Charles A. Graner, Jr., (born 1968) is a former U.S. Army reservist and one of several criminals charged by the Army in connection with the 2003–2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal during the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. Graner, with other soldiers, is accused of allowing and inflicting sexual, physical, and psychological abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war in Abu Ghraib, a notorious prison in Baghdad. Graner has been accused of being a torturer, sadist, and war criminal. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... City nickname: The Steel City Location in the state of Pennsylvania Founded 1758 Mayor Tom Murphy (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 151. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... Specialist arm patch (U.S. Army) Specialist is one section of the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and below Corporal. ... Combatants U.S.-led coalition Iraq Commanders George H. W. Bush, Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan Al-Majid, Hussein Kamel Strength 660,000 ~545,000 Casualties 345 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 - 100,000 dead, 100,000 - 300,000 wounded The 1991 Gulf War (also Persian... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... {{{mWf}}} Caution: This article contains several potentially morbid photographs that depict nude, abused, and deceased persons. ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... This article deals with the post-invasion period in Iraq and its occupation. ... “Bad Touch” redirects here. ... Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause pain, injury, or other physical suffering or harm. ... Psychological abuse refers to the humiliation or intimidation of another person, but is also used to refer to the long-term effects of emotional shock. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... See Abu Ghraib prison and Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. ... Baghdad (Arabic: ) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate. ... Torture, according to international law, is any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ...

Graner held the rank of Specialist[1] in the company during his tour of duty in Iraq. While in Iraq, Specialist Lynndie England, also implicated in the prisoner scandal, allegedly became pregnant by him. Specialist arm patch (U.S. Army) Specialist is one section of the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and below Corporal. ... Specialist arm patch (U.S. Army) Specialist is one section of the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and below Corporal. ... Lynndie Rana England (born November 8, 1982) is a United States Army reservist who served in the 372nd Military Police Company. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the process by which a mammalian female carries a live offspring from conception until it develops to the point where the offspring is capable of living outside the womb. ...

Graner was found guilty of all charges on January 14, 2005, including conspiracy to maltreat detainees, failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty, and maltreatment, as well as charges of assault, indecency, adultery, and obstruction of justice, and sentenced to ten years in military prison the next day. is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A dictionary definition of Indecent not conforming with accepted standards of behaviour or morality. ... This article is about the act of adultery. ... Modern Obstruction of Justice, in a common law state, refers to the crime of offering interference of any sort to the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other (usually government) officials. ...

Birth and early life

His parents, Charles and Erma Graner, still live in his childhood home.^{[citation needed]} Friends recall "Chuck," as Graner was known, as a "desperate virgin" at Whittier High School, interested in art and drama. In high school, Graner was a member of the Student Council, Student Council Executive Board, Drama Club and Math League. John Castaneda, a family friend for 30 years, was quoted as saying: In Roman times, Vestal Virgins were strictly celibate or they were punished by death. ...

"I feel so bad. He was a real good guy. I have nothing but good things to say about Chuck. Never once did Chuck give anyone a problem. It was always 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir.' He wouldn't even call my wife and me by our first names. It was always 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.'"^[1]

After graduating in 1986, Graner attended the University of La Verne for two years before dropping out to join the U.S. Marines in April 1988 and had the Marine eagle emblem and the letters "USMC" tattooed on his upper right bicep. ^[2] Trained as a military police officer, he served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He was in the Marines until May 1996, when he left with the rank of Lance Corporal. Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The University of La Verne is a private university in La Verne, California (about 35 miles east of Los Angeles) comprised of a main campus, seven satellite campuses throughout central and southern California, a law school, and two military regional campuses at Point Mugu Naval Air Station and Vandenberg Air... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation). ... Branch insignia of the Military Police Corps The Military Police Corps is the law enforcement of the United States Armed Forces. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Lance Corporal (LCpl or L/Cpl) is a military rank used by some elements of the British, Commonwealth, and U.S. armed forces. ...

Allegations of misconduct in Pennsylvanian prisons

After his marriage, he moved to Butler, a coal mining area of 12,500 people in southwestern Pennsylvania, where his wife's family resided. From 1990 to 1994, he worked as a school custodian. In 1994, he began working as a guard during the afternoon shift at Fayette County Prison. The Washington Post remarked: "Unlike the night shift, which was typically sleepy, or the morning shift, which was busy with prisoner transfers to court hearings, the afternoon shift had a no-nonsense reputation." Butler is a city in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Surface coal mining in Wyoming. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... A corrections officer, prison officer, correction officer, correctional officer, detention officer, prison guard or prison warder is a person charged with the responsibility of the supervision, safety and security of prisoners in a prison or jail. ... Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ...

Here, Graner played a practical joke on Robert Tajc, a new guard, by putting mace in his coffee [2]. No disciplinary action was taken against Graner during his employment at the county jail. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Mace is a tear gas in the form of an aerosol spray which propels the lachrymator mixed with a volatile solvent. ... For the several U.S. counties named Coffee, see Coffee County. ...

Starting on May 17, 1996 (some sources say May 20), Graner worked at State Correctional Institution-Greene, a maximum-security state prison in Greene County. The Los Angeles Times described the prison: "It was built for 1,500 of Pennsylvania's hardest-core prisoners, including about 985^{[citation needed]} on death row, and had the perks of modern corrections, such as central air conditioning and cable TV. But it was not immune from the age-old tensions of such institutions. While almost 98% of the inmates were black, many from big cities, SCI-Greene was in a rural part of the state near the West Virginia border, and more than 95% of the guards were white." is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Greene County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ...

In the state prison, several allegations involved Graner. The first occurred on July 29, 1998. Horatio Nimley, convicted of perjury, was eating mashed potatoes when his mouth started bleeding and he spat out a razor blade. According to a May 1999 federal lawsuit brought by Nimley against Graner, five other guards, and the prison nursing supervisor, Graner first planted the blade in his potatoes, ignored him, and finally brought him to the nurse, where they punched, kicked, and slammed Nimley on the floor. Nimley also alleged that when he screamed, "Stop, stop," Graner told him, "Shut up, nigger, before we kill you." is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Perjury is the act of lying or making verifiably false statements on a material matter under oath or affirmation in a court of law or in any of various sworn statements in writing. ... The United States federal courts are the system of courts organized under the Constitution and laws of the federal government of the United States. ... It has been suggested that civil trial be merged into this article or section. ... The word nigger is a highly controversial term used in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia to refer to individuals with dark skin, especially those of African descent who previously were racially classified by the now outdated term Negro. ...

Graner denied these allegations. A federal magistrate in Pittsburgh, however, ruled that the charges have "arguable merit in fact and law." However, when Nimley was released from prison in 2000, he disappeared, and the case was dismissed, leaving much of what happened still in question. Nimley is now in Graterford prison in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for burglary. A magistrate is a judicial officer. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... The Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Graterford, also known variously as SCI Graterford (SCIG), Eastern Correctional Institution, Graterford Prison, Graterford Penitentiary, and the Graterford Prison Farm, is located by the village of Graterford in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, about 31 miles west of the city of Philadelphia... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

A second lawsuit involving Graner was brought by a prisoner who claimed that guards made him stand on one foot while handcuffed and tripped him. This allegation, however, was ruled to have been made too late.

During his time at Greene, Graner was connected with several incidents of a violent nature. The Washington Post reported that "abuse allegations had become common at Greene ... Guards beat prisoners, spit in their food, showered them with racial epithets and wrote 'KKK' in one beaten prisoner's blood. The allegations weren't without merit: In 1998, two dozen guards were fired, suspended, demoted or reprimanded." A prison spokesman said none of the allegations involved Graner. The following is a list of ethnic slurs, also known as ethnophaulisms, that are, or have been, used to refer to members of a given ethnicity (or, in some cases, nationality, region, or religion) in a derogatory or pejorative manner. ... Members of the second Ku Klux Klan at a rally during the 1920s. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Nick Yarris, a former inmate who was recently released after DNA tests cleared him of rape and murder charges, spent 22 years on Death Row in SCI Greene. Yarris confirms the type of abuse Nimley alleged, recounting an incident in May 1998 when Yarris saw Graner and four other guards pull an inmate who purposefully flooded the toilet out of his cell and dragged him away. Yarris says Graner was holding a can of pepper spray and said, "We're going to go get some." Yarris says the inmate was severely bruised the next time he was seen. The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. ... For information about the Record company see Death Row Records For information about the computer game see Deathrow (game) Death Row is a term which refers to the section of a prison that houses individuals awaiting execution. ... Pepper spray (also known as OC spray (from Oleoresin Capsicum), OC gas, capsicum spray, or oleoresin capsicum) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness) that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense...

Yarris also said Graner "bragged about taunting anti-death-penalty protesters who would gather outside the prison, used racial epithets and once told a Muslim inmate he had rubbed pork all over his tray of food." In another interview, he said Graner was "responsible for moving prisoners within the facility and was 'violent, abusive, arrogant and mean-spirited.' " Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ...

Graner was fired from his job in July 2000 for walking off the job and not working a mandatory overtime shift on June 16. After filing a grievance, an arbitrator ruled after a July 2002 hearing that the firing was inappropriate, reducing it to a three-day suspension and ordering Graner reinstated with back pay. According to records, at 4:30 a.m. that morning, a supervisor informed Graner that another employee was ill and he would have to work the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift in addition to his normal shift, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. At that time, Graner did not say he could not accept the additional work, but later he told supervisors the shift would conflict with the weekly custody exchange of his children. Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours; these may be determined in several ways, by custom (what is considered healthy or reasonable by society), by practices of a given trade or profession, by legislation, or by agreement between employers and workers or their representatives. ... is the 167th day of the year (168th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A grievance is a formal statement of complaint, generally against an authority figure. ...

At the time his employment was terminated, Graner had been disciplined six times: two written reprimands (one in December 1997 for being unreliable), a one-day suspension (in October 1998 for tardiness), two five-day suspensions (March 1999 and February 2000 for tardiness and absenteeism), and his dismissal. Despite the more serious claims against Graner listed above, all disciplinary actions taken against Graner were for tardiness, absenteeism, and improperly scheduling leave, except the dismissal itself. For the band, see 1997 (band). ... This article is about the year. ...

Domestic disputes and Persian Gulf War

On June 15, 1990, Graner married Staci M. Dean, a 19-year-old from Ohiopyle. The marriage took place in Farmington after she become pregnant with the first of their two children, Brittni. On the marriage license application, Graner listed his occupation as "construction worker." Ohiopyle is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Napa, California: USA A new bride humorously observes the legal signing of her marriage license by her maid of honor. ...

Later, Graner was deployed during the Persian Gulf War, serving with the 2nd MP Co, originally of 4th FSSG, 4th Marine Division, a Marine Reserve unit based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On January 16, 1991, he arrived in Saudi Arabia, taking part in Operation Desert Storm. From here, he traveled to the largest prisoner-of-war camp near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. Graner worked at the camp for "about six weeks." The Los Angeles Times interviewed Ross Guidotti, whom Graner served with: For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ...

On January 21, 1991, Graner's daughter Brittni Stacia was born. On February 9, 1993, Dean Charles Graner, the couple's second child, was born. On May 29, 1997, Staci Graner filed for divorce and the couple separated. On June 16, 1997, Common Pleas Judge Ralph Warman issued a first order of protection against Graner to Staci Dean. This resulted from Graner's comment to Dean that "she could keep his guns, because he did not need them for what he was going to do to the plaintiff." Warman also ordered Graner not to have any contact with his ex-wife for six months except for exchanging their children for child custody exchanges, which he ordered to take place at Uniontown's police station. is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 167th day of the year (168th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... It has been suggested that Last Call Poker be merged into this article or section. ... A plaintiff, also known as a claimant or complainer, is the party who initiates a lawsuit (also known as an action) before a court. ...

In February 1998, Staci Dean filed another complaint in court, writing that Graner had been sneaking around her home at night:

Dean also said that Graner "set up a video camera in my house without my knowledge and showed me the tapes." A second order of protection against Graner was issued to Dean.

