Prosecution’s star witness in Haditha case crumbles on the stand

Defend Our Marines ^ | September 1, 2007 | Nathaniel R. Helms

[RedRover]

As a minor curiosity, I have a pdf of the Dela Cruz polygraph examination here. Unfortunately, we don't have the full context because we don't have the statements he made to investigators.

[RedRover]

Hahahahahahaha!

As a sidenote, the first two days of this hearing has been very different from the previous hearings.

The two Marine defense lawyers (Lt. Col. Vokey and Maj. Faraj) have done all the questioning. The civilian defense attorneys have taken a back seat so far.

[Girlene]

More info from North County Times about Dela Cruz's testimony Witness alleges Wuterich wanted to 'kill everybody'

[snip] The Marine officer presiding over the hearing, Lt. Col. Paul Ware, also questioned Dela Cruz in an attempt to clarify some of his conflicting statements.

"Did you think you could provide false information?" Ware asked about statements Dela Cruz now says are untrue.

"That was our plan, sir," Dela Cruz said.

"Did you have a version of facts you were going to say?" Ware asked.

"Just lie in general," Dela Cruz responded. [snip]

Now if I recall correctly, Dela Cruz claimed Frank told him to lie and had a specific story - that the Iraqi Army had shot them when they were running away. But according to this transcript, Dela Cruz is telling the judge in the hearing that their "plan" was just to lie in general. He can't keep his facts or his lies or whatever he's saying straight. I think the judge (IO) is going to figure this out. He seems to be able to cut through a lot of bad info and hone in on the facts.

[RDTF]

thanks for posting. Lots of continual prayers for this young man

[RedRover]

"Just lie in general," Dela Cruz responded.

LIE IN GENERAL??? Sounds like a line from a sitcom. Wonder how Ware could keep a straight face.

[RedRover]

I read what De Palma said about his latest opus. That pictures are necessary to end this war.

Tim McGirk was thinking the same thing.

[RedRover]

Every prayer is appreciated. Many thanks.

[Girlene]

Additional info on Dela Cruz's testimony from your Washington Post link:

[snip] Dela Cruz testified against Wuterich and another Marine after his own charges were dismissed in exchange for immunity from prosecution. He insisted that after giving at least two false statements to investigators -- and contesting portions of others -- he was finally telling the truth.

[snip] The damaging content of Dela Cruz's testimony was tempered by his demeanor: He appeared wooden on the stand and often took long moments to produce answers to apparently simple questions.

[snip] "Was it your understanding that if you shot a dead body you could be charged with murder?" asked Lt. Col. Paul Ware, who will recommend whether Wuterich should face court-martial.

"Yes, sir," Dela Cruz said.

"Why?" Ware asked, then quickly shook his head. "Never mind."

LOL! It even sounds like the judge was giving up at this point. Actually I feel sorry for Dela Cruz. But not to the point that he should send another Marine away for murder if he is not telling the truth.

[uncbob]

Actually I feel sorry for Dela Cruz. But not to the point that he should send another Marine away for murder if he is not telling the truth.

I haven't been following this case

Any idea as to his motivation as to why he would lie

[elpadre]

You are absolutely right

When out there in hostile territory where the enemy may be the vehicle approaching, behind a rock over there, or building here, or you see a huge hoard of quilted uniforms coming right at you, your gut is anything but calm. Even a rustling noise may have a barrage of bullets in response. The American GI can throw out some lead - big time.

These are times when one makes snap judgments, sometime they are mistakes. Survival of you and your buddies is paramount, as is the mission.

I doubt investigators can really understand the conditions present at such times - how could they? And, as you should well know, eight people on patrol will give eight versions, same as an auto accident down at the corner. If the stories were identical, you know there is a cover-up.

I seriously doubt the investigators who took testimony from this witness understood or got it right. Several of the guys in the unit dispute the investigative report. My experience from many years ago is that military investigations during wartime are riddled with error. How do you capture on paper the emotion of the moment, the adrenaline pumping through your entire being.

I don't know what happened in this matter - I doubt anyone else really fully knows either - even those present..

I wonder if the writer ever experienced incoming rounds, or had the dirt kicking up around his hidey hole.

These prosecutions from combat mistakes should never happen

[Girlene]

Well, NCIS/prosecutors originally charged him with 5 murders for the men in the taxi. In April, he was given immunity for his testimony in the hearings. Now his story is that Frank Wuterich killed all the Iraqis at the vehicle. He’s told several versions of the events that day.

[uncbob]

I doubt anyone else really fully knows either - even those present..

Probably very true and the further away time wise the more the memories play tricks on the mind

[freema]

How’s about a ping!

[xzins]

How many seconds after the IED went off did they stop their vehicle? Vokey demanded. “Maybe a second, sir", Dela Cruz responded.

ONE SECOND!!

I can't believe the senselessness of these prosecutors and NCIS for charging anyone for engaging someone who appears on the scene ONE SECOND after our troops are attacked.

How long is one second? It's as long as it took for my fingers to type the "how" that started off the previous sentence. In other words they were IMMEDIATELY on the scene. You better be defending yourself against those who immediately show up. Is ONE SECOND long enough to think? Not at all. It is long enough to react. The proper reaction is to treat them as enemies and engage them.

And we already know that the troops had an intel briefing that WARNED THEM a white car would show up.

I am beside myself with anger.

I can't even begin to fathom why the Marine Corps brought in a reservist, CIVILIAN prosecutor to try this case. It is further evidence of command influence on this case. Someone wants Wuterich hung out to dry. They want it bad.

[2111USMC]

Sounds like this was a good day for the defense.

[freema]

I immediately thought the same thing...chicago civilian reservist....murtha served the vast majority of his time in the reserves.....

[freema]

Yes, it does. It is a crime that, having survived that battle on foreign soil, they must fight for their lives on their home land.

[jazusamo]

I can't even begin to fathom why the Marine Corps brought in a reservist, CIVILIAN prosecutor to try this case. It is further evidence of command influence on this case. Someone wants Wuterich hung out to dry. They want it bad.

Very good point and I agree. I can't see any legitimate reason to bring a reservist on board to prosecute this case.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

Hey!

I went to school w/ Colby Vokey...

[Lancey Howard]

BUMP!