We wrote here that the prosecution of three Marines for murder arising out of the events in Haditha, Iraq in November 2005 appeared to be coming apart at the seams. Sure enough, the officer who has presided over a hearing into the charges against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt has recommended that the charges be dismissed and that there be no court martial:

The hearing officer, Lt. Col. Paul Ware, wrote in a report released by the defense Tuesday that those charges were based on unreliable witness accounts, insupportable forensic evidence and questionable legal theories. He also wrote that the case could have dangerous consequences on the battlefield, where soldiers might hesitate during critical moments when facing an enemy.

"The government version is unsupported by independent evidence," Ware wrote in the 18-page report. "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary."

It is possible, I suppose, that the cases against the other accused Marines might prove stronger. But at a minimum, this confirms the foolishness of those, like Jack Murtha, who jumped to the conclusion that the Marines must be guilty.

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Posted by John at 02:17 PM  |    |