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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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December 2nd,
2008 - Military Judge Ordered to Review ‘60 Minutes’ Outtakes |
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Military Judge
Ordered to Review ‘60 Minutes’ Outtakes in Haditha Case By Rick Rogers San Diego Union-Tribune December 2, 2008 Camp Pendleton - A military
judge has been ordered to review the outtakes of a “60 Minutes” interview
with the main defendant in the Haditha case, in which some Camp Pendleton
Marines are accused of unjustifiably killing 24 civilians in Iraq or not
investigating the deaths fully. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Meeks must
determine whether the footage contains anything of legal value to the
military's prosecution of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the Navy-Marine Corps
Court of Criminal Appeals said in its Nov. 17 ruling. It's unclear when Meeks
needs to complete the analysis. In a 3-2 decision, the court
said Meeks erred in quashing the prosecution's subpoena seeking unused
portions of the interview that Wuterich granted to the CBS news program “60
Minutes.” Attorneys for CBS had argued
against allowing Meeks or others to view the unaired material. Kevin Tedesco,
a spokesman for “60 Minutes,” declined comment on the latest developments. Wuterich's civilian
attorneys couldn't be reached, and Marine prosecutors have a policy of not
discussing their cases. CBS broadcast its interview
with Wuterich on March 18, 2007. In it, Wuterich recounted the Haditha
incident, which took place Nov. 19, 2005. The Marines' killings began
shortly after a roadside bomb killed a member of their convoy. Wuterich, a
squad leader, said the deaths of civilians was regrettable but also
unavoidable during legitimate combat against insurgents. Prosecutors have said in
court that Wuterich and other members of his squad went on a vengeful killing
spree. Wuterich is charged with
voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment,
dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice. If convicted, he could be
sentenced to more than 160 years in the brig. Originally, eight Marines were
charged in December 2006 for allegedly murdering the Iraqis or not looking
into the deaths thoroughly. Only Wuterich and Lt. Col.
Jeffrey Chessani still face courts-martial. The other defendants had their
charges dropped during pretrial proceedings or were found not guilty by
military juries. The case for Chessani, a
battalion commander accused of not scrutinizing the killings, remains in
limbo after a military judge dismissed charges against him. The prosecution
has appealed that decision. External link: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/dec/02/n8230317321-no-headline/?zIndex=18418 |