Soldier England to be quizzed over guilty plea

The reputed ringleader in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal today called into question whether Private First Class Lynndie England knew she was committing wrongful acts when she took part in the mistreatment of Iraqi detainees.

The testimony of Private Charles Graner Jr, contending that notorious photos taken of England at the prison were to have a legitimate use, could endanger England’s guilty plea to seven abuse charges.

Under military law, a judge can formally accept her guilty plea only if she knew at the time that what she was doing was illegal.

Col James Pohl, the judge, will question England again today to try to clarify her state when the abusive acts occurred.

Graner was found guilty in January and is serving a 10-year prison term for his role in the scandal.

Pohl abruptly stopped England’s sentencing hearing after Graner testified that three pictures he took of England holding a naked prisoner on a leash were meant to be used as a legitimate training aid for other guards.

That contradicted England’s contention Monday, when she pleaded guilty.

She told the judge that day that she knew at the time that the pictures were taken purely for the amusement of the guards at the Baghdad prison.