Slow pace of case in Iraqi's death irks judge

[UpInArms]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040629-9999-1m29pittman.html

CAMP PENDLETON – A military judge yesterday criticized prosecutors and defense lawyers for the slow pace of pretrial proceedings in the case of a New York City reservist charged in the death of an Iraqi detainee last year.

Military judge Col. Robert S. Chester postponed ruling on several motions involving the case of Sgt. Gary Pittman, largely because attorneys were still gathering military and employment records and depositions from witnesses, just six weeks before the Marine's Aug. 9 trial date.

"Fish or cut bait," said Chester, addressing prosecutor Maj. Leon Francis. "Let's get on with it."

Pittman is charged with two counts of dereliction of duty and four counts of assault in the death of Nagem Sadoon Hatab, who was imprisoned at Camp White Horse, near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Hatab, 52, a Baath Party member, was found dead June 6, 2003, at the makeshift prison run by Pittman's unit, the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, which was attached to Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

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