Hearing for Marine in Haditha Battle

Darryl Sharratt, left, and Theresa Sharratt, center, arrive with their son Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, right, for his Article 32 investigation hearing at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego County Monday, June 11, 2007. Justin Sharratt is one of three enlisted Marines who are charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the alleged unpremeditated murder of Iraqi civilians following an improvised explosive device and small arms attack on a Marine convoy in Haditha, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy) (Denis Poroy - AP)

"The Iraqi women say there was a murder committed," Myers told reporters after the hearing recessed. "People need to understand what those statements mean."

Sharratt, a veteran of the fierce 2004 battles in Fallujah, was in Haditha on his second Iraq tour.

The troops are from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.

Defense attorneys for the highest-ranking Marine officer accused in the case, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, finished closing statements Monday in Chessani's own hearing on dereliction of duty charges for failing to investigate.

An attorney for Capt. Randy Stone, a military lawyer facing charges in the case, said Saturday that an investigating officer recommended dismissing criminal charges against the 19-year Marine veteran and handling the case administratively.

A final decision will be made by commanding general Lt. Gen. James Mattis.

___

Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.