02/25/2007
Accused Marine's supporters hope to raise awareness
By Adam Wittenberg , Record-Journal staff

The site, www.frankwuterich.com, contains information on Wuterich, who grew up in Meriden, and on the November 2005 incident in Haditha, Iraq, for which he is under investigation in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians.

Wuterich and seven other Marines were charged two months ago on counts ranging from murder to dereliction of duty.
Wuterich, a 1998 Platt High School graduate, was the squad leader during the incident, and received the most severe charges.

Family members and supporters across the country have maintained his innocence, and the Web site is one effort to counteract what some say is a media-driven attempt to take down these Marines as a way of opposing the war.

"This gets the word out about Frank," said his father, David Wuterich, who lives on Meriden's west side. "The more positive stuff out there, the better."

David Wuterich said his son is "hanging in there" since returning from Iraq in April. Frank had hoped to be discharged in June, but that was put on hold when allegations of wrongdoing arose in May. He has remained on base at Southern California's Camp Pendleton, working in building maintenance.

His wife, Marisol, gave birth to their third daughter, Jadabell, on Dec. 29, one week after the charges were filed.

An Article 32 hearing, the first step in the military justice system, is scheduled for June 4. That will be followed by a review, which will determine whether the matter is dismissed or sent to a court martial, or military trial.

"He's pretty sure it's going to go all the way," David Wuterich said. "That's basically because of the media."

National and international press have swirled around the incident, with some describing the Haditha incident as a massacre, a term Frank's attorneys have vehemently denied.
David and his wife Rosemarie also posted a letter about Frank on www.freerepublic.com, a conservative news and discussion site.

In less than a week, there were more than 100 replies, most of them overwhelmingly positive.

"God bless the Marines and your son," wrote one user. "The wrong people are in prison."

"I will be praying for your son," wrote another. "He was there fighting for our freedom and safety. I am disgusted about" the Haditha charges and allegations.

David Wuterich said he and his wife find the responses encouraging, and they have posted their thanks. They also hope the attention will help raise money for their son's defense, a cost David described as astronomical.

"We're looking to do a fundraiser in town for him in the spring," he said.

Mark S. Zaid, one of Frank Wuterich's attorneys, said he's seen other clients use Web sites effectively to raise money and educate people about a case.

"Scooter Libby and the Clintons have done Web sites," Zaid said. "This case, unfortunately, has become a partisan case for both the left and the right for different reasons. Frank's not alone in this, but he has greater notoriety because his name is the most bandied about."

awittenberg@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2231

Ellie