Appeal dismissed in Haditha killings

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A military appeals court says the court-martial of a U.S. Marine accused of killing 24 Iraqis in 2005 should be placed before a trial court without delay.

The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals in Washington also rejected a request that one of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich's former military defense attorneys be ordered to rejoin the case, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Wuterich was one of eight Marines accused of killing 24 Iraqis, including three women and seven children, after a roadside bomb exploded and killed a Marine in Haditha.

Charges were dismissed against six of the Marines and one was found not guilty, the newspaper said.