Hearing for accused Haditha officer continues

By: North County Times - | Monday, June 4, 2007 1:18 PM PDT ∞

CAMP PENDLETON -- Testimony continued Monday in a hearing for a Marine lieutenant colonel charged with dereliction of duty for failing to order an investigation into the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005.

The hearing for Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani entered its fifth day with testimony from two 1st lieutenants who served under Chessani in Haditha.

The two lieutenants, Adam Mathes and William Kallop, each testified that they did not believe the slayings represented a violation of the laws of armed conflict.

Chessani commanded Camp Pendleton's 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at the time of the killings. He is one of four officers charged with dereliction of duty for failing to order an investigation. Three enlisted men face murder charges.

The hearing for Chessani is expected to conclude Friday or Saturday. Chessani is expected to make a statement at the conclusion of the defense case.

Col. Christopher Conlin, the hearing officer, will then write a report to Lt. Gen. James Mattis stating whether he believes the testimony warrants the 43-year-old Chessani being referred for court-martial or some other action be taken.

See Tuesday's North County Times for a full report on Monday's proceedings.

1 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Jun 4, 2007 6:28 PM:Am waiting to see who the first hearing officer is with the spine to do the right thing and shut this circus down by saying No to any more persecution of our Marines. I don't think any of them have it in them. Watching these proceedings have helped me to understand Chesty having more respect for the Marines in the Brig than for the top ranking leaders. Apparently the Corps' has not learned from its own mistakes. Persecuting one's own does not represent leadership. It represents weakness. For me; as one who wants to feel secure in the leaders of those who protect us, I am not feeling all that secure. I would put my life in the hands of men like our accused Haditha Marines, our accused Hamdania Marines, our soon to be accused MarSOC Marines, any day in the week, and also Army Ranger Girouard...among many, many GRUNTS who serve honorably today. The Corps may have abandoned its men and its principles. We have Not!

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