Alleged Haditha ringleader faces lesser charges (voluntary manslaughter instead of murder)

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the alleged leader of the Haditha, Iraq, killings of 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2005, will face voluntary manslaughter and other charges but not more serious murder charges, the U.S. Marines said on Monday. (Reporting by Adam Tanner, editing by Doina Chiacu)

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N31309369.htm

[Judi Lynn]

1. Haditha 'leader' escapes murder charge

December 31, 2007

Haditha 'leader' escapes murder charge

The US Marine accused of leading the killing of as many as 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in the worst alleged atrocity by American forces during the war in Iraq will not face murder charges, it emerged today.

Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, 27, will instead face lesser counts of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice, the US Marines confirmed.

A statement issued from Camp Pendleton, California, said: “The charges referred against SSgt Wuterich are voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice."

Lt Gen Samuel Helland, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central, “dismissed the charges of unpremeditated murder, soliciting another to commit an offense and false official statement,” thestatement said.

More:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3115682.ece

[bjobotts]

2. By those rules Sadam should never have been hung.

If these would have been 24 unarmed American citizens would there be any difference in the charges. This guy should get life...there has to be consequences to mass murder.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Marine avoids Iraq murder charge

Source: BBC News

The alleged ringleader of US troops who killed 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2005 in Haditha will not face murder charges, a US Marines spokesman said.

Sgt Frank Wuterich, 27, will stand trial for voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, dereliction of duty and other charges, officials said.

The decision was made by Lt Gen Samuel Helland, who is overseeing the case.

Sgt Wuterich is the last of four marines to have the murder charge against him dropped.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7166381.stm

[mbperrin]

4. Wow, aggravated assault, eh?

I guess they WERE aggravated, and now so am I. Hard to believe or should be, that murder of unarmed civilians is just OK. What planet am I on, and how do I leave?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. delete - I was thinking about a different set of war crimes

There have been so many.

[dipsydoodle]

6. 'pologies

didn't spot you'd already posted this.