Chaotic day in Haditha described in military court

By: Mark Walker, Staff Writer | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:55 PM PDT ∞

CAMP PENDLETON ----Insurgent attacks taking place throughout the city of Haditha the day 24 civilians died at the hands of a group of Camp Pendleton Marines in 2005 made it a day of chaotic battle, a sergeant testified Wednesday.

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Sgt. Frank Wolf said the attacks that occurred on Nov. 19, 2005 reminded him of the battle for the city of Fallujah in the fall of 2004, one of the major battles of the Iraqi war.

Wolf's comments came on the third day of a hearing for Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, one of three enlisted men from Camp Pendleton's 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment charged with murder in the civilian deaths.

"It was definitely a hostile environment," Wolf testified. "I would put that day up there with Fallujah ---- every guy being sent out was being hit with IEDs or small arms fire."

Wolf was a platoon leader in the battalion who had served with the 22-year-old Sharratt in Fallujah as well as at Haditha. Both participated in numerous house-clearing operations in Fallujah, Wolf said, adding that Sharratt was adept at that task as well as his regular duties.

"As a Marine I think he is one of the better ones out there," Wolf said.

Sharratt is accused of killing three brothers inside the bedroom of one of four homes the Marines stormed the morning of Nov. 19 after a roadside bomb destroyed a Humvee, killing Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas and injuring two others.

His attorneys maintain he was acting in self-defense after being ordered to clear the house of insurgents. The shootings took place when he encountered an Iraqi man inside the bedroom holding an AK-47, according to the attorneys.

Relatives of the slain Iraqi men, however, contend the men were herded into the room and shot in the head in rapid succession. A prosecutor, Capt. Christopher Hur, described those killings in court Wednesday as an "execution."

The hearing is being presided over by Lt. Col. Paul Ware, who when it concludes will write a recommendation stating whether he believes the evidence warrants ordering Sharratt to trial on three counts of unpremeditated murder. That decision ultimately will be made by Lt. Gen. James Mattis as commander of Camp Pendleton's I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Hearings for two other accused shooters will take place later this summer.

See Thursday's North County Times for a full report on today's court action.

Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.