The US marines corps has dropped charges against a soldier accused of killing five civilians in the Iraqi town of
Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz of
A Marines spokesman refused to elaborate when contacted by AFP news agency.
"We've said all we are going to say about it," he said.
Dela Cruz was one of four marines charged last year with killing civilians in Haditha, 260km west of
Prosecutors alleged that the marines went on a killing spree in the town, shooting unarmed men, women and children after a comrade, Miguel Terrazaz, was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol.
Defence lawyers said the marines followed established wartime rules of engagement and the deaths occurred after the soldiers became embroiled in a furious firefight with insurgents.
Four other marines - including 3rd Battalion Commander Jeffrey Chessani and Captain Lucas McConnell, neither of whom was in Haditha during the bloodshed - face charges of failing to properly investigate or report the killings.
Comment:
I don't know what they're trying to do here, but it sure doesn't have anything to do with justice. Haditha had nothing to do with "established wartime rules of engagement." If I recall correctly, they shot and killed an infant and a frail old man. Not even letting the case go to trial is a repulsive miscarriage of justice. If the city of Haditha were to declare allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq tomorrow, I can't say I'd blame them.
5 comments:
It is hard to fight a war when some of your own citizens are cheering for the enemy.
How is not wanting the enemy to have this opportunity to spread propaganda and recruit new members cheering for them? And how is butchering several families, infants and all, fighting a war? What is unamerican about wanting justice?
It is enemy lies about the butchering the families that I address. Our military would have tried and convicted them if the charges were true. You have second guessed military lawyers who are on site and aware of the details and all you have is your fantasy about evil Americans. Our military officials are as hnorable as the general population and are composed of liberals and conservatives. Give patroitism a try sometime.
Give patroitism a try sometime.
Why do you think I run this site?
Our military would have tried and convicted them if the charges were true.
How did they know they were false without a trial? Didn't one of the marines receive immunity in exchange for his testimony? What would he be testifying about—or seeking immunity from—if the charges were false? You say I have second guessed the lawyers. It is the lawyers who have second guessed the jurors.
And I don't fantasize about "evil Americans". I love my country. If you don't believe me, read my post of 2:04 pm. Bear in mind that I was addressing a liberal.
Great reply!
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