http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2350625p-8728466c.htmlCAMP LEJEUNE -- Minutes after shooting two Iraqis, 2nd Lt. Ilario G. Pantano bragged about leaving a sign over their bodies bearing the Marine slogan "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy," according to a witness in a hearing to determine whether Pantano is court-martialed on charges of premeditated murder.
The sign was "like a death card," said Lt. Samuel Cunningham, a platoon leader whose unit was guarding a bridge about 1,000 yards from the killing site that day, April 15, 2004. "I told him it was inappropriate, and he should go back and get it."
Pantano, 33, a former film executive from New York, has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder in the deaths of the men, whom his unit stopped during a cordon-and-search operation in Mahmudiyah. According to written charges, Pantano ordered another Marine and a sailor to remove the handcuffs from Tahab Ahmead Hanjil and Hamaady Kareem, then told other servicemen to look away and shot the two Iraqis in the back with an M-16 assault rifle.
Cunningham testified Tuesday that he heard 45 to 50 shots. They came so quickly and smoothly, Cunningham said, he thought someone was firing a machine gun. About 30 minutes later, Pantano walked up and told him about the dead Iraqis and the sign.
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