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Witness Describes Iraq Killing

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The witness drew back. "They're both worse, sir."

Dela Cruz also admitted to abusing prisoners in Iraq, saying he kicked detainees in a way that was unlikely to leave bruises. And at Haditha, he said, he fired perhaps eight rounds into the men he said Wuterich killed. In reasoning that clearly puzzled the investigating officer, Dela Cruz said he joined Wuterich in a cover story out of fear that those shots would get him jailed.

"Was it your understanding that if you shot a dead body you could be charged with murder?" asked Lt. Col. Paul Ware, who will recommend whether Wuterich should face court-martial.

"Yes, sir," Dela Cruz said.

"Why?" Ware asked, then quickly shook his head. "Never mind."

Wuterich's attorney suggested that Dela Cruz was concerned because he had in fact fired on the men as they stood beside the road, several with their hands in the air. "Shooting dead bodies is not murder," Vokey said. "Or maybe you were the first to shoot at them?"

"No, sir," Dela Cruz said.

The hearing will resume Wednesday.

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