I don’t really care why they got out of the vehicle. All I care is whether it was reasonable for our soldiers given their state of mind after the IED attack to fear for their lives and expect the real possibility of attack from the individuals exiting the vehicle. I think any reasonable person would have to answer yes to that question. War should not have such a high standard that our soldiers should have to second guess themselves in the response to the aftermath of an attack.
It is horrible that civilians get killed in war or in police actions but the expectation of absolute infallibility is not only unrealistic but betrays a level of naiveté only suited for the mind of a child. If a soldier commits a crime prosecute them but do not prosecute them for reacting as soldiers must.
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.