[kattracks]

Sivits Pleads Guilty in Iraq Abuse Trial

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of abuse in the first court-martial stemming from abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison.

Sivits was charged with maltreatment of detainees, dereliction of duty for failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty and maltreatment and maltreating one prisoner by escorting him "to be positioned in a pile on the floor to be assaulted by other soldiers."

Sivits took pictures of naked Iraqi prisoners being sexually humiliated at Abu Ghraib. He could face up to one year in jail, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and a bad conduct discharge.

Capt. Scott Dunn, Sivits' lawyer, entered the plea on his behalf and expressed concern about the huge media coverage of the trial, asking "can you make a fair decision?"

The judge, Col. James Pohl, replied: "Just because it's on TV, it doesn't mean it's true."

In an emotional description of the events that took place in the Abu Ghraib prison on the evening of Nov. 8, Sivits said he was asked by Frederick to accompany him to the prison facility. Sivits appeared to hold back tears and struggled to describe the events, pausing while telling the judge what happened.

He said he was on detail outside Abu Ghraib and had done some maintenance work on generators when Frederick asked him to accompany him to the prison. Sivits took a detainee with him and when he arrived at the scene wher the crimes took place, there were seven other detainees there.

"I heard Cpl. Graner yelling in Arabic at the detainees," he said. "I saw one of the detainees lying on the floor. They were laying there on the floor, sandbags over their heads.'

Davis and another soldier, Pfc. Lynndie England, were "stamping on their toes and hands."

"Graner punched the detainee in the head or temple area," Sivits said. "I said. 'I think you might have knocked him out.'"

Sivits also said: "Graner complained that he had injured his hand and said, "Damn, that hurt."'

Sivits said all prisoners were then stripped and forced to form a human pyramid.

Dunn also told the judge that Sivits had reached a pre-trial agreement with the prosecution, presumably to testify against others accused in the case.

Earlier, three other accused — Sgt. Javal Davis, 26, of Maryland, Spc. Charles Graner Jr., of Uniontown, Pa., and Staff Sgt. Ivan L. Frederick of Buckingham, Va. — appeared for arraignment in the courtroom at the Baghdad Convention Center, located in the heavily guarded Green Zone.

All three waived their right to have the charges read in court and deferred their pleas pending another hearing June 21.

[Blood of Tyrants]

This guy is proving to be lower than I expected. Not only os he spilling his guts, he is testifying against the others to releive his own burden.

[PISANO]

This is just the beginning. I must say I love the SWIFT justice of the Military. If this were a civilian trial we still would be having pre jury selection interviews on TV.

That being said if this is a harbinger of things to come, the MOST serious charges just may result in 20 years or more. Whatever it is the IRAQI people will think it is TOO LENIENT and the US will probably think it too harsh. The good news is; "We shall see SOON."

[Old Sarge]

The judge, Col. James Pohl, replied: "Just because it's on TV, it doesn't mean it's true."

Can you imagine a Socialist ever saying that?

I'll take this as an axiom, from now on.

[RetiredArmy]

Our people go to prison. Our people get their heads cut off. Our people get shot. Our people get bombed with explosives, some containing chemical poisons. Our people get crucified in the liberal press. Yet, the enemies get money for having been mistreated even though they are known terrorists who want to kill us. Our so called government representatives in Washington, D.C. give in to the socialist democrats on every damned issue; Wolf admits the plan was flawed; the liberal press slam our troop's and America turns a blind eye and deaf ear. I am sick of it. I am ashamed of what this country has become. It stinks to high heavens.

[Colonel_Flagg]

The judge, Col. James Pohl, replied: "Just because it's on TV, it doesn't mean it's true."

Bravo, Colonel Pohl!