Ehren Watada: Difference between revisions
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== Background and early service == |
== Background and early service == |
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Watada was born in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] to Robert Watada and Carolyn Ho. His father served for 10 years as executive director of [[Hawaii]]'s Campaign Spending Commission and himself refused to serve in the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name=commondreams.org>[http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0627-06.htm International Day of Action to Support First Lt. Ehren Watada]</ref> Ehren Watada attended [[Punahou School]], then transferred in his sophomore year to [[Kalani High School]], where he played cornerback on the varsity football team. An [[Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scout]], Watada graduated from [[Hawaii Pacific University]] magna cum laude in 2003 with a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in Finance.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003044627_nogo7m.html Officer at Fort Lewis calls Iraq war illegal, refuses order to go]</ref><ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-officer5feb05,0,1444479.story?coll=la-home-headlines Instead of Iraq, a battle all his own]</ref> |
Watada was born in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] to Robert Watada and Carolyn Ho. His father served for 10 years as executive director of [[Hawaii]]'s Campaign Spending Commission and himself refused to serve in the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name=commondreams.org>[http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0627-06.htm International Day of Action to Support First Lt. Ehren Watada]</ref> Ehren Watada attended [[Punahou School]], then transferred in his sophomore year to [[Kalani High School]], where he played cornerback on the varsity football team. An [[Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scout]], Watada graduated from [[Hawaii Pacific University]] magna cum laude in 2003 with a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in Finance.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003044627_nogo7m.html Officer at Fort Lewis calls Iraq war illegal, refuses order to go] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060608031029/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003044627_nogo7m.html |date=2006-06-08 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-officer5feb05,0,1444479.story?coll=la-home-headlines Instead of Iraq, a battle all his own]</ref> |
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Watada joined the [[United States Army|Army]] after the war in Iraq had begun, stating that he was motivated "out of a desire to protect our country" after the [[September 11 attacks]]. He was commissioned by the Army's [[Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army)|Officer Candidate School]], on November 20, 2003, at [[Fort Benning, Georgia]] as a [[Second Lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] of [[United States Army Field Artillery Corps|Field Artillery]]—one month after [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511|Security Council Resolution 1511]] authorized a [[multinational force in Iraq]].<ref>[http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1511(2003)/page_1 Security Council Resolution 1511] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116094132/http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1511(2003)/page_1 |date=January 16, 2008 }}, October 16, 2003.</ref> Watada served one year in [[South Korea]], and was subsequently reassigned to [[Fort Lewis, Washington]].<ref name=NewYorkTimes>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/us/23refuse.html Officer faces court-martial for refusing to deploy], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 23, 2006.</ref> |
Watada joined the [[United States Army|Army]] after the war in Iraq had begun, stating that he was motivated "out of a desire to protect our country" after the [[September 11 attacks]]. He was commissioned by the Army's [[Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army)|Officer Candidate School]], on November 20, 2003, at [[Fort Benning, Georgia]] as a [[Second Lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] of [[United States Army Field Artillery Corps|Field Artillery]]—one month after [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511|Security Council Resolution 1511]] authorized a [[multinational force in Iraq]].<ref>[http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1511(2003)/page_1 Security Council Resolution 1511] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116094132/http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1511(2003)/page_1 |date=January 16, 2008 }}, October 16, 2003.</ref> Watada served one year in [[South Korea]], and was subsequently reassigned to [[Fort Lewis, Washington]].<ref name=NewYorkTimes>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/us/23refuse.html Officer faces court-martial for refusing to deploy], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 23, 2006.</ref> |
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== Opposition to the Iraq War and trial == |
== Opposition to the Iraq War and trial == |
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Soon after reporting to Fort Lewis, Watada discovered that his unit would be deploying to Iraq, in support of ongoing operations there. In preparation to deploy, he began conducting research on the country, its [[Iraqi culture|culture]], and the reasons for the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Watada claims that, after reading several books and articles about the history of Iraq, [[international law]], and the evidence used to justify the war,<ref name=ArmyTimes>[http://armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1870677.php Deployment Refuser has no Regrets], ''[[Army Times]]'', June 14, 2006.{{ |
