Posted on 01/26/2012 12:57:05 PM PST by smoothsailing
Haytham Faraj and Neal A. Puckett
January 25, 2012
The last Marine charged in the deaths of 24 Iraqi’s in Haditha on November 19, 2005, begins his new life today. SSgt Frank Wuterich has finally been exonerated of all murder and manslaughter charges after prosecutors failed to produce any credible evidence of those crimes. He took responsibility for his tactical decisions, all of which were based on his Marine Corps training.
He told the court he is saddened by the outcome of combat action that morning but that he did the best he could under extremely difficult circumstances. Since that day in 2005, he has always taken responsibility for the actions of his squad as the senior member of the team and has always been willing to accept the consequences of that day.
The court-martial convening authority, Lieutenant General Waldhauser, discovered the truth after the first few government witnesses had testified. He then took immediate action to dismiss the baseless manslaughter charges. He offered to allow SSgt Wuterich to plead guilty to the least serious charge, negligent dereliction of duty, with a promise he would not allow the single father of three to go to jail.
SSgt Wuterich accepted the plea deal as a just and fair outcome as he stepped up once again to take responsibility for the actions of his squad, an act that continues to show his true character and innate leadership traits. SSgt Wuterich now can focus on the rest of his life and requests his privacy be respected for the sake of his children.
Jaz, please ping the list.
Good man
Thank You, God!!
I am glad it’s over, but I am sorry these good men had to go through so much suffering.
A couple of Marines pi$$ing on dead Taliban is a lot less offense than the odious John Murtha pi$$ing on the Marines.
I hope that Dante was right and that traitorous jackass is right down there with Judas.
It is time for all these fine soldiers to sue the Murtha estate.
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Wasn’t there a ruling the Murtha was protected by the House even for slander that he spewed while not on the House floor?
Thanks for the updates, and all these threads.
While I’m glad that this is finally over for the Sgt. and his family, it still galls me that he had to cut a deal when he did nothing wrong.
What this sorry episode has revealed is that while our rank and file military personnel are some of the finest people in the world and deserve our thanks, the leadership ranks of even our military have been infected and poisoned by the same corruption which has destroyed the civilian branches.
We are, as a nation, in a world of hurt...
It would be a good thing to send messages of support to Sgt. Wuterich. Anyone know how or where?
That's an interpretation I hadn't heard before.
Thanks for the update!
Frank, Semper Fi.
http://www.puckettfaraj.com/2012/01/puckett-and-faraj-sentencing-argument-for-ssgt-wuterich/
Thanks, smooth.
Well, it’s technically over, but they’ve done a lot of damage to a good man who served his country well. It does not make our government look well, that they’d allow this charade to continue for so long.
Compare with the current CIC poser’s usual answer to criticism—”It’s George Bush’s fault.”
Murtha Legacy ping
Well, this just killed any respect I may have had for Waldhauser.
That clown had the authority to flush the whole obscene, disgraceful fiasco down the toilet where it came from but instead he had to poke Frank Wuterich in the eye with a bullshit “dereliction” charge. Wow. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given the level of scum now in military “leadership” positions. It ain’t Chesty Puller’s Marine Corps anymore, that’s for sure. Semper Fidelis my ass.
Oh, and by the way, I think Frank’s attorneys sucked.
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