CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine sergeant was ordered court-martialed for his alleged role in the killings of Iraqi civilians in Haditha two years ago.
Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich will face voluntary manslaughter, assault, obstruction of justice and other charges.
The Marines said in a statement Monday Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland dismissed a murder charge and two other counts. Helland also decided Monday Lt. Andrew Grayson would be tried on charges he obstructed the investigation into the Haditha incident.
The trials will take place in 2008 at Camp Pendleton in California.
Eight Marines have been charged in the deaths of two-dozen Iraqi civilians in Haditha after one of their comrades was killed in a roadside bombing. Witerich was a squad leader when the alleged massacre occurred.
