Iraqis angered over Haditha plea bargain

BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Relatives of Iraqis killed in Haditha in 2005 expressed anger that the U.S. Marine considered to be the ringleader in the killings won't spend time in jail.

Instead of going to jail, Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, 31, was handed a reduction in rank to private after pleading guilty to a reduced charge, The New York Times reported.

Wuterich said he regretted ordering his men to "shoot first, ask questions later," resulting in the death of 24 Iraqis. The U.S. troops were looking for insurgents who fired on them.

Khalid Salman, 45, lost his cousin in the killings.

"This is not new, and it's not new for the American courts that already did little about Abu Ghraib and other crimes in Iraq," he said.

Salman vowed to pursue the matter.

"We will resume the case through all international courts, and we will appeal the American resolution. Injustice has won this round but there are many rounds left," Salman said.

Assim Omar al-Hadithi, 40, a relative of another victim, said Wuterich's reduction in rank "is no consolation for the victims' families."