Stick it to him: Marine files suit against Murtha
Good:
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”.
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Trackbacks
- Jules Crittenden » Slander
- Exonerated Marine To Sue Scumbag Murtha | Democrat=Socialist
- Former Marine sues Rep. John Murtha over Haditha comments. Yes! « Republican Party of Jefferson County, TN
- Aside: Murtha Sued By Marine » Pirate’s Cove — Barracuda Patrol!
- It’s about darn time! « Right Minded Online
- Hang Right Politics » Murtha sued by Marine. Good. Disgraced Congressman should resign.
- Murtha Gets Sued | Axis of Right
- Finally: Murtha accountable? « WitSnapper | The Blog
- Nicholas Fitzgerald » John “effing” Murtha
- Help Beat Murtha « Memoirs From a Young Conservative
- BizzyBlog » Will Pennsylvanians Conquer Insulted Voter Syndrome?
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Categories: Haditha, John Murtha
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Gosh I wish I could vote for Bill Russell!
Good on you, Lance Cpl. Sharratt!!
If anyone knows of a way to contribute and help offset this legal expense, I would be much obliged if you could provide the link. I will gladly donate.
Good on LCpl Sharatt! I don’t know what will come of this in real terms, but even a public gesture in this direction will put some added heat on the congressman. Maybe this will send a badly-needed message to those on the left that there is a line that ought not be crossed.
One can hope.
Michelle, Is the lawyer doing this probono, on a contingency fee arrangement, or is there a legal offense fund we need to contribute to?
Go get him, Justin.
I’d be happy to serve him notice of the law suit of your behalf.
Way to go Justin. Sock it to Murtha for all you can get. Thank you Mr. Russell. I wish I could vote for you.
L
Beautiful.
About time.
The democrats are 24/7. We have to be too. Sue, sue, sue, just like the leftists do.
Go Sharratt! Go Russell! Double trouble!
Murtha’s legal defense fund starting in 3..2..1… just like William “freezer” Jefferson claimint that it is unconstitutional to prosecute him, congressmen think they are above the law.
Michelle, I want to hear more about this story as it progresses. This is the first heartwarming thing we’ve heard in days…we need more to help us through these troubling times.
God Bless the Marines and God Bless the USA.
Awesome news. Murtha is disturbing person and a jerk. God help these marines and may He help Russell defeat Murtha.
oops, I meant CLAIMING.
I hope Murtha goes down. Big time.
I imagine that Murtha’s pork-fed butt will be a big enough target for this Devil Dog to sink his teeth into.
Ooohh-rah.
OUTSTANDING.
Great timing for this. I hope this deep sixes Murtha’s re-election. It is passed time for him to go!
*Salute*
Semper Fi, buddies.
That lawsuit couldn’t have happened to a
nicermore despicableguypiece of scum.Good luck!
If there is a legal defense fund for Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, I’d like to know about it.
Please let me be the one to slap Murtha in the face with the subpoena!
I hope this Marine wins his lawsuit. The loser POS Murtha should feel the bitter sting of giving over his bloated salary to the very person who defends his right to be a jerk. Murtha needs to go but I have no confidence in PA voters. They vote for whoever gives them the most earmarks. PA citizens need to free themselves of their biggest pacifier: congress critter and Mr. Zero Murtha.
May we all join hands and pray for justice to be done here and with the FBI investigation of the lending crisis.
The irony here is that Congressmen should be vulnerable to lawsuits. They are political animals, elected to serve at the pleasure of the people and for the people’s best interests. This horrific distortion of the facts by Murtha has hurt this nation and probably cost many American lives, thanks to his traitorous comments, and he shoudl be held accountable in a court of law.
Go Marines!!
Murtha should do the right thing and resign. Shortly after he should report to the nearest jail for booking.
Nice.
And for different reasons Dodd, Frank, Reid, Pelosi should also be sued…
Maybe you all can glean some information from our local news video with this Marine:
http://kdka.com/video/?id=46610@kdka.dayport.com
Also, there is a website: JustinSharratt.com Hope this helps!
Good for Sharratt and Russell.
