CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Evidence sought from three children was reported Friday to be key elements in trials of two U.S. Marines in the 2005 deaths of civilians in Haditha, Iraq.
Prosecutors were said to be relying heavily on information collected from children during a recent trip to Iraq. Court records indicated cases against the two men might not be winnable otherwise, The Washington Times said.
The two suspects are Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, 27, of Meriden, Conn.; and Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, 26, of Edmond, Okla. Wuterich's court-martial on manslaughter and other charges is scheduled to begin March 3 at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Marine Col. Paul Ware, who presided at pretrial sessions, said the children likely won't testify. He warned a dearth of reliable information from Iraq witnesses could hurt the prosecution, the Times said.
All the charges stem from the deaths of eight people in a dwelling designated as House 2 to differentiate it from two other houses that also were raided.
