Posted on 12/28/2007 7:15:49 AM PST by RedRover
Good news. It’s about time. From various reporting it appeared that Sgt. Salinas was a key witness to most of the events that occurred that day. It made no sense that Sgt. Salinas was not granted immunity for the Article 32’s if their purpose was to get to the truth. Good for Lt. Gen. Helland for granting him immunity for LCpl Tatum’s upcoming trial.
Yes indeed it's about time. I never understood not giving Salinas immunity in the first place. As lily said, I am skeptically optimistic at this turn of events.
Throw caution to the winds, lily o’ mine. This is good news for the New Year.
My motto: Exonerate in 0-8!
LCpl Tatum's trial should commence the third week of March. LtCol Chessani's trial will be early/mid April.
Regarding the other cases, as you know, Lt Grayson is waiting for the IO recommendation. There was talk that LtGen Helland might have a decision in the SSgt Wuterich case this week, but now it looks like next week.
Do you have any sense what they’ll do with Grayson?
Thanks for the latest update on what is happening with these Haditha Marines.
I recall the IO said that the government needed to either charge Sgt Salinas or grant him immunity. I’m glad they finally chose immunity.
If the prosecution had really wanted to stack the deck, they could have charged Salinas and scheduled his Article 32 for after the Tatum court martial.
I’ve been so critical of prosecutorial conduct on these threads, I have to give them their due on this decision. (Maybe the prosecutors were visited by three ghosts on Christmas eve.)
As far as I know, the government has yet to acknowledge the presence of a single insurgent in Haditha that day. Guess they think that IED went off by itself.
My pleasure, Uncle, especially when the news is good!
Well, the only reason I can come up with as to why Salinas was not granted immunity for the Article 32’s was to help the prosecution get charges preferred. Sgt. Salinas was at each scene where action occurred that day. The prosecution granted immunity to two other Marines involved in the shootings in Haditha.
Dela Cruz was granted immunity after initially being charged with 5 deaths at the sedan. Mendoza was never charged with killing the first man in house #1, but had plenty to lose after failing his polygraph. Both men testified for the proseuction. Why Sgt. Salinas was never charged or granted immunity may have been simply to keep him in check. If there’s a more likely reason why he was held in limbo this whole time, I’d be open to an explanation. Thankfully, Lt. Gen. Helland has seen fit to provide him immunity, finally.
BUMP! to that but we're going to have to nickname you Johnny now. lol
Happy New Year to you, Chick! It’s going to be great in 0-8!
Jump back, kiss myself, I got it going on!
I love the motto too! Exonerate in 0-8!
GO RED!!
When you’re hot you’re HOT! :-)
I don’t have a clue about Lt Grayson. The sane thing would be to dismiss charges. But there was so little reporting on the hearing that I don’t know if the prosecution managed to score any points.
That's some pretty sharp shooting, Girlene!
Gotta go, the freeway calleth...
I hope you’re right, Red. Too bad those responsible for this fiasco will never be held accountable...they’ll just go on to their next politically motivated hit job. Great fun as long as you’re not the one losing everything just because you or a member of your family chose to protect the rest of our asses by serving their country.
Cindie
Oops - 0-8!
Maybe a life without honor is its own punishment. We have to hope there’s a more perfect justice, and a special place in Hell.
The most important quote, imho, in that article was by Dinsmore:
The man in charge of intelligence gathering for the 3rd Battalion at Haditha, Maj. Jeffrey Dinsmore, testified Saturday that he considered the photos "extraneous" and that Grayson and his team were responsible for developing intelligence leads and not probing civilian killings.
I found Laughner's comment about the photos Laughable. I felt in my gut he was keeping gory photos on his computer to show his friends, prurient interest, whatever, but his comment:
"It didn't really sink into me that it would become a law of armed conflict violation."
was laughnerable!
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