US Army general won’t testify in Abu Ghraib dog handler case News
US Army general won’t testify in Abu Ghraib dog handler case

[JURIST] Lawyers for Army Sgt. Michael Smith, currently facing court-martial for allegedly torturing prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison [JURIST news archive] with unmuzzled dogs [JURIST report], have withdrawn a request for testimony from prison commander Army Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller [Wikipedia profile]. Miller's testimony was expected to help Smith's case, based upon findings in the 2004 Fay Jones report [PDF text; Frontline summary] and other investigations, that the use of dogs to abuse detainees began upon the arrivals of the animals on November 20, 2003 and that Miller "recommended dogs as beneficial for detainee custody and control issues." Miller had previously invoked his constitutional right to remain silent [AFP report] but Smith's attorneys have offered no explanation of their somewhat unusual decision not to press for his testimony.

Originally scheduled to begin March 8, the trial date was pushed back [JURIST report] to May 22 to allow more time for defense preparation. If convicted, Smith faces up to 29 1/2 years in prison. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.