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Ear to the Ground

Marine Says Squad Leader Killed Civilians

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Posted on May 10, 2007

Taking the stand in the murder case of three enlisted Marines, Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz testified Wednesday that he witnessed his squad leader shoot and kill five civilians in Haditha, Iraq, on Nov. 19, 2005—the day 24 Iraqi civilians were killed by U.S. troops.


L.A. Times:

Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz said that in the moments after a roadside bomb hit a Humvee in his convoy Nov. 19, 2005, killing a comrade, he saw five men standing by a white car with their hands interlocked behind their heads. The squad leader, Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich, then fired about six to eight rounds at the men, Dela Cruz testified.

“They were just standing, looking around, had hands up,” Dela Cruz said. “Then I saw one of them drop in the middle. I didn’t know what was going on, sir. Looked to my left, saw Staff Sgt. Wuterich shooting.”

Dela Cruz spoke at a preliminary hearing for Capt. Randy W. Stone, a Marine lawyer from Dunkirk, Md. Stone is accused along with three other officers of dereliction of duty for failing to investigate the deaths.

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By Dale Headley, May 11, 2007 at 11:24 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

What is this?  Do you mean to suggest that American soldiers are not all brave and good, the way I keep hearing in the media?

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By rowdy, May 10, 2007 at 10:44 pm #

if it weren’t for bush’s war these same guys would be working for some inner city police force,killing blacks and hispanics and gays.

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By PatrickHenry, May 10, 2007 at 4:00 pm #

Marines are an assault force.  Being in a static garrison serving as a police force between two or three warring factions is no place to be.

IED’s, enemies in civilian clothing with civil rights attempting to kill you daily.  Yes I see the Sgt’s frustration.

The problem is that it’s their country and they don’t want us in it.  Pull the same shit in my backyard and I would do anything to get you out too.

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By QuyTran, May 10, 2007 at 12:58 pm #

No more “very few good men” ! Only “all bad men” under the sun !

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By Hammo, May 10, 2007 at 12:49 pm #

Many of us believed our Marine Corps and Army would retain their honor, despite the terrible deceptions by the Bush-Cheney administration about the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Now, with increasing stress and bloodshed, we realize the honor of our Marines and Army soliders may be at risk. See:

“Army and Marine Corps will retain strength and honor after Iraq occupation ends” (AmericanChronicle.com)

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle. asp?articleID=18005

- - -

“Navy SEALs, Marines use positive human traits and virtues for success” (AmericanChronicle.com)

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle. asp?articleID=19773

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