Charges against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt dropped
I noted last month the 18-page report recommending that all charges against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt in the Haditha case be dropped. Now, it’s official:
Murder charges against a US Marine accused of killing three Iraqi civilians during an alleged massacre in Haditha two years ago have been dropped, the military said on Thursday.
A statement released by the Marines at their Camp Pendleton base in southern California revealed that three charges of unpremeditated murder against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt had been withdrawn.
The decision was announced in a written ruling from the commander Lieutenant General James Mattis and followed a recommendation from an investigator last month that the charges should be dropped.
“An independent Article 32 investigating officer has considered all the facts and determined that the evidence does not support a referral to court-martial for Lance Corporal Sharratt,” Mattis wrote.
“Based on my review of all the evidence in this case and considering the recommendation of the Article 32 officer, I have dismissed the charges.”
Sharratt was accused of shooting three Iraqi men execution-style in what prosecutors alleged was part of a rampage that left 24 civilians dead following the death of a Marine in a roadside bomb in November 2005.
Sharratt said the men were shot at close quarters as Marines cleared a house where insurgents were believed to be operating.
In a statement recommending the charges be dropped released last month, investigator Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ware said the prosecution charges were “unsupported by the independent evidence.”
“To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary,” Ware added.
Sharratt’s website is here.
Charges were also dropped earlier against Sgt. Sanick de la Cruz.
Care to comment?
***
Reax:
Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive: “Clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, eh? I wonder how that ties in with Murtha’s cold-blooded killers theory. I assume sweeping apologies will be forthcoming from the lummox.
I hope I meet up with Murtha when the Troops on the Hill event kicks off on the 17th and 18th–check out the site and sign up if you can be there.”
And here’s a satirical response from Murtha, “but barely.”
***
Flashback: Pundit Review Radio’s interviews with Sharrat’s father.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Neocon News » Democrats said the surge is... what?
- Bill's Bites >> 2007.08.09 Politics and National Defense Roundup
- Charges Against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt Officially Dropped
- bRight & Early » Charges Dropped
- UrbanGrounds » Blog Archive » Haditha Marine Cleared of All Charges
- 2007 August 09 « Volunteer Opinion Journal
- Wake up America-Contact Murtha Info
- Is John Murtha Going to Apologize to the Haditha Marines Now? at Conservative Times--Republican GOP news source.
- Hang Right Politics - Archives » CHARGES AGAINST ANOTHER “HADITHA COLD BLOODED KILLERS” (JOHN TRAITOR MURTHA’S WORDS)
- Cold Blooded Killers?
- Cold Blooded killers???
- Michelle Malkin » Case dropped against Haditha defendant Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum
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Probably shouldn’t hold our breath waiting for this to make page A1 of the Times.
Or waiting for any censure or other condemnation of the despicable Murtha.
The way this whole case is falling apart is making it look like another case of prosecutorial overreach driven by political considerations. That it’s done against our soldiers and Marines who deserve the most benefit of the doubt is absolutely inexcusable.
YES!!
I’d have to re-read the Constitution, I think “Congresspersons” are immune from libel and slander charges. Too bad - Murtha said it was cold-blooded murder. Will anyone at the MSM stick a microphone in his face and ask him to apologize? (I know the answer.)
Semper Pariah to Murtha.
I heard something a couple of months a that makes me wonder about our military judicial system. I believe this took place during the marine assault on Falluja.
It seems that a large number of terrorists were shot in the head by the Marines. Someone decided that all these bad guys were being executed and sent investigators over to examine everything.
The investigators quickly determined that the “headshots” had been made from hundreds of yards away, not at point blank range. (In other words, by putting the rifle muzzle against the head of a prisoner)
All they would have had to do was look at the videos of Marines as well as Soldiers who have mounted telescopic sights on their rifles.
Since the terrorists generally would only show their heads, it makes sense that is what our troops would shoot at.
I’m beginning to think we need to overhaul our military justice system.
I am happy for the young man, now where does he go to get his honor back? “Stolen Honor”
Jimbo should know better…
Murtha won’t be within a mile of that event.
All I have to say is; SEMPER FI Marine!
Don’t you just love the “No JAG Left Behind” policy that the Democrats have saddled on our military? Nothing like fighting the enemy on two fronts, jihadists ahead and REMFs behind.
This great American almost lost his freedom fighting for Murtha’s freedom to call him a murder. Murtha should be in jail.
This IS the very definition of irony.
I was so happy to read this. What a fine looking young man! I’m thrilled for him and wish him well. Semper Fi!
AlohaGuy said:
“I’d have to re-read the Constitution, I think “Congresspersons” are immune from libel and slander charges.”
