Abu Ghraib judge declares mistrial in the England

[theking]

...Courts Martial.

FORT HOOD, Texas (CNN) -- A military judge on Wednesday threw out Army Pfc. Lynndie England's guilty plea in connection with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, declaring a mistrial after testimony suggested England did not know her actions were wrong.

That testimony was offered by England's former boyfriend and supervisor, Pvt. Charles Graner Jr., who was convicted separately in the scandal and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Graner testified Wednesday that he placed a dog leash around an Iraqi prisoner's neck and asked England to lead him out of his cell -- a legitimate technique for doing so, he said. England, who was photographed holding the leash, was just following orders, Graner said.

After that, Judge Col. James Pohl excused the jury and gave defense attorneys a tongue-lashing. Graner's testimony, he pointed out, contradicted England's guilty plea Monday to seven criminal counts -- each of which was represented by a photograph of her posing next to naked Iraqi prisoners in humiliating positions. In making that plea, she admitted her participation and said she knew it was wrong. If she was just following orders, Pohl said, she should be pleading not guilty.

Following a recess, defense attorneys told Pohl that England wished to enter a plea of not guilty, and Pohl declared a mistrial.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/04/pr...and/index.html

[tony286]

its going to be interesting to see what happens

[theking]

Originally Posted by tony404

its going to be interesting to see what happens

I am satisfied that she will be retried.