I would love to see this case used in ads for Bill Russell for Congress.
The real question is will the people that Murtha is bribing for votes still vote for him after all of this?
I can’t see anyone actually willingly voting for this waste of oxygen!
emjem,
My inlaws live in Southcentral PA. Very blue collar and rural. My hubby’s aunts are always asking him what he thinks about Bush, the WOT, etc. I sure hope they listened the last time we were there over the summer. I think there is a lot of distrust of Republicans because they are equated, incorrectly, with the “evil rich.” My aunt and uncle are the same way. He’s a big union guy because of his job. It’s funny when you talk to them because they are conservative, for the most part. They just don’t like Republicans. We just avoid the subject of politics altogether.
I too would like to slap Murtha. I would also enjoy running his fat butt out of town, any town, on a rail. If the people of Pennsylvania return that piece of human waste to Congress it will a slap in the face to anyone who ever served honorably, their families and our country.
The onus is on them. God’s Speed Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt.
I wonder what kind of marine
Murtha was?
Anyone seen his records?
Frank Burns comes to mind-
Oh yeah, Old Ferret Face!
I know that L/CPL Sharatt had a legal fund set up when he was going through his trial, I suspect it may still be up and running. I don’t know where it is being administered at present but I’ll research and let you folks know. All I can say is, Semper Fi and to Murtha all I can say is….. The Marine Corps didn’t leave you, you left the Esprit de Corps.
No greater friend, no worse enemy. Especially when you betray us.
I hope that this is the beginning of several lawsuits for Mr. Murtha.
emjem
I just saw your post from yesterday regarding Terriq. I too have wondered how she is doing. The last time I saw her on the blog was over a month ago and her daughter just had treatment for leukemia(I believe). If she’s out there, I hope she knows we’re thinking about her and her family.
If anything this may force some restraint on those who use public office to bully the citizenry, especially those who are frag the reputation of those in uniform.
Cameron, I also hope this is just the beginning of the lawsuits.
God bless our military!
Murtha is an ex-Marine…he lost the right to be called Marine when he made his accusations against by brothers in arms…
As a retired Corpsman(FMF type) I learned real quick that you don’t do that crap…
And justice for all!
May they all sue Murtha! Finally, the legal system used for good!
Even if “Pork Butt” Murtha and “Cold Cash” Jefferson are not technically above the law, it is abundantly clear that senators, congresspersons, and other “swells” and “important people” are treated differently by prosecutors, judges, and even the sheeple. I was stunned to learn that the sheeple relected “cold cash”. Murtha’s friends in high places will get him out of this faster than rats breed. I would bet cold cash on that.
FMFnavydoc
OORah on that, brother.!!! Your brethren kept me alive 37 years ago… Thanks!
Check your watch Congressman Murtha and see what it shows.
Payback time.
Drive on, Marine. Battalion 3 in affect his worthless, single point of contact.
I certianly hope Justin Sharratt wins.
God Bless Bill Russell may he be the next represetative in Congress.
Ah, can a sitting Congressman/Senator be sued for acts/statements made while Congress is in session?
As a southwestern PA native now living in VA, it’s infuriating to see the (mostly) old folks of my home state electing dhimmicrats ad nauseum. It’s the definition of insanity in a rustbelt state.
Karma, Cpl. Sharratt, Karma. We’re all pulling for you!
My question is “on what basis would slanderous comments be protected”?
Is that an Airborne reference in your post?
Excellent question. I was wondering when someone was going to bring that up. The answer is USUALLY no. I will be curious to see if the good Marine and his company achieve any success.
I believe (from civics class long agao) that Congressmen and Senators are immune for what what they do/say while Congress is in session.
Must’ve been the sameone as mine.
Maybe so, but in the executive branch, Feds can be held personally accountable for actions egregiously outside the scope of their duties (e.g., sexual harassment). It seems to me that Murtha’s actions went far beyond necessary “speech” to slander Americans and put our country’s military at greater risk. Treason is not protected by the Constitution.
Dittos to post # 2 !!
Where’s the legal fund contact info or the law firm involved so folks can help out ?
This is great news.
