USA/IRAQ: U.S. MILITARY COURT HEARS TESTIMONY THAT ARMY PRIVATE INVOLVED IN IRAQI PRISONER ABUSE SCANDAL LYNNDIE ENGLAND WAS AN UNDISCIPLINED SOLDIER
Record ID:
677532
USA/IRAQ: U.S. MILITARY COURT HEARS TESTIMONY THAT ARMY PRIVATE INVOLVED IN IRAQI PRISONER ABUSE SCANDAL LYNNDIE ENGLAND WAS AN UNDISCIPLINED SOLDIER
- Title: USA/IRAQ: U.S. MILITARY COURT HEARS TESTIMONY THAT ARMY PRIVATE INVOLVED IN IRAQI PRISONER ABUSE SCANDAL LYNNDIE ENGLAND WAS AN UNDISCIPLINED SOLDIER
- Date: 4th August 2004
- Summary: (W1) ABU GHRAIB PRISON, IRAQ (FILE) (REUTERS) GUARD TOWER AT PRISON AND BARBED WAR AT PRISON FENCE BARBED WIRE AT PRISON FENCE WALL AND GUARD TOWER AT PRISON
- Embargoed: 19th August 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: FORT BRAGG, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINE, UNITED STATES/ ABU GHRAIB PRISON, IRAQ
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Conflict,General
- Reuters ID: LVA1KEXOYWDQWACO71VD3QHLJLG7
- Story Text: A U.S. military court hears testimony that army
Private Lynndie England was undisciplined.
Lynndie England was an undisciplined soldier who
disobeyed orders to stop sleeping with a comrade, witnesses
said on Wednesday (August 4) as prosecutors sharpened their
attack on the woman who caused widespread outrage when she
was pictured holding a naked Iraqi prisoner on a leash.
England, who defense lawyers have called a poster child
for the Bush administration's flawed war policies, also
made a snide remark when an Iraqi detainee at Abu Ghraib
prison was forced to masturbate while soldiers watched, a
witness said.
Testimony from England's fellow military police
officers came on the second day of a hearing to determine
if the pregnant England should stand trial for prisoner
abuse in a scandal that shook U.S. efforts to stabilize
Iraq.
Wednesday's testimony from members of England's 372nd
Military Police Company, heard by telephone in the
courtroom, served to sharpen the focus on the competing
theories of prosecution and defense lawyers.
Prosecutors spotlighted England's personal behaviour
and sloppy work record at Abu Ghraib. Defense attorneys
homed in on the actions of Military Intelligence in a bid
to bolster England's claim she was only following orders to soften up
p
risoners for questioning.
Specialist Matthew Wisdom, a prison Military Policeman,
said he witnessed an incident last November in which an
Iraqi prisoner was backed up against a wall and was
masturbating with another prisoner kneeling before him,
mouth open. A group of soldiers watched, he said, including
England and Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick, who is also
charged.
Wisdom said he heard England speak in a sarcastic tone
of voice. "She said 'he's getting hard,'" he said.
Prosecutors have attempted to portray England as a
rogue soldier, in keeping with President George W. Bush's
statement that the abuse of prisoners was the fault of a
small group.
Defense lawyers have focused on the role of Military
Intelligence officers, contending they were giving orders
to MPs to soften up prisoners.
Specialist Matthew Bolinger, her immediate supervisor
at Abu Ghraib, testified England was late for work, left
early and disobeyed orders confining her to a life of
"work, chow and church." Bolinger said she was ordered
several times to stop sleeping with Specialist Charles
Graner, who is also charged in the abuse scandal.
The 21-year-old England returned to court on Wednesday
after missing part of Tuesday's session for an unscheduled
doctor's visit. Media reports say the father of the child
she is expecting is Graner.
England was charged along with six other military
police reservists over the abuse of prisoners. She faces
numerous counts of abusing prisoners, committing indecent
acts and disobeying orders. If convicted, she faces a
dishonourable discharge and up to 38 years in prison. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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