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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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November 13th,
2007 - US Marine Withholds Plea in Haditha Killings Case |
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US Marine Withholds Plea in
Haditha Killings Case By Reuters November 13, 2007 Camp Pendleton - A U.S.
Marine told a military tribunal on Tuesday he would not enter a plea until
his trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in
the killings several Iraqi women and children in the town of Haditha. Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen
Tatum, who was arraigned on Tuesday, faces trial starting on March 28 in the
highly publicized 2005 case in which U.S. Marines killed 24 men, women and
children. Tatum, an enlisted man from Oklahoma, faces a maximum penalty of 19
years imprisonment if found guilty. Tatum was part of a convoy
of Marines, led by Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, that was hit by an explosive
device that destroyed a Humvee and left a well-liked young Marine dead and
two others badly injured. Prosecutors say that the
surviving Marines rampaged through the village, killing five unarmed passengers
in a taxi and 19 people in nearby houses. Defense lawyers point to
testimony that the Marines were ordered to "clear the houses"
because they were being shot at, and they followed Marine Corps procedure
that led to unfortunate deaths. Four Marines were initially
charged with assault and murder and four officers were charged with failing
to investigate the killings and making false statements. Since then, charges against
two officers and two enlisted men have been dismissed, while Tatum and Maj.
Jeffrey Chessani have been ordered to court martial. Another officer and
Wuterich, who led the squad during the attack on the houses, are awaiting
rulings on whether or not they will face charges. (Reporting by Marty Graham,
writing by Adam Tanner; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) © Reuters 2006. All rights
reserved. External link: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN13598391
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