Marine Spared Jail for Iraqi Massacre

Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich will not go to prison for the killing of 24 Iraqi civilians. Wuterich pleaded guilty to leading the 2005 killing of civilians in Haditha, saying he ordered his troops to “to shoot first, ask questions later” as they raided houses after a roadside bomb attack. But the military judge accepted a plea bargain that called for no jail time, so Wuterich’s punishment will amount to a demotion—to private—and a pay cut. Needless to say, Iraqi officials are angry over the decision. “Iraqi blood isn’t so cheap,” said one Kurdish lawmaker.