Another Camp Pendleton based marine has agreed to a plea deal in connection with the death of an Iraqi man last spring. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.
Lance corporal Jerry Shumate will plead guilty to several lesser charges in exchange for his testimony about the actions of his squad. Seven marines and a Navy corpsman were charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of an Iraqi civilian. The man was reportedly rousted out of his home and killed by the squad. A weapon was then planted nearby.
Shumate is the third marine to agree to a plea bargain. A Navy corpsman was the first person to work out a deal with prosecutors. The four remaining members of the squad still face murder and other serious charges.
Shumate is expected to plead guilty to assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice charges. He’ll be in court next week to enter his pleas and to answer questions about the incident. Erik Anderson KPBS News.