I am in Murtha’s district now, just moved a couple weeks ago.
It’s now time to write letters to the editor and see if this will help.
It’s time to make this porker go away.
I’ll be following this and doing whatever I can to help Bill Russell
UberInfidel67 Thanks. Went there, did that. Those donations will go to his lawyer, and that is fair, but is there a site to help HIM and his family? I would at least send the man and wife to dinner or buy them a set of tires.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! BRAVO BRAVO!!
I agree with those that have said he should resign. RESIGN you POS!
William T Russell for Congress! Lets hope he beats that self righteous pig Murtha.
Russell proudly went on a mission with a Marine artillery section during the Battle of Fallujah in 2004, while proudly representing the Big Red One of the US Army Germany.
Hooooooorahh!
For what Murtha may have said on the floor of the House of Representatives, he cannot be sued. However, he wasn’t making a speech or debating on the floor of the House of Representatives when he called those Marines murderers. He’s fair game.
ECS
As much as I personally find Rep.Murtha distasteful, he is a member of the legislative branch, not the executive branch and his actions as disagreeable as they are, are protected if done while Congress is in session. The original intent-and here the memory becones a bit hazy- is to protect all legislators from undue influnece/pressure harassment while performing their legislative duties. In this case a, shelter for a scoundrel, but put it another way, nutroots (Kos Kidz, etc.,) could try and pull the same thing on targeted legislators were it not for this protection.
Bottom line, Rep. Murtha is most likey immune and the suit will go nowhere.
If this is true, I don’t see how the Marine could sue. His attorney would have to be aware of this. I think the entire military should be able to file a class action lawsuit against Dick Durbin for comparing them to the people running Soviet Gulags and worse. John Kerry can accuse soldiers of terrorizing women and children in the dead of night, Obama can declare we’re air raiding villages in Afghanistan, but nothing can be done? If what you say is true and these losers new they couldn’t be touched, then that makes me even more furious.
ex-expat, see ECS’ comment #60 above.
Murtha isn’t being harassed, he did the harassing. Actually, it’s much worse than that, it’s an act of treason.
Good luck.(I mean that)
My in-laws live in his district and they love the guy. As a matter of fact everybody(at least 40 people) I’ve talked to in Cambria county loves the guy.
I hope he succeeds in his lawsuit and I hope this action will help put Russell in the Congress.
Time to open a can of good ol’ fashion whuparse on Murtha. Best place to hit him is in the wallet. I wish there were more than a civil suit. I wish Murtha could do time. Like snot on a door knob, Murtha has just bee oh, so slimy.
Semper Fi Marine!!!
fmfnavydoc.
Good on you! My middle son just got out in March…HM3 and a graduate of the Camp Lejeune School for Sailors, Preachers and Doctors.
Youngest boy is an AT2 in Japan.
Michelle
As someone else asked…please let us know if there is a fund to help LCpl Sharratt defray any legal costs. I will keep my eyes open to and will post if I find something
Semper Fi
I am sure its origin is Airborne. However…. it is also used by clumsy, former light fighters who discovered what it was after unadvisedly, prematurely exiting a UH-1 flaring at the LZ.
Call me Grace….
Again as distastful as it is, even with Rep. Murtha casting the ‘first stone’ Its going to be very difficult I believe ot presuade a court that his protection afforded to him and every other federal legislator while Congress is in session.
Again would anyone here want to see the Kos Kidz, Code Pink, ANSWER, ACORN (shall I continue??) try to do the same thing to target who they feel are ‘unfriendly’ legislators? The princple is sound, its just unfortunate it protects both sconudrels and the ‘good people’ alike.
As to the suit and the ‘whys’.. Personally, I feel those bringing suit may very well be aware that Rep. Murtha probbaly has immunity. But that may not be the point. The point may be to weaken Rep. Murtha as 11/04 approaches.
oops,
Should have read “his protections afforded to him and every other federal legislator while Congress is in session, is null and void.
If that is the point, I hope it works.
I wonder if they’ll have this Marine on GMA or Today? Hmmmm.
I am going to write in Russell’s name on the ballot as a write in competitor to John Kerry.
So what if he is from a different state: Kerry only comes to MA in election years. What’s the difference (other than the fact that Russell is honorable and Kerry is not)?
I found a source that speaks to the question of immunity.
Just sent them an email asking how to donate to the FAMILY and not just the DEFENSE fund. Will pass it on if I hear back : )
Donations can be sent to:
Justin Sharratt Fund for Justice
P.O. Box 44
Canonsburg, PA 15317-0044
Please make checks payable to: Justin Sharratt Fund for Justice
Site
#67….JustinSharratt.com
I would imagine GMA, Today, Hardball or Countdown would have poignant, tearful interviews with the “poor widows” and “fatherless children” of the insurgents the Marines took out.
The series would be entitled, “The Forgotten Victims of The Surge.”
I hear ya…but there are certain types of egregious speech/actions that should NEVER be protected. It would be interesting to know how many left-wing groups have attempted to file suit against their opponents in political office. Mere assumption of a legal barrier to a lawsuit doesn’t seem like it would phase them from their “no holds barred” approach to destroying their enemies. The question is whether the suit holds water or not, decided by a court of law.
It will be interesting to see if this case does proceed, and if so, whether Murtha will FINALLY be held accountable (liable) for his foolish and treasonous words.
One the phone now with his attorney’s office…………
Cross your fingers folks…let us all do something nice for this brave Marine
I have to wait for the attorney to call me back…he is in another location. The secretary or he will call me and I will let you kind folks know what you can do to help this man.
PS: Michelle, I told the secretary to check out this site and pass it on to her boss. I thought he would be interested in what your readers have to say about all of the exonerated Marines.
I did and will some more.
AMEN.
AMEN.
Sadly, the Dems and the entire left has no problem with telling outright lies and deceit to the American people.
They still have many believing the Dems are the ones on the civil rights although it was the republicans who did the most for blacks and minorities.
Your family is not alone. Send them some info, like Barney Frank video proclaiming the safe and secure Fannie and Freddie are in NO trouble just a few years ago.
This is the time to gain the house and senate and the White House.
Send info to everyone you can.
Nothing could help us more than if the truth came out that the Dems are inextricably bonded to this financial fiasco…. especially in court or by the FBI.
Send articles of Frank, Dodd, Rangel, Pelosi, Clintons 1999 , etc to your local news.
Reminds me of the concept of taqqiya.
Get some,Marine.It’s a good day,just got power back from Ike.
Sue that fat bastard until the only work that he can get is mowing your lawn.
Semper fi
ex-expat, Murtha made the comments in a press conference, not in the House. Furthermore, he followed up on those remarks on ABC’s show “This Week.” He compounded that by a lie when he claimed that he got his information directly from the Commandant’s Office, a statement that was quickly denounced as wrong.
He slandered those men, he used the press to help with it and he lied about his source on the matter. I don’t think he is going to get immunity over this. And as it was pointed out, Mr. Sharratt’s attorney would have already figured out if Murtha was immune.
Take everything you can get from this tub of guts Justin! He deserves it.
Legal defense fund donations to assist the law suit may be sent to JustinSharratt.com. The info is there.
Thanks Sgt Tim, #88, for the link. Let’s help this young enlisted Marine. He doesn’t make enough money to afford a long, drawn out court case(I hope his lawyers are working some of this pro bono). As a retired AF NCO, I am proud that this young ENLISTED Marine has the stones to take on the repugnant Murtha. I’ll be praying for all involved in young Justin’s case.
Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, Godspeed and semper fi.
This proud Marine mom is behind you, 100 percent.
The next best thing is to contribute to his campaign. He needs help. Do what you can.
http://russellbrigade.com/
*applause* about time these idiots are held accountable for their actions.
Am I the only one who thinks that Murtha looks like Howdy Dootie, the puppet from the 1950’s show?
I get a lump in my throat each time I go to the movies and see that National Guard commercial sung by Kid Rock, and I think, sponsored by NASCAR. It’s called American Warrior and you can download it from UTube. You’ll love it.
American troops, we love you and thank you.