Murtha-inspired charges against Marine collapse But congressman, media 'remove one of our most effective combat commanders'

from WorldNetDaily

The government has decided to give up on an existing case that had subjected a Marine commander to a criminal trial for his supervision of a team of soldiers attacked by insurgents in Haditha, Iraq, in 2005.

But it remains possible the case will be re-filed against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, according to lawyers with the Thomas More Law Center, which has been working on his defense.

WND reported just days ago when the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals denied without comment the government's motion to reconsider the case against Chessani. The decision followed a ruling from a three-judge panel there that unanimously endorsed a decision by Col. Steven A. Folsom dismissing the case against the officer.

Now the law firm said it has been notified by the government it will not file an appeal with any higher courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Lt. Col. Chessani devoted over 20 years of his life to his country and the corps he loved. His reward: criminal prosecution and ridicule by the mainstream media," said Richard Thompson, chief counsel for the firm.

"Sadly, insurgents, with the complicity of the media, were able to remove one of our most effective combat commanders in Iraq by unfounded allegations of a 'massacre.' The immeasurable damage to America by the prosecution of this loyal and patriotic Marine officer can never be rectified. Nevertheless the decision not to engage in any further appeals is welcome news. We hope that the commandant will now say 'enough is enough' and allow Lt. Col. Chessani, his wife, and six children get on with their lives."....