Soon after reporting to Fort Lewis, Watada discovered that his unit would be deploying to Iraq, in support of ongoing operations there. In preparation to deploy, he began conducting research on the country, its [[Iraqi culture|culture]], and the reasons for the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Watada claims that, after reading several books and articles about the history of Iraq, [[international law]], and the evidence used to justify the war,<ref name=ArmyTimes>[http://armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1870677.php Deployment Refuser has no Regrets], ''[[Army Times]]'', June 14, 2006. {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060620223327/http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1870677.php |date=June 20, 2006 }}</ref> and speaking with [[veterans]] returning from Iraq,<ref name=NewYorkTimes/> he ceased to believe in its legality and justification. |
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=== Attempt to resign === |
=== Attempt to resign === |
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On these charges, Watada's civilian attorney, [[Eric Seitz]], comments: |
On these charges, Watada's civilian attorney, [[Eric Seitz]], comments: |
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<blockquote>Well, we expected him to be charged with missing movement or violating an order to get on a bus to accompany his unit to Iraq. We did not really anticipate that they would charge him with additional offenses based upon the comments and the remarks that he's made. And that opens up a whole new chapter in this proceeding, because what the Army has clearly tried to do by the nature of these charges is send out a message to people in the military, that if you criticize the war and if you criticize the decisions that were made to bring the United States into this war, that you, too, could be charged with disloyalty, contemptuous remarks and disrespect for higher officers, and in this case, specifically in this charge, the President.<ref name=DemNow060707>[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/07/1356221 Army Charges Lieutenant With Contempt and Conduct Unbecoming an Officer for Refusing Iraq Deployment and Criticizing Bush, War], ''[[Democracy Now]]'', July 7, 2006.</ref></blockquote> |
<blockquote>Well, we expected him to be charged with missing movement or violating an order to get on a bus to accompany his unit to Iraq. We did not really anticipate that they would charge him with additional offenses based upon the comments and the remarks that he's made. And that opens up a whole new chapter in this proceeding, because what the Army has clearly tried to do by the nature of these charges is send out a message to people in the military, that if you criticize the war and if you criticize the decisions that were made to bring the United States into this war, that you, too, could be charged with disloyalty, contemptuous remarks and disrespect for higher officers, and in this case, specifically in this charge, the President.<ref name=DemNow060707>[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/07/1356221 Army Charges Lieutenant With Contempt and Conduct Unbecoming an Officer for Refusing Iraq Deployment and Criticizing Bush, War] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060711191226/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06%2F07%2F07%2F1356221 |date=2006-07-11 }}, ''[[Democracy Now]]'', July 7, 2006.</ref></blockquote> |
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==== Article 32 hearing ==== |
==== Article 32 hearing ==== |
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Watada's [[article 32 hearing]] to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to move forward with a general court-martial was held on August 17, 2006.<ref name=seattlepi060817>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/281518_watada17.html Hearings to open on 'no Iraq' officer: Fort Lewis panel to decide if Watada faces court-martial], ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', August 17, 2006.</ref> The investigating officer [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lt. Col.]] Mark Keith presided.<ref name=SeattlePI080816>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/281742_watada18.html Hearing for soldier who won't serve in Iraq puts war on trial] ''[[Seattle Post Intelligencer]]'', August 18, 2006.</ref> |
Watada's [[article 32 hearing]] to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to move forward with a general court-martial was held on August 17, 2006.<ref name=seattlepi060817>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/281518_watada17.html Hearings to open on 'no Iraq' officer: Fort Lewis panel to decide if Watada faces court-martial], ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', August 17, 2006.</ref> The investigating officer [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lt. Col.]] Mark Keith presided.<ref name=SeattlePI080816>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/281742_watada18.html Hearing for soldier who won't serve in Iraq puts war on trial] ''[[Seattle Post Intelligencer]]'', August 18, 2006.</ref> |
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The Army prosecutor, [[Captain (army/air force)|Capt.]] Dan Kuecker, described Watada's actions as contemptuous of [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]], and argued that Watada's public statements hurt morale in his unit.<ref name=SeattlePI080816/> He played video clips from to a [[Veterans for Peace]] conference.<ref name=Olympian081706>[http://www.theolympian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/NEWS01/60817012 Military uses video of Watada speeches as evidence against him] ''[[The Olympian]]'', August 17, 2006.</ref> In that speech, Watada called on his fellow soldiers to stop fighting.<ref name=ThankYouLtWatadaAddress>[http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/172/ Lt. Watada addresses national veterans convention] ''thankyoult.org'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530025238/http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/172/ |date=May 30, 2012 }}</ref> |
