ianstone
06-15-2010, 10:00 AM
Judge releases Marine in Iraqi war crimes case
http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/p/ap_logo_106.png (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/brand/SIG=11f589428/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ap.org%2Ftermsandconditions)
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100615/capt.482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a6-482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a6-0.jpg?x=213&y=283&xc=1&yc=1&wc=309&hc=410&q=85&sig=zMBi22RPRnQcymBdJ5V1OA-- (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/prosecution-Iraqis/photo//100615/480/urn_publicid_ap_org482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a 6//s:/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings)AP – FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2006 file photo, Marine Corps Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III, of Plymouth, Mass., …
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/reuters/20100615/videolthumb.3c8451bd3dd3e04e708744d5f9a08e75.jpg?x =50&y=50&xc=51&yc=1&wc=300&hc=300&q=85&sig=cHCyNifToQE6nk55O0A2vw-- Play Video (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/reutersav/av_reuters_all/4442264c8989a3685f495dbe307bf161/36529544;_ylt=AjPBa63ai87my_vufCTLr.JH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFibWpsa2NvBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtdGh1bWI-/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20328121)Iraq Video:Iraq Parliament reconvenes (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/reutersav/av_reuters_all/4442264c8989a3685f495dbe307bf161/36529544;_ylt=AlUKcVmCmGprp0HjDsGAD4FH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFhdDVrbm50BHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtbGluaw--/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20328121) Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/i/2704;_ylt=AjgCFruNiMDPJAIjXz92WQJH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMT FidXRicjgyBHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVvBHNs awN2aWQtZXYtcHJvdmk-)
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20100615/videolthumb.99d0474f72a1f731e9c11daacb7fe110.jpg?x =50&y=50&xc=42&yc=1&wc=328&hc=328&q=85&sig=uI1mJl1aMzhZtsR_m13_Lg-- Play Video (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/afp_video/av_afp_other/bc362fc16f1ba9631c2c87691dfc20f5/36527761;_ylt=AomkLLsBu5aqNCHOQfFmZvhH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFiNzJmYmw3BHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtdGh1bWI-/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20325966)Iraq Video:Iraq parliament opens three months after polls (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/afp_video/av_afp_other/bc362fc16f1ba9631c2c87691dfc20f5/36527761;_ylt=AjVo7oAliL4D.YlkSjN0gHdH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFhc3BiNDZqBHBvcwM2BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtbGluaw--/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20325966) AFP (http://news.yahoo.com/i/3220;_ylt=AruUb9uU9dM5NCVfbb_4WdZH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMT FiN3RwZ3ByBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVvBHNs awN2aWQtZXYtcHJvdmk-)
By JULIE WATSON, Associated Press Writer Julie Watson, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 44 mins ago
SAN DIEGO – A military judge (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) has allowed a Marine sergeant convicted of murder in one of the biggest war crimes cases to emerge from the Iraq war to walk free, nearly two months after a military appeals court (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) ruled he had an unfair trial.
Monday's surprise decision to release Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins deals another blow to the government's prosecution of U.S. troops accused of killing unarmed Iraqis.
Attorneys for the government have said Hutchins (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) led a squad of seven troops who killed a 52-year-old man in the Iraqi village of Hamdania in 2006, and then planted a shovel and AK-47 to make it appear he was an insurgent.
"I'm going to be the best Marine I can be today," an elated Hutchins told The Associated Press in a phone interview after being released from the brig at Camp Pendleton. "Today is really a surreal experience. I think we had a good judge (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#). ... It's hard to describe exactly what I'm feeling. I'm happy."
Hutchins had been serving an 11-year sentence. The others in his squad served less than 18 months.
The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) in Washington ruled in April that Hutchins was not given a fair trial because his lead defense lawyer left the case shortly before his 2007 trial. The ruling is being appealed by the Navy.
Hutchins' defense attorney, Capt. Babu Kaza argued that the married father (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) of a 5-year-old girl was not a flight risk or a threat to society. Kaza said he and Hutchins, both Roman Catholics, prayed with a rosary at Monday's hearing before the judge announced his decision.
Prosecutors could not immediately be reached for comment after the hearing (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) Monday.
Hutchins said he called his family immediately after the judge's decision to tell them the news. He was preparing to call his daughter, Kylie, next.
"I'm going to tell her she's my little princess, of course," Hutchins said.
Hutchins packed his bags and then Kaza drove him to a Taco Bell on the base about a mile from the brig.
He'll be allowed to remain free while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces decides whether to affirm or overturn the Washington court's ruling. The court is expected to hear arguments from both sides this fall and could take until next year to make a decision.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) told the Marine Corps Times last year that he believes Hutchins was the ringleader in the premeditated murder plot and attempted cover-up, and that he should complete the full sentence. Hutchins was initially sentenced to 14 years but that was later reduced.
Hutchins has said he was not with his squad at the time and that members of his squad told him they had killed an insurgent leader. Hutchins said he did not learn of the mistake until after the investigation.
