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.