Two Marines Cleared in Haditha Case

The charges were dismissed after a review of the facts in the case.

Capt. Randy Stone and Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt Courtesy: expose-the-war-profiteers.org

(LOS ANGELES ) - Two Marines arrested in connection with the 2005 deaths of 24 unarmed civilians in Iraq have been cleared.

Marine Lt. Gen. James Mattis announced that the charges would be dropped in a statement issued today.

Capt. Randy Stone and Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt are among the 8 Marines charged in the death of 24 men, women and children in the western Iraqi town of Haditha.

The charges were dismissed after a review of the facts in the case. Sharratt had initially been charged with Unpremeditated Murder, while Stone was charged with Dereliction of Duty.

The case against Marine Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz was dropped in April, he had faced Murder charges.

Other defendants still have pending charges.