Charges reduced against Abu Ghraib guard England

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18384039.htm ^

[Grendel9]

19 Feb 2005 00:29:16 GMT

FORT HOOD, Texas, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Military prosecutors have filed new charges that greatly reduce the amount of jail time facing U.S. Army reservist Lynndie England if she is convicted in the abuse scandal at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.

A spokesman at Fort Hood in central Texas where England is to be court martialed said on Friday the new charges, nine in all ranging from cruelty to committing indecent acts, would expose her to a maximum of 16 years in prison. They were filed last week, but not made public.

Previously, she faced 19 charges that could have brought up to 38 years in prison.

No explanation was given for the reduction, but in the only trial so far in the scandal the alleged abuse leader and England's ex-boyfriend Spec. Charles Graner was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

[Grendel9]

I would imagine the "explanation" had something to do with her baby needing one of its parents. I'll be glad to see the end of this disgraced "soldier's" 1/2 hour of fame.

[Oztrich Boy]

I would imagine the "explanation" had something to do with her baby needing one of its parents

Assumes facts not in evidence. The kid would probably be better off being raised by wolves.

I'm still predicting 3 to 8 years.

[Sarajevo]

The actions of these "out-of-control" soldiers do not stand up to the beheadings of civilians.

I do not condone the actions of the soldiers in question, but I do question the ethics of their leaders. Where were the NCO's? Where were their officers? Who was in charge? This exemplifies a poor chain of command structure.

Hopefully,this will be the end of this scandal.

[layman]

"She is seen pointing at the genitals of a naked male prisoner while she smiles and smokes a cigarette, holding another naked detainee on a leash and posing beside naked prisoners forming a human pyramid."

This stuff was stupid and silly, but it was not torture. In my opinion, sixteen years in prison is much too severe. A dishonorable discharge would be more in line with the 'damage' done to the 'innocent' detainees. We are at war ... We're not playing paint-ball.

[DustyMoment]

Oh, well, that's different, then.

What a waste of taxpayer dollars. Why are we even having this "circus" trial in the first place?