Marine sues Murtha for Hadithah comments

[unhappycamper]

Justin Sharratt
Exonerated former Marine files slander suit


Marine sues Murtha for Hadithah comments
By Ramesh Santanam - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Sep 26, 2008 7:47:40 EDT

PITTSBURGH — A former Marine lance corporal sued Rep. John Murtha for slander Thursday, saying the Pennsylvania Democrat damaged his reputation by saying Marines killed women and children “in cold blood” in Hadithah, Iraq, in November 2005.

The federal lawsuit claims Murtha violated Justin Sharratt’s rights to due process and presumption of innocence with comments on various news shows in May 2006. Sharratt, who was honorably discharged last year, said he received hate e-mails and has been called “baby killer” when he has gone out in Canonsburg, about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh.

“Sharratt, in being labeled repeatedly by Murtha as a ‘cold-blooded murderer,’ and by Murtha outrageously claiming that the Hadithah incident was comparable to the infamous (My Lai) massacre of Vietnam, has suffered permanent, irreversible damage to his reputation,” the lawsuit states. American service members killed as many as 504 Vietnamese villagers in the My Lai massacre.

Military prosecutors have said 24 Iraqis, including women and children, were killed in Hadithah on Nov. 19, 2005, after one Marine was killed and two others wounded by a roadside bomb. Murtha, a former Marine and decorated Vietnam War veteran, blamed the killings on troops under too much pressure in Iraq.

Sharratt, 24, was initially charged with three counts of premeditated murder but was exonerated after a full investigation and the military equivalent of a preliminary hearing. Sharratt said it was proved he killed insurgents, not civilians.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_murtha_hadithah_suit_092508/%2e

[chelsea0011]

1. I think he will find a civilian court a little different than a prelim in the military

[NYVet]

2. In what way?

Without any facts from the investigation in his hands, John made the decision that these Marines were guilty.

Facts not in evidence and statements that injure your reputation = slander and libel.

[DoctorMyEyes]

3. Someone killed them

"Military prosecutors have said 24 Iraqis, including women and children, were killed in Hadithah on Nov. 19, 2005"

I don't think Murtha called this guy out individually. But, if he wants to make it about himself so be it. And I'm sorry but I have a hard time buying that this guy is being called "baby killer" while he tools around Canonsburg.

[zbdent]

5. I haven't seen any quote from Murtha referring to this guy by name ...

and yet, Repukes use all kinds of vicious smears BY name on Dems, and Dems can't sue???

[atreides1]

4. You've Talked To Murtha

An investigation that might very well have been all "wink, wink, nudge, nudge, you know what I mean" from the very beginning.

At this point in time we don't know what evidence Murtha might or might not have, we'll just have to wait and see.

"At a news conference Thursday, Sharratt and his attorney, Noah Geary, denied any civilians were killed on purpose, and Sharratt said he didn’t witness any civilian deaths."


That makes it all better, because no civilians were killed on purpose, and he didn't witness any civilian deaths? Come on?

I guess the bodies of women and children weren't much of a hint?

[chelsea0011]

6. Never called him out by name and the investigation by the miltiary

had already begun and enough info had been gathered before Murtha stated anything. And his statements were in no way slander. He stated the obviouse, innocents were killed.