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Emphasizing DOJ charges, he convicted him in the court of public opinion, biased potential jurors for his scheduled 2010 trial, and left no doubt where The Times stands - guilty as charged as Heller's astute Catch-22 quote above discerned.
Bergrin paid for his integrity - for wanting disturbing truths to come out to hold those responsible accountable under US and international law, not innocent soldiers forced to obey orders or face court-martials, dishonorable discharges, fines and imprisonments.
He's now victimized and disbarred for doing his job, and in a November 24, 2009 letter to Mestrovic said:
"This virtual nightmare has destroyed everything (that) I worked my heart and soul out for, including my family. What hurts me the most is I am not guilty and totally innocent....I am (as) despondent as a human being could be and sincerely thank you for your friendship, love and concern."
"Besides the evidence I uncovered on Operation Iron Triangle, Objection Murray and the Rules of Engagement, to kill every military aged male upon contact, I was about to change the course of history (in a press conference) that I had affirmative proof that President Bush, VP Cheney, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, Assist. Secy. of (Defense) Wolfowitz, Carbone and White House Counsel, (Alberto) Gonzales (later US Attorney General) had lied, deliberately and intentionally when they denied knowledge of the torture techniques at Abu Ghraib."
"If I had the torture memos, I would have compelled the highest levels of the government to testify at these Court-Martials, gone with a not guilty plea and exposed the hypocrisy. Additionally, Col. Pohl denied me calling these witnesses because the (government) alleged there was no nexus nor evidence in existence on the torture memos and techniques; we now know (they) existed and all the above had knowledge of....I could have reversed the convictions at Abu Ghraib and placed blame on the real offenders."
"My life is in crisis and I don't know where to turn....I really attempted to treat these soldiers and defend them like they were my own children."
For that and threatening the powerful, Bergrin faces a possible life sentence if convicted in his 2010 trial. Until then, he's imprisoned without bail under a system rewarding high crimes while targeting lawyers who try to expose them.
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