More From Abu Ghraib

According to CNN.com the "Ringleader" in the Abu Ghraib prisoner scandal, Army Reserve Spc. Charles Graner, was convicted of 9 of the 10 counts he was charged with.

Graner faces up to 15 years in prison after a military jury at Fort Hood found him guilty Friday afternoon. Prosecutors accused him of being a ringleader in the physical abuse and sexual humiliation of prisoners, a scandal that surfaced in January 2004.

According to pool reporters in the courtroom, the 36-year-old Graner stood stiffly at attention, showing no emotion, while the verdict was read.

The prosecution was allowed to speak before and after the defense closing arguments. As a final statement, Graveline said of the naked pyramid photo, "This cannot become the recruitment poster for the United States Army."

Graner, an Army reservist from Uniontown, Pa., is the first soldier to face trial among seven military guards charged in the Abu Ghraib scandal.

Three of those guards -- all from the 372nd Military Police Company -- have pleaded guilty in the case: Staff Sgt. Ivan Frederick II, 37, of Buckingham, Va.; Spc. Jeremy Sivits, 24, of Fort Ashby, W. Va.; and Spc. Megan Ambuhl, 29, of Centreville, Va.

Graner reportedly had a relationship with England, who is awaiting charges from the case, and reportedly fathered a baby with her. Ambul testified this week she also had a brief sexual relationship with him.

He will get what is coming to him. I am glad to see that his family supports him, but for his Mother to say that he will always be a hero is not only asinine but irresponsible. He was not a hero, he was an embarrassment to the United States Army Reserve and all who serve with integrity within the Department of Defense.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at January 17, 2005 09:48 AM