HooyahCQB
10-29-2004, 07:42 PM
SEAL cleared in Iraqi abuse
Written by Los Angeles Times
Thursday October 28, 2004
Page: | 1 |
Tony Perry
Los Angeles Times
Oct. 28, 2004 12:00 AM
SAN DIEGO - One member of an elite Navy SEAL team was found not guilty this week of abusing Iraqi prisoners, and the case against two others is set to go to the military equivalent of a grand jury hearing today.
The SEALs were part of a team working with the CIA to capture "high-value" Iraqis suspected of being terrorists and take them to Abu Ghraib prison for interrogation.
After an informal hearing for one SEAL, the Navy captain who commands all West Coast SEALs ruled Tuesday that there was insufficient evidence to punish him.
"My client is a true war hero, like all of these SEALs," defense attorney Jeremiah J. Sullivan III said. "These guys should have been awarded medals rather than given (criminal) charge sheets when they returned."
Seven members of the Coronado-based SEAL Team 7 initially were accused of kicking and punching prisoners, twisting their ********s, breaking their fingers and subjecting them to humiliating photographs.
One of the alleged victims was identified in court papers as Manadel al-Jamadi, who died while in U.S. custody. Pictures of Jamadi's body, packed in ice, have been published in numerous media outlets.
None of the SEALs' names has been released.
Trained as commandos, the SEALs are one of the most lethal and secretive units in the U.S. military. Although SEALs routinely deploy with Marine and Army units, embedded reporters in Afghanistan and Iraq are instructed by the military not to mention their presence.
Defense attorney Milton Silverman said the case began with false allegations by a sailor nicknamed "Klepto," who was kicked out of the SEALs for having stolen body armor from another SEAL. Silverman represents one of the defendants for whom a hearing has not been set.
"I can understand in this climate, with Abu Ghraib on everybody's mind, that the military is understandably sensitive," he said. "But the pendulum has swung too far to the other side."
So far, the Navy has only released information about the two SEALs set to have evidence presented at an Article 32 hearing, roughly equivalent to a grand jury. In each case, Jamadi is mentioned as a victim, but neither SEAL is accused in his death.
A Navy medic is accused of dereliction of duty and assault, including pointing a loaded firearm at Jamadi. A boatswain's mate is accused of kicking and punching Jamadi, as well as twisting the ********s of other prisoners and "verbally harassing and taunting them."
The Navy has said that some of the four remaining SEAL team members may face charges of aggravated assault with intent to cause death.
The Article 32 hearings are set for a Navy facility in San Diego. Under military law, a hearing officer will recommend to the commanding officer whether the case should be taken to a court-martial.
Jamadi allegedly was involved in an attack on the Baghdad facility of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Posted on Web site of The Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1028iraq-seals28.html
www.navyseals.com
Intersting because this SEAL is the commander of the West Coast Teams. I doubt he would be doing dirty work at this stage in his career, anyway.
Written by Los Angeles Times
Thursday October 28, 2004
Page: | 1 |
Tony Perry
Los Angeles Times
Oct. 28, 2004 12:00 AM
SAN DIEGO - One member of an elite Navy SEAL team was found not guilty this week of abusing Iraqi prisoners, and the case against two others is set to go to the military equivalent of a grand jury hearing today.
The SEALs were part of a team working with the CIA to capture "high-value" Iraqis suspected of being terrorists and take them to Abu Ghraib prison for interrogation.
After an informal hearing for one SEAL, the Navy captain who commands all West Coast SEALs ruled Tuesday that there was insufficient evidence to punish him.
"My client is a true war hero, like all of these SEALs," defense attorney Jeremiah J. Sullivan III said. "These guys should have been awarded medals rather than given (criminal) charge sheets when they returned."
Seven members of the Coronado-based SEAL Team 7 initially were accused of kicking and punching prisoners, twisting their ********s, breaking their fingers and subjecting them to humiliating photographs.
One of the alleged victims was identified in court papers as Manadel al-Jamadi, who died while in U.S. custody. Pictures of Jamadi's body, packed in ice, have been published in numerous media outlets.
None of the SEALs' names has been released.
Trained as commandos, the SEALs are one of the most lethal and secretive units in the U.S. military. Although SEALs routinely deploy with Marine and Army units, embedded reporters in Afghanistan and Iraq are instructed by the military not to mention their presence.
Defense attorney Milton Silverman said the case began with false allegations by a sailor nicknamed "Klepto," who was kicked out of the SEALs for having stolen body armor from another SEAL. Silverman represents one of the defendants for whom a hearing has not been set.
"I can understand in this climate, with Abu Ghraib on everybody's mind, that the military is understandably sensitive," he said. "But the pendulum has swung too far to the other side."
So far, the Navy has only released information about the two SEALs set to have evidence presented at an Article 32 hearing, roughly equivalent to a grand jury. In each case, Jamadi is mentioned as a victim, but neither SEAL is accused in his death.
A Navy medic is accused of dereliction of duty and assault, including pointing a loaded firearm at Jamadi. A boatswain's mate is accused of kicking and punching Jamadi, as well as twisting the ********s of other prisoners and "verbally harassing and taunting them."
The Navy has said that some of the four remaining SEAL team members may face charges of aggravated assault with intent to cause death.
The Article 32 hearings are set for a Navy facility in San Diego. Under military law, a hearing officer will recommend to the commanding officer whether the case should be taken to a court-martial.
Jamadi allegedly was involved in an attack on the Baghdad facility of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Posted on Web site of The Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1028iraq-seals28.html
www.navyseals.com
Intersting because this SEAL is the commander of the West Coast Teams. I doubt he would be doing dirty work at this stage in his career, anyway.