Military judge grants defense lawyer’s request to leave Haditha case, citing ethical conflict

Marine’s defense lawyer excused from Haditha case’

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A major Iraqi war crimes case that has dragged on for five years hit another snag when a military judge excused one of the attorneys for a Marine sergeant whose squad killed 24 Iraqis.

Military judge Lt. Col. David M. Jones granted the request Monday by civilian attorney retired Marine Lt. Col. Colby Vokey, who asked to be withdrawn from the case because of an undisclosed ethical conflict.

The move comes only weeks before the trial is set to begin.

Vokey was one of three civilian lawyers and a military attorney representing Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the last defendant in one of the biggest cases to emerge from the Iraq war.

The judge made his decision after meeting privately with the defense team, saying they showed good cause for Vokey’s release and it was not necessary to seek Wuterich’s approval.