The US Marine Corps has dismissed murder charges against a soldier in connection to the November 2005 slayings of more than 20 people in the Iraqi town of Haditha, the service announced Thursday, according to dpa. Three specifications of unpremeditated murder against Lance Corporal Justin I Sharratt were dropped because there was insufficient evidence to support a court-martial, Lieutenant General James Mattis said. The Marine Corps also cleared Captain Randy Stone, who faced charges of failing to adequately investigate the killings. "It is clear to me that any error of omission or commission by Captain Stone does not warrant action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice," Mattis wrote. Five other Marines are still facing charges in connection to the killings, including two on murder charges, that took place on November 19, 2005, after their convoy was struck by a roadside bomb. Some of the Marines allegedly exacted revenge by killing 24 civilian men, women and children. Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich is accused of killing 18 people, and Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum allegedly killed six civilians. The other Marines are charged with failing to report the crime or making false statements.
