Marine Most Responsible for Killing 24 Iraqi Civilians in Haditha May Be Freed on Technicality

Haditha Killings: No One Left to Blame? A legal snafu could clear the way to freedom for the Marine sergeant perhaps most responsible for the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in the infamous Haditha massacre of 2005. A motion filed by Sgt. Frank Wuterich's attorneys claims that Gen. James Mattis, who initially leveled charges against Wuterich and seven other Marines, was improperly influenced in legal matters by an aide who was involved in the investigation into the shooting, Col. John Ewers. According to senior defense counsel Haytham Faraj, court martial law prevents someone involved in the investigation from giving advice on legal matters related to the case. "The process that we're talking about is essential to bringing charges forward," Faraj told ABC News. "The process has to remain pure to ensure that the accused's rights are protected. We believe it was flawed." Seven other Marines had been charged in connection to the killings and the ensuing alleged cover-up, but charges against six of them were dismissed and the seventh was acquitted. Truthout: The Haditha Massacre. Expose The War Profiteers: The Massacre of Haditha - The Revenge Killing of 24 Iraqi Civilians.