ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national Christian legal advocacy group, today announced it has established a Lieutenant Colonel Chessani Defense Fund in response to the flood of calls and emails from people wishing to support this Marine Corps officer in his politicized legal battle.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chessani is accused of criminal wrong doing in the high profile case arising out of a terrorist ambush in Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005 in which one Marine was killed and several others wounded. As Marines moved in on the attacking terrorists who were firing from nearby homes, several civilians were killed.
Months later, after inflammatory media articles and comments by an antiwar politician, LtCol Chessani, the battalion commander of the Marines involved in the fighting, was accused of failing to properly report and investigate the incident.
He faces a maximum punishment of three years in prison, dismissal (an officer’s equivalent of a dishonorable discharge), and the loss of his retirement benefits.
The Thomas More Law Center, based in Ann Arbor, MI, agreed to represent LtCol Chessani at no charge.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center commented, “LtCol Chessani is a devout family man and Christian, who dutifully defended our country for nineteen years, including three tours in Iraq. His wife and five young children should not have to worry about finances to ensure that he receives the best defense possible.”
Law Center spokesperson Brian Rooney stated, “Had LtCol Chessani hired a private for-profit law firm to represent him, his legal bills would already be astronomical – out of reach for a father of five young children surviving on military pay.”
“It is unfortunate that LtCol Chessani is being made a political scapegoat,” added Rooney.
Rooney is asking concerned Americans to help defend LtCol Chessani, “You can help in his defense by mailing a donation to the Thomas More Law Center at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O. Box 393, Ann Arbor MI 48106, or by simply visiting our website (www.thomasmore.org) and clicking on the ‘LtCol Chessani Defense Fund’ icon in the top right corner. Please indicate your donation is for the ‘Defense Fund.’”
The Law Center, collaborating with assigned military defense counsel, has already commenced its aggressive defense of LtCol Chessani by interviewing numerous witnesses, conducting discovery of crucial evidence, reviewing thousands of pages of investigative reports and documents associated with the case, and deposing many key witnessing who are redeploying back to Iraq.
The two Law Center attorneys assigned to handle the case, Robert Muise and Brian Rooney, are both former Marine officers. Muise is a former infantry officer and judge advocate, who served in the Persian Gulf War, and Rooney is a former judge advocate and Iraq War Veteran.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.