Murtha libel suit appears dead on arrival

08/14/2006 @ 9:15 am

Filed by RAW STORY

A lawsuit brought against prominent war critic Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) accusing him of libel and invasion of privacy will likely be shelved due to a Federal act protecting lawmakers from being sued, RAW STORY has learned.

According to Roll Call, the lawsuit, brought by Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich after Murtha made comments regarding an alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians by Marines last year, can be dismissed under the 1946 Federal Tort Claims act. The FCTA protects government employees, officials, lawmakers and judges from certain liability claims, as long as those in questions are acting "within the scope of their official duties."