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The Trial of SSgt Wuterich Day One: Chessani Will Not Testify
Defend Our Marines ^ | January 5, 2012 | Nathaniel R. Helms

Posted on 01/06/2012 4:19:29 AM PST by RedRover

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Defend Our Marines was founded on Free Republic and largely fueled by it, too. Thanks to my fellow Freepers, and especially the members of the Haditha Marine Ping List, for their continued support, interest, and involvement.

Nat Helms will be covering every day of the trial. You can find updates and more information as we have it throughout the day on the SSgt Wuterich court martial master thread.

1 posted on 01/06/2012 4:19:32 AM PST by RedRover
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To: smoothsailing; 4woodenboats; American Cabalist; AmericanYankee; AndrewWalden; Antoninus; ...

2 posted on 01/06/2012 4:23:58 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: smoothsailing; 4woodenboats; American Cabalist; AmericanYankee; AndrewWalden; Antoninus; ...

3 posted on 01/06/2012 4:25:04 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover

Why are they going after this guy if the other seven have been cleared of their charges?


4 posted on 01/06/2012 4:39:27 AM PST by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
Why are they going after this guy if the other seven have been cleared of their charges?

Because the media demands it.

5 posted on 01/06/2012 4:57:05 AM PST by Roccus (The GOP is just the sandbox that conservatives are allowed to play in...............for now.)
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To: RedRover

Prayers for Sgt. Wuterich and his family. I expect nothing less than a not guilty verdict. Let this brave young man be completelyexonerated. And apologized to. let him get on with his life.

Spitting mad SueRae.

p.s. damn you, Murtha


6 posted on 01/06/2012 5:00:53 AM PST by SueRae (I can see November 2012 from my HOUSE!!!!!!!!)
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To: RedRover; P-Marlowe; Lancey Howard; Jack Hydrazine

I do not understand how LtCol Chessani can legitimately be excluded from the witness list. He is the flippin’ battalion commander of the Staff Sergeant on trial regarding a day-long engagement that involved more than one element of LtCol Chessani’s command.

Are these nimrod legal beagles so far removed from the battlefield that they don’t realize battalion commanders and E-6 level NCO’s interact on a daily basis?

I would immediately write this down as a reason for appeal. They are denying Wuterich a material witness who can testify as to the ROEs in effect, how they were communicated, the entire scope of the attacks that day, and this particular attack against Wuterich’s squad.

I am amazed at this decision.

It’s like questioning the shift cook at Burger King but not allowing the manager to be questioned. Yep, he didn’t fill the burger order, but we’re not allowed to know corporate didn’t send the supplies.


7 posted on 01/06/2012 5:07:06 AM PST by xzins (Pray for Our Troops Remaining in Afghanistan, now that Iran Can Focus on Injuring Only Them)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
There was a lot of pre-trial speculation that charges would be dismissed. My guess is that it was no one's interest to do so. Why subject yourself to second-guessing from the brass when you could just let this play out?

On the other hand, there were basically three separate actions and SSgt Wuterich was involved in all three.

The first was the shooting at the "white taxi", second at "houses one, two, and three", and lastly at "house four". (See diagram below.

The other charges that have been dropped related to the houses. The main hope of the prosecution will be the "white taxi". They have a witness, Sgt Dela Cruz, who bombed at the Article 32 hearing so it's still a shaky case at best.


8 posted on 01/06/2012 5:23:20 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover

Was any particular reason given for the decision?


9 posted on 01/06/2012 5:32:21 AM PST by An.American.Expatriate (Here's my strategy on the War against Terrorism: We win, they lose. - with apologies to R.R.)
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To: xzins

it may be that Chessani would say something that would implicate himself in further charges

Sgt Larry Hutchins, of the PENDLETON 8 case, was released, charges dropped, went back to an active duty unit, given all back pay, to now be charged again and heis in the brig in California awaiting charges

Obama didn’t use these cases to show how GWB and the Politically Correct Marine Corps Leadership let these men hang after they followed orders, he is using these charges to show Americans are murderers


10 posted on 01/06/2012 5:33:31 AM PST by RaceBannon (Ron Paul is to the Constitution what Fred Phelps is to the Bible.)
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To: SueRae

Murtha’s already damned. I just hope that turd is fully aware that the discomfort he feels is eternal.


11 posted on 01/06/2012 5:46:30 AM PST by Postman (Cut, Cap and BBA)
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To: xzins

Hey, chaplain! Great to see you!

Seems the prosecution is focusing on actions that morning and even though Chessani was battalion commander, he was a distant observer.

Then-captain Dinsmore will be a witness to the broader insurgent actions that day and a very good witness he’ll be.

Still, given the length of the witness list, this is still a bad surprise.


12 posted on 01/06/2012 5:49:16 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: SueRae

Thanks for the prayers and the damnation! May both be answered!


13 posted on 01/06/2012 5:53:42 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: An.American.Expatriate

None was given yesterday but we’ll post more info if we get it.


14 posted on 01/06/2012 5:57:13 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RaceBannon

Really.


15 posted on 01/06/2012 5:58:35 AM PST by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))
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To: RedRover; RaceBannon

Hi guys. My sense is that if the defense wanted him as a witness and the judge denied it that the defense had a reason for wanting him that was important to them.

In any case, I’d chalk it up as a legal decision that affected the trial, and therefore, grounds for an appeal.


16 posted on 01/06/2012 6:19:17 AM PST by xzins (Pray for Our Troops Remaining in Afghanistan, now that Iran Can Focus on Injuring Only Them)
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To: fatima

Hi, fatima! Your prayer circles have always been appreciated and Frank and his family could use it now!


17 posted on 01/06/2012 6:27:08 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover

RedRover,Tell Frank I will say a rosary on the way to work today for his intention.Special prayers on the way from all of us.((((Hugs))))


18 posted on 01/06/2012 6:54:17 AM PST by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))
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To: fatima
Will do! Thanks so much, fatima!


19 posted on 01/06/2012 7:08:08 AM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover
Thanks for the ping, Red.

The main hope of the prosecution will be the "white taxi". They have a witness, Sgt Dela Cruz, who bombed at the Article 32 hearing so it's still a shaky case at best.

Is SSgt Wuterich still being charged with the deaths at the taxi? Nat's article says charges stem from the deaths of 15 citizens.
20 posted on 01/06/2012 7:23:46 AM PST by Girlene (Happy Friday)
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