The Army prosecutor, [[Captain (army/air force)|Capt.]] Dan Kuecker, described Watada's actions as contemptuous of [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]], and argued that Watada's public statements hurt morale in his unit.<ref name=SeattlePI080816/> He played video clips from to a [[Veterans for Peace]] conference.<ref name=Olympian081706>[http://www.theolympian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/NEWS01/60817012 Military uses video of Watada speeches as evidence against him]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[The Olympian]]'', August 17, 2006.</ref> In that speech, Watada called on his fellow soldiers to stop fighting.<ref name=ThankYouLtWatadaAddress>[http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/172/ Lt. Watada addresses national veterans convention] ''thankyoult.org'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530025238/http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/172/ |date=May 30, 2012 }}</ref> |
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Eric Seitz, Watada's civilian counsel, and Capt. Mark Kim, Watada's military lawyer, raised the issue of the legality of the war. Over the prosecutor's objections, Seitz and Kim called three witnesses to question the legality of the war.<ref name=SeattlePI080816/> [[University of Illinois]] Professor of international law [[Francis Boyle]] testified that the war is illegal because it was not authorized by the [[U.N. Security Council]], and claimed that Congress approved the war on the basis of faulty [[government intelligence|intelligence]]. Also testifying in Watada's defense were Former United Nations Undersecretary [[Denis Halliday]], and Army Colonel [[Ann Wright]] (ret.), who retired from the state department in March 2003, in protest of the coming invasion. Like Boyle, both asserted that the war was illegal and that therefore Watada was within his rights to refuse participation in it. Also, the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] ([[ACLU]]) filed an [[Amicus curiae|amicus brief]], saying that soldiers should not be court martialed for explaining their views.<ref name=ACLU>[https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/aclu-washington-defends-free-speech-rights-lt-ehren-watada ACLU of Washington Defends Free Speech Rights of Lt. Ehren Watada], "[[ACLU]]", August 15, 2005.</ref> |
Eric Seitz, Watada's civilian counsel, and Capt. Mark Kim, Watada's military lawyer, raised the issue of the legality of the war. Over the prosecutor's objections, Seitz and Kim called three witnesses to question the legality of the war.<ref name=SeattlePI080816/> [[University of Illinois]] Professor of international law [[Francis Boyle]] testified that the war is illegal because it was not authorized by the [[U.N. Security Council]], and claimed that Congress approved the war on the basis of faulty [[government intelligence|intelligence]]. Also testifying in Watada's defense were Former United Nations Undersecretary [[Denis Halliday]], and Army Colonel [[Ann Wright]] (ret.), who retired from the state department in March 2003, in protest of the coming invasion. Like Boyle, both asserted that the war was illegal and that therefore Watada was within his rights to refuse participation in it. Also, the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] ([[ACLU]]) filed an [[Amicus curiae|amicus brief]], saying that soldiers should not be court martialed for explaining their views.<ref name=ACLU>[https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/aclu-washington-defends-free-speech-rights-lt-ehren-watada ACLU of Washington Defends Free Speech Rights of Lt. Ehren Watada], "[[ACLU]]", August 15, 2005.</ref> |
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Watada was [[court-martial]]ed in February 2007, with the case ending in a [[Trial#Mistrials|mistrial]]. On February 5, 2007, Watada's court-martial began with him entering a plea of not guilty to all of the specifications against him. He faced three specifications: one for [[missing movement]], and two for "[[conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman]]" related to his public comments criticizing the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] and the war.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-briefs6.5feb06,1,4078456.story?ctrack=1&cset=true Not-guilty plea in court-martial] ''[[Los Angeles Times]],'' February 6, 2007. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Panel selection was conducted on the first day, narrowing a pool of ten officers down to seven, holding the rank of captain through lieutenant colonel. The court-martial panel is similar to a jury in a civilian trial, but due to rules provided in the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] (UCMJ), panels consist of service members equal or senior in rank to the defendant. |
Watada was [[court-martial]]ed in February 2007, with the case ending in a [[Trial#Mistrials|mistrial]]. On February 5, 2007, Watada's court-martial began with him entering a plea of not guilty to all of the specifications against him. He faced three specifications: one for [[missing movement]], and two for "[[conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman]]" related to his public comments criticizing the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] and the war.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-briefs6.5feb06,1,4078456.story?ctrack=1&cset=true Not-guilty plea in court-martial] ''[[Los Angeles Times]],'' February 6, 2007. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Panel selection was conducted on the first day, narrowing a pool of ten officers down to seven, holding the rank of captain through lieutenant colonel. The court-martial panel is similar to a jury in a civilian trial, but due to rules provided in the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] (UCMJ), panels consist of service members equal or senior in rank to the defendant. |
