Free Republic

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Eight Marines were charged in the biggest criminal case against U.S. troops to arise from the Iraq war. Six have had charges dismissed, and one was acquitted. Whether the only remaining and perhaps highest-profile defendant stands trial may hinge on what happens this week in a military courtroom. Lawyers for Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich will ask a judge to dismiss charges against the former squad leader in a case involving the deaths of 24 Iraqi men, women and children in Haditha in November 2005, arguing that a general who oversaw the case was improperly influenced by...

HADITHA HERO- SSgt Frank Wuterich When choices had to be made..he did not shrink from the decisions. As a high school senior, Frank Wuterich entered the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. Frank would become a United States Marine..the Few, the Proud, the Marines. It was a choice he felt he had to make. College would have to wait. Frank felt his country needed him more. Stationed at Parris Island, SC Sgt Wuterich trained as the war in Iraq passed him by. Frank re-enlisted and was transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA.. There he joined ‘The Thundering Third’- 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment,...

In all coverage of the Iraq war, there is ample evidence to suggest a liberal bias. Constant coverage of suicide bombings, pools of blood, wailing women, men screaming for revenge, and Muqtada al Sadr calling for attacks on US forces -from Iran- while there is virtually no mention of any progress being made on the ground. But by far, the biggest -and most blatant- example of media bias comes in the recent coverage of Defense Secretary Robert Gates' April 4th interview with syndicated radio talk-show host Laura Ingraham. In the interview, Gates was quoted as saying "So far, so good"...

The terrorists we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are 7th century savages. What else can you call people who leave a parked car that contains their two young children – a car that is also wired for explosives. The object of leaving their children in the car is to divert suspicion so people will not really notice the car. They then blow up the car – killing several innocent people, including their own children. Consider also the British Muslims who hid a liquid bomb in their child’s bottle.

The Marine Corps spokesman, Col. Stewart Navarre stated: "We are absolutely committed to holding fair and impartial proceedings in full compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice." Anyone familiar with the UCMJ knows that it comprises less text than an issue of Time Magazine, so it is hardly a compelling case for ensuring a fair trial for the enemy, much less our finest combat soldiers. It makes no provisions for gag or contempt orders to prohibit any prosecutorial monkey business, and is not subject to civilian oversight. Until proven otherwise these men are innocent until proven guilty. The leaks...

<p>HADITHA MARINES.... our MARINES On September 11, 2003 the United States of America was attacked by a ruthless enemy. We watched in silent horror as the images of the World Trade Center were televised to a stunned nation. I can’t imagine how each and every American felt. I do know how a seventeen year old felt that day and each day thereafter. 9/11 cemented my son’s will to become a United States Marine. He told his mother and me he would join tomorrow if he were old enough. In August 2003, Justin Sharratt, our son enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Justin had no visions of grandeur or malice, his was a simple mission. To defend the United States of America from all enemies.</p>

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Servicemembers: Many of you may know that since June 2006, I have served as co-civilian counsel, along with Neal Puckett who is lead counsel (and Of Counsel to my law office), for SSgt Frank Wuterich, USMC. Frank is now facing multiple counts of murder for the events arising from the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians at Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005. He was the squad commander for the 3/1 that tragic day. This is a highly unusual case for me. Other than the dozen or so military courts-martials I handled back in 1999-2000 dealing with...

If these men, like the Pendleton 8 before them, become sacrificial lambs, it will be Taps for the US Marine Corps, having turned it's back on that which it depends for it's existence; 16 of it's riflemen who answered their country's call and survived, only to be devoured by the very legal system they fought to protect. Facing charges of murder: Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich Sgt. Sanick P. De La Cruz Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharrat Facing charges of failing to report/investigate: Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani Cpt. Lucas M. Mc Connell Cpt. Randy W....