Marine arraigned in Haditha killings
By: MARK WALKER --- Staff Writer | ∞
CAMP PENDLETON ---- An enlisted Marine accused in the deaths of two Iraqi civilians in the city of Haditha in 2005 was arraigned this morning on charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum appeared before a military judge and reserved entering a plea to the charges, which could result in up to 19 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.
Tatum, 26, was one of four enlisted men from Camp Pendleton charged last December in the deaths of two dozen civilians in Haditha. The civilians died after a roadside bombing on the morning of Nov. 19, 2005.
He originally faced two counts of unpremeditated murder and four counts of negligent homicide. Those charges were reduced, however, following an Article 32 hearing earlier this year that found the evidence lacking. Article 32 hearings are akin to probable cause hearings in civilian court.
Tatum made no statement during the brief arraignment other than to acknowledge his desire to be represented by two military and three civilian attorneys. His trial is scheduled to begin March 28 and he must enter a formal plea by March 3.
A preview of the defense for the Oklahoma native did emerge during the hearing. His attorneys are asking the judge to approve the hiring of Arabic translators. The request suggests Iraqi witnesses may be called or interviewed and that there is discussion of a possible site visit to Haditha.
Tatum is expected to seek a jury trial and have a third of panel comprised of enlisted men.
The civilian deaths at Haditha came after the bombing destroyed a Humvee, killing a lance corporal and injuring two other Marines. Five Iraqi men who approached the scene moments after the bombing died first and 19 others inside three homes were subsequently killed as the Marines searched for their attackers.
Murder charges against one of Tatum's original co-defendants, Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, were dropped earlier this year after a hearing officer said there was no evidence to support the accusations against him.
Another original co-defendant in the killings, Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz, had charges against him withdrawn in exchange for his testimony.
The fourth man facing homicide charges, squad leader Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, is awaiting word on whether he will face trial on seven counts of negligent homicide. Citing a lack of evidence, a hearing officer that presided over Wuterich's hearing earlier this year recommended that 10 of 17 murder charges be dismissed and but that he face trial on the lesser charges.
At 1 p.m. today, the Article 32 hearing for 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson, one of four officers charged with dereliction of duty for failing to order an investigation into the killings, is scheduled to begin. Grayson also is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly ordering the destruction of photographs taken of the slain Iraqis.
Grayson is the last of the officers to have his Article 32 hearing. Charges against two of the officers were later dropped. The battalion commander at Haditha, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, is slated to be arraigned on Friday and go on trial in April.
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NCLOCAL wrote on Nov 13, 2007 1:19 PM:The Marine Court Martial should spend a day, just one day in that desert. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I am ashamed of you. 19 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. What are you thinking with?
DESERT BUG wrote on Nov 13, 2007 1:26 PM:General Helland. Please do the right thing and dismiss the charges that have been brought agains Corporal Tatum. Please follow the example of your predecessor, General Mattis. As you know, General Mattis reduced or dismissed many charges against other Marines that were similar or identical to those now brought against Tatum. The collateral damage of combat and the exigencies of war compel the dismissal of these charges General. Please do the right thing, just as General Mattis was doing before he left after his well-deserved promotion to four-star general.
Blackwater wrote on Nov 13, 2007 2:40 PM:Blackwater contractors get a pass when they admittingly commit murder in Iraq and our own Marines get sent to prison! Where's the justice in that?
WW1 vet wrote on Nov 13, 2007 3:57 PM:back in the day, we didn't commit atrocities against the enemy. Only the huns did that. We fought like hell at Meuse-Argonne but once the fighting was over...it was over. We'd share smokes and rations with the prisoners. Today I guess they just kill them. Seems kind of wicked to me. I guess folks are different these days. I think we need some old timey values!
To WWI vet wrote on Nov 13, 2007 5:15 PM:Wow, WWI was in 1914. You must be at least 100 years old! What stories you must be able to tell...or make up (methinks the latter).
In agreement wrote on Nov 13, 2007 5:19 PM:I agree with Blackwater, If they commit murder....they all should go to prison.
WW1 wrote on Nov 13, 2007 5:33 PM:I was born in '00. I lied to get into the army at 17. I got over to Europe in 1918. The flu about killed me late that year after the huns were unable to do so. Just like these youngsters today to doubt a senior citizen. No respect for their elders. Back in my day, we paid attention to those older than us.
To WWI Vet wrote on Nov 13, 2007 7:22 PM:There is only one surviving American WWI Vet. You aren't that person. Take your drivel elsewhere.
Massachusetts Democrat wrote on Nov 13, 2007 7:35 PM:The common denominator found in the concluding testimony of the investigating officers in the 'Haditha' cases, including this one is: '. . . evidence is lacking . . . '. At what point are these men presumed innocent until proven guilty? Something doesn't smell right here . . .
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