Marine tells of order to execute Haditha women and children

[NNN0LHI]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jK4v75oAU4yLSaS4sv1Pkh1uG5Bg

Marine tells of order to execute Haditha women and children
2 days ago

CAMP PENDLETON, United States (AFP) — A US Marine was ordered to execute a room full of terrified Iraqi women and children during an alleged massacre in Haditha that left 24 people dead, a military court heard Thursday.

The testimony came in the opening of a preliminary hearing for Marine Sergeant Frank Wuterich, who faces 17 counts of murder over the Haditha killings, the most serious war crimes allegations faced by US troops in Iraq. snip

"He said 'Just wait till they open the door, then shoot,'" Mendoza said. Mendoza then said he himself shot and killed an adult male who appeared in a doorway.

During a subsequent search of the house, Mendoza said he received an order from another Marine, Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum, to shoot seven women and children he had found in a rear bedroom.

"When I opened the door there was just women and kids, two adults were lying down on the bed and there were three children on the bed ... two more were behind the bed," Mendoza said.

"I looked at them for a few seconds. Just enough to know they were not presenting a threat ... they looked scared."

After leaving the room Mendoza told Tatum what he had found.

"I told him there were women and kids inside there. He said 'Well, shoot them,'" Mendoza told prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Sean Sullivan.

"And what did you say to him?" Sullivan asked.

"I said 'But they're just women and children.' He didn't say nothing."

[w8liftinglady]

1. OK.I want the veterans on the board to comment on this.

I've seen this posted twice.What does the Code of Military Conduct say about this?I remember my son saying"We aim low with the kids".What is your experience?

[lazer47]

2. This does not require a response, if it is true, it requires a conviction