Marine cleared in videotaped shooting: Wounded Iraqi killed inside Falluja mosque

CNN.com ^ | thursday, May 5, 2005 | Jamie McIntyre

[Gondring]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Navy investigators have determined a U.S. Marine acted in self-defense when he shot an apparently wounded and unarmed Iraqi inside a Falluja mosque in November, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday.

The Marine corporal, who will not face charges, was under investigation in the shootings of four enemy combatants as part of an operation during the siege of Falluja on November 13, 2004. The mosque shooting was captured on videotape by an embedded reporter.

[...]

Although that Marine has been cleared of wrongdoing, the investigation remains open because autopsies of some of the bodies found in the mosque turned up bullets that were not from his gun.

[...]

[Gondring]

I searched and didn't see this posted. Interesting tidbits in the article, beyond just the main news of exoneration.

[Gondring]

Ping

[Semper Paratus]

JAG did a show on almost exactly that incident.

[Young Werther]

Good News.

[jan in Colorado]

Thanks for the ping!

[PureTrouble]

Great News and a good boost to the moral for troops.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gondring]

The responsibility lies with whomever led to this Marine not knowing the man he shot was an already captured prisoner.

[Gondring]

yw.

And I am guilty, I know. :-)

[massgopguy]

Now do the same with Illario Pantera.

[1Old Pro]

Good, time to move on.

[mmercier]

saw the video when first aired.

the shooting was justified given the circumstances.

thanks for the update, i was wondering what would happen the this marine,and the outcome is not as i expected given the video.

[Gondring]

Well, someone screwed up...you just don't capture an enemy and then come back the next day and shoot him. But the mistake occurred above the level of this Marine.

[peacebaby]

Media muddying the waters of war. This news never should have been brought out. Pure propaganda. Glad the soldier has been cleared and hope for his full exoneration.

[Flint]

"Although that Marine has been cleared of wrongdoing, the investigation remains open because autopsies of some of the bodies found in the mosque turned up bullets that were not from his gun."

It was my understanding that he was carrying a rifle not a gun.

[lilylangtree]

Good!

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Thank God for small miracles. You think NBC will run with this tonight like they did the original story and video?

No?

Me either.

[Young Werther]

These insurgents are not military, per the Geneva Convention. They don't wear uniforms, insignia, and pledge allegiance to a state. They hide in mosques and don't differentiate between soldiers and innocents.

Under maritime law they can be treated as pirates and hung or they can be treated as spies and given the Mata Hari treatment.

Makes no nevermide to me. I can close my eyes and see the USAA family that was on the flight with Barbara Olson which struck the Pentagon. Those 8 and 6 year old daughters didn't receive due process so why should these pond scumm wannabes!

[MichiganCheese]

Great news! Now when are they going to try that treasonous reporter?

[cyclotic]

The Marine in question was cleared and completely exonorated by thinking Americans 30 seconds after seeing the video.

You take up arms against the mighty forces of the United States Military, you might as well just plan to die.

[Gondring]

Then, per Geneva Conventions, we are required to notify that we are not going to honor those requirements. And frankly, the little protection we get from them is far better than letting any of our good men and women be treated a whit worse than they are by the enemy. If we announced the freedom to execute prisoners, it would be far worse a loss to us than to our foes.

Of course, one could argue that our snipers do not meet the clearly visible insignia requirements, etc., too...so be careful what you ask for.