US Army reservist found guilty in Afghan abuse case News
US Army reservist found guilty in Afghan abuse case

[JURIST] A US military jury on Wednesday convicted Pfc. Willie Brand of assault, maltreatment, false official swearing and maiming. Brand faces up to 16 years in military prison for beating one of two Afghan detainees who later died at Bagram Control Point [Global Security profile] near Kabul. The jury acquitted him of related charges involving the second prisoner. Brand was first charged in February 2005 for abuse of a 22-year-old prisoner [JURIST report] known as Dilawar [Wikipedia profile] who was beaten so severely he later died. Homicide charges were dropped earlier this year. Brand's sentencing hearing begins Thursday. 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.