"There are serious concerns I have about what the world (read: Al Jazeera) and the country will learn about what did not happen as well as what did, with the investigation and prosecution if this case must go to trial."
First of all, I'm sick up to here about what "the world" thinks about America and our troops. This lawyer needed to worry first and foremost about his client, not what "the world" might think. Screw "the world". Was Puckett more concerned about the reputation of a Marine Corps and Pentagon that chose to dump on eight of its young warriors than he was about the one he was supposed to be defending? It almost sounds like it.
He had to know that a veiled threat wouldn't get the charges dropped. How would the Marines Corps be expected to explain that to "the world"? To me the nagging question remains: Why, after the first few prosecution witnesses fell flat on their faces, did the trial suddenly screech to a halt so the defense could inexplicably snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
By the way, I try to keep in mind that Defend Our Marines and six years worth of Free Republic 'Haditha' threads were about ALL EIGHT of those Marines who were charged, not just the last one. The more I think about this whole thing and how it ended, the more I think I understand where Dinsmore was coming from with his piece.
IMO, the events at Haditha were done with express consent and approval of the higher command. Just another day in Iraq. Until McGirk got to yowling. Along with his puke friends. Including Murtha.
Then it was run for the hills and CYA time.
The word debacle works well here.
Yes, it’s always been about all eight.
I do know the lawyers of the seven cooperated with each other and wanted to cooperate with Puckett but he wouldn’t have it.
One lesson is that cases of military justice go best for the defendants when they stay united. Compare the Haditha case to Hamdaniya (or however it’s spelled) where there was a great splintering.
I’m just a civilian puke, but I think squads should be tried as squads—all eight on trial at once—for reasons Lancey spelled out above.