Well, actually, even if they convict, it won't be justice. He may be responsible for the men who committed the crimes, but they were responsible for the crimes.*
[Staff Sergeant Frank] Wuterich, who had no previous combat experience, was the squad leader who sent his men into a village to hunt for insurgents following a roadside bombing that killed a fellow Marine and injured two other US troops.
Nineteen people were killed inside houses, along with five men who pulled up near the scene in a car, triggering one of the most controversial criminal cases involving the US military during the nearly nine-year-long Iraq war.
[...]
Military prosecutors said [...] that the Marines initiated a bloody three-hour rampage to avenge the death of their comrade.
The victims included 10 women or children killed at point-blank range.
[...]
Wuterich formally entered “not guilty” pleas to all charges, including counts of dereliction of duty and assault. If convicted of all the offenses at the month-long trial, he could be sentenced to more than 150 years in prison.
But his lead lawyer said he was confident the Iraq veteran would be exonerated.
Raw Story
Yeah, I think that’s a safe bet.
Wuterich remains on active duty at Camp Pendleton while awaiting resolution of his case.
” I had a slightly insane discussion the other day with a winger who wanted urgently for me to understand that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war. Whereas I was trying to point out to him that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war.”
-- Molly Ivins RIP
*
Wikipedia
On April 17, 2007, the Marine Corps dropped all charges against Sgt. Sanick P. De la Cruz in exchange for his testimony. Seven other Marines involved in the incident have also been granted immunity.[53]
On August 9, 2007, all charges against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt and Capt. Randy Stone were dropped.[40] On October 19, Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt's commanding officer decided the charges should be lowered to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.[10]
On September 18, 2007, all charges against Captain Lucas McConnell were dropped in exchange for immunity and his cooperation with the investigation.[54]
On March 28, 2008, all charges against LCpl. Stephen Tatum were dropped.[55]
On June 17, 2008, all charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani were dismissed by the military judge citing unlawful command influence.[13] The Marine Corps appealed that ruling in 2008.[56] On March 17, 2009, a military appeals court upheld the dismissal of the war crimes charges against Chessani.[57] Facing an administrative Board of Inquiry, it also found no misconduct and recommended that Chessani be allowed to retire without loss of rank.[58]
On June 5, 2008, 1stLt Andrew Grayson was acquitted of all charges stemming from the Haditha incident. He had been charged with deleting photos of the deceased Iraqis in order to obstruct the investigation. He had also been charged with failing to notify the Marine Corps administrative chain of command of his legal status when his term of service was expired and he was discharged from the Marine Corps. [59]
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