The Haditha Marines-The Squad Leader-A Final Chapter (SSgt Wuterich-Master Thread)

1-2-2012

[smoothsailing]

January 2, 2012

The Haditha Marines-The Squad Leader-A Final Chapter

It certainly seems appropriate that the last defendant in the Haditha case is the squad leader, SSgt Frank Wuterich. Leaders take responsibility, and SSgt Wuterich has taken full responsibility for the actions of his squad in Haditha. His stance from the outset has remained clear:

"My Marines responded to the threats they faced in the manner that we all had been trained", he has steadfastly maintained. "I will bear the memory of the events of that day forever, and will always mourn the unfortunate deaths of the innocent Iraqis who were killed during our response to the attack."

As the last Marine originally charged in the deaths of Iraqis in Haditha, Iraq in 2005, SSgt Wuterich will be seated at the defense table in his general court-martial two days from now, Wednesday, January 4th. Barring last minute motions or outright dismissal of charges, jury selection will begin Wednesday or Thursday. SSgt. Wuterich will be tried by a jury of combat-experienced Marines, and the panel will include at least two Marines from the enlisted ranks.

Much has been written over the last six years about Haditha, and links to some of the most recent news articles and commentaries are included at the bottom of this post to help bring readers up to date. For older Free Republic postings, please use this link or enter the keyword Haditha in the Free Republic search engine.

The purpose of this Free Republic thread is to serve as a "Master Post" where trial news and updates can be brought together in one place for easy reference by those interested in following the proceedings as they unfold.

Freepers Smoothsailing, Red Rover, and Jazusamo will monitor the thread, post updates, and attempt to answer questions or direct readers to information sources. Jazusamo maintains the Haditha Marine Ping List. Please ask Jazusamo to be added to the ping list if you wish to be alerted to updates.

Recent News and Commentary:

MILITARY TIMES-Haditha Marine Faces Trial

Count Down to the Last Haditha Trial

MILITARY: Two high-profile cases set for Pendleton courtrooms

Remember SSgt Frank D. Wuterich: The last Haditha Marine goes on trial

Don’t rewrite Murtha’s legacy (Haditha Marines)

[smoothsailing]

How could I tell from the headline that wasn’t a New York Times story?

Because it wasn't shouting "Death To America" at you!

[smoothsailing]

Salinas and Graviss told the all-Marine jury that they did not believe Dela Cruz to be a truthful person, and that they considered Wuterich to be a good Marine.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45967532#.Tw-A0aVunNU

[Girlene]

Regarding Dela Cruz's testimony.......From the defense atty's site: Defense attorney Haytham Faraj, founding partner of Puckett & Faraj, PLLC, repeatedly asked the Sergeant if he lied to the Army Colonel and to NCIS special agency investigating the Haditha incident. The Sergeant replied “Yes, Sir.” When asked why he lied and covered things up, he stated that questions were tricky and the investigators mischaracterized the statement he took under oath and signed. The Sergeant indicated he was telling the truth yesterday. After the lunch break and conversing with his attorney, the Sergeant answered almost every question with “I don’t remember, Sir.”

Pretty sad. He lied to the Col, he lied to NCIS, partly because NCIS was trying to mischaracterize what he said (Okay, that I DO believe), but then he goes back to not rembembering. Probably the smartest thing he could do at that point.

Thanks for posting these links, smooth.

[smoothsailing]

Lcpl. Trent Graviss, 22, Louisville, Kentucky, 3rd Platoon, Kilo Co., 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, United States Marine Corps, at the company's firm base in Haditha, Iraq on Sunday Oct. 22, 2005.

[smoothsailing]

What seems obvious is that so far, all of the prosecution’s witnesses, Dela Cruz included, have helped the defense!

[Girlene]

Excellent piece from "Maggie's Farm", Understanding the Wuterich Haditha Court Martial

This bit that they point out from the presiding judges's comments from Wuterich's Article 32 is important to remember,

[Background] Similarly, the facts are contested or in serious doubt in the clearing of several houses near the IED explosion, from which direction small arms fire was received. The prosecution contends that deadly force need not have been used, and was in contradiction to the rules of engagement. The Article 32 hearing officer, however, with respect to House 1, said that although the clearing techniques used may have differed from those in the official rules of engagement these clearing methods were what the Marines were taught to do.

"Our Marines should be able to rely upon being taught tactics which will not later subject them to criminal liability if properly employed.” The hearing officer also stated, “pursuing the theory that further positive idendification after entering a room you reasonably believe contains enemy combatants inside would significantly impact combat operations and is an unwarranted, ill conceived and dangerous application of restraint."

Excellent reminder. Thanks for finding this, smooth.

[RedRover]

Nat says it was “Dump on Dela Cruz Day” with Salinas and Graviss’ testimonies. For some reason, a prosecutor actually made the mistake of asking of what they thought of Dela Cruz and his testimony.

Mistake!

Nat is going to take his time with the piece tonight so I won’t have it until the morning. Justin didn’t testify today and tomorrow is Lt Kallop—which could be very interesting!

BTW, I think I will start posting DOM articles as separate threads because, at the moment, Google isn’t picking up on our news articles as we post them (probably because I’m screwing something up). One of the lawyers told Nat he was disappointed the Dela Cruz piece wasn’t on Google.

Anyway, Free Republic threads do make it to Google so that’s what we should do. Let the word go forth!

[RedRover]

It is interesting that the #2 seat outranks the lead prosecutor for this trial.

Nat said that's how the legal system works and likened it to his days in Nam when a chopper pilot would be a Warrant Officer and a higher ranking co-pilot would treat him as the commander of the craft once the engine came on.

[jazusamo]

Nat says it was “Dump on Dela Cruz Day” with Salinas and Graviss’ testimonies.

Great news, these prosecutors sound like they're their own worst enemy. LOL!

I think posting the separate threads is a good idea, it also exposes this to many that lurk on FR and Nat's doing a really good job.

[Girlene]

For some reason, a prosecutor actually made the mistake of asking of what they thought of Dela Cruz and his testimony.

??? and lol.

Yes, make the DOM articles seperate threads.....they deserve it! Looking forward to hearing about Lt. Kallop's testimony.

[RedRover]

The answer was that he didn’t believe a word Dela Cruz said.

What’s the rule about never asking a question when you don’t already know the answer?

[smoothsailing]

BTW, I think I will start posting DOM articles as separate threads because, at the moment, Google isn’t picking up on our news articles as we post them (probably because I’m screwing something up). One of the lawyers told Nat he was disappointed the Dela Cruz piece wasn’t on Google.

Anyway, Free Republic threads do make it to Google so that’s what we should do. Let the word go forth!

Good, Red. We can catch up easily.

Dela Cruz, Tatum, and the "shocker" article are the only ones not posted. I say we skip shocker. I'll post Dela Cruz and Tatum as free standers, you take care of Nat's latest tomorrow.

[smoothsailing]

DEFEND OUR MARINES-THE TRIAL OF SSGT. WUTERICH-LCPL STEPHEN TATUM TESTIFIES

[smoothsailing]

DEFEND OUR MARINES-THE TRIAL OF SSGT. WUTERICH-DELA CRUZ TAKES THE STAND

[smoothsailing]

Wuterich Squad Mate Maintains He Was in Charge of Haditha Convoy

Former Cpl. Hector Salinas told a military jury Thursday that he had command of the convoy that was attacked on the day of the Haditha killings, raising questions whether the man on trial was in charge.

A former Marine — who was set to replace a staff sergeant now on trial in connection with the killings of civilians in Haditha, Iraq in 2005 — Salinas maintains that he was in charge of the military convoy that was hit by a roadside bomb, killing one Marine.

“I believe I was the convoy commander,” Hector Salinas, a former sergeant, told a military jury Thursday.

......

Salinas' testimony raises questions about who was in charge that day and whether Wuterich can be found guilty of dereliction of duty.

SOURCE---Camp Pendleton*Patch

[Velveeta]

Placemark

[smoothsailing]

According to this, Dela Cruz was recalled to the witness stand
as a third witness after Salinas and Graviss testified Thursday!

http://www.puckettfaraj.com/2012/01/prosecution-witnesses-fail-to-establish-to-criminal-liability/

[xzins]

According to the Faraj article, if I’m reading it correctly, DelaCruz lied in this trial again. Apparently, Dela Cruz said he did not kick a body and say he had killed it. The LCpl being questioned said that that event had taken place.

With Dela Cruz and already admitted liar, there’s no way they can believe him in the face of an unimpeached witness who says it did happen.

[smoothsailing]

DEFEND OUR MARINES-THE TRIAL OF SSGT. WUTERICH-"MAYBE WAR SHOULD BE ON TRIAL"

[smoothsailing]

You’re right, Chap. Dela Cruz can’t keep track of all the stories he’s told. It’s inconceivable that the jury panel can’t see right through his BS.