Hasan Akbar
Soldier's defense fighting autopsy photos, diary in murder trial
Updated: 3/4/2005 3:14 PM
By: Brandi Davis & Web Staff
Lawyers for SGT Hasan Akbar are fighting to get certain evidence excluded from his court-martial.
The army sergeant from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is accused of killing two officers in a grenade attack during the opening days of the Iraq invasion.
On Friday, he made another appearance in court. This time his lawyers tried to block evidence the prosecution wants admitted.
Attorneys say certain autopsy photographs will prejudice the jury. One picture shows a victim wearing his combat boots with blood all over his body.
But prosecutors say the photographs show the reality of what happened....murder.
SGT Hasan Akbar is accused of killing two officers in a grenade attack during the opening days of the Iraq invasion.
Another big issue discussed during the hearing is whether or not excerpts from Akbar's diary should be admitted in court.
Prosecutors want several statements in the journal read to the jury. But some of those statements were written in the early 1990's, before Akbar enlisted.
Defense attorney's say those statements have no bearing on what happened in March of 2003. The judge must now decided if the autopsy pictures and the diary inserts will be allowed.
Jury selection starts the first week of April. Akbar, 33, could face the death penalty if convicted.
Akbar's civilian attorney has asked to be taken off the case because he has not been paid. Akbar is now left with two military attorneys.