Doesn’t change the fact that Cowardly Murtha accused them before the facts were known, but even so:

“Eight Marines face criminal charges or administrative punishment in connection with the killings of 24 Iraqi civilians in the northwestern city of Haditha in November 2005, the Marine Corps announced Thursday.

Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich faces 13 counts of murder, as well as making false statements to investigators and trying to persuade others to do the same, said his lawyer, Mark Zaid.

The attorneys for two other Marines said their clients have also been charged in the case.

Attorney Gary Myers told The Associated Press that Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt faces one charge of murder involving unpremeditated killings of three men.

“Our view has been and continues to be that these are combat-related deaths,” AP quoted Myers as saying.

Attorney Jack Zimmerman said that Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum also was charged in the case, but he did not reveal the charges.

Marine Col. Stuart Navarre said the charged Marines would not be jailed or restricted as the military legal process continues. He said the suspects would be free to spend the holidays with their families.

He said the timing of the announcement so close to Christmas was coincidental.

“The investigations and the referral of charges have been done as quickly as possible, but no quicker — no slower, no faster. The intent is to move through the process as quickly as we can, making sure that we take the necessary time to ensure a complete, full, impartial execution of the process.”

Military officials said Monday that at least five enlisted Marines would face charges in the Haditha killings, and an unknown number of officers could face administrative punishments for their handling of the matter. Charges were announced at 4 p.m. ET Thursday at Camp Pendleton, California, where the unit is based.”

First, very strange that if the charges were so “rock solid” that they would be allowed to go home to their families for the holidays. Makes me think that there might be a plea (no premeditation is spoken of) bargan and non judicial and administration punishments across the board.

Not at all what you would expect of “murder”, more like the fog of war. Look for this to be dispatched quickly after the Holidays.

Hot Air with more thoughts.