Capt. Bjork legal fund set up

by Kay B. Day

The family of Capt. Carl Bjork, with urging from friends and supporters, has set up a legal fund to help with his defense. A decorated soldier serving in the U.S. Army, Bjork has been praised by many who have served with him. One soldier who wishes to remain anonymous told The US Report by phone his impression of Bjork, “He’s the ultimate American soldier. He does everything by the book. He even read the Koran before he went to Iraq. He would never do anything unlawful.”

Friends and family of Capt. Carl Bjork (U.S. Army) have set up a defense fund for the soldier who received a Bronze Star and who now stands accused of murder in a case that, based on what is known, makes little sense.
At the website, a synopsis sums up what is known about the case against Bjork: “His accusers, who are the only witnesses/evidence in this alleged crime, are four disgraced former Iraqi police who are imprisoned for the murder of two Iraqi civilians - believed to be Iraqi al queda. Evidence suggests that one of these Iraqi police, an Iraqi Police Colonel, was motivated by revenge to commit these murders, as his brother was beheaded in a public forum by the Iraqi al queda killed in this crime. Now these disgraced Iraqis are looking for a "get out of jail free" ticket, and have accused Carl of ordering the murders to take place. Carl was not even present at the scene of these murders. He simply trained the Iraqi police as part of his duty.”

It took the government almost 3 years to charge Bjork.

A family member of Bjork emailed TUSR and said of the case, “It has been very difficult on the whole family.”

But solid support is coming from Main Street. As this column was filed, the Facebook Group Support Carl Bjork had 7,541 members. This support means a lot.  Erica Bjork Manning told TUSR, “Carl is in fact aware of the thousands of people supporting him.  He has seen the Facebook group page, though I don’t believe he is able to check back to it often.  His girlfriend, Sian, has been able to speak with him and says he is overwhelmed by the support.  The entire family is humbled and so thankful for all that have stood up for Carl.  Our hope now is that the trial is speedy and fair, and that Carl is exonerated of these accusations soon.”

Bjork’s attorney Victor Kelley who founded The National Military Justice Group told Rick Amato in an interview on The Washington Times ‘Inside the Story’ program the captain amounts to a ‘get out of jail free card’ for the detainees who actually committed the alleged murder.

Because the case is so complicated—TUSR mentioned in December the complexities of testimony through an interpreter—the defense will be costly. Supporters may donate at the official website for Capt. Bjork, the only one the family has approved.

Bjork will proceed to court martial by March, 120 days after he was officially charged and more than 3 years after the alleged acts occurred.