Posted on 01/02/2012 10:28:48 AM PST by smoothsailing
January 2, 2012
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:
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.
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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)
Wow. Interesting...
Mark Walker at the NC Times will have a story up soon that a deal “could” be in the works. DOM is holding off until we know.
Thanks for the update.
Mostly just watching from the sidelines cause I got nothing good to say. Just screaming rants. And you’ve heard it before.
I think Jones has heard enough.
I think this thing is over.
Agreed.
Time to cease and desist.
It is amazing how the light of day and the bright sunlight allows the truth to come shining through.
Humberto Mendoza was a 18-19 year old private on his first tour in Iraq. NCIS secluded the private in a dark dungeon-type room, made him pee in a bottle and probably threatened him with deportation. He would have signed anything to get out of there.
Our Marines aren’t the ones who should be on trial. These unscrupulous NCIS agents need hanged out to dry. Sean Sullivan needs to go back to Chicago and prosecute or defend real criminals. The Marine Corps doesn’t need him and at this time, doesn’t want him.
I’ll add Pvt. Humberto Mendoza to my list of outstanding
Haditha Marines.
Enough said for tonight!!!!!!
God Bless Our Haditha Marines
Darryl Sharratt- proud father of a Haditha Marine!!!!!
Hey, Darryl!!
Good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and yours. Give our regards to everyone.
Pro Deo et Patria!
It came out under oath today that Mendoza was definitely threatened with deportation by NCIS.
Story coming!
An 802 does not seem to jive with a deal forming for Wuterich would need to be present. Instead, he was outside during the break with his parents. The prosecution MAY (big maybe speculation) have used it to make an offer to defense council to present to Wuterich. If the latter, it signals the prosecution’s theory of the case is near total collapse.
More likely the 802 was to wrangle over the prosecution wishing to add a witness that was not on the list, perhaps a NCIS agent. Jones would hear arguments and consider it if the witness was to impeach testimony by a previous witness.
AMEN!!
Chaplain,
Everything is well with my family and me. Thanks for asking.
I have to agree with bigheadfred for the absence. The posturing and rulings by the government prior to the court-martial had my blood boiling. I figured that any comments I had would rile me up even more and might get me banned from the site.
The folks my family and I have met through FR is what kept us going through this whole Haditha debacle. I thank all of you for the support. May God bless.
God Bless Our Haditha Marines
Darryl, Theresa, Jaclyn, Justin
The prosecution is in no position to offer anything, IMO. They put on this ridiculous circus. Wisest thing they can do is fold their tent and slink out of town.
Mendoza was granted some kind of immunity for his testimony.
Now that he has not given the expected testimony does that mean he will be charged with those charges ignored by virtue of the grant of immunity?
I'm definitely not surprised after all that's come out about the NCIS on this case, some are reminiscent of the people that worked for the KGB 30 years ago.
How is that NOT subornation of perjury with charges filed against the offending parties?
Wow!
Hey Darryl!
Excellent observation, Smooth, that's exactly what the prosecution should do.
I don’t know that Mendoza was given any kind of immunity or maybe I just missed it. It looks like he’s telling the truth and the prosecutors don’t like what they’re hearing.
My prayers are with you all as this travesty winds down. My prayers are especially for Wuterich.
I don’t say much here; I don’t have anything to add. But I have been following this closely and I’ll continue through the end.
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