In March 2001, police were called to Staci Dean's home after her ex-husband allegedly came into the rooms where she was sleeping. According to Fayette County court papers, Graner entered the room where Staci Dean was sleeping and attacked her, banging her head against a wall. Later that year, Staci Dean filed a five-page, handwritten affidavit stating that Graner had "yanked me out of bed by my hair, dragging me and all the covers into the hall and tried to throw me down the steps," which Graner had admitted to. The affidavit also says that Graner "set up a video camera in my house without my knowledge and showed me the tapes." Criminal charges were not filed, and a third order of protection against Graner was issued to Dean. Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ...

Abu Ghraib

Graner and England

Graner and Sabrina Harman

A picture showing Graner (marked number one) and other prison staff

Graner appears to be punching, or pretending to punch, handcuffed Iraqi prisoners

• 2002: Graner joins the Army Reserve. A neighbor, Tom Zavada, was quoted as saying, "Some people get into the Reserves because there is some good money. Others got into it because they figure it's their duty. He's the latter."
• May 5, 2003: Graner called to active duty in Iraq.
• 2003–2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse:

Specialist Sabrina Harman testified as to Graner's assignment:

Graner appears in several pictures with his fellow guards Lynndie England and Sabrina Harman, giving the thumbs up in front of nude prisoners. Witnesses have reportedly seen him strike prisoners.

In one photo, Graner poses over the dead body of Manadel al-Jamadi, an Iraqi prisoner; a small patch of blood can be seen on his right temple and his eyes are sealed closed with tape. According to Spc. Jason Kenner's testimony, al-Jamadi was brought to the prison by Navy SEALs in good health; Kenner says he saw that al-Jamadi looked extensively bruised when he was brought out of the showers, dead. According to Kenner a "battle" took place among CIA and military interrogators over who should dispose the body. Captain Donald Reese, company commander of 372nd Military Police Company, gave testimony about al-Jamadi's death, saying that he saw the dead prisoner. Reese was quoted as saying that "I was told that when he was brought in, he was combative, that they took him up to the room and during the interrogation he passed ... (the body) was bleeding from the head, nose, mouth." Reese stated that the corpse was locked in a shower room overnight and the next day was fitted with an intravenous drip. The body was then autopsied, concluding that the cause of death was a blood clot from trauma. Reese stated that this was an attempt to hide what occurred from other inmates; many believe it was part of a cover-up to hide the death from the outside world.

According to testimony from Kasim Mehaddi Hilas, who was a prisoner at Abu Ghraib:

Spec. Joseph M. Darby, who reported what was happening in the prison, was quoted as saying this:

"He said that he asked the MP in charge of the tier's night shift, Spec. Charles A. Graner Jr., if he had any photographs of the cell where the shooting took place.

Darby said Graner handed him two CDs of photographs.

'I thought the discs just had pictures of Iraq, the cell where the shooting occurred,' Darby told investigators.

Instead, Darby viewed hundreds of photographs showing naked detainees being abused by U.S. soldiers.

'It was just wrong,' Darby said. 'I knew I had to do something.'

He said that he asked Graner, a Pennsylvania prison guard in civilian life, about the photographs. Graner replied: "The Christian in me says it's wrong, but the corrections officer in me says, 'I love to make a grown man piss himself.'" [5] ::Julie Scelfo and Rod Nordland of Newsweek reported:

"One military investigator wrote in his notes on Graner: 'the biggest S.O.B. on earth,' a comment he underlined twice." [6]

In addition to the above, several other incidents are attributed to Graner:

• On October 23, 2003, Graner photographed Lynndie England holding a leash around the neck of a naked Iraqi prisoner.
• Graner is said to have ordered an accused prostitute to pull her shirt up to her neck.
• A woman known as Noor was forced to expose her breasts and genitalia while giving a smile to Graner, who photographed her.

• May 14, 2004: U.S Army files seven criminal charges against Graner under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with punishments ranging up to 24.5 years in prison, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge:
  • Conspiracy to maltreat detainees;
  • Dereliction of duty for willfully failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty and maltreatment;
  • Assaulting detainees;
  • Committing indecent acts;
  • Adultery;
  • Obstruction of justice;
  • Maltreatment of detainees.

