Day Three Dispatch from LtCol Chessani Hearing
by Staff
June 4, 2007
(christiansunite.com) - Testimony this past Friday and Saturday included the 2nd Marine Division Commanding General at the time of the Haditha Battle, Major General Huck.General Huck testified as to how well LtCol Chessani's battalion performed during the entire deployment in Iraq. General Huck stated that he knew that civilians were killed the same day as the battle, but understood that this was sometimes an "unfortunate" byproduct of war. General Huck also testified to the fact that he never believed that there was a "law of war" violation.
LtCol Starling, the regimental operations officer from the 2nd Marine Regiment at the time of the battle in Haditha also testified that he knew civilians had been killed as collateral damage in a complex attack in Haditha that day. He testified that he never believed that there was a possible "law of war" violation during the entire time of his deployment. LtCol Starling also testified that LtCol Chessani's area of operation was a little smaller than the state of South Carolina. He testified that LtCol Chessani and his battalion performed incredibly well during their deployment to Iraq.
LtCol Starling confirmed that during the entire deployment, their area of responsibility was constantly being assaulted by foreign terrorists. He confirmed that these terrorists routinely used women and children as shields to attack Marines from.
Lieutenant Mathes testified on Saturday. Lt Mathes was Kilo Company's executive officer at the time of the attack. He was one of the closest officers to the battle that day. His job was to coordinate the Marines in the battle. He testified that November 19, 2005 was a large scale complex attack by terrorists. He testified that he and the company commander, Capt McConnell asked the enlisted Marines the "hard" questions to get to the ground truth of the civilian collateral damage. Lt Mathes stated that he and Capt McConnell were satisfied with the enlisted Marines answers as to their actions: a regrettable outcome to a hard fought battle that the terrorists designed specifically for collateral damage to occur.
Brigadier General Toolin testified on behalf of LtCol Chessani on Saturday as to LtCol Chessani's military character. BGen Toolin told the investigating officer how good an officer and leader LtCol Chessani is.
The operations officer for the battalion at the time of the battle, Major Carrasco, testified on Saturday as well. He testified to the fact that LtCol Chessani is a great leader. He also testified that he personally sent up the chain of command all necessary reports of what happened on the 19th of November, including official reports, emails, and phone calls to his boss at the regiment, LtCol Starling.
Tomorrow First Lieutenant Kallop will testify. Lt Kallop was the first officer on the scene of the initial IED attack. Lt Kallop has previously sworn that he ordered his men to "clear the house" - referring to the house that the Marines were receiving enemy fire from that also regrettable housed civilians.
Rob Muise and Brian Rooney intend to call at least 10 more witnesses this week. Brian Rooney believes that the hearing will last through Saturday. One interesting witness will be a PHD expert on Islamic and Arabic linguistics and anthropology. This witness also happens to be a Benedictine monk.
