Source:
Associated PressOfficer in Haditha Case to SpeakBy ALLISON HOFFMAN
The Associated Press
Saturday, June 9, 2007; 2:59 PM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- After being advised to open
an inquiry into the killings of 24 Iraqi civilians by Marines
in the town of Haditha, witnesses say, Lt. Col. Jeffrey
Chessani responded with outrage, shouting "My men
are not murderers!"
On Saturday, it was Chessani's turn to testify with an
appearance before a military court conducting a
preliminary hearing, called an Article 32 hearing under
military law.
An investigating officer will determine at the conclusion
of the hearings whether Chessani will stand trial on
charges of dereliction of duty and violating a lawful
order for failing to investigate the deaths of the men,
women and children.
Chessani, 43, is the most senior of seven Marines of
seven charged in the case, and the highest-ranking
Marine officer charged since the start of the Iraq war.
He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/09/AR2007060900820.html