Haditha: Dereliction of duty charges dropped against company commander

Another setback for the military-hating far left:

(CNN) — The Marine Corps has dropped charges against the commander of the Marine company involved in the 2005 killings of Iraqi civilians in Haditha, Iraq.

Capt. Lucas McConnell, who had been charged with dereliction of duty, was also granted immunity to ensure he cooperates with the investigation, the service said Tuesday.

McConnell was one of four officers charged with failing to properly investigate and report the civilian deaths.

Lt. Gen. James Mattis, the Marine commander in charge of the corps’ units in the Middle East, ordered the charges dismissed last week.

“Lt. Gen. Mattis determined that administrative measures are the appropriate response for any errors or omissions allegedly committed by McConnell,” according to a statement from the Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton in California.

Four Marines from McConnell’s unit were charged with murder in connection with the deaths of up to two dozen civilians in Haditha in November 2005. Charges have been dropped against two of them — one in exchange for his testimony and the other after a hearing officer decided he acted in accord with the rules of engagement.

Two other officers — Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, the battalion commander, and 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson — also face charges related to their response to the killings.

Paging John Murtha, paging John Murtha.

Speaking of, yesterday, the Young America’s Foundation’s Jason Mattera questioned Rep. Murtha on his slanderous accusations against the Haditha Marines. Here’s video of the exchange.