Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Marines May Drop Massacre Murder Charges

Negligence charge eyed for sarge who led fatal attack on 24 Iraqis

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2007 3:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Marine whose squad killed 24 Iraqi men, women and children in the so-called Haditha Massacre may not face murder charges. An investigating officer has recommended that Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich should be tried instead for negligent homicide, which carries a maximum three-year penalty. The Iraqis were killed when Marines threw grenades and fired on unarmed civilians in their homes following a roadside bombing of a Marine convoy.

Wuterich said he will "always mourn the unfortunate deaths of the innocent Iraqis who were killed during our response to that attack." But "based on the information I had at the time, I made the best decisions I could have at that time," he said at one hearing. "Engaging was the only choice."

A U.S. soldier stands guard with an Iraqi national policeman, in background, during a joint operation in the Khadra neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
A U.S. soldier stands guard with an Iraqi national policeman, in background, during a joint operation in the Khadra neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)   (Associated Press)
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich arrives for his Article 32 Investigation Hearing at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego County, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. Wuterich, 27, of Meriden, Conn., faces unpremeditated murder charges in the deaths of 18 people in an attack in Haditha, Iraq, Nov. 19,...
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich arrives for his Article 32 Investigation Hearing at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego County, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. Wuterich, 27, of Meriden, Conn.,...   (Associated Press)
Patriotic displays in Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich's hometown of Meriden, Conn., shown Aug. 6, 2007, are not uncommon. This display at a private home is within one mile of Wuterich's parents' home. Ronald Perry and Bill Hesse have never met Wuterich, but they consider him a brother. They will...
Patriotic displays in Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich's hometown of Meriden, Conn., shown Aug. 6, 2007, are not uncommon. This display at a private home is within one mile of Wuterich's parents' home....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

No Jail Time for Marine in Iraqi Civilian Killings

Marine's Plea Deal Ends Haditha Trial

Marine to Stand Trial for Iraq Killing Spree


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne