Abu Ghraib suspect England waives right to challenge charges News
Abu Ghraib suspect England waives right to challenge charges

[JURIST] Lawyers for Pfc. Lynndie England [Wikipedia profile] on Tuesday decided to forgo her right to challenge the seven charges she faces for her role in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal [JURIST news archive]. England defense attorney Capt. Jonathon Crisp did not elaborate on why he decided not to go forward with the Article 32 hearing [text], the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury hearing. Fort Hood commanding general Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz will now decide if England faces any or all of the earlier charges. A prosecution spokeman speculated that if Metz orders a trial it could start as soon as June. England's initial guilty plea was rejected and a mistrial declared [JURIST report] by a judge earlier this month. AP has more.