Murtha to testify in defamation case

[stephanie]

:clap::salute:

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer
11 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition in the case.

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A Marine Corps sergeant is suing the 16-term congressman for alleging "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" by unnamed soldiers in connection with the deaths of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha.

The deaths became known in May 2006 when Murtha, who opposes the Iraq war, said at a Capitol Hill news conference that a Pentagon war crimes investigation will show Marines killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians in the town in 2005.

Murtha's office declined to comment on the ruling. He has said his intention was to draw attention to the pressure put on troops in Iraq and to cover-up the incident.

The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.

READ THE REST AT..
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070928/ap_on_go_co/murtha_suit

[Sir Evil]

He deserves it after making such a comment.

[Gaffer]

I hope he loses everything he owns. And is forced to resign.

[actsnoblemartin]

I agree, he has been defaming our country for years.


He deserves it after making such a comment.

[Sir Evil]

I agree, he has been defaming our country for years.

Despicable for an ex serviceman.

[Yurt]

:clap::salute:

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer
11 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition in the case.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Marine Corps sergeant is suing the 16-term congressman for alleging "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" by unnamed soldiers in connection with the deaths of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha.

The deaths became known in May 2006 when Murtha, who opposes the Iraq war, said at a Capitol Hill news conference that a Pentagon war crimes investigation will show Marines killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians in the town in 2005.

Murtha's office declined to comment on the ruling. He has said his intention was to draw attention to the pressure put on troops in Iraq and to cover-up the incident.

The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.

READ THE REST AT..
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070928/ap_on_go_co/murtha_suit

unfortunately...................

[5stringJeff]

unfortunately...................

Indeed. Congressmen get extra protections regarding their speech when speaking in their official roles, which means he can pretty much get away with slander if he wants to.

[82Marine89]

I voiced my opinion here. (http://www.debatepolicy.com/showthread.php?p=130712#post130712)


Collyer said she was troubled by the idea the lawmakers are immune from lawsuits regardless of what they say to advance their political careers.

How long before the left has her removed from her position as a judge?


A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition about his comments alleging “cold-blooded murder and war crimes” by unnamed soldiers in connection with Iraqi civilian deaths.

(snip)

Mark S. Zaid, the attorney for the plaintiff, Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, said he wanted Murtha’s deposition and limited documents from the congressman, including calendars and documents related to which reporters he spoke to.

A Marine who was accused of a war crime has called out a former Marine for his irresponsible speech. Was it comments like Murthas that created the witch hunt that could have destroyed the career of this Marine?

Frank Wuterich is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and is alleged to have participated on 19 November 2005 in a war crime in Haditha, Iraq, where the Marines are accused of having killed 24 civilians after a Marine had died in an insurgent attack.

Staff Sgt. Wuterich's Article 32 hearing is scheduled to begin August 30th. Charges against the other Marines directly involved in the incident had been recommended dropped after their hearings found the charges were not supported by the evidence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Wuterich)

[Gunny]

unfortunately...................

Acting in his official role as lawmaker should NOT protect him from making baseless accusations. The fact that he IS a lawmaker should render him MORE accountable for his words than less.

And from one Marine to another alleged one ... I'm damned glad I never served with such a lying-ass dirtbag. That he hid out as a reservist is the ONLY explanation for him not getting the boot from the Marines.

[82Marine89]

And from one Marine to another alleged one ... I'm damned glad I never served with such a lying-ass dirtbag. That he hid out as a reservist is the ONLY explanation for him not getting the boot from the Marines.

I owe you some rep for that one.

Semper Fi.