Haditha: Wuterich’s lawyer says he’ll call Murtha to the stand (Update: Defense raises question about videotape)
posted at 2:17 pm on June 15, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Attorney Neal A. Puckett told The Washington Times that Gen. Michael Hagee, the Marine commandant, briefed Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, on the Nov. 19 killings of 24 Iraqis in the town north of Baghdad. Mr. Murtha later told reporters that the Marines were guilty of killing the civilians in “cold blood.” Mr. Murtha said he based his statement on Marine commanders, whom he did not identify.
Mr. Puckett said such public comments from a congressman via senior Marines amount to “unlawful command influence.” He said potential Marine jurors could be biased by the knowledge that their commandant, the Corps’ top officer, thinks the Haditha Marines are guilty.
There won’t be any panels devoted to this leak investigation at the next Yearly Kos, I assure you.
Puckett says it’s only right that Murtha should have to testify. The trial’s inevitable at this point, due in no small part to Murtha’s own fat mouth:
“If the NCIS has done a good job in this investigation, then Marine commanders will not feel compelled to charge these guys with homicide,” Mr. Puckett said.
“But since Congressman Murtha has already judged these guys in public and folks have alleged a Marine Corp cover-up, I’m afraid that the Marine Corps will feel compelled to put these guys on trial to prove the Marine Corps hasn’t done anything wrong in terms of a cover-up.”
Two things. One: if the case falls apart, shouldn’t Wuterich et al be able to sue Murtha for defamation? They weren’t public figures at the time so they shouldn’t have to show malice. Two: what if Murtha gives up Hagee as his source? Does that set up a “Few Good Men” showdown between Puckett and Hagee? Who ordered the code red on Sgt. Wuterich?
Murtha’s on the House floor today debating the resolution opposing a fixed date of withdrawal from Iraq. Note the photo of Neil Abercrombie, who proves finally and officially that Hawaii’s representatives are the very worst in the land. Your quote of the day, from Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick of Michigan: “America, listen. Look. Should we stay the course or should we have a plan of redeployment to protect our troops and to protect America?”
Update: Goldstein digs the idea of Murtha testifying as much as I do.
Update: Not exactly a surprise but I have to flag it:
A lawyer for one of the Marines under investigation, who also declined to be identified, said that Hammurabi was not a known or registered human rights organization and had no track record of reporting any other abuses.
“And it turns out these two employees have family members spending time in local prisons for insurgent activity,” the attorney said. “I think the origins of the tape would have been better suited if it came from somebody who really did have altruistic motives in their heart.”…
The source said the tape also lacked credibility because there was nothing in the footage to establish that it was shot where and when Hammurabi claims and because it did not surface until four months after the incident.
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As long as Conservatives keep Murtha’s villainous accusations in the public’s eyes, and show how much he really hates the truth, some good will come from the silver lining around the despicable cloud of lies and filth the Democrat Party, and MSM perpetuated about Haditha. Conservatives should use video of Murtha condemning the Marine Corps of guilt at Haditha, and show it over and over in every campaign.
Haditha shows how eager the Democrat Party, and the MSM are to demonize the US Marines, Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Rode Werk on June 15, 2006 at 2:35 PM
It doesn’t matter how often liberals hear the truth - they only believe what suits their ideology and forwards their america-hating agenda. They still can’t get over the fact that Gore lost in 2000 and will refuse to admit to ANYTHING good that has happened under the Bush administration.
Rode Werk,
I agree with you - they will take every opportunity to demonize those who are keeping our country safe. makes me sick, because they are taking advantage of the freedoms that our military is dedicated to preserve.
pullingmyhairout on June 15, 2006 at 2:46 PM
Burka Burka… Demo Jihad… Burka Burka Murtha been had…
Romeo13 on June 15, 2006 at 2:49 PM
I declare a Fatwa against all liberals. They must be held accountable AND LIABLE every time they go shooting their mouth’s off only to be proven wrong!
For far too long they’ve gotten away with sitting back and throwing bombs without any consequences.
So, let this be a warning! We’re sick and tired of it and you will be held to task!!!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 15, 2006 at 2:59 PM
Murka Murka Mole-ham-Mud Jihad!…
Murtha we are gonna roast your sorry buns!…
And that commander of yours!
easy87us on June 15, 2006 at 3:08 PM
Murtha’s rambling and the ACLU, CAIR et al’s attempt to neuter Americans by calling anyone who disagree with them “rascist” is animportant battle cry to the rest of us. Too many won’t speak up because of the “politicaly correct” mantra.
Well, it is time to speak the truth, and say the hell with the PC crowd.
Coulter has opened the door, now the rest of us have to prop it open.
Language is the key. It forms and shapes Ideas.
Insurgents are Terrorist
Suicide bombers are Homicide Bombers
The koran is a book dedicated to the erradication of those that do not follow it
These are facts. Carefully choosing our words in the fear that we may offend someone hides the harsh realities with a veneer of civility. This civility is not shared by our enemies.
We can speak the truth, we can stand strong and say what we think. or we can hide behind nice phrases and watch our world end. I am not saying we will all die in a mushroom cloud. But when the concepts that create a society are changed then is not that society also changed? and ended?
We stand on a precipice, will we go over it lemming like in our desire to appease others, or fight against those that seek to push us off?
Wyrd on June 15, 2006 at 3:13 PM
General Michael Hagee…is the name….
NOW LET US ROW!
easy87us on June 15, 2006 at 3:14 PM
The line between “briefed” and “leaked” is pretty blurry.
