Commander Testifies Clearing Iraqi Houses Was Legitimate

Wednesday, May 9th 2007, 2:13 pm

By: News On 6

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- A U.S. Marine platoon commander testified Wednesday in a military hearing in a case involving Marines -- including an Oklahoman -- who face charges in the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians.

Among those charged is Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum of Edmond.

First Lieutenant William Kallop says his order to clear several houses after a roadside bomb blast in Haditha killed another Marine was a legitimate combat operation. But Kallop also said he was shocked to learn women and children were killed in the operation.

Kallop testified in the Article 32 investigation of Captain Randy Stone who's charged with dereliction of duty for failing to investigate the deaths.

Tatum is one of three enlisted Marines charged with unpremeditated murder in the case. They deny wrongdoing and say they responded properly to what they thought was a threat.

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