quote:The order affectively compels Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. general in Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, the second-ranking commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, and their subordinates to participate in a deposition with defense attorneys and Army prosecutors unless they invoke their rights against self-incrimination.
The judge, Col. James Pohl, rejected defense requests for memos between justice department attorneys, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other Pentagon officials regarding the use of interrogation tactics.
"Quite frankly what they do in Washington, D.C., you have to connect it," Pohl said.
Pohl also ordered that the Abu Ghraib prison, where the abuse occurred, be preserved as a crime scene, and he rejected defense requests to move the proceedings out of Iraq.
posted
When I posted it was "breaking news," so they likely rushed it.
This is significant. A lot of crimes go unprosecuted because of whom the defense could call and compel testimony from. With the publicity around this, dismissal or giving a plea isn't really an option, so he's going to have to testify under oath.
I'm not sure what 5th amendment right to remain silence he has in military court, either. Should be interesting.
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