Attorney says Marines did nothing wrong in Haditha

[Soldier4Christ]

A pro-family law center has chosen to defend a U.S. Marine Corps commander who is being prosecuted for his role in what the mainstream media dubbed the "Haditha massacre" in Iraq.



On November 19, 2005, an explosion from an improvised explosive device (IED) killed a Marine from Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani's battalion and injured two others in a convoy that was headed into the Iraqi town of Haditha. In response to the attack, the Marines mounted a house-to-house battle with foreign and Iraqi terrorists that resulted in the deaths of 24 Iraqis, including 15 civilians.

Chessani has been charged with not fully investigating the incidents that occurred that day and failing to report a Law of War violation -- charges that conflict with those of fellow officers who describe the 19-year veteran as a strict follower of the Law of War and sympathetic to the plight of innocent Iraqi civilians. An Article 32 hearing on charges of "Dereliction of Duty" and "Orders" violations is schedule for March 21 at Camp Pendleton, California.

Chessani's attorney is Brian Rooney with the Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center. Rooney, himself a Marine veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, says his legal group has "the rare luxury of defending an innocent man." And he explains that he chose to represent Chessani because "if the ACLU can defend terrorists in Guantanamo Bay, Thomas More can defend Marines in Camp Pendleton."

"After reviewing all the evidence myself, I don't believe ... that anything the Marines did was wrong as well," says the former Judge Advocate. "Everything that I see can be considered legitimate combat action. Unfortunately, during combat, civilians sometimes get killed."

Chessani did nothing wrong, says Rooney. "There may or may not have been a Law of War violation," says the attorney. "We don't know that; there's never been one proven.

"And the other thing is, Colonel Chessani did everything that was expected a commanding officer to do," Rooney continues. "He investigated the scene himself, and he relied upon Marines that he trusted, and [then] sent that information up to higher headquarters. So everything that [Chessani] knew on November 19, the higher-headquarter Marine commanding officers knew as well."

In a press release about the case, Rooney comments that as a result of serving in Iraq, he knows that terrorists use America's "Rules of Engagement" against U.S. troops and routinely launch attacks from such locations as mosques, schools, hospitals, and civilian homes. "We have always taught Marines to be aggressive and encouraged this aggression in order to help them survive and accomplish the mission," he explains.

The Law Center, though, is fearful that the outcome of the case could compromise America's security as well that of its military personnel who are placed in harm's way. Law Center president and chief counsel Richard Thompson says while the civilian deaths in Haditha were "tragic," it is critical not to "shackle" the ability of American military commanders to make decisions by "placing them in fear of criminal prosecution every time there are civilian casualties as a result of combat action."

According to the Law Center, Lt. Col. Chessani is a committed Christian with a wife and five children. The Marine officer faces up to three years in prison, dismissal, and loss of his retirement.

[Soldier4Christ]

Yep, let's tie the hands of the Military, Sen Murtha, so that they are unable to perform their duties. For those that are not aware of it, Sen Murtha is the one that started this action. It is evident that he is doing all that he can to undermine the Military and make the war in Iraq a complete failure all just for the sake of his political stance and nothing for the sake of this nation.

[Brother Jerry]

This begins to smell more and more like another conflict in SE Asia......

[Soldier4Christ]

Yep, and the exact people, with a few additions, that are turning it into that.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

Situations like this make me sick and angry. If they want to place blame, let them blame the cowardly terrorists who wish to mount attacks from behind the shield of women and children. This, in my opinion, is more cowardly than the IED's that kill so many innocents.

I would say that our armed forces are doing a brilliant job with circumstances too difficult to even imagine. We all need to stand up for our armed forces and put the blame where it belongs in situations like this - On the COWARDLY TERRORISTS who fight from behind women and children. No soldier of courage and honor would fight from behind the living shield of an innocent civilian. BUT, we should all know by now that terrorists don't have any honor.

I'm very proud and happy to hear that Christian organizations will be defending these soldiers.

[Brother Jerry]

AMEN

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen!

No soldier of courage and honor would fight from behind the living shield of an innocent civilian.

Many of our Soldiers have become a shield for those civilians, especially so when it comes to children. Of course we won't hear how Americas enemies use children as shields, teach them to kill Americans or turn those innocent children into living bombs. After all it is our fault since we are there in the first place. 

If these left wing nuts have their way terrorists, drug smugglers, pedophiles and other such people will be running loose while law abiding citizens are locked up behind bars.

[nChrist]

Pastor Roger,

Brother, our society is in deep trouble, and much of it has to do with the erosion and destruction of morals. It is becoming more and more of a challenge for Christians to keep standing up for the things of the LORD. This is the absolute worst time for any Christian to become discouraged, give up, and be quiet. GOD is still working, and people are still accepting CHRIST. I would hope and pray that every Christian does the opposite of what the devil wants them to do. The devil obviously wants us to sit down and shut up. GOD'S WORD and the ways of the LORD have great power. The devil wants this great power to be restricted or shut off so he can have his way with the masses who can still accept CHRIST. Every single person Saved is a horrible defeat for the devil.

May GOD give us all the strength, courage, and guidance to be used by GOD in whatever manner HE Will. Let us rejoice with every defeat of the devil and keep standing until JESUS comes to take us home.

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 54:13 NASB  "All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great.

Psalms 119:133 NASB  Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen, Brother. We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.