Haditha charges

Yesterday's Washington Post included an AP piece indicating that charges had been referred against two Marines arising from the deaths of civilians at Haditha. Here's a link. One of the accused is LtCol Jeffrey R. Chessani. The article indicates that he "faces charges of dereliction of duty and violation of a lawful order for allegedly failing to accurately report and investigate the Nov. 19, 2005, killings of 24 Iraqis." The article indicates that Gary Solis characterized LtCol Chessani as "the most senior U.S. serviceman since the Vietnam War to face a court-martial for actions or decisions made in combat."

Lieutenant General Mattis also referred charges against LCpl Stephen B. Tatum. He is reportedly charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault. The Article 32 IO, LtCol Paul J. Ware, had reportedly recommended against referring LCpl Tatum's case to a court-martial.