• Later all the charges were dropped except for conspiracy to maltreat detainees, assault and committing indecent acts, making the maximum penalty 17.5 years instead of 24.5 years.

• May 19, 2004: Graner is arraigned along with Staff Sergeant Ivan L. "Chip" Frederick II and Sergeant Javal S. Davis. All of them waive their right to have charges read aloud. Their pleas were deferred. On the same day, Jeremy C. Sivits, the first soldier to go on trial, is sentenced to the maximum penalty of one year in prison and a bad conduct discharge.
• June 15, 2004: Graner's Houston-based defense attorney, Lieutenant Colonel Guy Womack, a retired JAG, says he may subpoena:
  • Vice President Dick Cheney.
  • Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
  • Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
  • Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, who commanded Abu Ghraib when the torture occurred.
  • Major General Geoffrey Miller, who now runs Abu Ghraib.
• June 25, 2004: Spc. Israel Rivera, a military intelligence analyst, testifies at a hearing in Baghdad that will decide whether Spc. Sabrina Harman should be court-martialed. Rivera says Graner shouted "homosexual slurs" at three naked prisoners, "ordering them to crawl along the ground so their genitalia had to drag along the floor." According to Rivera, "Graner was shouting things like, "Are you guys fucking in there" and "fucking fags." Rivera was also quoted as saying, "He was the loudest and the one actually giving orders."
• Three key witnesses refused to testify against Graner during a secret hearing on the grounds that they might incriminate themselves (see Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution):
  • Lieutenant Colonel Steven L. Jordan, who as director of the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center at the prison oversaw the interrogations;
  • Captain Donald J. Reese, who was commander of the 372nd Military Police Company, in which Graner served; and
  • Adel Nakhla, civilian translator, employed by private military contractor Titan Corporation, assigned to the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade; mentioned in the Taguba report as suspect.

Sergeant Joseph Darby (born 1979/80) is a member of the United States military police who first alerted the U.S. military command of prisoner abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ... The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the foundation of military law in the United States. ... Reduction in rank may refer to two separate concepts: In military law, a reduction in rank is a demotion in military rank as punishment for a crime or wrongdoing, imposed by a court-martial or other authority. ... A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve. ... In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between natural persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement. ... Robert Buzz Patterson is a US Marine officer and author. ... A dictionary definition of Indecent not conforming with accepted standards of behaviour or morality. ... This article is about the act of adultery. ... Modern Obstruction of Justice, in a common law state, refers to the crime of offering interference of any sort to the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other (usually government) officials. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... Sgt. ... For other uses, see Sergeant (disambiguation). ... Javal Sean Davis, (born 1977/78), is a U.S. army reservist, one of several soldiers charged by the U.S. Army in connection with the 2003-2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Baghdad, Iraq during and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... Sivits Jeremy C. Sivits , (born 1979 or 1980), is a former U.S. Army reservist, one of several soldiers charged and convicted by the U.S. Army in connection with the 2003-2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Baghdad, Iraq during and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... “Houston” redirects here. ... For the fish called lawyer, see Burbot. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Judge Advocate Generals Corps, also known as JAG, can refer to the judicial arm of any of the United States armed forces, consisting of autonomous departments in the Air Force, Army, United States Coast Guard and Navy. ... A subpoena is a command to appear at a certain time and place to give testimony upon a certain matter. ... The Vice President of the United States (sometimes referred to as VPOTUS)[1] is the first in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President. ... Richard Bruce Dick Cheney (born January 30, 1941), is the 46th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President George W. Bush. ... The United States Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) is the head of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), concerned with the armed services and military matters. ... Donald Henry Rumsfeld (born July 9, 1932) is a U.S. Republican politician and businessman, who was the 13th Secretary of Defense under President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977, and the 21st Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lt. ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Janis Karpinski wearing her Brigadier General star before being demoted to Colonel Janis Leigh Karpinski (born May 25, 1953, Rahway, New Jersey) is a United States Army Colonel in the 800th Military Police Brigade. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Geoffrey D. Miller Geoffrey D. Miller (born c. ... Charles Graner and Sabrina Harman with naked and hooded prisoners who were forced to form a human pyramid Sabrina D. Harman (born January 5, 1978) is a former U.S. army reservist, one of several soldiers convicted by the U.S. Army in connection with the 2003-2004 Abu Ghraib... Genitalia masculina externa A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined, is any of those anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism; namely: Male: testicles, penis, prepuce, scrotum, prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymis, Cowpers glands... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up faggot in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Lt. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... Adel L. Nakhla (Arabic عادل نخلة) is an Egyptian American civilian translator employed by the private military contractor Titan Corporation. ... Look up Translator in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A private military contractor (PMC) is a corporation that provides armed forces trained in combat, private military, for other corporations, organizations, individuals and state military forces. ... Titan Corporation is a United States-based company headquartered in San Diego, California. ... The U.S. Armys 205th Military Intelligence Brigade and its three battalions have a history dating back to World War II. The brigade has been in a continuous active service since 1944. ... ...

Court-martial

Article 39a hearing

Due to security problems with holding pre-trial hearings in Baghdad, the case was transferred to Germany. On August 23, Graner appeared before military judge Colonel James Pohl at a high-security Army base in the city of Mannheim in southwest Germany. On that day, Article 39a hearings were held. These preliminary hearings usually function as an arraignment and allow the judge to hear and decide on motions made by the prosecutor and the defense. Graner appeared with Specialist Megan Ambuhl, along with his civilian attorneys and appointed military defense lawyers. is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mannheim is a city in Germany. ... Arraignment is a common law term for the formal reading of a criminal complaint, in the presence of the defendant, to inform him of the charges against him. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Megan Ambuhl, of New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of several United States military police officers who have been charged with torturing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. ...

During the Article 39a hearing, attorneys for Harman and Graner made discovery motions. Pohn set a deadline of September 10 for the government to provide the defense team with the documents requested. Pohn also complained of delays by the government in prosecuting the case. Though Pohn rejected a motion to compel Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to testify, he threatened to grant the motion or even "seriously reconsider" a motion made to dismiss Graner's case if military police investigators do not turn over more than 100,000 files of evidence stored on a secret military computer to the defense. In law, discovery is the pre-trial phase in a lawsuit in which each party through the law of civil procedure can request documents and other evidence from other parties or can compel the production of evidence by using a subpoena or through other discovery devices, such as requests for... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Pohl also ordered the release of a U.S. Army report performed by the Criminal Investigational Division on investigative procedures, as well as the Schlesinger panel report.

Graner's attorney (as well as attorneys for several others charged) also moved to suppress evidence of statements made to Army investigators during interrogations, as well as seizure of a computer. Also requested was a change of venue, because some witnesses could not be compelled to come to Iraq to testify. In addition, the defense sought immunity from prosecution for several people so they may testify for the defense. The judge denied all three motions, and also ruled that video testimony and depositions could be used as evidence. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Immunity, also known as transactional immunity, confers a status on a person or body that places them beyond the law and makes that person or body free from otherwise legal obligations such as, for example, liability for torts or damages or prosecution under criminal law for criminal acts. ... In law, a deposition is evidence given under oath and recorded for use in court at a later date. ...

October 22 hearing

Another pre-trial hearing was held on October 22 at Camp Victory in Baghdad, with Pohl again presiding as judge. Pohl set January 7, 2005, as the trial date and again denied a defense motion to grant immunity to several witnesses so they could testify without fear of incrimination. On November 11, Lieutenant Colonel Fred Taylor, a judge advocate in the regional defense counsel's office at Camp Victory, ordered that all further hearings in the case will be held at Fort Hood, Texas. is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fort Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, is a U.S. Army post located halfway between Austin and Waco within the U.S. state of Texas. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

Not guilty plea and jury selection

The trial officially began on January 7 with jury selection at the Williams Judicial Center in Fort Hood, with Colonel James Pohl presiding. A ten-member, all-male jury was seated, consisting of four officers and six enlisted men—all of whom had served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Under military law, seven jurors must vote guilty to convict a person of each charge. This article can be confusing for some readers, and needs to be edited for clarity. ... For jury meaning makeshift, see jury rig. ... In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ...

Graner entered a not-guilty plea to each of the five charges. He was dressed in a jacket and tie, dark green military fatigues, black boots, and a black dress beret. Two possible jury members were removed from the panel—Colonel Allen Batschelet for saying he was embarrassed as an Army officer after seeing the photos and had strong views about the case, and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Kormos by the prosecutors for no reason given. This page describes uniform in the sense of clothing. ...

During the session a list of potential witnesses was also made public. It incuded three other soldiers in Graner's unit from western Pennsylvania: Captain Donald Reese of New Stanton, Specialist Jeremy Sivits of Bedford County, and Sergeant Joseph Darby of Somerset County. Reese was the unit commander and had been reprimanded in connection with Abu Ghraib; Sivits had already pled guilty in a plea bargain; Darby was the soldier who first reported the situation at Abu Ghraib. At the hearing several other possible witnesses were listed, including the prerecorded video depositions of three Iraqi prisoners—two for the prosecution and one for the defense. Graner's lawyer, Guy Womack, said he was not sure whether Graner would testify for himself. New Stanton is a borough located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. ... Sivits Jeremy C. Sivits, (born 1979 or 1980), is a former U.S. Army reservist, one of several soldiers charged and convicted by the U.S. Army in connection with the 2003-2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Baghdad, Iraq during and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... DONT beleive anything on this page! ppl can change it anytime they want to! im a kid and i am changing it right now!! luv yall!! PENNSYLVANIA ROCKS!!!! VENANGO COUNTY ROCKS TOO!!!! Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... For other uses, see Sergeant (disambiguation). ... Sergeant Joseph Darby (born 1979/80), of Corriganville, Maryland, is a member of the United States military police who first alerted the U.S. military command of prisoner abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. ... Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case in which a prosecutor and a defendant arrange to settle the case against the defendant. ... In law, a deposition is evidence given under oath and recorded for use in court at a later date. ...

After the hearing journalists interviewed Graner outside the courtroom, where Graner expressed a positive attitude. Paul Peirce of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is a newspaper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1992 as an offshoot of the Greensburg Tribune-Review following a press strike at the two previously dominant Pittsburgh dailies. ...

"Whatever happens here is going to happen. I still try to stay positive. I still feel the same (about my service) as I always have," Graner said as he left the military courthouse. "The sun is still shining, the sky is blue, we're in America," he said, trying to emphasize an enthusiastic outlook for next week's trial.

Testimony

Opening statements began on January 10. During this hearing, witness testimony began. Three soldiers in Graner's unit testified; the first was Specialist Matthew Wisdom, who first reported the situation at Abu Ghraib. Wisdom said that Graner had enjoyed beating inmates (saying that he had laughed, whistled, and sung) and was the one who first thought of arranging the prisoners in naked human pyramids and other positions. On this day the judge-advocate, Michael Hunter, banned any further reporting of the hearing. An opening statement is generally the first occasion that the trier of fact (jury or judge) has to hear from counsel in a trial, aside possibly from questioning during voir dire. ... is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. ...

Testimony continued the next day, as Syrian foreign fighter Ameed al-Sheikh told the court in video testimony that Graner has beaten him while he was recovering from a bullet wound. Al-Sheikh described Graner as the "primary torturer" and said that he had forced him to eat pork and drink alcohol, told him to thank Jesus for keeping him alive, and had threatened to kill him. Al-Sheikh also gave testimony about interrogations at the prison, saying that Americans known only as "Mikey" and "Steve" told him that Graner would beat him if he did not cooperate. This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ...

On January 11, military prosecutors also presented evidence not publicly released, including a video of forced group masturbation and a picture of a female prisoner being forced to show her breasts. is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Following orders

The main defense was that Graner was just following orders from senior officers. Graner and others testified that many senior officers were aware of the activities and actively supported them. This is why he was not worried about taking and distributing the photographs which were later used against him. Referring to military intelligence, Graner testified "I nearly beat an MI detainee to death with MI there" before he was cut off by Judge Pohl.[7] MI has several meanings. ...

