Judge Declares Mistrial In War Objector Case (Watada)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - The judge overseeing the court-martial of an Army lieutenant who refused to deploy to Iraq declared a mistrial Wednesday, saying the soldier did not fully understand a document he signed admitting to elements of the charges.

First Lt. Ehren Watada was fighting charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and missing movement for refusing to leave last June with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17032609/

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302733_courtmartial07ww.html

Thanks to Crabby Appleton below for providing this link stating it is rescheduled to restart on March 12.

http://www.komotv.com/news/5640216.html

[CatWoman]

1. good for him!!!

[libodem]

2. I hope that means the Lt. wins?

Can they retry him? He has a lot of guts. Maybe more soldiers will refuse to deploy. I wish all the soldiers could come home.

[CatWoman]

4. that's my question, too

I'll bet they do retry him.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. No. I'm Almost Certain They Will Start The Trial Over.

Here's an additional link I just edited into the OP.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302733_courtmartial07ww.html

[pberq]

3. justice - at least for now

[Benhurst]

5. Good. But why do I have this horrible feeling the Bush Evil Empire

is ready to pounce on this poor fellow again?

[meldroc]

6. So what happens next?

I'm presuming that a new trial will be set up shortly, and Watada is NOT off the hook.

I'm wondering if the defense can try to get a different judge, or reintroduce the defense that Watada believed the war was illegal, and he refused an illegal order. The current judge was going way out of his way to keep that defense out of the courtroom. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Unfortunately, the military and the Bush Crime Family are absolutely determined to hang Watada out to dry so they can make an example out of him.

That'll ensure our servicemembers don't do anything foolish like having a conscience...

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. The Trial Will Start Over, Probably.

Just added an additional link to the OP:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302733_courtmartial07ww.html

[gratuitous]

14. In the civilian world

It would be up to the prosecutor's discretion about whether to ask for a new trial. Watada is certainly not off the hook, and the Bush administration will almost surely insist on a new trial.

I would surmise that a new judge or a new panel of judges would be selected for any new trial, and it's an open question as to whether all of the pretrial rulings will be preserved, or if they can be renewed by both the defense and the prosecution. It may be that any rulings that hinged on the document Watada signed without understanding it may go out the window, and other rulings not germane to that document will be preserved, but it's basically a return to Square One.

Of course, there's always the possibility that Bush will pardon Lt. Watada in the meantime. :sarcasm:

[originalpckelly]

7. Probably means he will be tried again...

though I must admit, I am not familiar enough with the UCMJ to give an accurate prediction.

[LSparkle]

8. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family

Hopefully the military will realize what horrible publicity this is for their organization and will just allow Lt. Watada to serve out his time in non-violent ways.

[Crabby Appleton]

11. Trial rescheduled to March 12

judge decided that the LT didn't properly understand pre-trial stipulations he had signed.

here's a link:

http://www.komotv.com/news/5640216.html

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. Thanks For The Updated Link. Wonder What Will Become Of Those Other 2 Charges Though?

[ceile]

12. Wow! Did not see that coming.

I'm assuming they will try again though....

[blogslut]

13. noice!

n/t

[EFerrari]

15. Ehren, we are behind you and we are beside you.

:kick: