Lt. Col Chessani: A 'win' for him, a loss for America

The latest on this fine example of our US Marines from Thomas More Law Center:

Board of Inquiry Rules LtCol Chessani Not Guilty of Misconduct

December 14, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – Late last Friday afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), after three hours of deliberation, the military Board of Inquiry ruled LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct and should not be demoted.

Nevertheless, the Board’s ruling produced a mixed result. It ruled Chessani must now retire because he displayed “substandard performance” by failing to conduct a more detailed investigation of the civilians killed as a result of the house clearing actions of four Marines after they were ambushed in Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005.(more here)

I have written about Lt Col Chessani a few times. As the result of bogus charges laid against him and others stemming from an event in Haditha, this Marine has been dragged through hell. This leader, of whom it was said:

His superiors considered him a superb leader, who demonstrated moral courage, with unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps. [a previous piece by me here]

Board of Inquiry Rules LtCol Chessani Not Guilty of Misconduct

You can read more on Lt Col Chessani's battles with domestic enemies here, here, and here.

This decorated Marine has been fighting to clear his name for four long years.

Back in June 2008, I wrote:

Monday, June 30, 2008

I am a M**tha F*****!

By now, you all know the story of Lt Col Jeffrey Chessani facing serious charges based on a Time story in which Congressman John Murtha made unfounded allegations against eight Marines, one of whom was Lt Col. Chessani. Lt. Col Chessani had his honour and reputation called into question because Murtha said that in a town called Haditha in Iraq, civilians were killed by US Marines "in cold blood". This event was in November 2005, and it has been a long and sad road to June 17, 2008 when a military judge, Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after defense attorneys raised concerns that a four-star general overseeing the prosecution was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine unit in Haditha.

"...The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom barred Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement in the case. The judge gave the prosecution 72 hours to file a notice of intent to appeal. The prosecutors did not make themselves available for comment... [here]

Like everyone else I have been so outraged at the cavalier treatment these brave Marines have all faced. Of the eight charged, seven have already had all charges dismissed. [more here]

You can find more that I have written on this by putting "Lt Col Chessani" in the search thing above.

Today may be a victory - of sorts - for this fine Marine, but it is an absolute loss for America and our military. It is also not a unique situation. As I write, there are more than a few soldiers who are facing trumped up, politically motivated, charges from their actions in war zones. The most recent headline grabbing charges are laid against navy SEALs who allegedly gave a high ranking terrorist a fat lip during his capture.

A fat lip? Since when does an alleged fat lip warrant our combat troops being charged? Since when do the actions of our military - serving our freedoms - mean a loss of freedom for our warriors? Never mind, those ARE rhetorical questions. We all know the answer: since the politicians decided to make up lies (yes, specifically thinking of John Murtha, EX-Marine here); since our politicians decided to take the word of self proclaimed enemies of America - you know, those who have read the memo that tells them to make up charges.

Lt Colonel Chessani has stood tall throughout this whole disgraceful affair, as do the other soldiers who are falsely charged with absurd allegations as they carry out their duties.

The politicians seem to have forgotten we are at WAR. It is beyond comprehension to this non-military writer that our heroes face life-threatening dangers on the battlefield, but also career-ending and treasonous dangers from American politicians.

It has been proven, at every step along the way, that Lt Col Chessani carried out his duties - kept his sworn oath - in his service to his country, in an exemplary manner. Too bad we can't say the same of Murtha and his political cronies.

As our SEALs battle domestic enemies on the charges of an alleged fat lip from a terrorist, and other soldiers are awaiting justice, today's results are more than a fat lip for America.

And the terrorists laugh at the aiding and abetting they get from treasonous American politicians. They don't have to win on the battlefield. They know they can scream "abuse", and our politicians rush to side with the bad guys. Maybe, as a friend of mine said, we should get back to the real war tactics of 'bag 'em, and tag 'em'. Dead men do not tell lies.

Today, America has a black eye.

Semper Fi, Lt. Col. Chessani. Thanks for your service from this grateful non-American.