If the court rules in his favor, Hutchins has said that he wants to live with his parents in Plymouth, Mass., and help them pay off their mortgage since they refinanced their home several times to cover his legal expenses (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#). He hopes to work at the local sheriff's department, where his brother works.
http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/p/ap_logo_106.png (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/brand/SIG=11f589428/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ap.org%2Ftermsandconditions)
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100615/capt.482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a6-482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a6-0.jpg?x=213&y=283&xc=1&yc=1&wc=309&hc=410&q=85&sig=zMBi22RPRnQcymBdJ5V1OA-- (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/prosecution-Iraqis/photo//100615/480/urn_publicid_ap_org482946acf6bc49ffa783f1638cd5d0a 6//s:/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings)AP – FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2006 file photo, Marine Corps Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III, of Plymouth, Mass., …
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/reuters/20100615/videolthumb.3c8451bd3dd3e04e708744d5f9a08e75.jpg?x =50&y=50&xc=51&yc=1&wc=300&hc=300&q=85&sig=cHCyNifToQE6nk55O0A2vw-- Play Video (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/reutersav/av_reuters_all/4442264c8989a3685f495dbe307bf161/36529544;_ylt=AjPBa63ai87my_vufCTLr.JH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFibWpsa2NvBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtdGh1bWI-/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20328121)Iraq Video:Iraq Parliament reconvenes (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/reutersav/av_reuters_all/4442264c8989a3685f495dbe307bf161/36529544;_ylt=AlUKcVmCmGprp0HjDsGAD4FH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFhdDVrbm50BHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtbGluaw--/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20328121) Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/i/2704;_ylt=AjgCFruNiMDPJAIjXz92WQJH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMT FidXRicjgyBHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVvBHNs awN2aWQtZXYtcHJvdmk-)
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20100615/videolthumb.99d0474f72a1f731e9c11daacb7fe110.jpg?x =50&y=50&xc=42&yc=1&wc=328&hc=328&q=85&sig=uI1mJl1aMzhZtsR_m13_Lg-- Play Video (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/afp_video/av_afp_other/bc362fc16f1ba9631c2c87691dfc20f5/36527761;_ylt=AomkLLsBu5aqNCHOQfFmZvhH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFiNzJmYmw3BHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtdGh1bWI-/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20325966)Iraq Video:Iraq parliament opens three months after polls (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/afp_video/av_afp_other/bc362fc16f1ba9631c2c87691dfc20f5/36527761;_ylt=AjVo7oAliL4D.YlkSjN0gHdH2ocA;_ylu=X3 oDMTFhc3BiNDZqBHBvcwM2BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVv BHNsawN2aWQtZXYtbGluaw--/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/20325966) AFP (http://news.yahoo.com/i/3220;_ylt=AruUb9uU9dM5NCVfbb_4WdZH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMT FiN3RwZ3ByBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9yXzNzbG90X3ZpZGVvBHNs awN2aWQtZXYtcHJvdmk-)
By JULIE WATSON, Associated Press Writer Julie Watson, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 44 mins ago
SAN DIEGO – A military judge (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) has allowed a Marine sergeant convicted of murder in one of the biggest war crimes cases to emerge from the Iraq war to walk free, nearly two months after a military appeals court (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) ruled he had an unfair trial.
Monday's surprise decision to release Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins deals another blow to the government's prosecution of U.S. troops accused of killing unarmed Iraqis.
Attorneys for the government have said Hutchins (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) led a squad of seven troops who killed a 52-year-old man in the Iraqi village of Hamdania in 2006, and then planted a shovel and AK-47 to make it appear he was an insurgent.
"I'm going to be the best Marine I can be today," an elated Hutchins told The Associated Press in a phone interview after being released from the brig at Camp Pendleton. "Today is really a surreal experience. I think we had a good judge (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#). ... It's hard to describe exactly what I'm feeling. I'm happy."
Hutchins had been serving an 11-year sentence. The others in his squad served less than 18 months.
The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) in Washington ruled in April that Hutchins was not given a fair trial because his lead defense lawyer left the case shortly before his 2007 trial. The ruling is being appealed by the Navy.
Hutchins' defense attorney, Capt. Babu Kaza argued that the married father (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) of a 5-year-old girl was not a flight risk or a threat to society. Kaza said he and Hutchins, both Roman Catholics, prayed with a rosary at Monday's hearing before the judge announced his decision.
Prosecutors could not immediately be reached for comment after the hearing (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) Monday.
Hutchins said he called his family immediately after the judge's decision to tell them the news. He was preparing to call his daughter, Kylie, next.
"I'm going to tell her she's my little princess, of course," Hutchins said.
Hutchins packed his bags and then Kaza drove him to a Taco Bell on the base about a mile from the brig.
He'll be allowed to remain free while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces decides whether to affirm or overturn the Washington court's ruling. The court is expected to hear arguments from both sides this fall and could take until next year to make a decision.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#) told the Marine Corps Times last year that he believes Hutchins was the ringleader in the premeditated murder plot and attempted cover-up, and that he should complete the full sentence. Hutchins was initially sentenced to 14 years but that was later reduced.
Hutchins has said he was not with his squad at the time and that members of his squad told him they had killed an insurgent leader. Hutchins said he did not learn of the mistake until after the investigation.
If the court rules in his favor, Hutchins has said that he wants to live with his parents in Plymouth, Mass., and help them pay off their mortgage since they refinanced their home several times to cover his legal expenses (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_re_us/us_marines_iraq_shootings#). He hopes to work at the local sheriff's department, where his brother works.