TV Cameras Banned From Iraq Court-Martial

AP ^ | May 10,10:06 AM ET | Staff

[Anti-Bubba182]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - No television cameras will be allowed in the courtroom at next week's court-martial of a U.S. soldier charged in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt indicated Monday.

The U.S. military normally allows family members, observers and print reporters to attend trials, he said at a briefing.

"It has not been our practice in the past to have cameras inside," Kimmitt said.

Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits of Hyndman, Pa., a member of the 372nd Military Police Company, will face a military court in Baghdad on May 19 — less than a month after photos of prisoners being abused and humiliated were first broadcast April 28.

Kimmitt said Sunday the trial will be held in Baghdad and will be open to media coverage.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I am taking this as an indication that none of these trials will be televised.

[texasflower]

They are going to need really tight security.

It sure has the potential to be a great big mess.

Just the way the media likes it.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I am sure security will be very tight, but with all the crazy fanatics over there it will still be dangeous.

Not to mention the inevitable media circus that this trial is certain to be.

[Clock King]

Standard military procedure. The trial is generally open (moreso than a civilian trial), but no cameras.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Thanks. Gen. Kimmett also said so on Hardball about the cameras tonight.

I imagine this will go quicker than a civilian trial. They look like they are starting with the lesser cases first and in some reports I have seen there was speculation that there may be a plea arrangement, if the military does that.

[Caipirabob]

I have seen there was speculation that there may be a plea arrangement.

I hope the choice is between hollow-point or full metal jacket. These creeps have played our nation for a fool and embarrassed us as a people. I'm not so concerned about the alledged abuses which more or less amount to sex-games one can run into in public at Disney's Gay-Days (ok, they should be shot, too.) I'm more upset that they have shamed us as a people, as a nation.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I hear your sentiments, but if a plea agreement gets the facts quicker it would be desirable. Otherwise, this will drag on to the further detriment of the country.

[texasflower]

That's what I meant. I am afraid we'll lose soldiers because some nut case will try something, knowing full well that it would be well televised.

Sadly, the media would just love to have something like that happen.

[Anti-Bubba182]

At this point in Iraq they are going to have to go through with it there in spite of the dangers. If it looks like we are afraid to conduct our business there it will be worse for
us.

[texasflower]

I suppose you're right.

Is it too much to hope that the media will provide dignified, responsible coverage?

[Anti-Bubba182]

"Is it too much to hope that the media will provide dignified, responsible coverage?"

Probably.