Navy SEALs’ case stronger with immunity for witnesses and good results from lie detector

The Washington Times says the case is weakening against 3 Navy SEALS facing various charges over the detention of a suspected terrorist in Iraq. The Times said, “Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland last week signed grants of immunity for five Navy colleagues of the accused.” The paper said some of those receiving immunity "are expected at trial to flatly contradict the prosecution's key witness..."

And The Times reported a surprise development in the SEALs' case at a fundraising rally in Scottsdale (Ariz.).  Petty Officer Matthew McCabe announced he had passed an “independent lie detector test on the question, ‘Did you strike Abed?’

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Capt. Bjork’s attorney Kelley to file motion to dismiss

by Kay B. Day

Victor Kelley, founder of the National Military Justice Group, told The US Report he will have ‘multiple motions’ in the case of Capt. Carl Bjork. Bjork faces murder charges based on accusations leveled by a former Iraqi police chief in Hit. Kelley said one motion will ask for dismissal for lack of a speedy trial. “The government investigation was complete in September, 2008,” he said. “For the life of me, I don’t know why we’re getting around to a trial…if the case survives it will be tried April 22.” Kelley spoke to TUSR by phone on Friday.

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Charges against SEALs from ‘outside Naval Special Warfare community’

Christine Koch, a member of the Facebook group supporting the Navy SEALs who captured Ahmed Hashim Abed, added this graphic to the page in memoriam to US Army Cpl. Steven R. Koch, 82nd Airborne Division, 1-508 PIR 4th Combat Brigade Team. Cpl. Koch was killed in action March 3, 2008, in Sabari, Afghanistan.The Facebook group Support the Navy SEALs Who Captured Ahmed Hashim Abed has grown to more than 111,000 members from a general public angry about charges against 3 SEALs and the detention of a suspected terrorist. The Facebook group page is a clearinghouse for information about the cases of SEALs Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe, Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas and Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe. Recently a letter was posted in an effort to clear up hearsay about the case. The letter came from Jack Lynch, President of the UDT-SEAL Association. Lynch said, “The charges or accusations against our Navy SEALs were not made from within our SEAL community. They came from outside our Naval Special Warfare community.”

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Military cancels detainee interview in Navy SEAL case

By Chris Carter

The military has canceled the deposition of an alleged terrorist mastermind who claimed that he was assaulted by the military following his capture last year. The law firm Puckett and Faraj, representing Navy SEAL Matthew McCabe, made the announcement on Sunday.

Major General Charles Cleveland, the convening authority for the upcoming special courts-martial for three of the Navy SEALs involved in the operation, has decided to cancel the trip to Iraq to depose Ahmed Hashim Abed. Since the SEALs have a Constitutional right to confront their accuser in court, the alleged terrorist's statements won't be used as evidence for the case.

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Ten sites join Maritime Tactical Security in support for Navy SEALs

by Kay B. Day

Ten websites are supporting three Navy SEALs facing court martial because of accusations related to a detained terror suspect. The websites represent a Support The Navy SEALs Facebook group with more than 108,000 members, a Christian publisher, Republican congressman Dan Burton (Ind.), Republican congressional candidate Scott Taylor (Va.) who served as a SEAL,  Sark Securities and others. The US Report is among the ten sites supporting the SEALs.

Burton and 40 Republican congressmen have written a formal letter  to the military commander on the SEALs' behalf. Burton wrote, "There is more than enough doubt as to whether these SEALs committed any wrongdoing at all."

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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.”

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Capt. Bjork’s case referred by general for court martial by March

U.S. Army captain Carl Bjork with children in Iraq. [Photo courtesy of Capt. Bjork's family.]Capt. Carl Bjork, accused of reckless endangerment (1 count) and premeditated murder (2 counts), will proceed to court martial by March, 120 days after he was officially charged and more than 3 years after the alleged acts occurred. Bjork’s attorney Victor Kelley told The US Report in December the accusers are 3 former Iraqi police and a former Iraqi intel officer who are currently detainees in Iraq.

Kelley founded and practices with The National Military Justice Group. He is a retired military officer.

On a blog established by Bjork’s supporters, there’s a brief post announcing the government’s decision to proceed.

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