New Facts Emerge in Iraqi Slayings Case

New Details Emerge in the Marine Killings of 24 Iraqi
Civilians After 2005 Bombing in Haditha

WASHINGTON Jan 6, 2007 (AP)— A Marine squad that had just endured casualties
from a roadside bombing ordered five unarmed Iraqi civilians out of a taxi, and the
squad leader shot them one by one, witnesses have told naval investigators.

Four Marines have been charged in the deaths of 24 civilians, including women and
children, that occurred immediately after a bombing in Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005,
killed one Marine and injured two others. In addition, four officers who were not
there during the killings but were accused of failures in investigating and reporting
the deaths have been charged.

According to one witness, quoted in the report by the Naval Criminal Investigative
Service obtained by The Washington Post, a white taxi happened upon the scene
shortly after the explosion. The Marines' squad leader, Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich,
ordered the passengers, five unarmed Iraqis, out of the car, witnesses said.

The Post said naval investigators found that the five Iraqis were shot by Wuterich
as they stood there.

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