Haditha Marine Suing Murtha

http://kdka.com/local/Marine.Murtha.Slander.2.825039.html

"A local Marine cleared in the deaths of civilians in Iraq says Congressman John Murtha made public comments that were unproven, untrue and unfair.

Now, Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt is planning to file suit in federal court against Murtha on Thursday morning.

The suit accuses the congressman of slander and violating the Marine’s right to a fair trial and due process."

Even with the very high bar set for a slander charge to hold, I would think that Murtha should be getting lawyered up.

As much as I find Murtha a scumbag, something in the back of my head tells me congress is exempt under their rules for comments they make in the line of duty so to speak. I hope the guy prevails but I think he paid his lawyer for a waterhaul.

Speech made during a session (from the floor, during debates, etc) are protected, but I don’t believe there are the same protections for statements made in other contexts.

Let’s hope that you’re wrong about this. These marines were due their day in court and murtha chose to play judge and jury for nothing more than political posturing. I hope this goes to trial and regardless of the final outcome, that it cost this POS (murtha) a pretty penny. I also hope that this teach him and all the politicians out there that they are not exempt from slander and/or defamation of character. I’d even support a Federal Law banning such display of chest-thumping before the case has even had a chance to go to trial with option to charge them with Treason when it is done in time of war (declared or otherwise).

I have Civil cases but this is one of the few that I fully support. I wish this Marine all the luck in this case!!

This is exactly the reason civil torts exist.

I hope Murtha gets it shoved in without lube.

Lets all hope and pray that the fat-bassturd crooked, corrupt ABSCAM’in scabster gets his.

If only my fellow stoooooopid Pennsyltuckian voters in his district would dump that marder-fargin’ corksuckin’ bassturd… but then I’m sure the state that put Rendell in office - twice - will keep that turd.

people should be able to sue for the plain fact that someone is an asshole. of course the courts would be jammed. who would you start with ?