IRAQ: Marine convicted of murder sent to Leavenworth prison

Pvt. Lawrence Hutchins, convicted as the ringleader in the execution of an unarmed Iraqi by a squad of Marines, has been transferred from the brig at Camp Pendleton to the military's only maximum-security prison, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.

Hutchins, 24, of Plymouth, Mass., is serving an 11-year sentence for conspiracy and unpremeditated murder for the April 2006 killing in Hamandiya, west of Baghdad.

A military jury found that Hutchins, who was then a squad leader and sergeant, organized and led the unofficial mission to kill an Iraqi as a warning to insurgents to stop attacking Marine convoys.

Six other Marines and a Navy corpsman were convicted in the case; all served less than two years and are now free. One of the Marines is back in Iraq.

Hutchins' transfer was first reported on a MySpace page devoted to his defense, including pictures, videos, poetry, country-Western music and a plea for donations to help pay legal bills. The move was later confirmed by the North (San Diego) County Times.

The military jury that convicted Hutchins sentenced him to 15 years and a dishonorable discharge. Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, commanding general of Marine Forces Central Command, turned down pleas from Hutchins' family to issue a pardon but did reduce the sentence to 11 years.

The case is on appeal. Even if the appeal fails, Hutchins will probably only serve a portion of the 11 years, if the military follows the pattern set during the Vietnam War for service personnel convicted of similar offenses.

— Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: A banner outside Camp Pendleton calling for support for Hutchins and the two remaining defendants in the Haditha case, Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich and Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani. Credit: Tony Perry / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Dave]

Blackwater is at home with their families and the guy who DONATES his life for our freedom is in prison?

Warped priorities, free larry NOW!

[Shannon]

Instead of flying Larry to Kansas, they should fly him home to Massachusetts where he belongs! Thank you for mentioning the myspace page. We will keep up the fight! Also another page has been made in honor of Larry. We will fight until the end!! FREE LAWRENCE HUTCHINS!!

www.sgthutchins.com

www.myspace.com/helpfreelawrencehutchins

[Ramses]

A perfect oppurtunity for our President to isssue a full pardon for this young hero. It is about time Mr
Bush did something we can all rally around.

[Kate]

So much for serving your country. Of course, this makes the military look "fair" no matter what. Funny how the Air Force higher ups that flew the nuclear bomb over the US got to "resign" with full benefits, etc., and young men and women at war are senteced by second-guessing quarterbacks after the fact. No one should sign up for the military till they straighten out their egos.