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On the second day of his court-martial, the prosecution presented opening arguments stating that Watada had "abandoned his soldiers and disgraced himself and the service"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070209092134/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/06/ap3401677.html Army: War Objector Brought Disgrace]''[[Forbes.com]]'', February 6, 2007.</ref> and began calling witnesses. The first witness called was Watada's former [[Battalion]] Commander, Lt. Col. Bruce Antonia. He testified that he learned of Watada's feelings about the war soon after Watada concluded, in early January 2006, that the war was illegal. Antonia stated, "I told him I was concerned. I did not want this to turn into a big media event." Furthermore, his chain of command counseled him on the consequences of his actions if he refused to deploy and used his position to make a spectacle of the issue.<ref name=courtmartial>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003560267_watada7m0.html Army: Watada betrayed trust] ''[[Seattle Times]]'', February 7, 2007.</ref> Lt. Col. William James, another officer who counseled Watada, testified that he found Watada's offer to serve in Afghanistan in "direct conflict" with Watada's written statement or stipulation that he did not want to deploy as a "tool" of the Bush administration.<ref name=courtmartial/> Watada had also stipulated that he had indeed missed his brigade's June deployment to Iraq and that he made a series of public statements against the war. In return for the stipulation, Army prosecutors had dropped several counts that knocked two years off the maximum six-year sentence. |
On the second day of his court-martial, the prosecution presented opening arguments stating that Watada had "abandoned his soldiers and disgraced himself and the service"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070209092134/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/06/ap3401677.html Army: War Objector Brought Disgrace]''[[Forbes.com]]'', February 6, 2007.</ref> and began calling witnesses. The first witness called was Watada's former [[Battalion]] Commander, Lt. Col. Bruce Antonia. He testified that he learned of Watada's feelings about the war soon after Watada concluded, in early January 2006, that the war was illegal. Antonia stated, "I told him I was concerned. I did not want this to turn into a big media event." Furthermore, his chain of command counseled him on the consequences of his actions if he refused to deploy and used his position to make a spectacle of the issue.<ref name=courtmartial>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003560267_watada7m0.html Army: Watada betrayed trust] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218070838/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003560267_watada7m0.html |date=2007-02-18 }} ''[[Seattle Times]]'', February 7, 2007.</ref> Lt. Col. William James, another officer who counseled Watada, testified that he found Watada's offer to serve in Afghanistan in "direct conflict" with Watada's written statement or stipulation that he did not want to deploy as a "tool" of the Bush administration.<ref name=courtmartial/> Watada had also stipulated that he had indeed missed his brigade's June deployment to Iraq and that he made a series of public statements against the war. In return for the stipulation, Army prosecutors had dropped several counts that knocked two years off the maximum six-year sentence. |
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Watada argued that his orders were unlawful, and Military Judge John Head ruled that the question could not be resolved within the [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|military justice system]], saying Watada's argument was reduced to an admission of guilt. The judge ruled that the court-martial was unable to decide the question of whether the deployment order was unlawful, and decided to strike Watada's stipulation, calling it an admission of guilt. Recognizing that the stipulation was the basis of the prosecution's case, Judge Head granted their request for a mistrial.<ref name=SPICM>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302733_courtmartial07ww.html?source=mypi Mistrial ends Watada court-martial: War objector may have to be tried again], ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', February 7, 2007.</ref> |
Watada argued that his orders were unlawful, and Military Judge John Head ruled that the question could not be resolved within the [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|military justice system]], saying Watada's argument was reduced to an admission of guilt. The judge ruled that the court-martial was unable to decide the question of whether the deployment order was unlawful, and decided to strike Watada's stipulation, calling it an admission of guilt. Recognizing that the stipulation was the basis of the prosecution's case, Judge Head granted their request for a mistrial.<ref name=SPICM>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302733_courtmartial07ww.html?source=mypi Mistrial ends Watada court-martial: War objector may have to be tried again], ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', February 7, 2007.</ref> |
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==== Attempted retrial and double jeopardy ==== |
==== Attempted retrial and double jeopardy ==== |
