Charges against US marines in Iraq to be announced

As many as eight US Marines could be charged in the biggest US criminal case to emerge from the war in Iraq in terms of Iraqis killed.

Camp Pendleton officials scheduled a briefing today to announce charges in the shooting deaths of 24 civilians on November 19, 2005, in the Iraqi town of Haditha.

It is unclear how many troops will be named. Lawyers for two Marines already have said they expect their clients will be charged and it is believed up to six others could join them.

The case focuses on motive. What is unclear is whether the civilians were victims of wanton killing by troops, angered by the death of a comrade, or people caught in a hellish battle and killed as the Marines attempted to defend themselves from a perceived threat.

The shootings occurred after a roadside bomb killed one Marine from a squad on patrol.

In the aftermath of the blast, five Iraqi men were shot as they approached the scene in a taxi and others - including women and children - died as Marines opened fire on a cluster of houses in the area.

Because multiple troops are involved, it is likely prosecutors will seek to offer plea deals to some in return for testimony against the others.