Navy SEALs face military hearings for prisoner abuse News
Navy SEALs face military hearings for prisoner abuse

[JURIST] A military hearing begins Tuesday at the San Diego Naval Base for a US Navy SEAL accused of punching an Iraqi prisoner and allowing personnel under his command to abuse the prisoner. Manadel al-Jamadi, a suspect in a Red Cross facility bombing, died in Abu Ghraib a short time after being captured in November 2003. Another Navy SEAL lieutenant will face similar charges in a hearing on Thursday and eight others will face criminal charges of detainee abuse. The SEALs will face Article 32 hearings, similar to civilian grand jury proceedings. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.