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A new court martial was set for March 19, 2007<ref>{{cite news| title = US war objector's trial misfires | publisher = [[BBC]] | date = 2007-02-07 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6340897.stm | accessdate=}}</ref> rescheduled for July 23, 2007, and then postponed until October 9, 2007,<ref name=AP1>{{cite news| title = Court issues stay in Watada court-martial| author = Melanthia Mitchell| publisher = [[Associated Press]]| date = 2007-05-19 | url = http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/05/ap_watada_warobjector_070519/ | accessdate=}}</ref> as an appeal based on the issue of [[double jeopardy]] delayed the case. Following the ruling on July 5, 2007, by Lt. Col. John Head, again presiding over Watada's court-martial, that double jeopardy did not apply, Watada's attorneys [[appeal]]ed the ruling to the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals and then to U.S. civilian court. On October 5, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle stayed further proceedings until October 26. The Army challenged the injunction. Watada was represented by Ken Kagan and Jim Lobsenz with the Seattle law firm Carney Badley Spellman,<ref name=AP2>{{cite news| title = Watada switches lawyers for second court-martial | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | date = 2007-04-06 | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003654034_watada06m.html| accessdate=}}</ref> who had replaced Eric Seitz. On the issue of double jeopardy, Joe Piek, spokesman for Fort Lewis, argued<ref name=PI1>{{cite news| title = Army expects to retry Watada | author = Mike Barber | publisher = [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] | date = 2007-02-09 | url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/303085_watadaweb09.html | accessdate=}}</ref> that the rules for courts-martial (MCM Rule 915(c)),<ref name=MCM>[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/law/mcm.pdf Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), United States (2005 Edition)] [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] document.</ref> allow the Army to try Watada again, on the theory that the mistrial is not a decision and that the mistrial was not due to [[prosecutorial misconduct]]. Others, including the military defense attorney assigned to Watada, as well as Kagan and Lobsenz, argued that [[double jeopardy]] attached at the start of the presentation of evidence.<ref>[http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/5722/ Jeff Paterson, "Lt. Watada Mistrial Clear Victory,"] Courage to Resist, February 8, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001314/http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/5722/ |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> Rule 907(b)(2)(C) of the MCM states that jeopardy attaches at the "beginning of the presentation of evidence on the merits," raising the possibility that jeopardy attached prior to the declaration of mistrial. <!-- NOTE: the following does not apply to the civil rules of double jeopardy: Even if jeopardy attached, however, the issue then becomes whether Judge Head abused his discretion (MCM Rule 915(c)(2)),<ref name=MCM/> according |
A new court martial was set for March 19, 2007<ref>{{cite news| title = US war objector's trial misfires | publisher = [[BBC]] | date = 2007-02-07 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6340897.stm | accessdate=}}</ref> rescheduled for July 23, 2007, and then postponed until October 9, 2007,<ref name=AP1>{{cite news| title = Court issues stay in Watada court-martial| author = Melanthia Mitchell| publisher = [[Associated Press]]| date = 2007-05-19 | url = http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/05/ap_watada_warobjector_070519/ | accessdate=}}</ref> as an appeal based on the issue of [[double jeopardy]] delayed the case. Following the ruling on July 5, 2007, by Lt. Col. John Head, again presiding over Watada's court-martial, that double jeopardy did not apply, Watada's attorneys [[appeal]]ed the ruling to the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals and then to U.S. civilian court. On October 5, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle stayed further proceedings until October 26. The Army challenged the injunction. Watada was represented by Ken Kagan and Jim Lobsenz with the Seattle law firm Carney Badley Spellman,<ref name=AP2>{{cite news | title = Watada switches lawyers for second court-martial | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | date = 2007-04-06 | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003654034_watada06m.html | accessdate = | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604061413/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003654034_watada06m.html | archivedate = 2011-06-04 | df = }}</ref> who had replaced Eric Seitz. On the issue of double jeopardy, Joe Piek, spokesman for Fort Lewis, argued<ref name=PI1>{{cite news| title = Army expects to retry Watada | author = Mike Barber | publisher = [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] | date = 2007-02-09 | url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/303085_watadaweb09.html | accessdate=}}</ref> that the rules for courts-martial (MCM Rule 915(c)),<ref name=MCM>[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/law/mcm.pdf Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), United States (2005 Edition)] [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] document.</ref> allow the Army to try Watada again, on the theory that the mistrial is not a decision and that the mistrial was not due to [[prosecutorial misconduct]]. Others, including the military defense attorney assigned to Watada, as well as Kagan and Lobsenz, argued that [[double jeopardy]] attached at the start of the presentation of evidence.<ref>[http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/5722/ Jeff Paterson, "Lt. Watada Mistrial Clear Victory,"] Courage to Resist, February 8, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001314/http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/5722/ |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> Rule 907(b)(2)(C) of the MCM states that jeopardy attaches at the "beginning of the presentation of evidence on the merits," raising the possibility that jeopardy attached prior to the declaration of mistrial. <!-- NOTE: the following does not apply to the civil rules of double jeopardy: Even if jeopardy attached, however, the issue then becomes whether Judge Head abused his discretion (MCM Rule 915(c)(2)),<ref name=MCM/> according |
