ANN ARBOR, MI — Yesterday was another good day for the Thomas More Law Center in their defense of LtCol Chessani. Captain Oliver B. Dreger, the assistant intelligence officer at the time of the battle of Haditha testified as to his knowledge of what occurred that day. His testimony was enlightening in two respects: One; that NCIS, the Navy investigative service, essentially mistreated him and accused him of wrongdoing. This is an officer with an impeccable record. The other, more important point that Captain Dreger made was that his understanding of the intelligence picture of Haditha matched with what actually occurred that day.
Major Caroll J. Connelley testified next. Major Connelley is the attorney for the 2nd Marine Regiment (LtCol Chessani’s higher command) at the time of the battle. He testified that he knew that 15 civilians were killed in the battle but that his higher headquarters – the 2nd Marine Division, told him he did not have to investigate. In fact, Major Connelley stated that he tracked all investigations in the Regiment in Iraq, and none of them involved civilians’ deaths when there were Marines fighting the enemy. The obvious reason for this was because Marines did not target the civilians — they target the terrorists firing from where the civilians were located.
Lieutenant Mark E. Towers testified next. Lt Towers was LtCol Chessani’s adjutant. He testified that LtCol Chessani was a godly man – who read his Bible every morning for a half hour to start the day. He testified that LtCol Chessani was out on the battlefield often – not afraid to lead from the front. Lt Towers also testified as to his training and that they expected Haditha to be like Fallujah. The unit they replaced had 25 Marines killed.
Overall, it was a great day for the Thomas More Law Center. Today we will hear from Captain Jeffery S. Dinsmore, the main intelligence officer. His testimony has recently been declassified so the American public will have a better understanding of the day’s events.