US marines to face trial over Haditha killings

BBC/Reuters | October 20, 2007

Two United States soldiers are to face courts martial in connection with the killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha two years ago.

Eight men were originally charged in connection with the killings, which sparked international outrage.

Prosecutors allege that the marines went on a killing spree in Haditha after a roadside bomb killed one of their comrades.

Unarmed men, women and children died.

The case amounts to the most serious allegation of war crimes made against US troops in Iraq.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chessani will be the highest-ranking US serviceman to face a court martial related to combat since the Vietnam War.

He is charged with dereliction of duty and failing to report and investigate the deaths.

The US Marines relieved him of his command in April 2006 after a Time magazine story detailed the 2005 killings.

One of his men, Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.