Trial Starts in Abu Ghraib Death (military resent civilians not charged)

[DeepModem Mom]

Washington Post:
Trial Starts in Abu Ghraib Death
Navy SEAL Faces Charges; CIA Agents Not Named in Case
By T.R. Reid
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2005; Page A02


SAN DIEGO, May 24 -- An alleged Iraqi insurgent, Manadel Jamadi, died under intense CIA questioning at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad about 19 months ago. On Tuesday, the government launched the first criminal trial in the case -- but none of the CIA agents who were involved is facing charges.

Rather, the Navy court-martialed Lt. Andrew K. Ledford, a Navy SEAL whose platoon had captured Jamadi and delivered him -- alive, kicking and shouting, witnesses say -- to CIA interrogators on the night of his death.

Ledford faces 11 years in jail if convicted on charges of punching Jamadi in the arm, posing in a photograph with the captured prisoner and lying to investigators.

The prosecution of a decorated Navy commando following a killing that occurred under CIA auspices has stirred resentment in military circles, with sailors concerned that a naval officer is taking the fall for civilian misconduct. The CIA says the case is under investigation, but none of its agents has been charged.

"It's a very good question why my client is the one on trial," said Ledford's civilian defense attorney, Frank Spinner, during a break in proceedings. One of Ledford's former subordinates, Dan Cerrillo, bluntly declared from the witness stand Tuesday, "I don't think this whole thing is right."...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/24/AR2005052401428.html