Marine Convicted In Iraq Killings Leaves Service

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO — The Marine Corps has discharged the only Marine convicted in the 2005 killings of unarmed Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha.

Spokesman Lt. Col. Joseph Kloppel said Tuesday that former Sgt. Frank Wuterich ended his service Friday. Wuterich had his rank reduced to private as part of a deal that spared him imprisonment. He pleaded guilty last month at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to negligent dereliction of duty for his role in the killings of 24 Iraqi civilians as the leader of the squad.

Wuterich's attorney Neal Puckett told the North County Times that Wuterich was given a general discharge under honorable conditions - one step below an honorable discharge.

Kloppel says the Marine Corps does not release details on a person's discharge.

Comments

Avatar image for user 'Peking_Duck_SD'

Peking_Duck_SD | February 22, 2012 at 11:20 a.m. ― 3 months ago

"..... was given a general discharge under honorable conditions - one step below an honorable discharge."

So if a conviction of killing innocent people doesn't get a dishonorable discharge, what does?

This story only harms the reputation of the military, makes them look corrupt, and makes "military justice" look like a big sham.

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Avatar image for user 'benz72'

benz72 | February 22, 2012 at 12:13 p.m. ― 3 months ago

"He pleaded guilty last month at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to negligent dereliction of duty"

not

"convict(ed) of killing innocent people "

This is a very important difference. If you are really interested in understanding military justice, start here. http://www.ucmj.us/

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