Army Holds Reservists to Testify on Abuse (extends duty)

[Rose Siding]

BALTIMORE -- The Army has extended active duty for 14 potential witnesses in the criminal trials of fellow reservists accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners, military officials said Monday.

While other members of the Maryland-based 372nd Military Police Company have returned to their civilian lives, the potential witnesses have been retained until their original two-year call-up orders expire on Feb. 22, said Army spokeswoman Maj. Elizabeth Robbins.
.........
Eugene Fidell, a specialist in military law and president of the National Institute of Military Justice, said the government has other ways to compel the testimony of witnesses at trial, including obtaining an enforceable court order.

"I think this was done for convenience, to basically make sure the people are available," said Fidell, who teaches military justice at Harvard Law School. "But I can think of few better ways to alienate witnesses on whose testimony you might have to rely than to basically put their lives on hold."

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-prisoner-abuse-extension,0,6759993.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[TaleWgnDg]

1. wha?

b.s.!! they've been "extended" in order to contain them, keep them away from civilians and civilian life . . . i.e., the military doesn't want to expose these so-called "witnesses" to other-than-military environment up to the time of the trial/hearings! who the hell r they kidding; also, I'd question the pressure (coercion) upon them by this further military "extension."




. . . .

[Rose Siding]

2. Seems it would also deter others from providing information.

If they know they are screwed for volunteering evidence about crimes they witness, it would take a very strong person to come forward- someone without ties or obligations.

[TaleWgnDg]

3. yeah. that too! n/t