Posted on 01/18/2012 7:08:39 PM PST by RedRover
Camp Pendleton, Calif. – Defend Our MarinesA source close to the trial said a lack of money on the defense side, a lack of evidence on the prosecution side, and the likelihood that the eight-member panel will find SSgt Frank Wuterich not guilty of voluntary manslaughter and related charges have all combined to bring the case to a possible conclusion.
Wuterich was charged in December 2006 with murder stemming from the multi-million dollar, worldwide investigation triggered by a specious Time magazine story in March 2006. Wuterich is also charged with Dereliction of Duty and Assault with a Deadly Weapon after 14 Iraqi civilians were killed when the fire team he was leading "cleared" two houses suspected of harboring insurgents using grenades and rifle fire.
The Marine infantryman, described repeatedly by prosecution witnesses as a great Marine who did everything right, has been in limbo since he was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant for his excellent performance as a leader in Iraq. That characterization is challenged by two former squad members, Sgt Sanick Dela Cruz, who made a deal with Marine prosecutors to avoid prosecution for five murders, and Sgt Humberto Mendoza, who testified today he was coerced by Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agents who threatened the Venezuelan native with deportation if he refused to cooperate with the government.
Although speculation is rampant, a clearer picture will emerge tomorrow morning when the court martial is scheduled to resume.
IN BREAKING NEWS!!!! WOW is this a FR first? YAY!
Do I get a prize for beating the Ping?
That should NOT be an issue.
They defend us, we defend them.
/johnny
It looks like the dumb Murtha JAG is about to go ZERO for 8.
It’s way past time this comes to an end, charges should have never been made in the first place and wouldn’t have been but for political intervention.
SSgt. Wuterich should be exonerated and allowed to get on with he and his families future.
I don’t like the word “deal”.
Wuterich deserves nothing less than full exoneration.
Here's a "Ding a Ling" for beating the Ping. :-)
I’m sure Frank agrees but the defense coffers are bare. If this ends with all charges dismissed, he’s owed an exoneration from the commandant, at the very least (not to mention back pay as an E7 for starters).
Politicians wanting to comment on military operations should be involved in said operations.
Sad Frank has to have a “deal” when there is NO evidence to support the charges against him.
A lot of Freepers gave freely and proudly to the SSgt Wuterich Defense Fund. But this fricking prosecution has been going on for six years. That takes more money than I even want to think about.
And there’s a lesson for us all: when the media lies, most people will swallow it whole. Even those who believe they don’t fall for such things.
And there’s a lesson for us all: when the media lies, most people will swallow it whole. Even those who believe they don’t fall for such things.
Their star witness just made the case for dismissal of all charges and they want to deal?
The deal is this:
All charges dropped, all back pay and rank restored and the government agrees to give him a million dollars for malicious prosecution.
There's your deal.
Oh yeah, and a written apology from GWB and Obama.
Hiya, Saoirise. That's a valid thought after his visit. This is beginning to be an embarrassment for the prosecution and the Marine Corps. It just may be that all concerned want this witch hunt to end.
Bullseye!
Any deal that doesn’t involve the government groveling is nuts.
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