It's becoming more unrecognizable by the day.
(there, fixed it) 
Posted on 03/26/2008 2:00:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
A shadow legal body was set up by the Defense Department to manipulate the prosecutions of U.S. Marines accused of massacring Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005.
That’s the bombshell disclosure from the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm that is representing one of the accused Marines, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani.
And it could prove to be the most damning piece of evidence showing the political motivations behind the ongoing prosecutions of the Haditha Marines.
“The hysteria and media firestorm over Abu Ghraib and the Pat Tillman investigations led to fear of a similar media reaction to the Haditha incident, causing the military’s civilian bosses to set up this shadow oversight body,” Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Law Center, told Newsmax. “This extraordinary action politicized the military justice system and was a clear signal to top generals that they were expected to hold individuals criminally responsible. The investigation turned into a quest for a prosecution — not justice.”
The shadow legal body, called “Legal Team Charlie,” was composed of military lawyers reassigned from other units and reserve officers activated to prosecute the Haditha case, a move the Law Center termed “highly unusual.”
According to the Law Center, the director of the Naval Criminal Investigation Service admitted that more than 65 investigators were assigned, which in his opinion was the largest investigative effort in the department’s history.
“I am deeply troubled by the fact that the desire to appease the liberal anti-war press and politicians has led to the prosecution of innocent Marines for purely political purposes,” Thompson told Newsmax.
He went on to say, “These prosecutions will become a scandal of historic proportions unless terminated by independently minded and virtuous military judges.”
As Newsmax has been reporting almost from the outset, Marines of Kilo Company are being prosecuted for their house-to-house battle to flush out ambushing insurgents on Nov. 19, 2005.
In the firefight, 15 civilians were killed. Details of the battle and the civilian deaths were dutifully reported throughout the chain of command, including top generals, and all concluded that although this was a tragic and unfortunate consequence of urban warfare, the Marines were justified in their actions.
Months later, however, a Time magazine article — later proven to be erroneous — called the deaths of the civilians a “massacre,” setting off a media firestorm and leading the military to initiate investigations.
The secretary of the Navy countermanded a determination by then Marine Lt. Gen. James Mattis that Col. Stephen Davis, Chessani’s regimental commander, “would receive a 'Non-Punitive Letter of Caution,' which would not be part of his permanent record,” according to the Law Center.
“Mattis’ decision was overridden by the Navy secretary, who ordered a 'Letter of Censure,' a more severe punishment, which effectively ended this fine Marine officer’s career. As the consolidated convening authority in all the Haditha investigations, General Mattis’ decision, under normal circumstances, would be absolute and final.”
Chessani was not personally present at the scene of the ambush in Haditha, but the Marines responding were in his battalion. Chessani is charged with “dereliction of duty” and “orders” violations.
The 20-year Marine veteran and father of six faces a maximum of three years in prison, dismissal (an officer’s equivalent of a dishonorable discharge), and the loss of his retirement benefits.
An Undue Command Influence motion has already been filed on behalf of the two combat Marines facing charges over the Haditha battle. The Law Center said it intends to file its own Undue Command Influence motion on behalf of Chessani, and promised that further startling events will be revealed at that time.
In other developments, the court-martial of one of the combat Marines, Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, will commence Friday, March 28. Newsmax’s Nat Helms is in California to cover the trial at Camp Pendleton.
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Editor’s Note: The Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center does not charge for its services and is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Center can be reached at www.thomasmore.org.
I’m just too hurt and angry to respond properly.
I thought at the time that it looked like the government was desperate to convict these Marines regardless of the facts because they calculated that it would win some “hearts and minds” amongst the Iraqi people.
I don’t think that’s the kind of sacrifice these men signed up for when they walked into the recruiter’s office.
Sierra squared, Delta squared
Wonder how deep the MSM will bury this one?
An outrageous case of command influence.
In the light of this new information, all charges should be dismissed and any derogatory information relating to the Haditha incident should be expunged.
Preferrably on the White House lawn.
THIS is how traitors to Justice need to be treated.
THEN — only THEN — will this kind of bullshit stop.
I'm with you and that treatment could apply to any number of lawbreakers and politicians (which are one and the same!)
There. Fixed it.
I despise globalists. It'll be worse after the next election because conservatives fell for "he can't win." Again.
AMEN to that.
Draw, quarter and display.
Oh yeah, of course, everything is Pres. Bush’s fault on FR anymore! Especially according to some people! Got a sore hangnail? Never fear, it’s Bush’s fault! Grrr....
Well, well, take heart! He’ll be going soon, and then who will you blame for all your ills?
if a thousand people claim they were abducted by a ufo...or were the targets of a white conspiracy to infect them with AIDS, would that make it true?
ping
One way to support these brave Marines being railroaded by their own leaders!!
Where is the Commander in Chief?
Ping!
Well, whatever else might or might not be Bush's fault, this actually is. The chain of command and processes for Military Justice are long established, and there is no room for a civilian star-chamber system to second guess the normal process of military justice that is the responsibility of the senior military officer charged with its conduct.
I am sorry, but this is completely and utterly reprehensible. There is no excuse for it from a C in C who had previous service as a military officer. This is a complete and utter violation of the trust that a serviceman and his/her commander repose in each other.
Thanks for the ping... Frankly, I’m speechless...
The French government is terribly afraid of it's populace and their power. In this case, we would do well to learn this from the French. The liberty tree needs water and blood.
Let us all take America back. To Hell with Globalism.
Hey Race, over here!!
(there, fixed it)
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