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to [[Eugene Fidell]], president of the National Institute of Military Justice at the [[American University]] [[Washington College of Law]].<ref name=PI1/> In the appeal, Kagan argued that Judge Head did indeed abuse his discretion;<ref name=AP1/> Seitz made the same argument on the day the mistrial was declared.<ref name=YT1>{{cite news| title = Eric Seitz on Watada court martial mistrial| author = Zoltán Grossman| publisher = [[YouTube]] | date = 2007-02-07 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN08jdUmPGk | accessdate=}}</ref> --> |
to [[Eugene Fidell]], president of the National Institute of Military Justice at the [[American University]] [[Washington College of Law]].<ref name=PI1/> In the appeal, Kagan argued that Judge Head did indeed abuse his discretion;<ref name=AP1/> Seitz made the same argument on the day the mistrial was declared.<ref name=YT1>{{cite news| title = Eric Seitz on Watada court martial mistrial| author = Zoltán Grossman| publisher = [[YouTube]] | date = 2007-02-07 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN08jdUmPGk | accessdate=}}</ref> --> |
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The second court-martial was stayed in October 2007 by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, on grounds of double jeopardy. Settle issued an order stating that Watada's "[[double jeopardy]] claim is meritorious" and that no evidence to the contrary was presented.<ref name=stayorder>[http://www.thankyoult.org/images/stories/2007_10_5__fed_ct_-_watadastayorder.pdf Order Granting in Part Petitioner's Motion for a Stay of Court Martial Proceedings] dated October 5, 2007, Tacoma, Washington Federal District case no. C07-5549BHS {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Army challenged the injunction, and Judge Settle ruled on October 21, 2008, that Watada cannot be retried on three of the five counts, but abstained from deciding whether the remaining two counts of [[Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman|conduct unbecoming an officer]] may go forward.<ref name=3of5>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008295492_watadaruling22m.html "Watada Won't Be Retried on 3 of 5 Counts"] ''(Seattle Times)''</ref> On November 8, 2007, the injunction was extended by Judge Settle, who held that Lt. Watada's double jeopardy claim is meritorious, and that there was no evidence presented that it lacks merit.<ref name=stayorder/> |
The second court-martial was stayed in October 2007 by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, on grounds of double jeopardy. Settle issued an order stating that Watada's "[[double jeopardy]] claim is meritorious" and that no evidence to the contrary was presented.<ref name=stayorder>[http://www.thankyoult.org/images/stories/2007_10_5__fed_ct_-_watadastayorder.pdf Order Granting in Part Petitioner's Motion for a Stay of Court Martial Proceedings] dated October 5, 2007, Tacoma, Washington Federal District case no. C07-5549BHS {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Army challenged the injunction, and Judge Settle ruled on October 21, 2008, that Watada cannot be retried on three of the five counts, but abstained from deciding whether the remaining two counts of [[Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman|conduct unbecoming an officer]] may go forward.<ref name=3of5>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008295492_watadaruling22m.html "Watada Won't Be Retried on 3 of 5 Counts"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025052909/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008295492_watadaruling22m.html |date=2008-10-25 }} ''(Seattle Times)''</ref> On November 8, 2007, the injunction was extended by Judge Settle, who held that Lt. Watada's double jeopardy claim is meritorious, and that there was no evidence presented that it lacks merit.<ref name=stayorder/> |
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The Army appealed to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|9th Circuit Court of Appeals]] in November, 2008. But after the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]] took office, the Justice Department asked the court to drop the case, which was dismissed on May 6, 2009.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/06/ap/national/main4996960.shtml "Justice Department Won't Pursue War Objector Case"] May 6, 2009 (''Associated Press'') {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
The Army appealed to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|9th Circuit Court of Appeals]] in November, 2008. But after the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]] took office, the Justice Department asked the court to drop the case, which was dismissed on May 6, 2009.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/06/ap/national/main4996960.shtml "Justice Department Won't Pursue War Objector Case"] May 6, 2009 (''Associated Press'') {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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Other organizations opposed Watada's actions. [[Military Families Voice of Victory]] claimed he was helping al-Qaeda and the [[Revolutionary Communist Party, USA|Communist Party]],<ref name=MFOV>[http://mfvov.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=8 Military Families Rebuke Army Lt. for Refusal to Serve and Alliance with Anti-American Groups], ''[[Military Families Voice of Victory]]'', June 7, 2006.</ref> Some Japanese American veterans said that as a Japanese American he shamed the community.<ref name=KHNL>[http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5154025 Japanese Americans, Latest Group to Criticize Watada], ''[[KHNL 8]]'', July 15, 2006.</ref> Watada reported that although he had not received open hostility from fellow soldiers, there was "definitely a tension."<ref name=ArmyTimes/> There were occasional counter demonstrations at Fort Lewis opposite his supporters.<ref name="seattlepi060817"/> |
