Marine accused of killing 24 Iraqis in Haditha makes plea deal

[ellisonz]

January 23, 2012 | 9:29 am
-- Tony Perry

Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the court-martial of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, accused in the killing of 24 unarmed Iraqis in 2005, announced an agreement Monday to settle the case.

Wuterich will plead guilty to a single count of negligent dereliction of duty. Other charges were dropped. No announcement was made on what kind of discharge Wuterich would receive.

The maximum sentence is three months in the brig. That decision will be made by the judge.

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Wuterich, 31, was accused of manslaughter, assault and dereliction of duty for allegedly leading his squad on a bloody rampage on the morning of Nov. 19, 2005, after a roadside bomb killed one Marine and injured two in the Euphrates River town of Haditha.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/plea-bargain-reached-to-end-marine-trial-in-iraqi-killings.html

Previous thread with background on this case: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101429420

Wuterich is the final case out of 8 total charged in relation to the Haditha massacre.