Negotiation Might End Wuterich's Haditha Trial

Minutes after a lunch break Wednesday, a military judge ordered a recess in the war crimes trial of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich to allow negotiations between the defense and prosecution.

Wuterich is accused of involvement in the deaths of 24 Iraqi citizens in Haditha after a roadside bomb killed a fellow Marine in 2005.

An anonymous source close to the trial told the North County Times that attorneys are likely working to resolve the case early. Details are expected Thursday morning. 

Prosecution witness Sgt. Humberto Mendoza took the stand Wednesday morning. The Marine admitted to killing a civilian in Haditha and testified that he was not ordered to kill anyone but did so on his own initiative because he felt his life was threatened.

Defense attorney Haytham Faraj cross-examined him late Wednesday morning and intended to finish his examination after lunch, but attorneys asked for a hearing with Judge Lt. Col. David Jones.

The trial is set to resume Thursday. Wuterich's parents were in the courtroom Wednesday.

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