Lynndie England's Abu Ghraib plea bargain thrown out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A military judge threw out a guilty plea by Lynndie England, a key figure in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal, after new evidence in her trial indicated she considered herself innocent.
The decision by Judge Colonel James Pohl yesterday throws into doubt the fate of the 22-year-old reservist private, made infamous by photos showing her pointing at a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners and holding one naked inmate on a dog-leash.
The turning point was testimony by Private Charles Graner that she was following orders and that the photos were intended for a training manual.
"The defence cannot have it both ways," an exasperated Judge Pohl declared, saying that Pte England's guilty plea, and her admission that she knew what she was doing was wrong and solely for the amusement of other guards, could not be reconciled with the claim of Graner and other defence witnesses.
Graner, believed to be the father of Pte England's recently born child, is serving a 10-year term for his part in the abuse.
Judge Pohl said he would enter a not-guilty plea for Pte England. The trial will now have to start from scratch. Under the earlier plea bargain, she admitted guilt on seven of nine counts.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments