Weemer is one of three current and former Marines accused of breaking rules of engagement and killing four men they had captured after a platoon commander radioed to ask whether the Iraqis were "dead yet."
A telephone message left by for Weemer's attorney, Paul Hackett, was not immediately returned.
The killings occurred in November 2004 during the invasion of Fallujah, one of the fiercest ground battles of the Iraq war.
The case came to light in 2006, when Weemer volunteered details to a U.S. Secret Service job interviewer during a lie-detector screening that included a question about the most serious crime he had ever committed.
Weemer, of Hindsboro, Ill., is charged with one count of murder and six counts of dereliction of duty encompassing failure to follow the rules of engagement in Fallujah and failing to follow standard operating procedures for apprehending or treating detainees or civilian prisoners of war.
Helland's decision to order the court-martial follows an Article 32 hearing, similar to an evidentiary hearing, where prosecutors argued that Weemer, a burly 25-year-old honored with a Purple Heart, should be tried for unpremeditated murder because he knew the rules of engagement forbade harming anyone in his custody.
"I don't think it is anything that was unexpected," Weemer's attorney, Paul Hackett, said of Helland's decision. He said he expects Weemer to be exonerated.
During the hearing last month, prosecutors played a tape recording of the Secret Service interview where Weemer recounted arguing with his squadmates about what to do with the detainees - all military-age males captured in a house where weapons were also found. The squad was under pressure from the platoon to get moving.
Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Col. David Griesmer said Weemer next faces arraignment on the charges at Camp Pendleton. A date has not been set.
Helland, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Central Command, followed the recommendations of Maj. Glen Hines, the investigating officer, to order the court-martial.
Weemer's attorney has put much of the blame on Weemer's former squad leader, saying Jose Nazario Jr. escalated the situation inside the house by beating one detainee with the butt of a rifle after the weapons cache was found.
"Sgt. Weemer acted in self-defense," Hackett said. "We strongly believe there is credible evidence to show that."
Nazario, 27, of Riverside, Calif., was charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter in the killings of two captives, but a spokesman for federal prosecutors said Friday re with a decent finish."
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, the NASCAR career leader with nine road course wins, figures it's just a matter of time before Johnson achieves that breakthrough victory.
"Every great driver wants to feel like they can win at every track they go to," Gordon said. "Jimmie is an awesome driver. He proves it every weekend. He's in the same equipment that I'm in, so I can appreciate it moreso than a lot of people can.
"Road courses are not easy to win on. I feel like they've had some opportunities to win and they haven't worked out. He's been getting better and better. When we go test, he's usually faster than me. I feel like it's just a matter of time more than anything."
It should be. Johnson began racing motocross at age 5 and has won six off-road racing championships, even in the desert.
"Other tracks have been difficult for me," Johnson said. "I never thought I would win at Richmond and finally conquered that track. It would be extremely satisfying (to win at Watkins Glen)."
Gordon and Tony Stewart have won eight of the past 11 races at Watkins Glen International. With 15 road course wins between them, they're the acknowledged kings of the road in NASCAR.
Because qualifying was canceled, Sunday's field was set by points, which puts Johnson, fourth behind series leader Kyle Busch, on the outside of the second row.
After faltering to six finishes of 18th or worse in the first 18 races of the season, Johnson has rebounded with three straight top-3s to become a serious championship threat again.
