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January 24, 2012

Last Marine Charged in Haditha Massacre Reaches Plea Deal 
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The prosecution of the last of the U.S. marines charged in the 2005
Haditha massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians has ended in a plea deal that
will result in at most three months behind bars — and possibly no
jail time at all. The victims, including women and children, were killed
when the marines burst into their homes and shot them dead in their
nightclothes. On Monday, the marines’ squadron leader, Staff Sergeant
Frank Wuterich, pleaded guilty to negligence as part of a deal that will
wipe out charges of involuntary manslaughter. During his trial, a fellow
marine testified that Wuterich called for violent retaliation against
Iraqi civilians if they were attacked. Wuterich allegedly told his men,
"If we ever get hit again, we should kill everyone in that vicinity."
Under the plea deal, Wuterich will face a maximum of three months
confinement, a pay cut for three months and a reduction in rank. He was
the last defendant to face charges for the Haditha killings. Six other
marines have had their charges dropped or dismissed, while another
soldier was acquitted.



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