Military judge dismisses charges in Haditha killings

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Presss

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A military judge dismissed charges Tuesday against a Marine officer accused of failing to investigate the killings of 24 Iraqis.

Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after finding that a four-star general overseeing the case was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.

"Unlawful command influence is the mortal enemy of military justice," Folsom said. "In order to restore the public confidence, we need to take it back. We need to turn the clock back."

Chessani, of Rangely, Colo., was the highest-ranking officer to face a combat-related court-martial since the Vietnam War.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/5842229.html

[Name removed]

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[saigon68]

And stomping a few minorities to boot

[jayfish]

7. I Wonder If This Line Of Reasoning...

could be used by the detainees and Gitmo. Seems to me, in a rush to exonerate our accused troops, a hole may have been opened up that will allow terrorists to go free.

Jay

[TooBigaTent]

2. The cover-up was totally predictable. Justice has died in Amerika, especially for

our uniformed criminals.

If there is no judgement of George and his cronies, can we really expect any for their hired hands?

They sure have restored public confidence, haven't they.

[sharesunited]

3. There were way too many civilian casualties at Haditha to excuse or explain.

Support for the troops has apparently resulted in zero justice for the victims.

[darue]

4. at least it looks like the Mahmudiyah killer/rapists are seeing justice n/t

[atreides1]

16. That's the Army

Not the Waffen SS, I mean the Marines.

Has anyone noticed that the Army has convicted more soldiers involved in Abu Ghraib and Mahmudiyah, while the Marines have basically put on show trials and then acquitted the majority of the accused.

Unless you count the Marine who was discharged for throwing a puppy into a gulch. I guess that's what it takes for a Marine to be punished, it has to be an animal and on film, killing women and children is just fine.

The Few, The Proud, The Waffen SS...I mean The Marines.

[surf]

5. Ummm maybe they DIDNT do it?

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[jayfish]

9. Hyperbolic Bullshit!

The term "rape animal" as used in this context is not a blanket statement against the entirety of US armed forces and you fucking know it. It is aimed at this case group specifically. I like the military just fine thank you. It's rapists and murderers I cannot stand.

Jay

[Name removed]

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[Guy Whitey Corngood]

14. Hades does not mean what you think it means. n/t

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[wmbrew0206]

12. The charges can be refiled and probably will

The reason this case was dismissed is the investigating officer of this case later went on to be Gen. Mattis' JAG adviser and Gen. Mattis is the general who ordered LtCol Chessani court marshaled.

Gen. Mattis has the head of CentCom at the time.

LtCol Chessani can still be court marshaled if his now commanding general decides there is enough evidence to try him.

[unauno]

13. No facts, please!

Just kidding. You are right. I wonder if they will refile charges. Time will tell.

[gratuitous]

15. I wonder what verdict might have been reached by an Iraqi court?

You know, a court composed of the survivors of the 24 dead Iraqis? The society and community that suffered the loss of 24 lives? Instead, the military grants dismissals to its comrades in arms, nobody sees any conflict of interest, and we all congratulate ourselves on the "freedoms" that those dirty rotten terrorists hate us for.

[darue]

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