Posted on 08/09/2007 8:29:38 AM PDT by RedRover
Edited on 08/09/2007 8:53:27 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
In a 7:00 am meeting this morning with defense attorneys and prosecutors, LtGen James Mattis ordered that all charges be dismissed against LCpl Justin Sharratt.
Gen Mattis' order for a dismissal follows the recommendation of the investigating officer in LCpl Sharratt's Article 32. A similar decision is expected in the case of a second Marine, charged with dereliction of duty, Capt. Randy W. Stone. [snip]
LCpl Sharratt had been charged with murder for his actions against the enemy in Haditha, Iraq.
On November 19, 2006, the Marines of Kilo Co., 3/1, were caught in a complex ambush in Haditha. At the end of the day's action, one Marine was dead and eleven wounded.
The next day, insurgents (using techniques from the jihadist handbook) made a videotape of the aftermath and accused the Marines of wanton murder.
The insurgents' evidence was used as the basis for a cover story in Time magazine. Seizing on the opportunity to erode support for the war, Congressman John Murtha went on a media offensive against the Marines, declaring them to be vicious, cold-blooded murderers.
Today's exoneration of LCpl Justin Sharratt is the first step in officially establishing the truth about what happened in Haditha.
Contrary to claims by Congressman Murtha and the media...
A defamation lawsuit was filed against Murtha on behalf of SSgt Wuterich. The Department of Justice is shielding Murtha with the claim that he was doing his duty as a congressman. The suit is on appeal.
Links to news sources regarding Gen Mattis' decision will be added to this thread as they are available. You are reading this first on Free Republic.
Free Republic has been "information central" regarding cases arising out of Marines' combat service in Iraq. I'd like to thank Jim Robinson for providing this forum and to Freepers for their active participation on these threads.
GOOD! Now for the rest of those guys.
I’m beginning to sniff the sickening sweet odor of Nifongism in this whole matter.
Three down, five to do!
whew thank God
Is this of concern?
A great big WOO-HOO! Makes my heart sing this morning!
Thank God for this...now exonerate the rest and sack Murtha!
Ping
Hallelujah!!! Many, many prayers have been answered for this Hero and his family.
It sounds like he has been granted an immunity shield so that he cannot be charged with anything for his testimony.
IF the defense sees this as a “boon”, then apparently this guy felt he would face retaliation from the NIS or someone in the Marines if he told the truth (the Marines acted very honorably) about Haditha.
Red - This calls for your dancing man animation!
Congratulations Justin and the entire Sharratt family.
boon - a benefit enjoyed; a thing to be thankful for; a blessing.
OOH RAH! Got this through the 3/1 network:
Theresa Sharratt wrote:
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 08:19:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: theresa sharratt
Subject: IT’S OVER!
As of 10:45 a.m., Justin’s charges have been DROPPED!!!! He is free to leave the Marines as soon as he starts the process of signing out, approximately 1 month.
Today, a day to celebrate! Finally! All of our prayers answered...
IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! I can’t believe I can finally say this!
Thank you everyone for your support, prayers, letters, cards, emails, and donations to Justin’s Defense Fund. God Bless all of you.
Defend Our Marine
www.justinsharratt.com
Excellent news!!!!!!!
Sensors here are registering the same, captain.
Man, I know what that feels like.
Skate, skate, skate. Skate out the door. Wave to everyone behind you and don't look back.
GREAT news BUMP!
Confused. How can the prosecution agree to immunize someone who is a “boon” to the defense? Seems fishy.
Ok, that explains it a little better. Any ideas what he might have been charged with that would explain this? Spitting on the sidewalk-kinds of charges?
“A defamation lawsuit was filed against Murtha on behalf of SSgt Wuterich. The Department of Justice is shielding Murtha with the claim that he was doing his duty as a congressman.” How about the Department of Defense shielding these Marines “with the claim that (they)he was doing his duty” as Marines!!!!!!Thank God, these Marines had their charges dismissed, now we pray that the rest will meet the same fate of CHARGES DISMISSED!!!!
This is great news!
Can’t wait until all the Marines involved are cleared.
Anxiously awaiting an apology from Murtha. (but not holding my breath.)
GREAT NEWS!
Lt. General Mattis has made the correct decision. Hopefully he will make this same decision for the others.
Apologies. I jumped the gun on that detail. Immunity has NOT been confirmed. I asked the Mod to delete that bit.
David Allender
Now, when will Murtha et al be charged with treason?
Great news!! Paging John Murtha, paging John Murtha....
Rep. Murtha, we are still waiting for your profuse apologies, which can never be sufficient for the slanders that poured forth from your vile mouth.
Rep. Murtha, we are waiting for you to resign in shame and disgrace. We know that Demagogues are shameless and indecent, but maybe now you can begin to express your shame and regrets for your dishonest and appalling misconduct.
See correction above.
Michael Savage will claim he’s responsible for the charges being dropped.
Possibly he was coerced by some NIS folks to give some ‘kinda untrue’ statements about the event, and he is now shielded from perjury.
Many prayers answered...HOORAH!!!!
Got it. Thanks for the update.
Noted. Thanks!
OOHRAH! First time I’ve had to sit at my computer all morning What a great thing to sit down to!!! Congrats!!!
Cindie
I wish.
You said it Smooth!! :)
PRAISE GOD!!
This is wonderful news!! I pray the same outcome—and complete vindication for ALL the Haditha Marines!!
WOO HOO!!
What a shame that a Marine is forced into a position of celebrating being “free to leave the Marines as soon as he starts the process of signing out”. A few Marine commanders and perfumed princes of the Pentagon who were only looking out for their own political backsides are responsible for this. They responded irrationally to a poorly researched “scoop” by some TIME scumbag and shot themselves in the foot.
It is nice to see Mattis finally stepping up. I just wish he would hustle up the dismissals a little faster so the damage can be contained and the healing can begin. Unfortunately, I have this nagging feeling that the prosecution and the forces of political correctness will have to be thrown a bone, and SOMEBODY (probably Wuterich or Tatum) will be the scapegoat for the whole mess.
Charges against American warriors dropped; Democrats seethe and DUmmies and Kossacks riot. Nation rejoices.
Whew. I’m still wondering what de la Cruz gave them, or what they THOUGHT he would give them. Immunity makes me nervous.
See RedRover’s post above. Immunity maybe NOT involved. I feel better now. Immunity implies some crime was committed.
Yes. Why wouldn’t these men be free to resume BEING MARINES? Why is that part of the “deal?”
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