Murder Charges Against Marine Dropped

(AP)  The Marines Corps said Tuesday it had dropped all charges against a sergeant in exchange for his testimony against fellow Marines accused of killing 24 civilians in Haditha, the deadliest criminal case to arise from the Iraq war.

Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz had been charged with unpremeditated murder in the death of five Iraq civilians.

Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who announced the deal Tuesday, said the charges against Dela Cruz had been dismissed April 2. Dela Cruz was given immunity in exchange for his testimony, the Marines said.

"Dela Cruz is required to testify," Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Sean Gibson said.

The Marine squad had suffered a fatality on Nov. 19, 2005, when its convoy was rocked by a roadside bomb blast. In the aftermath of the explosion, the troops are accused of killing 24 Iraqis in Haditha.

Four enlisted Marines were charged with unpremeditated murder, and four officers were charged with failing to adequately report the deaths.

Aside from the murder charge, Dela Cruz faced one charge of making a false official statement with intent to deceive. He faced a possible life sentence, dishonorable discharge, dismissal and forfeiture of pay.

Dela Cruz, 24, is the first Marine to make a deal with the government in the case. His testimony will likely form a vital part of the prosecution's case.

The Marine Corps announced the charges in December, but there have been no preliminary hearings and no court dates have been finalized. What would have been the first hearing in the case, for another Marine accused of murder, was recently delayed at the government's request.

[lars008-2009]

In 1786, Thomas Jefferson, then U.S. ambassador to France, and John Adams, then American Ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the Deyb%u20AC%u2122s ambassador to Britain, in an attempt to negotiate a peace treaty based on Congressb%u20AC%u2122 vote of funding. To Congress, these two future presidents later reported the reasons for the Muslimsb%u20AC%u2122 hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.


b%u20AC&that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise.

Sound familiar?

But for a Muslim to keep his word to an infidel at the expense of opportunities to expand Islamic power is the Islamic equivalent of a mortal sin. In 1807, Muslim pirate attacks on American ships began anew. As a result Americans led by President James Madison fought Algerians in the Second Barbary War in 1815, leading to another treaty under which the Muslims paid American $10,000 for damages.
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7

[jjreding-2009]

This is very disturbing. Apparently the lessons of My Lai have been forgotten.

[tbweb]

Being a Marine in Iraq must be a nightmare. Marines are not trained for this type of combat where a coward enemy hides behind innocent women and children and any person or car could be a bomb and while travelling, a roadside bombs lurks behind every rock! That is a stressful situation and environment to be in even if the Marines were properly trained for it. Add to that watching your fellow Marines being killed almost daily and you have one restless stressed out Marine unit on your hands, not to mention multiple deployments and extended stays in Iraq. When you added it all together I think all the charges should be dropped against all the Marines and those accused should go to counseling. Iraq is an extremely stressful environment and it doesn't excuse war crimes but everything should be taken into consideration and not considered in an isolated context. Marines are Americas best, trained killers, thats what Marines do and sometimes its not easy turning that off in the heat of battle! If you want sympathy and goodwill send another force and not Marines!

[skyhawk761]

crater7, under Bush's plan you are correct with your first figure!

[crater7]

OOPS; 20007 should have been 2007.

[crater7]

Iraq P.M. said Iraq plans for security control of the whole country from foreign forces by end of 20007:
I guess this means that Bush can sign the defense spending bill that both houses of congress have passed? The time table for bringing the troops home is a non issue now. The Iraqi, PM, has set his own timetable.

[cronin15]

how about prosecuting the commander and chief?

Oh, I'm sorry ... he just directs policy, he does not take responsibility for anything ... it's hard work!!!