Marine’s Description Of Haditha Events Denies Wrongdoing
One of the Marines under investigation over the events in Haditha has informed his lawyer that the Marines followed the Rules Of Engagement during the entire incident. The Washington Post at least had the decency to put the story on the front page.
"It will forever be his position that everything they did that day was following their rules of engagement and to protect the lives of Marines," said Neal A. Puckett, who represents Wuterich in the ongoing investigations into the incident. "He's really upset that people believe that he and his Marines are even capable of intentionally killing innocent civilians."
Wuterich's detailed version of what happened in the Haditha neighborhood is the first public account from a Marine who was on the ground when the shootings occurred. As the leader of 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Wuterich was in the convoy of Humvees that was hit by a roadside bomb. He entered the house from which the Marines believed enemy fire was originating and made the initial radio reports to his company headquarters about what was going on, Puckett said.
The reports that Marines wantonly shot unarmed civilians in Haditha, including women and children, allege one of the most shocking, and potentially damaging, incidents of the Iraq war. A criminal investigation looking into possible charges of murder against half a dozen Marines is underway. A separate probe is examining whether Marines tried to cover up the shootings, and whether commanders were negligent in failing to investigate the deaths.
I personally detest the trend these days to trial by media, but I can well understand the defense lawyers trying to respond to the twisted and distorted reporting going on right now. It is time to do exactly what I have been maintaining all along – wait for the investigation and give these accused men the presumption of innocence.
It is vital for the press and everyone else in this country to presume them innocent. There have been several bloggers rounding up the conflicting accounts that the press has been gleefully trumpeting at every turn. That alone should make you give pause in any rush to judgment.
UPDATE: Others: Democracy Project, Blue Star Chronicles, The Real Ugly American, Right Wing Nut House, Mudville Gazette, Politburo Diktat, All Things Beautiful, Sister Toldjah, Prairie Pundit and Small Town Veteran.
UPDATE: Still more at Hot Air, Riehl World View and SpiritBuilders.
UPDATE: And still more. Brothers Judd, Red Hot Cuppa Politics, Ranting Profs and Iowa Voice.
UPDATE: Hugh Hewitt points to still more misconduct by John "Big Number Two" Murtha in yet another case. Please support Diana Irey and get Murtha out of office before he does even more damage.
UPDATE: STILL more on this: Blackfive, Roger Simon, Atlas Shrugs, A Blog For All, Jawa Report, and I am leaving this as an open update to tack on anyone else who jumps in. Oh – the only left-of-center blogger who has commented on this that has not made some sort of disparging remark that I have found is In Search Of Utopia – and I really thank David A. for that. Political Pit Bull. Woman Honor Thyself. Sweetness and Light. Protein Wisdom.
UPDATE: If I were a defense attorney, I'd be printing Greyhawk's posts. The Mudville Gazette is skewering the stuff you've been reading in the media.
Other Links to this Post
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All Things Conservative — June 11, 2006 @ 6:51 am
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Sister Toldjah — June 11, 2006 @ 8:27 am
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Stop The ACLU — June 11, 2006 @ 10:31 am
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Chickenhawk Express — June 11, 2006 @ 2:27 pm
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A Lady's Ruminations — June 11, 2006 @ 4:19 pm
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A Blog For All — June 11, 2006 @ 5:01 pm
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Small Town Veteran — June 11, 2006 @ 6:43 pm
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Ninth State » The Marine’s Speak About Haditha — June 11, 2006 @ 8:38 pm
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Flopping Aces — June 11, 2006 @ 9:10 pm
By Angel, June 11, 2006 @ 7:16 pm
True true..we are now getting first hand info!..too bad the media with their desire to demoralize our troops couldnt wait for at least some…..facts!..thanks for the link!..:)
By Roland Hesz, June 12, 2006 @ 7:04 am
One marine, Jonathan Morgenstein, said, that in 2004-2005 it was not allowed to kick in doors,throw grenades into rooms and kill every single person in sight.
And one marine said, that they have acted by the rules, but he is not sure the rules are good.
Sorry if I did not give an exact quote, but I translated it from my native, as it appeared.
By Roland Hesz, June 12, 2006 @ 7:09 am
But, before you jump on me, I don’t pass judgement on the marines.
I bet that they will have to fight this whole thing, and the knowledge that they killed children and women, while not getting the real attackers will haunt them.
You can’t survive a war intact. Bullets aren’t the only thing that can kill you…