I think that’s for anything they say on the floor of the House or Senate during debates. Murtha shot his big fat mouth off on network and cable television. I don’t believe that he has any more immunity under those circumstances than you or I do.
We need a (Saints preserve me for uttering this), lawyer to look into this.
If Murtha (on one if his “fact finding”, photo op with the troops excursions) takes a trip to Iraq and is kidnapped and held hostage by the mahdi army, how happy is he going to be to see a squad of Marines put their lives on the line to save his sorry ass? And they will because they’re Marines.
And in response, he’ll berate the military for letting him get captured in the first place.
I wonder how the MSM is going to report and cover this.
I was wondering if anyone knows how many more of the original 8(I think) are still up against charges and if anything has been heard about them?
If anyone wants to defeat Murtha in his next re-election bid - just ask these Marines to take the stage with you in full dress-blues and tell their story of how a US Congressman - and former Marine - called them Cold Blooded Killers before anything was ever investigated.
It’s easy to say it to the Media - it’s another to say it to the Marine’s face.
- They’re not going to report it. Doesn’t fit the narrative, dontcha know.
Besides, with the surge working and nervous donkeys pawing the ground with their hooves, wondering what to do, their pals in the drive-by media have bigger fish to fry now if they’re going to keep the “All is Lost” meme going.
AMEN!!
http://takeourcountryback-snooper.blogspot.com/2007/08/squirm-squirm-murtha-worm.html
SQUIRM MURTHA SQUIRM.
Sorry Michelle but I MUST call Murtha a moron.
God bless Corporal Sharratt, God bless the Marine Corps and God bless America. None of those fine young men should have to endure this kind of treatment for answering their country’s call.
Thanks for posting this Michelle. I’m very happy to hear this.
Semper Fi Marines.
Strength and honor win out over a corrupt politician *every time*.
That Marine lifts us all. He has a higher purpose. These stories inspire the young because they are in fact about true justice and heroism.
My young son is going to hear about him. We are reading the history of the Battle of Thermopolaye where the Spartans ripped the Persian “army”. He watched “300″ with his mom and me because he wanted to understand why people fight wars (he’s nine).
We’re taking him all the way back so he can understand why Corporal Sharratt, and the others, lift us all.
Tonite we’ll pray again around our dinner table for the safekeeping of all our warriors- in and out of the military- who put their lives on the line to protect the people and the values they hold so dearly.
Strength and honor!
The Democrats in Congress are beginning to react to the changing winds in Iraq.
It may be too late for them to spin the fact that those of us who have fought and/or stood by our Country all this dark time, have drawn the line behind their pathetic brigades.
Should progress begin on all fronts of that war (and if you’ve been reading Michael Yon you know how painstaking this effort is) and should it gain traction as more and more of our enemies are killed and put out of commission, the Donkey Party will not have much room to spin the war effort.
If Bush was a stock, with his ratings so low- near disastrous- I’d pull a Warren Buffet and BUY like a big dawg. Nowhere to go but up.
The Democrat’s war sabotage shenanigans violate many things. But one principle they violated in federal politics is: DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY.
This is great news … Semper Fi Cpl Sharratt … May God bless you …
All of your fellow (former) Marines here never lost faith in you or in the Corps we all still love … and I can assure you that all the other veterans and current service men and women here from all the other branches of the military were all behind you as well …
But accuse Muslims who are acting funny on a plane of acting funny and it’s hate speech.
“Lt. Col. Paul Ware said murder charges brought against Sharratt were based on unreliable witness accounts, insupportable forensic evidence and questionable legal theories.” Common sense prevails. If only our courts had this kind of justice.
“Under military law, a commanding general has total jurisdiction over a case.”
Someone should inform Murtha.
He needs to be disgraced for his participation in trying to smear these Marines. Apologies are needed also from the media who convicted this young Marine even before his hearing.
Is there anybody out there who can tell me why Murtha keeps being re-elected? Is it all pork? This man is a disgrace.
I hope that LCPL Sharratt can get some of his honor back but he won’t hear a peep from the MSM or from any of the defeatocrats in congress. It’s a shame what happened to these men.
I tried to find some info but could not. Does this totally close this case or are there any other Marines with charges still pending?
The NIS investagated this. The woman navy officer accepted the suppossed Iraqi witnesses description in a 15 minute investigation.
Did you know that accidental deaths by Americans are paid $35,000? That officer should be brought up for crimnal negligense and then shot. Accidently of course…
Long live the Corps and all of men and women who serve our country in uniform.
Honor-Courage-Committment
Core values murtha would know if it bit him where the sun doesn’t shine.
Congrats LCPL Sharratt and may you be an example for any 2nd LT or PVT coming up.
Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt , you have our gratitude and great thanks.