Lynndie England's Plea Rejected
Changed To 'Not Guilty' For Abu Ghraib Abuses
-
Play CBS Video Video Lynndie's Plea Rejected A military judge rejected Lynndie England's guilty plea after a witness testified that England might have believed the abuse was part of a legitimate training exercise. Teri Okita reports.
-
-
Army Pfc. Lynndie England, left, walks with her lawyer Rick Hernandez to the judicial complex after a break in her court martial at Ft. Hood, Texas. (AP)
-
Army Pvt. Charles Graner, Jr. smiles as he walks to the back entrance of the judicial complex to testify. (AP)
-
Spc. Lynndie England, then 21 years old, points to a hooded and naked prisoner lined up with others at Abu Ghraib prison. (CBS/60 Minutes II)
-
-
Interactive Abuse At Abu Ghraib Investigation timeline, the chain of command, POW rules, global mistreatment of prisoners and video reports.
-
Photo Essay Prisoner Photos Photos reveal more details of prisoner abuse. (Viewer Discretion)
-
Interactive Storm Of Attention Notoriety looms over Pfc. Lynndie England.
During defense questioning, Graner said he looped the leash around the prisoner's shoulders as a way to coax him out of a cell, and that it slipped up around his neck. He said he asked England to hold the strap while he took photos that he could show to other guards later to teach them this prisoner-handling technique.
At that point Pohl halted Graner's testimony and admonished the defense for admitting evidence that ran counter to England's plea on the conspiracy charge and one count of maltreating detainees.
The judge did not discuss the other five counts to which England had pleaded guilty.
Graner, who is said to be the father of England's infant son, was found guilty in January and is serving a 10-year prison term for his role in the scandal.
In a handwritten note given to reporters Tuesday, Graner had said he wanted England to fight the charges.
"Knowing what happened in Iraq, it was very upsetting to see Lynn plead guilty to her charges," he wrote. "I would hope that by doing so she will have a better chance at a good sentence."
Graner maintains that he and the other Abu Ghraib guards were following orders from higher-ranking interrogators when they abused the detainees.
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
