The last US marine to be charged in connection with the killings of 24 Iraqis in 2005, is to face trial in California this week.

Marine staff sergeant Frank Wuterich, the squadron leader in charge will faces charges of voluntary manslaughter, after out of the eight other marines charged over the incident, six had their charges dismissed and one acquitted.

The incident in question occurred in November 2005, in the village of Haditha. After the explosion of a roadside bomb attacked an envoy and killed a US soldier, a car was pulled up by the marines.

According to the defence, the inhabitants of the car, “five military aged males” began to run, and which was considered hostile by the marines. All five were shot dead by Wuterich and another marine.

Wuterich then maintains that his squadron came under fire and proceeded to search the surrounding buildings, and opening fire on the inhabitants.

The episode left 24 people dead, 11 of whom were women and children.

The length of the time it has taken for the case to come to courts has been sharply criticised with Eugene Fidell, who teaches military law at Yale Law School, saying

“I don’t think it’s been an impressive performance for the military justice system. It shouldn’t take this long.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find an Iraqi who was willing to say anything positive about the administration of justice in these cases.”

Gary Solis, a law professor and former marine corp prosecutor, also spoke out at the case, saying,

"After six years memories fade, and the relevance of evidence may even fade — certainly evidence may be lost."

Solis called the case "very significant" and went on to say,

"It's important because 24 people are dead. It's the greatest number of non-combat victims in a single incident that wasn't a bomb. All armed forces look to their officers to be the adults in the group. We look to them to make sure that things like Haditha don't happen."

"He doesn't have to explain that he is innocent, but he has to explain 24 dead bodies. In order to adequately defend himself he has to explain to the court that the homicides were justified."

"The accusation is that he not only did not control the troops, but more significantly, he actively participated in the offenses that are alleged to have been committed in Haditha."

Wuterich has defended himself, saying,

"As a sergeant and the squad leader of 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, I am responsible for the decisions made to employ the tactics we used that day. My marines responded to the threats they faced in the manner that we all had been trained. I will bear the memory of the events of that day forever, and will always mourn the unfortunate deaths of the innocent Iraqis who were killed during our response to the attack."