The Article 32 investigation, which began on 30AUG07, of SSgt Frank Wuterich is in its final stages. SSgt Wuterich is accused of murdering 17 Iraqis during an alleged massacre in Haditha two years ago. SSgt Wuterich made an unsworn statement, during which he stated,
“I will always mourn the unfortunate deaths of the innocent Iraqis who were killed during our response to that attack. because families got killed that day and I can look at my family and I know I would not want that to happen to them … I will never be OK with what happened that day,”
The theme of the defense appears to be that the rules of engagement are not as clear on the battlefield as they are in a courtroom.
In a related story, U.S. Navy censured three Marine officers for failing to investigate the Haditha incident promptly, punishment that could end their careers.
LtCol Ware should give a report of his investigation in the next two weeks.
yojoe out
For more on Haditha.
Filed under: Crime, Haditha, Law, Marine Corps, Military, Military Law, War
