News-Info-Alerts

Re: EPW Abuse Hearings Under Way

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: September 05, 2003

"Military hearing ends for soldier accused of abuse

Outcome expected later this month

By JOAN D. LAGUARDIA, jlaguardia@news-press.com
 Published by news-press.com on September 5, 2003

The Article 32 military hearing for Sgt. 1st Class Scott McKenzie — accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners — ended Tuesday after four days of testimony, according to his mother, Carolyn Lachemayer of North Fort Myers.

The Army has not yet revealed the outcome of the grand-jury-style hearing.

It’s part of an investigation into whether McKenzie and three other military police officers used excessive force while handling Iraqi prisoners.

“He said it went well. He was in good spirits,” Lachemayer said. “Scott said he should know something by the end of September.”

Nationwide support has been building for McKenzie, Master Sgt. Lisa Girman, Spc. Timothy Canjar and Sgt. Shawna Edmondson of the 320th Military Police Battalion based in Ashley, Pa.

However, they could face court martial if the investigation continues.

Families and supporters of the accused MPs had public rallies, signed petitions and appealed to legislators to focus attention on the hearing. They claimed the MPs used reasonable force — especially considering past problems at Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr in southern Iraq.

Camp Bucca, the largest prison camp in Iraq, holds suspected terrorists and military supporters of Saddam Hussein. The alleged abuse of prisoners occurred there on May 12.

The soldiers are accused of kicking, dragging and punching Iraqi prisoners arriving at the camp. They are also accused of making statements such as, “This one is for Jessica,” a reference to former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch of Palestine, W.Va.

In e-mails to family, McKenzie wrote that the MPs were forced to subdue the prisoners when about a dozen of the 44 they were transporting grabbed one of the MPs and started resistance.

Family members also said conditions at the camp are dangerous for MPs. They believe charges against these four were pushed by officers angry that one of the MPs complained about their lack of control at the camp.

There have been at least two prisoner uprisings at the camp where one prisoner was fatally shot and another wounded.

None of the prisoners involved in the May 12 incident was seriously hurt.

McKenzie, 38, is a lieutenant and shift commander at the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County, Pa.

Lachemayer said her son is now in Kuwait where he is separated from his unit and the other accused MPs.

“They are back under a no-contact order once again,” she said.

©2001, The News-Press"