Other organizations opposed Watada's actions. [[Military Families Voice of Victory]] claimed he was helping al-Qaeda and the [[Revolutionary Communist Party, USA|Communist Party]],<ref name=MFOV>[http://mfvov.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=8 Military Families Rebuke Army Lt. for Refusal to Serve and Alliance with Anti-American Groups], ''[[Military Families Voice of Victory]]'', June 7, 2006.</ref> Some Japanese American veterans said that as a Japanese American he shamed the community.<ref name=KHNL>[http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5154025 Japanese Americans, Latest Group to Criticize Watada], ''[[KHNL 8]]'', July 15, 2006.</ref> Watada reported that although he had not received open hostility from fellow soldiers, there was "definitely a tension."<ref name=ArmyTimes/> There were occasional counter demonstrations at Fort Lewis opposite his supporters.<ref name="seattlepi060817"/> |
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Watada's mother, Carolyn Ho, became an anti-Iraq War [[activist]].,<ref name=worldcantwait.net>[http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3511&Itemid=10 WORLD CAN'T WAIT--DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME]</ref> founding a website to support him, formerly at [https://web.archive.org/web/20071208070255/http://www.thankyoult.org/ http://www.thankyoult.org].<ref name=seattlepi060817/> Watada's father, Bob, also became a critic of the war<ref>[http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=11275 Father becomes outspoken critic of Iraq war] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517201507/http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=11275 |date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> and went on a national tour<ref name=LS>{{cite news|title = Paternal Pride: Father Delivers Army Son’s Anti-War Message Nationwide|author = Beth Freed|publisher = [[Lone Star Iconoclast]]|url = http://www.lonestaricon.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=734&z=79 |archive-url = https://archive.is/20070321191616/http://www.lonestaricon.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=734&z=79 |dead-url = yes |archive-date = 2007-03-21 |accessdate = 2007-05-22 }}</ref> to raise money for his son's defense, from October 26 to November 17. Ehren Watada was on hand to speak, and shared the stage with other prominent critics of the war, including [[Jane Fonda]], [[Sean Penn]], and [[Tim Robbins]], at the [[January 27, 2007 anti-war protest]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name=ThankYouLt3>[http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/178/ SoCal events with Bob Watada underway], ''thankyoult.org'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303074849/http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/178/ |date=March 3, 2012 }}</ref> |
Watada's mother, Carolyn Ho, became an anti-Iraq War [[activist]].,<ref name=worldcantwait.net>[http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3511&Itemid=10 WORLD CAN'T WAIT--DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014184544/http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3511&Itemid=10 |date=2007-10-14 }}</ref> founding a website to support him, formerly at [https://web.archive.org/web/20071208070255/http://www.thankyoult.org/ http://www.thankyoult.org].<ref name=seattlepi060817/> Watada's father, Bob, also became a critic of the war<ref>[http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=11275 Father becomes outspoken critic of Iraq war] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517201507/http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=11275 |date=May 17, 2013 }}</ref> and went on a national tour<ref name=LS>{{cite news|title = Paternal Pride: Father Delivers Army Son’s Anti-War Message Nationwide|author = Beth Freed|publisher = [[Lone Star Iconoclast]]|url = http://www.lonestaricon.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=734&z=79 |archive-url = https://archive.is/20070321191616/http://www.lonestaricon.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=734&z=79 |dead-url = yes |archive-date = 2007-03-21 |accessdate = 2007-05-22 }}</ref> to raise money for his son's defense, from October 26 to November 17. Ehren Watada was on hand to speak, and shared the stage with other prominent critics of the war, including [[Jane Fonda]], [[Sean Penn]], and [[Tim Robbins]], at the [[January 27, 2007 anti-war protest]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name=ThankYouLt3>[http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/178/ SoCal events with Bob Watada underway], ''thankyoult.org'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303074849/http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/178/ |date=March 3, 2012 }}</ref> |
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At event called the "Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq" testimony that had been barred from Watada's Courts Martial was heard;<ref name=CitizensTribunalEhrenWatada>{{cite web|date=January 20, 2007 |url=http://www.wartribunal.net/ |title=Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq: The Case of Lt. Ehren Watada |accessdate=July 14, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907200204/http://www.wartribunal.net/ |archivedate=September 7, 2008 }}</ref> among those testifying on January 20 and January 21, 2007 were: |
At event called the "Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq" testimony that had been barred from Watada's Courts Martial was heard;<ref name=CitizensTribunalEhrenWatada>{{cite web|date=January 20, 2007 |url=http://www.wartribunal.net/ |title=Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq: The Case of Lt. Ehren Watada |accessdate=July 14, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907200204/http://www.wartribunal.net/ |archivedate=September 7, 2008 }}</ref> among those testifying on January 20 and January 21, 2007 were: |
Revision as of 10:17, 18 September 2017
Ehren Watada | |
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Born | 1978 (age 45–46) |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 2003–2009 |
