Marine Commander Faces Politically Charged “Haditha” Prosecution; Thomas More Law Center Joins Defense Team

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, today announced that it will defend Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chessani, against military criminal charges of “Dereliction of Duty” and “Orders” violations. The charges stem from the much politicized and often misreported (especially from Time magazine) tragic events surrounding a fierce battle between U.S. Marines and Iraqi and foreign terrorists on November 19, 2005 in the town of Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq—a place described as “an insurgent citadel.”

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel for the Law Center, explained the decision to take the case. “The outcome of this case is vital to the security of our nation and to the military personnel we place in harms way. As tragic as these civilian deaths are, it’s essential that we not shackle our combat commanders’ ability to make decisions by placing them in fear of criminal prosecution every time there are civilian casualties as a result of combat action.”

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