Haditha Marines update: LCpl Tatum trial now leads

Nathaniel R. Helms of the War Chronicle provided an update yesterday on the prosecution of four Marines still charged in the Haditha “massacre.” In part, Helms wrote:

The long anticipated court-martial of Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich is now on hold, clearing the way for the first trial of a Marine rifleman facing charges for unlawfully killing Iraqi civilians after being ambushed in Haditha, Iraq. Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum is now scheduled to stand before a general court-martial on March 28, marking the beginning of the end of the 29-month ordeal for four Marines still waiting to come home from the war. “We have been told that SSgt Wuterich’s trial has been stayed for appellate review of a pretrial ruling. I have not seen a court order. However, we will insist on going forward with a pretrial hearing on 27 March, and select the members on 28 March.,” defense attorney Jack B. Zimmermann said on Thursday.

The unexpected appeal by the government was good news for Tatum, 27, an Oklahoma son who served two combat tours in Iraq with Kilo Co., 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. The long ordeal has taken its toll on him and his family. It is never far from their minds that he faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter that carries a maximum 10-year sentence for each count, a charge of aggravated assault, carrying an eight year penalty, and reckless endangerment, with a one-year maximum sentence.

The 29-month ordeal has devastated the fortunes of Tatum’s family, including another son who served in the Army in Iraq. His parents have had to re-mortgage their home, disposes of all their assets, and appeal to the public for help with defending their son. It was a harsh burden for the proud family to bear. So far Tatum’s defense has cost more than $500,000 and incalculable heartbreak in his family.

A public fund drive led by the news magazine NewsMax, and other volunteer organizations, has helped pay for the expert witnesses, travel, and tremendous legal expenses, but any more delays threatens the slender war chest already accumulated to pay for his defense.

“We do not intend to let the government get away. We are going after them on 28 March,” Zimmermann said.

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