The New York Times relayed the breaking news that all charges have been dismissed against the battalion commander of the Marines who killed (not “in cold blood”) 24 people in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005:

Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after finding that a four-star general overseeing the case was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.

”Unlawful command influence is the mortal enemy of military justice,” Folsom said. ”In order to restore the public confidence, we need to take it back. We need to turn the clock back.”

Chessani, of Rangely, Colo., was the highest-ranking officer to face a combat-related court-martial since the Vietnam War.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom barred Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement in the case.

The latest dismissal leaves only Marine SSgt Frank Wuterich to possibly face court-martial for voluntary manslaughter. Two weeks ago, LT Andrew Grayson was fully acquitted and all charges against the six other Marines involved were previously dismissed.

Looks like I’ll soon have to make another 45-minute drive to Congressman John Murtha’s office in Johnstown to help him look for the words of apology he can’t seem to find.

A message of thanks from the proud parents-in-law of Marine LT Andrew Grayson:

“Last Wednesday, after waiting for the longest 5 1/2 hours of our lives, Colonel Foy, the president of the jury, read these words, “We find the defendant not guilty of all charges.” Both Mark and I felt as if our hearts had stopped beating in our chests. The flood of absolute relief that came next, along with the tears, ended a nightmare that had gone on for well over two years. Susan and Andrew could finally begin the rest of their lives, free and proud in the knowledge that they had fought a good fight and that the truth had, indeed, set them free.

“During the course of the investigations, the Article 32, the Motion Hearings, and finally the Court-Martial, we learned many things about our son-in-law. He is a brave, honorable and proud Marine. We heard testimony from one heroic Marine after another, including every one of his combat commanders — we heard from real heroes, men who had fought valiantly for our country and our freedom…” Read what those who served with LT Andrew Grayson said then stand up and cheer.

But remember the honor of Marines LtCol Jeffrey Chessani and SSgt Frank Wuterich once burnished in steel on a Haditha battlefield remains ripped from them by scurrilous slander.

Like Grayson, they will likely find redemption only in the dock of justice yet deserved far better from Congressman John Murtha.