Marine cleared of Fallujah murder charges

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Murder charges against the last of three U.S. Marines accused of executing four enemy insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq, have been dropped, an attorney says.

Lawyers say Sgt. Jermaine Nelson of Camp Pendleton, Calif., may not face any punishment in connection with the 2004 incident, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Wednesday.

But Nelson, 28, has pleaded guilty to two counts of dereliction of duty for not preventing the deaths of the four men, who had surrendered and were sitting down as Nelson's squad entered a house Nov. 9, 2004, the newspaper said.

Nelson's attorney, Joseph Low of Long Beach, Calif., indicated that military prosecutors have agreed Nelson will receive no jail time or other punishment.

"They're shaking his hand and allowing him to walk away," Low said.

Two other Marines, Sgts. Jose Nazario and Ryan Weemer, were acquitted of all charges in connection with the deaths of the prisoners.