Michelle Malkin » Stick it to him: Marine files suit against Murtha

Stick it to him: Marine files suit against Murtha

By Michelle Malkin • September 25, 2008 12:40 PM

One of the Marines cleared in the killings of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha plans to sue his congressman today for statements he says defamed him and other members of his squad.

Former Marine Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 24, of Canonsburg, will file a civil lawsuit against U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, who was widely quoted two years ago saying that eight Marines carried out a cold-blooded killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town on Nov. 19, 2005.

Charges were later dropped against all but one of the Marines, with a military prosecutor calling allegations against Mr. Sharratt “incredible.”

Noah Geary, a Washington County lawyer representing Mr. Sharratt, said his client will file suit today in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh accusing Mr. Murtha of violating his constitutional rights as well as slander for statements about the Haditha incident. A 1:30 p.m. news conference has been planned to announce the suit.

“He just held innumerable press conferences, just repeatedly kept saying this was cold-blooded murder,” Mr. Geary said of the congressman.

While Mr. Sharratt killed three insurgents, Mr. Geary said, he followed the rules of engagement for combat.

The Haditha incident remains a political flash point in the Iraq War, with critics saying Mr. Murtha, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, defamed American troops.

Mr. Murtha could not be reached last night and a spokesman did not respond to a message requesting comment.

Murtha won’t talk. But his upstart GOP opponent will:

Republican candidate in the 12th PA Congressional district Bill Russell commented today on the lawsuit filed against incumbent Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) by a Marine from the district. The suit was filed by LCpl. Justin Sharratt of Canonsburg, PA, in Pittsburgh Federal Court and seeks relief for the stripping of Mr. Sharratt’s Constitutional rights, specifically his right to the presumption of innocence and due process, as well as relief for slander.

The lawsuit was prompted by Murtha’s widely reported comments of Marines at Haditha, Iraq “killing innocent civilians in cold blood.”

“As a career military officer and a 9-11 Pentagon survivor, I have a personal interest in seeing the record and reputations of these courageous Marines cleared,” said Russell. “It is contemptible that any member of Congress abuse the power of his office to advance a political agenda by unjustly attacking our brave men and women in uniform. Lance Corporal Sharratt was declared innocent by a properly convened military court, and he has every right to seek justice for the denial of his Constitutional rights to due process and the presumption of innocence, and for the damage done to his reputation. I sincerely hope that Congressman Murtha will use this opportunity to admit his mistake and take responsibility for the harm his false accusations have done to Justin Sharratt and his family. Justin’s right to justice goes beyond politics. I call upon Congressman Murtha to deal honorably with the Sharratt’s, and not attempt to hide behind election-year rhetoric and the very office whose power he abused to deny them this right”.

Boot Murtha.

Defend our heroes.

Posted in: Haditha, John Murtha

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#101

On September 25th, 2008 at 10:38 pm, radio relay said:

Ya think they’ll put lard butt Murtha in cuffs, ankle hobbles, and chains. Then perp walk him to the brig at Pendleton.

That’s what they did with those Marines. It makes my blood boil just thinking about it!
#102

On September 25th, 2008 at 11:11 pm, Republicanvet said:

From the article, showing how gutsy ABSCAM Jack was:

In the year after he was cleared, Mr. Sharratt left the Marine Corps. His father, Darryl, said he telephoned Mr. Murtha’s office more than 40 times seeking an apology.

Sometime last year, Darryl Sharratt said, he reached the congressman personally.

“He kept skirting the issue,” Darryl Sharratt said. “This was right after Justin was exonerated and at no time did he acknowledge the fact that Justin was exonerated. He played the role of politician.”

He had no problem running his mouth to the media and bashing Marines, yet when it came time to speak to the father of one of those Marines, this @ss wouldn’t do it.
#103

On September 26th, 2008 at 4:06 am, RetFireman said:

See, the problem that people are having in this, is that they are e[ecting a liberal Democrat to act honorably and ike a man.

When they will kill unborn children, is anyone really that surprised that this low-life scum-sucking piece of whale dung is behaving the way he is?

Now, I cannot, in any honest way, speak for our Marines, as I have never been one, and I know that there is no such thing as an “Ex” Marine, but I will NEVER refer to this worthless sack of phlegm shoved into a make suit as anything BUT an “Ex” Marine, for in my eyes, Murtha ceased being a Marine the very second he ever spoke out against what was supposed to be his Bretheren.

THey just plain do not have any honor in them. He may have served as a Marine once…but as the song says, “What have you done for me lately”.

You would never catch me speaking that way of a Fireman…besmirching their name while there is still an investigation going on, let alone not even going to trial.
#104

On September 26th, 2008 at 9:53 am, NJ-Aviator said:

If anyone sees info on a legal fund for LCpl. Justin Sharratt, please post a link or email to Michelle. (Michelle, could you post that if it exists?)

I’m not sure what the rules are with a case like this, or if there are any, but I’d be happy to help the LCpl. pay for his legal expenses. Few things would give me more joy than watching Murtha fry after what he said about our soldiers.
#105

On September 26th, 2008 at 10:18 am, Bob in Topeka said:

This is when I wished I lived in PA so that I could vote against him in the Nov. elections. Not too many Congressional incumbents worthy of reelection, IMHO.
#106

On September 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am, dan708 said:

I would gladly contribute to this young hero’s legal fund, if I hadn’t just bought a tank of heating oil. I just hope the 12th district voters exercise a bit of common sense for a change and wipe this excrement off the halls of congress.
#107

On September 26th, 2008 at 10:56 am, FirstSkirt said:

NJ Aviator - take a look at post #88 from Sgt Tim. He’s provided a link for more info on helping this enlisted Marine. I’m sure creepy, sleazy Murtha the Mouth will have a bevy of lawyers at his disposal (probably paid for from his taking bribes from lobbyists).
#108

On September 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

FirstSkirt said:

NJ Aviator - take a look at post #88 from Sgt Tim. He’s provided a link for more info on helping this enlisted Marine. I’m sure creepy, sleazy Murtha the Mouth will have a bevy of lawyers at his disposal (probably paid for from his taking bribes from lobbyists).

Thanks very much FirstSkirt!

I tried to reach the attorney’s office earlier today but the number I called wasn’t answered and had no voice-mail.

I’ll repost that link here as well.

http://www.justinsharratt.com/
#109

On September 26th, 2008 at 4:18 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

dan708 said:

I would gladly contribute to this young hero’s legal fund, if I hadn’t just bought a tank of heating oil. I just hope the 12th district voters exercise a bit of common sense for a change and wipe this excrement off the halls of congress.

Hey man… that’s understandable for sure. Spare cash isn’t exactly falling out of trees lately.

You can also lend some verbal support. Sometimes a pat on the back feels like a million bucks.
#110

On September 27th, 2008 at 4:14 pm, Helene said:

I grew up in PA and have been to the hotbed of Murtha support, Johnstown. The downtown and surrounding areas owe Murtha big time. Seems like every building, road, and potted plant has his name on it. The people of western PA will vote for Murtha because of the pork.
The downside to this is that he’s created a welfare state. It’s pathetic. In my last visit I had to buy some hospital supplies for my elderly parents. Could not find them anywhere. (As an aside, where I live now, these items are sold in drugstores.) Finally found a hospital supply store and was told that drug stores do not carry these supplies, because people will not purchase them unless the government pays for them. Now, there are good people in Johnstown. Hard working people, but a massive welfare-Murtha state. Very sad. So did he help? Don’t know.