Murder charges likely in Iraq raid

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Defense attorneys expect the Marine Corps to file murder charges against one or more Marines who conducted raids in Haditha in November that resulted in the deaths of more than 20 Iraqi civilians, according to sources close to the investigation.

The sources said agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) have been interviewing members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Attorneys there are mobilizing for the possible defense of a dozen Marines.

The battalion conducted the sweeps of homes on Nov. 19, after one of its members was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).

The Marines' operating procedures call for an immediate search for the source of an IED attack. This is especially true in Haditha, a hotbed of Sunni insurgents and foreign terrorists who operate out of residents' homes.

At least two 3rd Battalion Marines have hired civilian criminal defense lawyers in anticipation of being charged, and another Marine, who led troops in the raids, has made overtures to a private lawyer.

The commander of the 1st Marine Division already has relieved the 3rd Battalion commander and two of his company commanders. Sources said the action does not necessarily mean the officers -- a lieutenant colonel and two captains -- played a direct role in the raids. A division spokesman said the general lacked confidence in their leadership.

Sources stressed that the Marine Corps is awaiting the NCIS' final investigative report and that no decision has been made to bring murder charges by prosecutors at Camp Pendleton. But these sources say they expected murder charges against one or more Marines. One source said prosecutors might seek the death penalty.

Lt. Col. Sean Gibson, a spokesman for U.S. Marine forces, Central Command, said, "There is an ongoing investigation, therefore any comment at this time would be inappropriate and could undermine the investigatory and possible legal process."

If charges are filed, Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, who commands the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Pendleton and is Central Command's top Marine, likely would be tapped to serve as what the military calls the convening authority. He would oversee disciplinary proceedings, including any courts-martial.

The Marine Corps initially issued a statement Nov. 20 disclosing the Haditha raids, that 15 Iraqi civilians had been killed by an IED blast and that a firefight followed.