Yet another statist slimebag, gets off the hook: Marine's Plea Ends Iraq Massacre Case

A Marine Corps staff sergeant charged with manslaughter and assault for his role in a 2005 massacre of Iraqi civilians has pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of negligent dereliction of duty, military officials said Monday.

The plea deal, which results in manslaughter charges being dropped, brings to a close a lengthy series of high-profile investigations and court proceedings stemming from the deaths of 24 civilians, including women and children, in Haditha, Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Frank G. Wuterich, 31, had been charged with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, negligent dereliction of duty and other charges. He entered the plea to one count of negligent dereliction on Monday during his trial in a court-martial proceeding at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

A military judge, Lt. Col. David Jones, is expected to rule Tuesday on Sgt. Wuterich's sentence. He faces up to three months in prison, a reduction in rank and a forfeiture of pay. He had faced up to life in prison under the more serious charges.

Human-rights advocates have watched the proceedings with dismay, and some in the military have privately expressed disappointment. The military didn't begin a major inquiry until after an article on the incident appeared in Time magazine in March 2006.Neal Puckett, attorney for Sgt. Wuterich, didn't return calls seeking comment, but told the North County Times of Escondido, Calif., that the deal exonerates Sgt. Wuterich of homicide charges

Lt. Col. Joe Kloppel, a Marine Corps spokesman, said Sgt. Wuterich admitted that he was negligent in giving the verbal order "to shoot first and ask questions later," resulting in his squad's failure to identify targets. The killings came during a raid on houses after a roadside bomb exploded near a convoy, killing one Marine and injuring two.

"Staff Sgt. Wuterich has now accepted responsibility ... for failing to properly lead his squad, which resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians," Lt. Col. Kloppel said.

Seven other Marines had faced charges tied to the massacre. One was acquitted and charges against the six others eventually were dismissed.

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Yet another statist slimebag, gets off the hook: Marine's Plea Ends Iraq Massacre Case

Yet another statist slimebag, gets off the hook: Marine's Plea Ends Iraq Massacre Case

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