It is a truthful saying that SSgt Wuterich never received the presumption of innocense until proven guilty.
From the outset he was assumed guilty by everyone from his Marine Corps chain of command all the way to Congress and then to the Department of Defense.
The Unlawful Command Influence exerted in his prosecution should lead to a revolution in protection for troops accused of battlefield crimes.
This case was UCI in spades, Chaplain.
UNLAWFUL COMMAND INFLUENCE
Unlawful Command Influence (UCI) has frequently been called the “mortal enemy of military justice.” UCI occurs when senior personnel, wittingly or unwittingly, have acted to influence court members, witnesses, or others participating in military justice cases. Such unlawful influence not only jeopardizes the validity of the judicial process, it undermines the morale of military members, their respect for the chain of command, and public confidence in the military.
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa103000d.htm
From the outset he was assumed guilty by everyone from his Marine Corps chain of command all the way to Congress and then to the Department of Defense.>>
The only one with any honor in this farce is the good S/Sgt and his men.The Marine Corps, politicians, and ALL the media were despicable from the onset. Semper Fidelis used to mean something but not anymore except for the enlisted up to field grade officers. Chief Marine Gunner, USMC, (ret)