So let’s use “leaked.” Since the Marine commandant LEAKED his opinion to an outspoken OPPONENT of the war, we can surmise that Murtha was carefully chosen. But by whom? That decision had to come from the TOP (Rumsfeld or Bush). No way, the commandant decided unilaterally to brief Murtha. NO WAY! And it became another nauseating, politically correct decision.
Now that Murtha has blabbed and shot his mouth off, maybe the Capital Police can whisk him off and put him into seclusion to avoid the backlash and negative public opinion. Whoops, I forgot! That treatment is reserved for the Kennedys. Murtha will have to deal with it on his own.
Murtha may (or may not) have been a “war hero” but he has surely become a coward! Only a publicity-seeking scoundrel would use and abuse U.S. Marines as has Murtha, who, having been one, should know better.
This entire affair STINKS – from a Marine commandant blabbing to the likes of Murtha, the shackling of Marines not even accused of a damn thing, to the likely trial of the poor Marine who did such a superb job with the “Hadji song!”
I truly hope Murtha pays for his misdeeds and cowardly “Kerry-like” condemnation of our troops from the floor of Congress. Both Kerry and Murtha are in my view, despicable people.
ForYourEdification on June 15, 2006 at 3:21 PM
I’m gonna love seeing how Murtha squirms his way out of this one. If he does end up testifying, it just might make other anti-American politicians pause before they open up their stinkin’ pie holes.
pullingmyhairout on June 15, 2006 at 3:26 PM
IF this Haditha case does indeed go to trial due to John Murtha’s conviction of our Marines in the media, there will be a MAJOR backlash against him by the American people.
A very high profile trial like this could very well destroy Murtha’s political career.
I guess that’s what happens when you make a deal with the Devil (the venomous FAR Left).
anaconda on June 15, 2006 at 3:42 PM
Actually, this is a fantastic opportunity….imagine getting this fat load on the stand and he has to swear on the bible to tell the truth….first off..the Bible expodes…then he is qustioned and cannot recall a thing, who said what and why…He will be out there with his bare naked behind for all to see….the light of truth will OUT every stinking liberal lie that has ever been told. And then the payoff…they all crawl back into their holes in the ground not to be seen till the next generation of Clintons emerges…hopefully not in my nor my childrens generations. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity….!!
Sandys Beach on June 15, 2006 at 3:58 PM
Have you taken a look at John Murthafuc*er lately? He looks like he just had group sex with two porcupines and a skunk. Hey John, this butt’s for you.
MaiDee on June 15, 2006 at 4:46 PM
I wonder if we can sell tickets to this to help raise funds for the Marines’ defense? The ultimate irony
Defector01 on June 15, 2006 at 5:06 PM
I too am giddy by the thought of Murtha having to be sworn in and then telling the TRUTH in a court of law. That scenario just can not play out without perjury charges to follow. I believe it is impossible for Mr. Murtha to talk at any length without telling at least a few lies, even under oath.
PLEASE don’t let Murtha wiggle his fat ass out of this.
A good step in stopping the lefts trickery known as “PAD-DING.” (PAD=preventing any dialogue)
shooter on June 15, 2006 at 5:14 PM
Let there be light.
dman on June 15, 2006 at 5:42 PM
the enemy has a new weapon in it’s arsenal: the msm and the
democratic party of the united states of america!.
all they have to do is make a claim-presto our best is covicted.
They do not have to expose themselves to dangers or use any weapons.We have 8 of our guys being held right now with no charges!!! they are being held in shackles no less. this is a clear intent to undermine our military. During world war 2
this would be called giving aid and comfort to the enemy
We need to find out who ordered these service men held in maximum security without being charged and have them
court-martialed!!!
mike hale on June 15, 2006 at 5:45 PM
..well, here is a thought…I have tried to figure out why a Marine, ANY Marine, would want to turn his back on his brothers…just does not make any sense. He is not senile…I think, so the thought that he may be falling on his sword for his party came to mind. He is at the end of his career with little hope of higher office..sooooo, how about he says this crap just to make his party look good….and if anything sticks..great…and if not, who cares??…they attempted to put another lie out there to smear the administration and its mission. I think that is pretty close to the truth.
Sandys Beach on June 15, 2006 at 5:51 PM
“Let there be light.
dman on June 15, 2006 at 5:42 PM”
Wait, let me get the charcoal!
LUAU TIME…
easy87us on June 15, 2006 at 6:52 PM
The Democrats can prevent good officers from being promoted to the top ranks and since most of the Democrats are America haters they will promote their fellow travelers to the top ranks. Republicans will tend not to stand in their way or purge them when they’re in charge because these officers will appear okay on the surface.
Murtha and Zinni were another cozy corrupt couple. They went around the proper channels to secure millions of dollars for Zinni to get a brand new plane a few years ago, Murtha should have been censured for that incident.
These Democrats promote people like Ramsey Clark to Attorney General so you can imagine the saboteurs they promote as military generals.
Perchant on June 15, 2006 at 7:49 PM
The last time a dem politician [Cigarman] was put in front of a court was disasterous for the libs. History is notorious for repeating itsself. For that reason alone I would guess the Haditha charges will be dropped, but then the libs will have to worry about Jefferson.
Libs just cannot catch a break.
DannoJyd on June 16, 2006 at 12:27 AM
Get his lying ass on the stand!
Richard Davis on June 16, 2006 at 7:28 AM