Haditha Trial is Over
Monday, January 23, 2012
“No one denies that the consequences of November 19, 2005 were tragic, least of all SSgt Frank Wuterich. But the fact of the matter is that he has now been totally exonerated of the homicide charges brought against him by the government and the media. For six years, he’s had his name dragged through the mud. Today, we hope, is the beginning of his redemption. He has always publicly taken responsibility for the lawful actions of his squad that day, as portrayed in his interview with CBS 60 Minutes. Today’s agreement is completely consistent with everything he has always said. Which is that the decisions he made that day led to an outcome that was tragic and regrettable and he takes responsibility for them, but they were not criminal.” - Neal Pucket, lead attorney for Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich
The North County Times has an article on the end of the Haditha trials. Staff Sergeant Wuterich entered into a Plea agreement.
...Seven of those eight saw their cases resolved, some with the withdrawal of charges in exchange for their testimony, one acquitted at trial and others having charges dropped entirely.
Wuterich, a 31-year-old Murrieta single father of three girls, had pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors appeared ready to strike a plea deal last week after a series of their own witnesses gave testimony largely beneficial to Wuterich's position that he believed he and his men were under attack and responded in keeping with their training...
See the North County Times article for details.
For those of you who wondered about where we were on this, we've been on it for years. Some recommended links:
Blackfive exclusive interview with Captain James Kimber
Waiting for Haditha by Grim
Military Justice: A Brief Primer by Greyhawk