Politics & Government
Wuterich Trial Expected to End Feb. 3 Despite Interruption
Attorneys failed to reach a deal after a day and a half of negotiations, but the trial is still expected to end on time.
Judge Lt. Col. David Jones told the court Friday he expects the manslaughter trial of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich to end Feb. 3 despite stalling the trial for more than a day to allow attorneys to negotiate a possible resolution in the case.
The jury was, when attorneys went into talks to possibly resolve the case, but they did not reach a deal.
Wuterich is accused of being involved in the deaths of 24 Iraqi citizens Nov. 19, 2005 in Haditha. The incident happened after a roadside bombing that killed one Marine. Eight Marines in total were charged in the case and seven of them were exonerated or had the charges dropped.
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Friday resumed with a cross-examination of a prosecution Sgt. Humberto Mendoza, a Marine who served under Wuterich. Prosecutors played unaired footage of an interview Wuterich gave CBS 60 Minutes in 2007.
Jones told the court to leave Saturday, Feb. 28, open in case attorneys need to present testimony that day.
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Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect the day's events.
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