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.
You don’t need to be a citizen to join, just a legal resident. (have a green card)
It speaks volumes that SSgt Wuterich is no hurry to just take a deal.
Its looking now as if we wont hear anything more until this afternoon. But anything can happen.
They actually ran out of money some time ago. No one expected it to go on so long. I’d imagine the kicker is all the expert witnesses on ROE, etc, that would need to be paid to testify.
All this is speculative but seems like a reasonable guess. I’d imagine the question for Puckett and Faraj is how much deeper to go into the hole.
Not saying it’d be my attitude but there you are.
If this goes the way it should, they’ll have to widen the sidewalk leading to their offices....;~)
Like most folks, that word “deal” worries me. If they drop all charges that puts the Marine Corps on the hook for all types of administrative actions, back pay, promotions, bad letters of censure, etc. I am wondering if the prosecutor is going for “lesser included offenses” in an effort to save what he can.
The only deal should be the one between Sean Sullivan and Mark Walker for top bunk....
Was Mendoza Sullivan's driver shortly after returning to the States, and didn't he originally have his office in Chicago?
If so, could be a lonely drive....
lol, 4wb. I think it was alleged, not sure it was ever a proven fact (regarding Mendoza).
crazy cool!
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