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Judge bars some experts in officer's court-martial

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published February 6, 2007

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - The judge in the case against the first U.S. officer court-martialed for refusing to ship out for Iraq barred several experts in international and constitutional law from testifying Monday about the legality of the war.

First Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, of Honolulu is charged with missing movement for refusing to ship out with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He also faces charges of conduct unbecoming an officer for accusing the Army of war crimes and denouncing the administration for conducting an "illegal war" founded on "lies."

As his court-martial got under way, the military judge, Lt. Col. John Head, refused to allow almost all defense witnesses to testify. Head previously ruled that Watada's attorney, Eric Seitz, could not debate the legality of the Iraq war in court.

If convicted, Watada could receive four years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. He has requested that his case be heard by a military panel of officers, the equivalent of a jury.

Outside the base, a small group that included actor Sean Penn demonstrated in support of Watada. A few others demonstrated against him.

[Last modified February 6, 2007, 00:50:23]