IRAQ: General orders court martial in Fallouja killings
Marine Sgt. Ryan Weemer (pictured) was ordered today to a court martial for allegedly killing Iraqi prisoners during a battle in Fallouja in late 2004.
Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, made his decision based on evidence uncovered by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents and during a preliminary hearing.
Weemer, 25, is charged with unpremeditated murder and dereliction duty. He allegedly killed prisoners rather than process them according to the laws of war.
During his preliminary hearing, prosecutors played a tape recording in which a co-defendant, Sgt. Jermaine Nelson, confessed that he, Weemer and Sgt. Jose Nazario killed the prisoners. Nazario, no longer in the Marine Corps, faces charges in federal court in Riverside.
-- Tony Perry, in San Diego
Photo: Sgt. Ryan Weemer enters a courtroom at Camp Pendleton. Credit: San Diego Union-Tribune
Do those basta*** play by the rules. Oh hell yes they do....Sgt. Ryan Weemer, your only mistake....you got caught.
Posted by: old mo | August 09, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Its a damm shame that the USMC sends these guys to "clean up" a mess, and in the middle of the job, or afterward using that good old 20/20 hindsight to blame, harass, punish, the guys they sent to do the job.
You stand tall Sgt. Weemer, this old ex-marine is behind you. 1858401 (of course that won't do you much good if they have their way with you)
Crap on all the legal eagles, and the politicians including two faced John McCain.
Posted by: JerryF | August 08, 2008 at 05:14 PM