, and this particular attack against Wuterich’s squad.
I am amazed at this decision.
It’s like questioning the shift cook at Burger King but not allowing the manager to be questioned. Yep, he didn’t fill the burger order, but we’re not allowed to know corporate didn’t send the supplies.
it may be that Chessani would say something that would implicate himself in further charges
Sgt Larry Hutchins, of the PENDLETON 8 case, was released, charges dropped, went back to an active duty unit, given all back pay, to now be charged again and heis in the brig in California awaiting charges
Obama didn’t use these cases to show how GWB and the Politically Correct Marine Corps Leadership let these men hang after they followed orders, he is using these charges to show Americans are murderers
Hey, chaplain! Great to see you!
Seems the prosecution is focusing on actions that morning and even though Chessani was battalion commander, he was a distant observer.
Then-captain Dinsmore will be a witness to the broader insurgent actions that day and a very good witness he’ll be.
Still, given the length of the witness list, this is still a bad surprise.