Source: Haditha evidence implicates Marines Investigators reportedly finish initial review in deaths of 24 civilians
Updated: 37 minutes ago
Evidence collected on the deaths of 24 Iraqis in Haditha supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot the civilians, including unarmed women and children, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.
Agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service have completed their initial work on the incident last November, but may be asked to probe further as Marine Corps and Navy prosecutors review the evidence and determine whether to recommend criminal charges, according to two Pentagon officials who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity.
The decision on whether to press criminal charges against four Marines ultimately will be made by the commander of the accused Marines’ parent unit, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif. That currently is Lt. Gen. John Sattler, but he is scheduled to move to a Pentagon assignment soon; his successor will be Lt. Gen. James Mattis.
The Marines initially reported after the Nov. 19, 2005 killings that 15 Iraqi civilians at Haditha had been killed by a makeshift roadside bomb and in crossfire between Marines and insurgent attackers. Based on accounts from survivors and human rights groups, Time magazine first reported in March that the killings were deliberate acts by the Marines.
A criminal investigation was then ordered by the top Marine commander in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer.
So the marines are found guilty, now lets see if they will recieve any punishment. What sorta punishment awaits these marines? A simple relief from duty? Imprisonment?
If enough evidence exists and they're found guilty of this horrendous crime, I'll be surprised if the main perpetrator doesn't get the death penalty. His accomplices will likely get sentences ranging from life to 15-20 years.
No they won't Arabs are subhumans and their lives not equal to a westerner's...I'd be surprised if these pricks get anything more then a few years in the brig...
They are innocent young men - exposed to an ugly war in a hostile territory.
Most of them took this job to save some money for their college education and then go back home to pursue a career as a plumber or an electrician, raise a family etc etc. They were mentally disturbed when they committed that isolated incident. A thorough medical and physcoanalytical test should be done on them and they should be helped in this hour of need - Their families are going through a difficult time at this stage.
Most of the marines are extremely professional, smart and intelligent.
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Yes, of course I condemn all those acts, and if you even cared to notice what my background is, you would know that I would never think of even making the slightest justification of those crimes. But judging from your diversionary tactics now I know the answer as to why pro-American's have such a hard time condemning the crimes of those they cheer on all the time.
