TMLC: Dispatches From LtCol Chessani's Military Hearing

Today, the Thomas More Law Center began it's defense of Lieutenant Colonel Chessani against allegations of Dereliction of Duty and Orders violation. These charges stem from a pitched battle between terrorists and Marines that occurred in the Town of Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005. One Marine was killed, 11 Marines were wounded, 8 terrorists were killed and captured, and tragically 15 Iraqi civilians were killed when the terrorists used them as human shields.

Lieutenant Max Franks testified today that he was tasked with removing the dead Iraqi civilian bodies from the houses the Marines had assaulted through due to enemy fire from inside.

Lieutenant Frank testified that the scene he witnessed was consistent with how he was told the events of the attack transpired. He witnessed no evidence of any "Law of War" violation. His testimony was important because it proved that the allegations by Time Magazine of "executions" by Marines were absurd.

Sergeant Major Sax, LtCol Chessani's senior enlisted advisor testified that LtCol Chessani is the most moral man that he knows and that he would not have hesitated in reporting a "Law of War" violation had occured if he suspected as such.

Tomorrow the prosecutors are going to call a "Law of War" expert--Park Hayes and LtCol Chessani's third in command at the time of the battle--Major Carrasco. Rob Muise, an attorney for the Thomas More law Center and fomer Marine infantry officer will question Major Carasco as to his knowledge of the events before, during and after Novemeber 19, 2005.

Brian Rooney, another Thomas More Law Center attorney and former Marine Judge Advocate said, "Today's testimony is hopefully the begining of the end for this sad investigation and prosecution of an innocent Christian man. Rob and I hope to bring as much evidence forward as possible to exonerate this good family man."

Rooney further commented, "It is because of the generosity of supporters of the Thomas More Law Center that we are able to travel to California to defend our defenders. Every dollar contributed helps defray our cost--more is needed, but we are confident that people will continue to support this worthy cause."

The Thomas More Law Center will be reporting daily from Camp Pendleton to keep it's Christain supporters of this worthy Marine abreast of the most current of happenings.

If convicted, this 19 year Marine veteran and the father of 5 young children, who served in the Panama Invasion, the Persian Gulf War, and three tours in Iraq, could be dismissed (dishonorable discharge) from the Marine Corps, lose all his retirement benefits, and possibly serve 3 years in prison. His preliminary hearing (equivalent of a grand jury hearing) on the charges will begin May 30th in Camp Pendleton, California.

For those not familiar with this case:

The charges against Lieutenant Colonel Chessani were incited by an inflammatory Time magazine headline accusing Marine enlisted men of “massacring innocent civilians.” The story was planted by a known terrorist propaganda operative—since discredited. Anti-war Congressman John Murtha, with influence over military appropriations, in an unprecedented action, publicly accused Marine officers of a “cover-up” even before the investigation of the incident was completed. The subsequent investigation specifically found no “cover-up” at any level of command.

Please keep this good Marine and family man in your prayers!

From a Thomas More Law Center email...