Fw: Latest Blog on Wuterich Trial

["Don Greenlaw" <dgreenlaw@cox.net>]

Forwarded:

Semper fi,
Don Greenlaw----- Original Message ----- 
From: Atwood Marcy
To: MARCY Atwood
Cc: MARCY Atwood
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 7:09 PM
Subject: Latest Blog on Wuterich Trial


Hi!  Here's the latest!  Back in court on Monday!  Link to the blog and then 
I also pasted it in the Email for you to read!
Marcy


http://www.puckettfaraj.com/2012/01/ssgt-wuterich-tells-his-story-in-court-today/





SSgt Wuterich Tells His Story in Court Today

Scott Pelley of CBS 60 Minutes, asked just as direct and hard-hitting 
questions as any government prosecutor in a 2006 interview of SSgt Wuterich. 
Today in court the prosecution played nearly 3 hours of outtakes where 
Pelley attempted to get Wuterich to admit his Marines went on a rampage in 
Haditha Iraq.

The prosecution team hoped to show that Wuterich admitted to shooting 5 
military aged men and made irresponsible decisions to declare a house 
hostile and then prove he did it without clear understanding of the rules of 
engagement.  Instead, those in the court room watched the last Marine take 
responsibility, correctly define the rules of engagement in force in 2005 
and all specific training for the squad as well as identify the truth of 
what happened that day.

SSgt Wuterich identified that he used 4 main indicators to determine that 
the men who drove up simultaneously with the IED explosion could have been 
insurgents.  He further explained the incoming small arms fire on the 
smoldering remains of the 4th Humvee as emanating from a house south of the 
explosion site.  With careful detailed descriptions, Wuterich told Scott 
Pelley how he positively identified the house, which may have harbored 
insurgents and how his squad cleared that house and a second one right 
behind it.

In the entire 3 hours, Wuterich never once blamed the Marine Corps, his 
squad, his commanders or the intelligence briefs given to his squad that 
day.  He calmly explained combat and the results of engagements.  Throughout 
it all, Wuterich took responsibility as the senior person in the squad.  He 
came across as truthful, forthright and humane.  His testimony was in stark 
contrast to Sgt Mendoza.  Mendoza gave rambling, contradictory testimony and 
at times admitted to lying to investigators.  Nevertheless, Sgt Mendoza has 
been awarded a combat action ribbon and been promoted three times since the 
events at Haditha.  SSgt Wuterich has yet to be awarded his combat action 
ribbon for the same day in combat.

SSgt Wuterich, a true Marine with his integrity intact, continues to lead 
his former squad, 6 years later, by taking responsibility for their actions 
that day.