Lt. Col. Chessani: Is it over YET?

Government Decides Not to Appeal Further in LtCol Chessani Case; Decision to Re-Charge Still Pending

May 05, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – A government official has informed the Thomas More Law Center that the government will not seek to appeal the recent unanimous decision by the Navy Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA) in favor of LtCol Jeffrey Chessani, USMC.

The decision makes permanent the ruling by the trial court judge, Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, dismissing the charges against LtCol Chessani – without prejudice – due to Unlawful Command Influence. The government could have sought an appeal to the civilian Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces (CAAF), and then to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because Col Folsom’s dismissal of charges was made without prejudice, the government could still seek to re-charge LtCol Chessani. ...

Read more here at TMLC, and also check out Michelle Malkin here for other links.

Lt. Col. Chessani: Semper Fi

April 29, 2009

Marine LtCol Chessani Wins Another Round

ANN ARBOR, MI – Yesterday evening, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), sitting in Washington DC, denied without comment the government’s motion for Reconsideration. Government prosecutors had asked that the unanimous ruling in favor of LtCol Jeffery Chessani, USMC, by a 3-judge NMCCA panel be reconsidered by all 9 judges. A majority of the 9 judges would have had to agree to take the case. ...

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “This case has turned into a government vendetta against a patriotic Marine combat officer who loyally served his nation for over 20 years. We must also remember the sacrifices made by his wife and children while he left them to defend us during 3 tours of duty in Iraq, and during the First Persian Gulf War, and in the Panama Canal.”

Thompson continued, “The lengths to which our own government will go to persecute one of its most loyal officers are outrageous. Every war needs a scapegoat, and it seems the government is intent on making LtCol Chessani that very thing. The Thomas More Law Center won’t let them.”...

The insanity continues. Don't look for front page reporting on this in the msm. Read more here.

Lt. Col. Chessani: The insanity continues

Last June, in a piece titled: "I am a M****er F***er" I told you about Lt. Col. Chessani who was part of the giant smear perpetrated on our Marines by John Murtha. You can read that here to refresh your memory.

Back in March 2009, The Thomas More Law Center released this:

A Victory for Marine LtCol Chessani

March 17, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – Late this morning, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals sitting in Washington DC, released their unanimous decision upholding the dismissal of charges against Marine Lt. Col Jeffrey Chessani on the grounds of apparent Unlawful Command Influence. But the case may not be over yet.

For the last four years, LtCol Chessani has been investigated and prosecuted for his involvement in the so called “Haditha Massacre” – a massacre that never happened. A 22-year veteran, Chessani has served three tours of duty in Iraq. He served in the First Persian Gulf War and in Panama. At the time of the November 19, 2005 Haditha incident, he was the Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (“The Thundering Third”) – one of the most decorated units in the history of the Marine Corps.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, observed, “LtCol Chessani, one of the most effective combat commanders we had in Iraq, was a made political scapegoat by the civilians in the Pentagon to appease the antiwar politicians and a liberal media. In fact, we now know that the story of the ‘massacre’ that prompted the Haditha prosecutions was a headline in a Time news article instigated by insurgent propaganda operatives.”....

The next day, they released the following, and still the Lt Col was left to wonder when this will all end:

Persecution of Marine LtCol Chessani May Continue; Government Has 30 Days to Appeal Decision

March 18, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – Late yesterday morning, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals sitting in Washington DC, released their unanimous decision upholding the dismissal of charges against Marine Lt. Col Jeffrey Chessani on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence.

But rumors abound in military circles that the government is not done with the prosecution of this loyal Marine, considered by his superiors as one of the most effective combat officers in Iraq.

The Government has 30 days from the court’s decision (March 17, 2009) to decide if they will ask the court to reconsider their opinion, ask for an en banc decision from the entire Navy and Marine Corps Court of Appeals, or seek a petition for appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) – the next higher court. ...

