Lynndie England goes to jail

2005-09-28 08:04

T A Badger

Fort Hood - Army Private Lynndie England, who said she was only trying to please her soldier boyfriend when she took part in detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, was sentenced to three years behind bars.

England's sentencing late on Tuesday wrapped up the last of nine courts-martial of low-level soldiers charged in the scandal, which severely damaged America's image in the Muslim world and tarnished the US military at home and abroad.

The jury of five army officers needed about 90 minutes to determine their sentence for England, the 22-year-old from West Virginia who was the most recognisable of the reservists charged after photos of naked detainee in degrading poses became public.

England, who was convicted on Monday on six of seven counts involving prisoner mistreatment, sat with her eyes forward as the verdict was read, occasionally looking down.

'He used me'

She spent some time with her 11-month-old son, Carter, before shuffling out of the courthouse with her arms and legs in shackles. Her reddened eyes stared straight ahead as she made her way to a waiting van.

England apologised earlier on Tuesday for appearing in the photos, saying she did so at the behest of Private Charles Graner jun, who she said took advantage of her love and trust while they were deployed in Iraq.

"I was used by Private Graner," England said. "I didn't realise it at the time."

She was in several of the best-known photos taken by US guards at Abu Ghraib in late 2003. In one image she held a naked prisoner on a leash, while in others she posed with a pyramid of naked detainees and pointed at one man's genitals while a cigarette hung from the corner of her mouth.

England, speaking in response to questions from a defence lawyer, said she was embarrassed by the photos and apologised to the detainees and their families, as well as to American soldiers who may have suffered in Iraq for her actions.

England recounted how her relationship with Graner, 14 years her senior, developed as they prepared for deployment to Iraq with the 372nd Military Police Company in 2003.

"He was very charming, funny and at the time it looked to me like he was interested in the same things I was. ... He made me feel good about myself," she said. "I trusted him and I loved him. ... Now I know it was just an act to lure me in."

She says Graner is the father of her son.

Graner and another former guard were also convicted at trial, while six other soldiers struck plea bargains. Graner was sentenced to 10 years.

Graner said he told officers about detainee maltreatment, which he claimed was done by order of military intelligence personnel. And at times, he said, military intelligence officers actually were present for the abuse.

"I nearly beat an MI detainee to death with MI there," he said before Colonel James Pohl, the judge, interrupted his testimony.

Stjepan Mestrovic, a sociology professor at Texas A&M University called as an expert witness by the defence, testified that England should be punished lightly because of the "poisonous environment" that existed at Abu Ghraib.

"She was caught up in this chaotic situation like everyone else," said Mestrovic.

- AP