First Trial Set to Begin May 19 in Abuse in Iraq

NY Times ^ | May 10, 2004 | DEXTER FILKINS

[Anti-Bubba182]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 9 — A 24-year-old military policeman from Pennsylvania will be court-martialed here on May 19, the first American soldier to face trial in the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, military officials said Sunday. In an extraordinary gesture to address outrage over the abuse scandal, the military is permitting broad public access to the trial and will invite the Arab news media.

The policeman, Specialist Jeremy Sivits, who American officials contend took some of the photographs of Iraqi prisoners that captured the abuse as it unfolded, is one of seven American soldiers to face criminal charges and the first to receive a trial date. There were indications that Specialist Sivits had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in exchange for leniency at sentencing.

The decision to allow a wide level of public access to Specialist Sivits's court-martial appears to reflect a conclusion by American commanders that the abuse and the photographs have severely damaged the credibility of the United States enterprise in Iraq and the country's reputation in the Middle East. While American courts-martial are not usually conducted in secret, it is unusual for the military justice authorities to make them easily accessible to the public...." < snip>

Specialist Sivits's role in the scandal is not clear. His unit, the 372nd Military Police Company, provided the guards for the prison. But Specialist Sivits has not appeared in any photos made public. Some military officials say they believe that Specialist Sivits took some of the photos.

In an internal military report on the abuse, Specialist Sivits's name appears on a list of 13 witnesses and suspects. He is designated as one of three suspects..."

[onyx]

The decision to allow a wide level of public access to Specialist Sivits's court-martial appears to reflect a conclusion by American commanders that the abuse and the photographs have severely damaged the credibility of the United States enterprise in Iraq and the country's reputation in the Middle East. While American courts-martial are not usually conducted in secret, it is unusual for the military justice authorities to make them easily accessible to the public...." < snip>




Oh my.
At least it's May 19th,
not June 19th.
Moving along quickly.
The sooner the better.

[Doctor Stochastic]

At least the US is following the principle: "Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done". It's probably the best way to show that we are not just another Saddam.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I am looking for this trial to be an indication of how the others will go. The article went on to say that this one faces somewhat lesser possible penalties that if it was a General Court Martial. I am wondering how much information on the Military intelligence's involvement in this will come out.

[Lo-Pro]

Yes, it was Hackworth who leaked to CBS -http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38407

It's really army brass heads that need to roll -who were idiotic enough to allow this situation to happen. they're just making sacrifical lambs out of US soldiers....

[onyx]

The article went on to say that this one faces somewhat lesser possible penalties that if it was a General Court Martial.

Good to know.

I am wondering how much information on the Military intelligence's involvement in this will come out.

Not much, I hope. Intell in war time should be protected.

[saquin]

I expect this first trial to be very short. Apparently, Sivits has plea bargained to testify against others and will enter a guilty plea. I assume that means nothing will really come out in the trial and it would move immediately to sentencing?

[nothingnew]

the military is permitting broad public access to the trial and will invite the Arab news media.

Ludicrous. My resentment is overtaking me.

FMCDH

[DHerion]

When is Saddam and his henchmen coming to trial?

[onyx]

Yeah, I know.
I posted this the other day.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/08/04/hackworth/index_np.html

Hackworth had it in for Rummy big time.
Hackworth's blog comes out on Tuesday.
Damn, but he's a self-seving disgrace.

[Anti-Bubba182]

"..Sivits has plea bargained to testify against others and will enter a guilty plea..."

I had not heard that.

[Texasforever]

It's really army brass heads that need to roll -who were idiotic enough to allow this situation to happen. they're just making sacrifical lambs out of US soldiers....

Baloney. Hack made them sacrificial lambs by releasing those photos. They are guaranteed maximum sentences do to the public pressure he placed on them. There will also be criminal prosecution of several in the Battalion command including one Colnel and probably the Brigadier General. As for Hackworth,, he should be recalled to active duty and court martialed.

[onyx]

You are not rambling.
Your comments make perfect sense to me.
I agree with you.
This apology stuff is sickening.
War is hell.
Not pretty.
Things happen.
Media has an agenda:
"Beat Bush."
They're trying.
This whole "thang" is overblown.
It is a media circus ON PURPOSE!
Took "Food for Oil" UN scandal right off the front page.
Note that Kerry's "polished, feel-good, hero" ads are starting to run in every major TV market?
Coordinated effort.

[saquin]

From Mechanic first to face trial over prisoner abuse:

There was an intense debate among senior coalition officials about which one should be tried first. Some argued that Staff Sgt Ivan "Chip" Frederick II, 37, said to be a ringleader, should face the first court martial. Instead, it was decided that it would be better for Sivits, who is expected to plead guilty as a result of a plea bargain, to be tried.

From First Trial Set to Begin May 19 in Abuse in Iraq:

There were indications that Specialist Sivits had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in exchange for leniency at sentencing.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Thanks, I missed that part. I bet some cooperation is necessary with a plea agreement.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The Congressional hearings on the matter the other day were a veritable sideshow in and of itself. I sat there wondering aloud about most of the Republicans on the committee, wondering, "Just who's side are you on anyway?"

My God, talk about Congresscritters being out of touch! I read about this in the Billings Gazette and the Washington ComPost back in January, reported by the AP.

I then asked myself, "What's up with Lindsey Graham?", did he go soft or something? He was calling for Rummy's head on a platter and agreeing with that RINO McCain. If that wasn't bad enough, Graham stands shoulder to shoulder next to General Weasel Clark outside the NBC studio in Washington, fielding questions from the other media organs.

[zarf]

This has legs. This is not stopping at the soldiers. This had to work it's way high up in the chain. Those charged are not the only ones in the pictures.

[zarf]

Your missing the point. This is a propaganda disaster for us....and I may say for the President.

Every rational for this war is being shot out from under it's legs.

These photos just play into the paranoid theories of the radical left and the Arab midset.

There is no excuse for this happening other than a horribly mismanaged post war plan-from not enough troops to a lack of preparation for an insurgancy....and that starts at the top.

[Terp]

If that wasn't bad enough, Graham stands shoulder to shoulder next to General Weasel Clark outside the NBC studio in Washington, fielding questions from the other media organs.

Speaking of Clark. I just heard on the radio that he thinks it would be "the patriotic thing do to" for Rumsfield to resign.

Next they'll be saying that Rummy is unpatriotic for not resigning.