A formal complaint about the abuse was filed by Specialist Matthew Wisdom in November 2003 but was ignored by the military. Private Ivan Frederick (previously convicted of abuse) said he had consulted six senior officers, ranging from captains to lieutenant-colonels, about the guards' actions but was never told to stop.

The prosecution did not call any senior officers to testify. Womack suggests that this was not because they "just forgot" to do so.

Bush's white house counsel Alberto Gonzales had issued a memo which defined torture very narrowly as "intentionally causing permanent damage to vital organs or permanent emotional trauma". This would have excluded Graner's acts of intimidation.

However the prosecution argued that even if he was following orders from senior officers, he should have known that the orders were illegal.

Verdict

On January 16th Graner was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, a dishonorable discharge, and the loss of all benefits.

One senior officer has been charged.

Defense lawyer Guy Womack said his client and the six other Abu Ghraib guards charged with abuses were being scapegoated. For example, the Washington Post reported in 2004 that a stress position known as a "Palestinian hanging", where a prisoner is suspended by their hands behind their back, was approved by the Bush administration for use in CIA interrogations (termed an "enhanced interrogation technique" by the CIA). An Iraqi in custody with Graner, and photographed dead with Graner, died while being submitted to such a "Palestinian hanging", though it is doubtful that Graner would have been found innocent even if such a technique was sanctioned by the CIA. The strappado is a form of torture in which a victim is suspended in the air by means of a rope attached to his hands which are tied behind his back. ...

Graner's mother, Irma Graner said, "You know it's the higher-ups that should be on trial... they let the little guys take the fall for them. But the truth will come out eventually." ([8]).

Life post-trial

In 2005, while serving time for his role in the Abu Ghraib scandal, Graner married fellow Abu Ghraib guard Megan Ambuhl^{[citation needed]}. Ambuhl previously pleaded guilty to two minor charges but served no jail time and was able to remain in the military. Megan Ambuhl, of New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of several United States military police officers who have been charged with torturing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. ...

References

External links

• Charles A. Graner at the Notable Names Database

NNDB, ostensibly standing for Notable Names Database, produced by Soylent Communications, is an online database of biographical details of notable people. ...

Sources

• Amon, Michael, and Christian Davenport. "Three to be arraigned in prison abuse." The Washington Post: May 19, 2004: 1A. [9]
• Badger, T.A. "Jury seated in Graner prisoner abuse case." Associated Press. January 7, 2005.
• Cauchon, Dennis. "Lawyer wants Rumsfeld to testify in prison-abuse case." USA Today: June 13, 2003. [10]
• "Currently employed SCI-Green prison guard supervised torture of prisoners in Iraq." The Jericho Movement. [11]
• Dao, James, and Paul Von Zielbauer. "Guard left troubled life for duty in Iraq." The New York Times: May 13, 2004. [12]
• Fuoco, Michael A., et al. "Suspect in prisoner abuse has a history of troubles." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: May 8, 2004. [13]
• Higham, Scott, and Joe Stephens. "New details of prison abuse emerge." The Washington Post: May 21, 2004. 1A. [14]
• Lieberman, Paul, and Dan Morain. "Unveiling the Face of the Prison Scandal." Los Angeles Times: June 19, 2004. [15]
• Lin, Judy. "Soldier target of prior abuse allegations." Associated Press: May 13, 2004. [16]
• Peirce, Paul. "Graner remains positive before trial." Pittsburg Tribune-Review. January 8, 2005.
• Serrano, Richard A., and Greg Miller. "Prison intelligence officers scrutinized." The Los Angeles Times: May 23, 2004. [17]
• Sheehan, Charles. "MP Investigated in Iraq was at Pa. prison during abuse scandal, but not implicated." Associated Press: May 7, 2004. [18]
• Womack, Guy. "Prosecuting abuse." Interview with Ray Suarez. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." PBS. May 10, 2004. [19]
• United States Army. Preferred charges against Charles Graner. [20]