56 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 11 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

An eye-witness account of Lt. Watada's first day in court

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   No comments
Message Jane Stillwater
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)
Here is an e-mail that a friend just sent me. It came from an eye-witness to the first day of this highly-orchestrated trial -- that appears to have been designed specifically to defeat the principles of Nuremberg. Here is my friend's e-mail. I hope he doesn't mind me passing it along -- but it is just too important to keep to myself:

What a day! I got to Ft. Lewis by 7:30 am and at 8:30 all the people who had gotten passes or were military were allowed to go into the building. There were approximately 40 civilians and a whole parking lot of media. The media were put in a lottery and 7 were selected to be allowed into the courtroom. There were 20 seats in the courtroom which was occupied by the family, military police and the media, leaving three seats for civilians.

All the people ahead of me went to an over flow room where they could hear what was said in the courtroom but could only see the judge. I was taken to the courtroom along with two other civilians. I have no idea why but there I was sitting by Lt. Watada's mother and through out the day we became friends. She was getting sick and I just happened to have much needed medication.

I also got to talk to Ehren Watada and the civilian attorney. I was invited to a press meeting at a motel after the day was over where the attorney answered questions from all the news people. It was quite large. Most of the media had not been in the court room and since I was, I got to ask questions that related to what had happened during the day.

The military judge seemed to lack experience at dealing with such a high-powered civilian attorney...this guy for Watada is good. He has been dealing with military law for 40 years. He called the court martial proceedings an atrocity and it did appear to be just that. The judge allowed the defense no witnesses, calling them all irrelevant and then deeming 11 witnesses for the army relevant, one witness being the same one that the defense had asked for and the judge said no, but yes to the army. It didn't make sense since the relevancy was military law for both sides.

Ultimately the defense made it known that this court martial was not just and that they will put all their effort into an appeal when this travesty of a hearing is over. The defense attorney kept pointing out all the errors he perceived so that it all would be in the court record for appeal.

It was a long day and if it all continues Watada will be found guilty of not deploying with his soldiers to Iraq and conduct unfitting an officer for speaking at different gatherings ie, Veterans for Peace in August. The jurors were selected and that is a bit brighter because they were all very well educated, some PhDs and all with at least masters from non-military universities. There was only one officer from West Point. Two were divinity graduates, two had MBAs and two had degrees in psychology, one therapist and one with a degree in history.

I felt okay about these guys and although I think they will have to say he is guilty because of the limited scope of military law, I think they will be open to lenient punishment and then the case will go to appeals where hopefully a more experienced judge will preside.

The court martial is expected to go at least until Thursday with Lt. Watada speaking for himself on Wednesday. I think Wednesday will be an important day. Lt. Watada is extraordinary, very clear, no ego, uncanny in his ability to be present and connected.

Goodnight. I'll write more tomorrow night when I get home.
Rate It | View Ratings

Jane Stillwater Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Stillwater is a freelance writer who hates injustice and corruption in any form but especially injustice and corruption paid for by American taxpayers. She has recently published a book entitled, "Bring Your Own Flak Jacket: Helpful Tips For Touring (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

200 Concubines: In India, it's hard not to think about sex!

My trip to North Korea: Pictures worth a thousand words?

Exponential happiness: McCain, Obama, Chekhov & my 93-year-old aunt

Our dual-citizenship Congress: Lotsa pork for Israelis, no pork for California?

Lucas Mangope: One of South Africa's living legends

Google Earth: Gaza has now gone dark too....

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend