Thursday, August 31, 2006
Small Gains For Accused Servicemen
Perhaps there have been a couple of small gains for a couple of accused US servicemen.
First, Pfc. John J. Jodka III, 20, who was among those accused of kidnapping and executing a Hamdania man, will not face the death penality. It's not the same as exoneration -- but, remember, he has not even been to trial yet. The hearings being held are to determine if there's enough evidence, and looks like, at least for Jodka, there may not be enough evidence to seek the death penalty.
One of the defense lawyers have asked for the hearings to be closed -- a move which makes some sense. If they're guilty, hang 'em high -- and if they're not, let's not hang them in the press before trial.
The prosecution has opposed the request, stating that the public has an overwhelming need to know. I agree. We do have a need to know -- but we need to know facts, not slanted reporting which is picked up by the rest of the world. I think our "need to know" can be satisfied after the trial.
Second, platoon leader Lt. William T. Kallop, the commanding officer at Haditha put Sgt Wuterich up for a medal.
And a note to Middle Eastern readers who might happen by: The medal would not be given for deliberately killing civilians. It would not have been suggested if the commanding officer thought that the Marines did deliberately kill civilians. The award was recommended because the commanding officer thought Wuterich neutralized an ambush -- set by insurgents hiding in civilian homes.
Bluto at JawaReport is also discussing Sgt. Wuterich. HotAir also points out how Rumsfeld yesterday alluded to some of the criminal investigations going on -- and how our press proceeded to misquote him. ¶ 8:00 AM
First, Pfc. John J. Jodka III, 20, who was among those accused of kidnapping and executing a Hamdania man, will not face the death penality. It's not the same as exoneration -- but, remember, he has not even been to trial yet. The hearings being held are to determine if there's enough evidence, and looks like, at least for Jodka, there may not be enough evidence to seek the death penalty.
One of the defense lawyers have asked for the hearings to be closed -- a move which makes some sense. If they're guilty, hang 'em high -- and if they're not, let's not hang them in the press before trial.
The prosecution has opposed the request, stating that the public has an overwhelming need to know. I agree. We do have a need to know -- but we need to know facts, not slanted reporting which is picked up by the rest of the world. I think our "need to know" can be satisfied after the trial.
Second, platoon leader Lt. William T. Kallop, the commanding officer at Haditha put Sgt Wuterich up for a medal.
His attorney released a document Wednesday to the AP in which Wuterich’s platoon commander wrote that Wuterich had established security, then “led a counterattack on the buildings ... where his Marines were still receiving sporadic fire.”Maybe Sgt. Wuterich should get a medal. And maybe the "student journalist" who made the artsy snuff film about Haditha should get an Oscar, and not the one for documentaries.
“That counterattack turned the tide of the ambush and killed a number of insurgents still attempting to fight or attempting to flee the area,” said platoon leader Lt. William T. Kallop.
In a two-page memo, Kallop laid out several previous missions in which Wuterich had participated
And a note to Middle Eastern readers who might happen by: The medal would not be given for deliberately killing civilians. It would not have been suggested if the commanding officer thought that the Marines did deliberately kill civilians. The award was recommended because the commanding officer thought Wuterich neutralized an ambush -- set by insurgents hiding in civilian homes.
Bluto at JawaReport is also discussing Sgt. Wuterich. HotAir also points out how Rumsfeld yesterday alluded to some of the criminal investigations going on -- and how our press proceeded to misquote him. ¶ 8:00 AM
