SSFrankWuterich.jpg
Posted on 03/28/2008 3:15:14 PM PDT by Dubya
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The Marine Corps is dropping all charges against a lance corporal who was accused of involuntary manslaughter in a squad's killing of 24 Iraqis in Haditha in 2005.
The Marines dropped the case against 26-year-old Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum today as jury selection was about to begin for his court-martial at Camp Pendleton. He had also been charged with reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.
The case against Tatum stemmed from a squad's assault in response to a roadside bombing of a convoy that killed one Marine and wounded two others.
The government says a sergeant and another Marine shot five men at the scene and the squad leader ordered his men to clear homes with grenades and gunfire.
The government has been seeking Tatum's testimony against Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden, Conn.
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Happy-ending ping.
Aren’t all these guys being jobbed? I’ll admit to not staying as on top of his one as I should have, but I don’t see a clear cut case of criminality here. It seems more like some powers that be glomed on to a bad report without thinking it through.
What is this story trying to tell us?
So can he sue Murtha for libel?
SSgt Wuterich better watch his six?
I believe they’re trying to imply that the LCpl cut a deal, but according to his attorney he did not, and would testify as a neutral witness should he be called.
The government cannot recharge this Marine with these same charges.
It’s good news!!
Message from the defense lawyers
All charges were dismissed with prejudice against LCpl Tatum this morning, on the day his trial was to begin on allegations stemming from actions in Haditha, Iraq on 19 November 2005. The government said it was done to further the truth seeking function. We emphasize that LCpl Tatum will testify truthfully if called as a witness but there is no deal for his testimony. It became clear to the experienced prosecution team that the right thing to do was to dismiss all charges against LCpl Tatum. We believe the evidence shows that LCpl Tatum reacted to an enemy attack the way he was trained to do.
This result is consistent with the recommendation of the Article 32 investigating officer who recommended last summer that no court-martial be held in this case.
JACK B. ZIMMERMANN
KYLE R. SAMPSON
LTCOL MATTHEW W. CORD, USMCR
MAJ JEFFREY V. MUÑOZ, USMC
Why would he do that? The GOP is in charge and running the show.
Thank you.
Shouldn’t this be breaking news?
I'm somewhat mystified. If I read correctly between the lines it sounds like they had to convene the court martial. Then the court (JACK B. ZIMMERMANN, KYLE R. SAMPSON, LTCOL MATTHEW W. CORD, USMCR, MAJ JEFFREY V. MUÑOZ, USMC?) did what should have been done long ago. Why did they leave this man hanging all that time?
SS Frank Wuterich-——HERO FREE AT LAST
I don’t know. Thins have changed and I don’t know what to post and what not to post. Sorry if I got it wrong.
The individuals you name were defense counsel.
I sure hope so.
At Tatum’s Article 32 hearing, LtCol Ware was the hearing officer. He recommended the charges be dropped but Gen. Mattis didn’t accept that recommendation and ordered a courts-martial on lesser charges.
These four men listed here are Tatum’s defense attorneys. The courts-martial was scheduled to start yesterday but was postponed until today. This morning the prosecution dropped all charges.
Just saw this in breaking news- I swear it wasn’t there a few minutes ago, but I am getting old.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993201/posts
How long has this been investigated?
I mean, how much time does this guy have left for his service. It’s gotta be getting close for him to ETS.
Also, will he be promoted at all or is this lost time for his service? Man, this sucks for the Marine. Glad he is free now.
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