Monday, November 19, 2007

Murtha Fights Marine’s Defamation Lawsuit

From the article:

Lawyers for Rep. John P. Murtha will appeal a recent ruling advancing a defamation lawsuit brought against the Pennsylvania Democrat by a U.S. Marine under investigation for killing Iraqi civilians.

Justice Department lawyers representing Murtha on Nov. 16 filed notice that they planned to appeal a federal district court judge’s Sept. 28 ruling allowing the lawsuit to proceed and ordering Murtha to give sworn testimony in the case.

Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich sued Murtha in August 2006, accusing the 17-term congressman of defaming him during a news conference last year on the Nov. 19, 2005 killings of Iraqi civilians in Haditha.

Wuterich charges that Murtha “publicly and falsely” accused him and other Marines involved in the Haditha incident of “cold-blooded murder and war crimes” and of attempting a cover-up, according to court documents.

If memory serves me, Murtha did in fact exactly do this. There was no need for him to say what he said in his "official capacity". He went OVER the top. He indeed did slander and malign those Marines.

1 comment:

MataHarley said...

And I hope that Marine has one kick ass trial lawyer. Whoa... Can't believe I said that! Me in support of a trial attorney?? But da cause is oh so good!