Andy: Yes, naturally, it goes without saying that witnesses are to tell the truth. The point I was awkwardly trying to make in layman’s terms is that this does not appear to be a case of one defendant flipping on another in exchange for a deal.

According to defense counsel, the charges against Lance Cpl. Tatum were dismissed “with prejudice.” One JAG reader who spent nine months in Fallujah tells me this would mean that Tatum is completely free and clear of legal jeopardy, even though he did not make a deal with the prosecution.