Sharratt charged in Haditha case (Father says accusations are politically motivated)

Washington Observer-Reporter ^ | 12-22-06 | Staff and Wire Reports

[smoothsailing]

CAMP PENDLETON,Calif.-..........

Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 22, son of Darryl and Theresa Sharratt of Canonsburg, was charged with the unpremeditated murder of three Iraqis.

Sharratt's parents and his older sister, Jaclyn, who all traveled to Camp Pendleton to support Justin, remain confident he will be proven innocent. They also received encouragement from his civilian lawyer, Gary Myers.

"We have been in contact with him, and he believes that Justin will be fully exonerated of all charges," Darryl Sharratt said Thursday night in an interview with the Observer-Reporter.

Sharratt characterized the Marines who were charged as scapegoats.

"I feel, again, that these charges are politically motivated," he said. "Someone had to be charged."............

[smoothsailing]

Lead story on the Front Page of my hometown paper this morning,top of the fold.

[smoothsailing]

Justin Sharratt ping.

[Marine_Uncle]

One cannot help but feel this father is correct in his assumptions and prediction ["Justin will be fully exonerated of all charges"].

[smoothsailing]

Agreed, Uncle. I keep on thinking about the case of Lt.Pantano...and hope.

[RedRover]

Ping!

Let jazusamo or me know if you want on the Haditha Marine Ping List! (Trolls need not apply.)

[Sword_Svalbardt]

Sad day - poor guy. Ping!

[pinkpanther111]

Terrazas' father denounced the charges, saying his son was murdered by insurgents. "What they are doing to our troops É it's just wrong," Martin Terrazas said in Texas. "I feel for their families. They are in my prayers."

__________

Mine too.

[jazusamo]

My heart goes out to these Marines and their families, especially so because these charges were made in this holiday season after the investigation has been going on for months.

I too feel they will be exonerated and that the case is being pushed for political reasons. I hope I'm wrong about the political part because I would like to believe our country is above that.

[RedRover]

This article answered my question of the day:

The men are not being locked up for now because they are unlikely to flee and are not a danger to themselves or others, said Col. Stewart Navarre, a Corps spokesman.

In Meriden, Conn., Wuterich's father, Dave, said his son was out Christmas shopping. The father said family members believe his son's version of events.

"He says they followed the rules of engagement," Dave Wuterich said. "They were taking small arms fire. They did what they had to do."

[rocksblues]

Read an account about another incident where 4 marines testified for the proscecution to receive lighter sentences hope that doesn't happen here.

If this prosecution is politically motivated I would sure like to the reason and who is pushing it.

[rocksblues]

Another story on this subject.
Marines Charged in Iraqi Civilian Deaths
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/22/D8M5V7NO1.html

[jazusamo]

"If" it is political it is because of Maliki and other Iraqis that are calling for the blood of these Marines. The people of Haditha have been making a lot of noise about this and Haditha has been a stronghold for the insurgency.

There are many links to this very thing here that RedRover has put together.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas.

[W04Man]

Bump!

[rocksblues]

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marine_Uncle]

The Marines must follow their ROE to the tee. Therefore the charges will not hold up. This political crap to placate some miserable Sunni Arabs who most likely support al Qaeda, Ansar-al Sunnah, and Jaish-Muhammed groups, most not succeed.
As far as Maliki and his Shia leadership goes. He probably only has pissed and moaned, because he is trying to win favor with the Sunni side. He could care less if some Sunni where shot up in a few houses while/after the insurgents slipped out the back doors and ran to hide like a bunch of filthy rats fearing for their lives.

[rbmillerjr]

I agree with what you're saying. Hell the Haditha citizens were ready to hang them, at a minimum, as they said.

Let's hope these brave young Marines get their fair trial. On the other hand, the officers that filed the incorrect reports are going to be penalized in some fashion. I hope these Marines don't pay due to that mistake.

If this was in accident in war and they followed the ROE, it sickens me that they are being held as criminals. An investigation - sure - but a criminal trial?

[rocksblues]

Is there a possibility that the Marine High command is being pressured by the likes of Murtha or Kerry?

[jazusamo]

I would hope not and personally doubt it but I suppose it's possible.

[Marine_Uncle]

We can only prayerfully hope that the judges are going to realize these Marines must not go to trial and the charges dropped. For the JAG prosecuters to believe a known AQIR symphasizer and some coached children as representing what really went on, is beyond believe. This whole circus must have been agreed upon between the DOS, Administration, and DOD in order to appear to somehow show America cares for those poor Iraqi.
Of course our men and women in uniform have shown most of the Iraqi populace they have more compassion and love for them then their own Iraqi fathers and brothers for their families.
99% of the American heros don't lie. Perhaps 95% of the A rabs lie out of their turbans after age five or so. It is a way of life with them as so illustriously illustrated in thousands of historical documents and articles written by those that fully understand via. living in their midst how these people live.
If it where not for the dire need for the US to stabilize the Mid East, rid the world of Islamofacist, and prevent Syria and Iran from gaining any greater foothold in the Mid East I would not give a damn about freeing these people from Saddam, and all the follow up SASO operations.

[BluH2o]

The men are not being locked up for now because they are unlikely to flee and are not a danger to themselves or others, said Col. Stewart Navarre, a Corps spokesman.

Last night ABC Evening News did a segment on the Marines on trial at Camp Pendleton. Their correspondent, not sure of his name, reported that the Marines were not being confined to base ... his expression and the way he spoke while reporting gave viewers the distinct impression he didn't agree. Just another military bashing liberal media scumbag.