Judge declares mistrial in war objector case

[brettdale]

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

Judge declares mistrial in war objector case

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.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

1. So- what does this mean? Can you spell it out for me like I was a 2 year old?

I'm kinda braindead at the moment...

[Geoff R. Casavant]

2. Yes -- the trial must start over

New jury selected, new pretrial motions, and I would be surprised if there was not also a motion to recuse the judge and get a new judge. And the circumstances indicate the prosecutors might be replaced too, since the judge expressed displeasure at their handling of the document that caused the mistrial.

Probably take a few weeks to a few months to get it all going again. The convening authority may decide it's not worth it and accept a plea bargain, or may choose to accept Watada's original offer to be reassigned to Afghanistan. But I would not bet on either.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. It means Watada was putting up a solid defense...

so the prosecution has to pull back and regroup with another surge.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

4. That's what I thought!

Thanks!!!! :hi:

I wasn't going to get happy until someone else clarified it for me...