Jury deliberates in case of SEAL accused of involvement in alleged Iraqi prisoner abuse
By APThursday, April 22, 2010
SEAL trial: Jury deliberates in Iraqi abuse case
BAGHDAD — A jury is beginning its deliberations in the court-martial of a Navy SEAL accused of failing to prevent the beating of an Iraqi prisoner suspected of masterminding an attack that killed four American contractors.
The six-man jury was expected to come back with a verdict later Thursday. Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas did not testify in his own defense.
The 28-year-old is the first of three SEALs to go on trial for the alleged assault. He’s not accused of abusing the prisoner but of failing to safeguard him and attempting to influence the testimony of another service member.
The Iraqi testified he was beaten and a U.S. sailor told the court he saw the prisoner punched once. But defense witnesses cast strong doubt on the testimony of both men.
