Deserter cites prison abuses as defense
Major Players:
- Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia's - "first public deserter in the war...28, a squad leader in the Florida National Guard who did not return to his unit in Iraq last October after a 15-day home leave...holds dual citizenship in Costa Rica and Nicaragua".
- Former Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark -"one of Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia's attorneys was , who accused the military of violating international law in the abuse cases and the handling of Mejia's desertion case. Clark urged the judge to allow evidence on alleged war crimes."
- Col. Gary Smith, the judge in the case - "rejected Clark's arguments and told defense attorneys they couldn't argue legalities of the war, prison abuse crimes, and Mejia's application for conscientious objector status when testimony begins Thursday before a jury of officers and enlisted personnel."
The upshot from the "other" side?
However, Mejia, 28, a squad leader in the Florida National Guard who did not return to his unit in Iraq last October after a 15-day home leave, can raise those issues if he takes the stand in his defense, Smith ruled.