Comments on: Haditha Roundup

By: » Haditha Roundup « Morning Coffee-VeryAngel

» Haditha Roundup « Morning Coffee-VeryAngel — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:13:59 +0000

[...] is an excellent summation of Haditha that I cross posted from The Captains Journal, Hat tip to Mudville Gazette. I discussed Staff Sgt. Wuterich’s claims that the [...]

By: The Captain’s Journal » Haditha Roundup #2

The Captain’s Journal » Haditha Roundup #2 — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 04:58:51 +0000

[...] This is a followup to Haditha Roundup. The first post caused a lot of traffic and so it seemed good to me to make this a regular category on my site (once every two or three days or once per week, or whenever it seems prudent, ending with the disposition of these cases against the Marines — and hopefully, exhoneration of all Marines who followed protocol for clearing houses where the enemy was thought to be located). [...]

By: Eric Esterson

Eric Esterson — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 17:44:03 +0000

I think the C.O. at Camp Pendleton has some problems with placing these Marines in the brig, the UCMJ prevents punishment before trial, the accused are to be informed of the charges, the brig C.O. has 24 hrs to report to the Base C.O. of the offense, and the accused are entitled to participate in the investigation. While the officer who ordered these Marines into confinement seems to comply with the UCMJ, this action seems unduly harsh, as it would be appropiate to confine the Marines to the base. The Corps has only to insure the presence of the accused at Court Martial. As a former Marine Oficer and legal officer, I am offended that the Corps has seen fit to allow leaks about this serious matter to certain former Marines in the political arena, who in turn run off at the mouth to the press for political gain. Semper Fie? I think not.

By: Morning Coffee » Blog Archive » Haditha Roundup

Morning Coffee » Blog Archive » Haditha Roundup — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 16:52:49 +0000

[...] Here is an excellent summation of Haditha that I cross posted from The Captains Journal, Hat tip to Mudville Gazette. I discussed Staff Sgt. Wuterich’s claims that the Marines followed the rules of engagement, as reported in the Washington Post on Sunday, June 11. I pointed out how absurd it is to believe that the Marines acted in the way they are portrayed as acting (this does not predispose anyone to take any position on the events other than to say that it is highly improbable that the events unfolded as we have heard): Wuterich’s version contradicts that of the Iraqis, who described a massacre of men, women and children after a bomb killed a Marine. Haditha residents have said that innocent civilians were executed, that some begged for their lives before being shot and that children were killed indiscriminately. Wuterich told his attorney in initial interviews over nearly 12 hours last week that the shootings were the unfortunate result of a methodical sweep for enemies in a firefight. Two attorneys for other Marines involved in the incident said Wuterich’s account is consistent with those they had heard from their clients. Kevin B. McDermott, who is representing Capt. Lucas M. McConnell, the Kilo Company commander, said Wuterich and other Marines informed McConnell on the day of the incident that at least 15 civilians were killed by “a mixture of small-arms fire and shrapnel as a result of grenades” after the Marines responded to an attack from a house. [...]