Today, the other shoe dropped. Again from TMLC:

Persecution of LtCol Chessani Continues; Govt Seeks Reconsideration of Appellate Court’s Ruling

April 17, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – Yesterday evening, government prosecutors filed a motion with the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), asking that the unanimous ruling of a 3-judge panel in favor of LtCol Jeffery Chessani, USMC, be reconsidered by all 9 judges of the court. A majority of these 9 judges would have to agree to take the case.

On March 17, 2009, the 3-judge panel of NMCCA unanimously vindicated the ruling by Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, dismissing all charges against LtCol Chessani on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence. LtCol Chessani is the senior-most officer criminally charged as a result of the much-publicized and ill-described “Haditha massacre.”...

You can read all of these, in their entirety, here at Thomas More Law Center. I am almost beyond speechless at the insanity that keeps this WRONG persecution of a fine Marine warrior going.

I am also beyond outraged about this piece, which gives John Murtha free rein to slander and smear any and all with immunity from prosecution:

Murtha Escapes Lawsuit From Angry Marines

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:47 PM

cannot be sued for accusing U.S. Marines of murdering Iraqi civilians "in cold blood," remarks that sparked outrage among conservative commentators.

The appeals court in Washington dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by a Marine who led the squad in the attack. The judges agreed with Murtha that he was immune from the lawsuit because he was acting in his official role as a lawmaker when he made the comments to reporters.

Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden, Conn., claimed Murtha damaged his reputation by saying the squad he was leading engaged in "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" in Haditha, Iraq, on Nov. 19, 2005....

A three-judge panel on U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that Murtha could not be sued under the 1988 Westfall Act, which gives federal employees immunity from lawsuits arising out of acts they undertake in the course of their official duties.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer had refused to dismiss the suit last September and ordered Murtha to give a sworn deposition about his comments. The appeals court overturned that order and said the case must be dismissed.

Wuterich's attorney Mark S. Zaid said that despite the appeals court ruling, Murtha should apologize for his statements.

"It is disappointing that the court has placed members of Congress on a special pedestal and granted them carte blanche immunity to defame anyone they choose as part of their official responsibilities without even allowing a victim to expose the actual facts that are known only to the perpetrator," Zaid said.

Murtha's spokesman declined to comment...

There is more, much more, and you can read that here.

And the insanity continues.

A Victory for Marine LtCol Chessani

I am sure you all remember Lt. Col Chessani whose reputation has been dragged through the mud over a "massacre" at Haditha that never happened, and by the ensuing disgraceful allegations by Murtha (ex Marine.)

I last wrote about this gross miscarriage of justice in a piece called "I am a M**tha F*****! back in June 2008. If you need to, go to that link and refresh your memory. Today, comes this:

A Victory for Marine LtCol Chessani

March 17, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI – Late this morning, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals sitting in Washington DC, released their unanimous decision upholding the dismissal of charges against Marine Lt. Col Jeffrey Chessani on the grounds of apparent Unlawful Command Influence. But the case may not be over yet. [emphasis mine]

For the last four years, LtCol Chessani has been investigated and prosecuted for his involvement in the so called “Haditha Massacre” – a massacre that never happened. A 22-year veteran, Chessani has served three tours of duty in Iraq. He served in the First Persian Gulf War and in Panama. At the time of the November 19, 2005 Haditha incident, he was the Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (“The Thundering Third”) – one of the most decorated units in the history of the Marine Corps.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, observed, “LtCol Chessani, one of the most effective combat commanders we had in Iraq, was a made political scapegoat by the civilians in the Pentagon to appease the antiwar politicians and a liberal media. In fact, we now know that the story of the ‘massacre’ that prompted the Haditha prosecutions was a headline in a Time news article instigated by insurgent propaganda operatives.”...

There is more on this latest vindication of an amazing man; be sure to head here to read it all.

I would like to say this sorry chapter is over. I would like to, but as is stated on Thomas More's site:

This decision could be appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) and then even to the U.S. Supreme Court. The government has yet to announce whether it will pursue another appeal. (Same link as above.)

And yes, still waiting for a public official apology from that M***tha F***er.

Semper Fi, Lt Col Chessani.