Free Republic

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Charges have been dropped against a captain who was accused of failing to investigate the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha, the Marine Corps said Tuesday. Capt. Lucas M. McConnell of Napa was granted immunity and ordered to cooperate with officials looking into the November 2005 killings, the Marines said in a press release. Charges have now been dismissed against four of the eight Marines who were initially charged with murder or failure to investigate the deaths. A battalion commander has been recommended for a court-martial; a final decision is pending. The...

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2007) – Charges against Capt. Lucas M. McConnell stemming from the command response to the death of Iraqi civilians in Haditha, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005, were dismissed on Sept. 12, 2007. A Grant of Immunity and Order to Cooperate with All Parties were issued to McConnell in order to further the fact finding process into the incident. McConnell was charged Dec. 21, 2006 with dereliction of duty for allegedly failing to ensure the incident was reported accurately to higher headquarters and for failing to ensure the incident was immediately investigated. McConnell was the Commanding...

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- The Marine Corps has dropped charges against a captain who was accused of failing to investigate the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha. The Marines say that Captain Lucas McConnell of Napa was granted immunity to speak with authorities about the deaths,