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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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November 12th,
2007 - Two Marines in the Haditha Case Due in Court Tuesday |
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Two Marines in
the Haditha Case Due in Court Tuesday By San Diego Union-Tribune November 12, 2007 Camp Pendleton – Two Marines
facing charges in the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha two years ago
are scheduled to be in court Tuesday at Camp Pendleton. Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum,
who is scheduled to be arraigned, is charged with involuntary manslaughter,
reckless endangerment and aggravated assault for his role in the deaths which
took place Nov. 19, 2005 after a Marine was killed in a roadside bombing. The purpose of the
arraignment is for the accused to enter a plea, and for the military judge to
establish a schedule for Tatum's trial and other proceedings. An Article 32 hearing for
1st Lt. Andrew Grayson, who is charged with dereliction of duty, making a
false official statement and obstruction of justice, is set for Tuesday
afternoon. The hearing, similar to a
preliminary hearing in civilian court, will determine whether Grayson will be
tried on the charges. Investigators said 10 of the
dead civilians were women and children who appeared to have been hit by rifle
fire from close range. Eight Marines were
originally charged in the case, but charges were dropped against four of
them. A decision has not been
reached on whether to court-martial squad leader Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani,
the battalion commander and highest-ranking Marine charged in the case, is
scheduled to stand trial April 28, according to one of his attorneys. He is
charged with dereliction of duty and violation of a lawful order for failing
to report and accurately investigate the deaths. External link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20071112-1252-haditha.html |