UPDATE: Why, sergeant? + Akbar drops objection to juror

The Express-Times ^ | April 08, 2005 | editorial

[Former Military Chick]

Is it asking too much for something more than a verdict in the court-martial of Sgt. Hasan Akbar, the man accused of killing two officers -- including Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert of Williams Township -- a few days after the start of the war in Iraq? Something like an answer to the question: Why?

Jury selection in Akbar's court-martial is under way in North Carolina, but pre-trial events only seem to have muddied the picture. Akbar is accused of using grenades and a rifle to attack fellow troops at Camp Pennsylvania in Kuwait in March 2003. He has been ruled competent to stand trial. Plenty of potential defense issues are being raised: He suffers from sleep apnea. He might have been insane. As a Muslim, he might have been motivated by his faith to kill those preparing to invade an Islamic country. His upbringing in South Central Los Angeles influenced his mental state in the Army.

Members of the Seifert family will be attending the court-martial next week, looking for answers, seeking justice, but also, probably, to place a face and an emotional state on the accused. At the base of this uncertainty is something nearly unspeakable -- why a soldier trained with his colleagues to protect one another would turn on them in a cowardly attack.

For most Americans, the puzzle is something of more than passing interest. For the Seifert family, the need for resolution is intensely personal. Like other American families who've lost loved ones, they have an incurable aching in their hearts. But unlike other families, they need to know why the usual path of war was reversed, in a perverse way, before Christopher Seifert was able to fire a shot in defense of his country. He no doubt would have given his life to save the life of the person now accused of murdering him.

Chris Seifert's devotion to family and country is something no one can steal, not even by an irrational act of war.

But we'd still like to know: Why?

[Former Military Chick]

www.news14.com Akbar drops objection to juror Updated: 4/8/2005 2:40 PM

(FORT BRAGG) - The Army sergeant on trial for his life in a murder case has dropped his objection to an officer who is also one of the potential juror at his court-martial.

Friday morning, Sergeant Hasan Akbar told a Fort Bragg judge that he wanted to remove a juror and his lawyers told him that jury selection was their decision. Akbar said the juror in question had a scowl on his face when he entered the courtroom on Wednesday.

Following a recess, Akbar dropped his objection. That means there will be 15 jurors on hand when court convenes on Monday.

Akbar's vocal objection marked the first time that he's spoken at length in court. Usually, he's been quiet and suffering from bouts of sleepiness.

Akbar could face death if convicted of the March 2003 grenade attack at Camp Pennsylvania in Kuwait. Two officers were killed and 14 other soldiers were wounded.

[Former Military Chick]

Update PING

[NavVet]

"Chris Seifert's devotion to family and country is something no one can steal, not even by an irrational act of war. "

What a load of Hokie!

[SE Mom]

This guy chills me to the core. I really have no compassion for him- all I can do is pray God's will be done in his life.

The Screaming Eagles haven't forgotten what this man did.

[SE Mom]

What a load of Hokie!

---

What does that mean?

[mommadooo3]

Who CARES what this animal's excuse/justification/weaselitis/defense IS?!?!

This worthless piece of pig shit from the bowels of hell MURDERED his 'brothers-in-arms' when he KNEW they'd be at their MOST vulnerable.

It is MOST pitiful that he is able to SEE this trial for his life.

[No Longer Free State]

Me too bump!

[No Longer Free State]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MUSLIM-AMERICAN. They are mutually exclusive.

Not true. We had a muslim chaplain. Great man. Great Chaplain. Doing great things ministering to our wounded at Walter Reed, last I heard.

[armymarinemom]

His upbringing in South Central Los Angeles influenced his mental state in the Army.

Lame reporters attempt at a Twinkie defense I guess. My heart sure does go out to the family. They don't deserve to be used like this.

[SweetCaroline]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MUSLIM-AMERICAN. They are mutually exclusive.....may I ask your opinion on this FMC?

[airborne]

The Screaming Eagles haven't forgotten what this man did.

He needs to pay for his crime with his life.

[beezdotcom]

I think it was in reference to the "act of war" snippet. This wasn't an act of war, it was simply murder.

[Mr. Lucky]

Please say you got the victim and the perp confused.

[mathurine]

The Koran doesn't trump anything I might say or think; why would you say "we"? Got a mouse in your pocket? Pregnant?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

But we'd still like to know: Why?

Not me. Of the several logical reasons any are good enough to put him before a firing squad. I want him convicted and disposed of, the why is for discussion groups.