Judge denies request in Haditha case

RANGELY (AP) — A judge has ruled that attorneys for a Marine lieutenant colonel cannot interview Democratic Congressman John Murtha over comments he made about an attack that left 24 Iraqis dead in Haditha.
Attorneys for Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani of Rangely, wanted to depose Murtha about his claims that the Marines killed “in cold blood.”
A spokesman for Chessani said Wednesday that attorneys were notified by e-mail that a military judge denied the request.
Chessani’s attorneys say they plan to appeal the ruling during a motions hearing in April.
Chessani is charged with dereliction of duty and violation of a lawful order on allegations that he mishandled the aftermath of the Haditha shootings on Nov. 19, 2005.