Marines investigate deaths of Afghan civilians

[Gunny]

Associated Press
updated 5:52 p.m. CT, Mon., Jan. 7, 2008

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The Marine Corps launched a rare tribunal Monday to publicly investigate disputed allegations that a special forces unit killed as many as 19 Afghan civilians after its military convoy was rammed by a car bomb.

The court of inquiry, an administrative proceeding last used by the Marine Corps more than 50 years ago, will focus on the actions of Maj. Fred C. Galvin, commander of the 120-person unit, and platoon leader Capt. Vincent J. Noble.

The officers were members of a Marine special operations company that opened fire March 4 along a crowded roadway in Nangahar province after an explosives-rigged minivan crashed into their convoy. No Marines were killed and only one was wounded.

Witnesses said the Marines fired indiscriminately at pedestrians and people in cars, buses and taxis in six locations along a 10-mile stretch of the road, according to a report issued by Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission.

A defense attorney said evidence would show the patrol followed regulations. Testimony was to start on Tuesday.

more ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22545291/

This is looking more and more like a railroad job.

[82Marine89]

In November, Maj. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, the commander of the Marine Special Operations Command, said that the Marines responded correctly when they were attacked and that he disagreed with Kearney's decision to pull them out of Afghanistan.

The Defense Department's inspector general has since opened an investigation into Kearney's actions, responding to concerns raised by Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., who said the Army had "discarded the presumption of innocence."

Defense attorneys were told Monday they would not be allowed to call Kearney as a witness.

As it is, innocent or guilty, the careers of those two Marines are over, but for a Major General to openly criticize a Lt. General, there must be something we don't know about. I agree Gunny, this sounds like the big green weenie.

[nevadamedic]

This is looking more and more like a railroad job.

Marines have to much honor to pull stupid shit like that.

[pegwinn]

Critisizing a three star in a different service is different than in the same service. He also has the indirect backing of the CMC as well.

This smells more political than operational. Notice that the Army 3Star will not be called as a witness even though he ordered the removal?

[82Marine89]

I wonder how he got out of not having to answer for his actions?

[pegwinn]

Me too.

Political bs at its' finest.