Charles Graner Update: Defense Witnesses Help Prosecution
This can't be good for Charles Graner, who began the defense portion of his trial today on charges he abused prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. His defense witnesses are scoring points for the prosecution:
Army Spc. Charles Graner had a habit of disobeying orders from his military police superiors while serving as a guard at Abu Ghraib prison, according to testimony Wednesday from the first witness for the defense.
Master Sgt. Brian Lipinski, then the top noncommissioned officer in the 372nd Military Police Company, said under cross-examination that Graner wore his hair too long, altered his uniform in violation of regulations and refused to stay away from Pfc. Lynndie England despite being repeatedly told to do so.
"He just didn't like to follow orders," said prosecutor Maj. Michael Holley asked Lipinski. "That's true, sir," Lipinski said. "He wants to do his own thing?" Holley said. "Yes, sir," the sergeant responded.
It gets worse for Graner:
Lipinski also testified that Graner initially lied about the cause of face and neck injuries suffered by a detainee in November 2003.
Graner and then-Staff Sgt. Ivan Frederick told Lipinski and an officer that the detainee tripped on a pile of rubble in the prison, the witness said. But later Graner admitted that he slammed the prisoner against the wall, Lipinski said. The impact was hard enough to leave a smear of blood on the wall. Lipinski said Graner was warned then about his conduct and told that leaders of the 372nd would be watching him. The warning came after the offenses Graner is charged with, according to prosecutors.
Graner's defense is he was following orders and he thought the orders were lawful. The defense also recalled Ivan Frederick, who provided some damaging testimony as well.
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