(AP) The Marine Corps on Friday dropped charges and gave full immunity to a serviceman who was accused of involuntary manslaughter in a squad’s killing of 24 Iraqis in Haditha in 2005.

The case against Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, 26, of Edmond, Okla., was dropped as jury selection was about to begin for his court-martial.

The government has been seeking Tatum’s testimony against the squad leader, Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden, Conn.

This whole thing is disgusting, considering who was behind it to begin with. Our military should not pay attention to terrorist-loving journalists like Tim McGirk…in addition to the terrorists who feed him propaganda stories.

In sum, the way this has turned out has been a disappointment, I’m sure (to the enemies of America)…but the media continues to spin it for them…and the families continue to pay a heavy price in lawyers fees, etc…which is NOT something someone should have to do for doing his job.
Haditha Charges against Tatum dropped

The government says Wuterich and another Marine shot five men at the scene and the squad leader then ordered his men to clear homes with grenades and gunfire, killing unarmed civilians. Wuterich faces nine counts of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and obstruction of justice. There is no date set for Wuterich’s court-martial.

Wuterich’s civilian defense attorney, Neal Puckett, contended that the Tatum dismissal showed the government has a poor case against his client.

”I think it’s a further demonstration of how weak the government’s case has become. Of the four Marines who fired weapons that day only one still faces charges,” Puckett said.

Four enlisted Marines were initially charged with murder and four officers were charged with failing to investigate the deaths. Over time the case has shrunk, including removal of all murder charges. Tatum was the third enlisted Marine to have all charges dismissed.Only two officers remain charged.

The highest-ranking defendant is Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani of Rangley, Colo., commander of the Camp Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at the time of the Nov. 19, 2005, Haditha killings. Chessani, accused of dereliction of duty and violation of a lawful order, has said he didn’t order a formal investigation because he believed the deaths resulted from lawful combat.

[Haditha Marines still need your help! Click here now.]