COLD BLOODED MURDER—NO MR. MURTHA
On the morning of 19 November 2005, a United States Marine convoy was ambushed on a city street in Haditha, Iraq. One US Marine was killed and two Marines were seriously wounded when an IED demolished the humvee in which they were riding. The surviving Marines of 3/1 Kilo Company followed the Rules Of Engagement, used their Marine Corps training and launched a counter-attack to defend themselves against this insurgent ambush. In the aftermath of this firefight, twenty-four Iraqis were killed.
Time magazine reported Haditha as a “massacre.” Congressman John Murtha drew worldwide attention when he appeared on national television on 17 May 2006 and branded these Marines “cold blooded murderers.” In this and subsequent television appearances, Mr. Murtha denied these Marines the rights afforded them by the United States Constitution. Mr. Murtha played judge and jury before an investigation was ever completed on the events of Haditha.
After an extensive investigation and judicial process, six Marines were exonerated of any wrongdoing in Haditha. One Marine officer had his charges dropped and his case is now in the appeals stage. One enlisted Marine is currently awaiting his day in court. My son, Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt, was exonerated of three counts of unpremeditated murder and was declared INNOCENT of all charges. COLD BLOODED MURDERERS---------- NO MR. MURTHA.
Our family has asked the Congress of the United States to investigate the actions of Mr. John Murtha regarding his conduct in the Haditha affair. Statements and allegations made by Mr. Murtha, which violated the Constitutional rights of Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt. We are looking for the answers Mr. Murtha refuses to provide. Mr. Murtha has shown no remorse, has shown no embarrassment in calling these Marines “cold blooded murderers.” So far, all we have received is silence.