Rank | First Lieutenant (1LT) |
Unit | G-37, HHC, I Corps (Ft. Lewis, WA) |
Awards | Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon |
Ehren K. Watada (born 1978) is a former First Lieutenant of the United States Army, best known as the first commissioned officer in the US armed forces to refuse to deploy to Iraq, in June 2006.[1] Watada refused to deploy for his unit's assigned rotation to Operation Iraqi Freedom,[2][3] saying he believed the war to be illegal and that, under the doctrine of command responsibility, it would make him party to war crimes. At the time, he was assigned to duty with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, as a Fire Support Officer. He was brought before a court-martial in 2007 which ended in a mistrial; the Army subsequently discharged him under "Other-Than-Honorable-Conditions" in 2009.[4] An administrative discharge, “Under Other than Honorable Conditions” Discharge is the least favorable type of administrative discharge from the Army. According to AR 635-200, an OTH Discharge is reserved for a “pattern of behavior that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of Soldiers of the Army.”[5]
Background and early service
Watada was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Robert Watada and Carolyn Ho. His father served for 10 years as executive director of Hawaii's Campaign Spending Commission and himself refused to serve in the Vietnam War.[6] Ehren Watada attended Punahou School, then transferred in his sophomore year to Kalani High School, where he played cornerback on the varsity football team. An Eagle Scout, Watada graduated from Hawaii Pacific University magna cum laude in 2003 with a B.A. in Finance.[7][8]
Watada joined the Army after the war in Iraq had begun, stating that he was motivated "out of a desire to protect our country" after the September 11 attacks. He was commissioned by the Army's Officer Candidate School, on November 20, 2003, at Fort Benning, Georgia as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery—one month after Security Council Resolution 1511 authorized a multinational force in Iraq.[9] Watada served one year in South Korea, and was subsequently reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington.[10]
Opposition to the Iraq War and trial
Soon after reporting to Fort Lewis, Watada discovered that his unit would be deploying to Iraq, in support of ongoing operations there. In preparation to deploy, he began conducting research on the country, its culture, and the reasons for the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Watada claims that, after reading several books and articles about the history of Iraq, international law, and the evidence used to justify the war,[11] and speaking with veterans returning from Iraq,[10] he ceased to believe in its legality and justification.
Attempt to resign
In January 2006, he attempted to resign. In his letter, he asserted that he was "wholeheartedly opposed to the continued war in Iraq," citing what he believed to be lawlessness and dishonesty in its justification. He came to the conclusion after doing his own personal research, including reading books by Seymour Hersh and James Bamford as well as learning about the Downing Street Memo, a British government document that stated that war in Iraq was "inevitable" and "the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy" of war. Watada also asserted, in discussions with other soldiers, that he and his fellow servicemen were complicit in war crimes.[10] Watada has said he is not a conscientious objector because he is not opposed to all wars as a matter of principle, and he claims he has offered to serve in Afghanistan,[1] which he regarded as "an unambiguous war linked to the September 11 attacks." This was also refused. Watada, in turn, refused an offer for a desk job in Iraq without direct combat involvement, claiming that the point of his protest was not about combat.[10]
Charges and proposed court-martial
In response to Watada's refusal to deploy, the Army initially preferred seven specifications of various offenses under the UCMJ. Since the initial preferral, all but three specifications were dropped; the remaining ones sent to the court-martial follow:
- 2 specifications Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman (for statements made in speeches and interviews) (Article 133)
- 1 specification Missing Movement (for refusing to deploy to Iraq on June 22) (Article 87)
When the initial charges were preferred, Watada faced the possibility of a General court-martial and up to seven years in prison, as well as dismissal from the service. ("Dismissal" is the only class of punitive discharge for U.S. commissioned officers; it is the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge, to which enlisted personnel may be sentenced.) Even faced with these consequences, Watada has said that he does not regret his decision, stating that he believes it to have been his moral responsibility:
When you are looking your children in the eye in the future, or when you are at the end of your life, you want to look back on your life and know that at a very important moment, when I had the opportunity to make the right decisions, I did so, even knowing there were negative consequences.[12]
On these charges, Watada's civilian attorney, Eric Seitz, comments:
Well, we expected him to be charged with missing movement or violating an order to get on a bus to accompany his unit to Iraq. We did not really anticipate that they would charge him with additional offenses based upon the comments and the remarks that he's made. And that opens up a whole new chapter in this proceeding, because what the Army has clearly tried to do by the nature of these charges is send out a message to people in the military, that if you criticize the war and if you criticize the decisions that were made to bring the United States into this war, that you, too, could be charged with disloyalty, contemptuous remarks and disrespect for higher officers, and in this case, specifically in this charge, the President.[13]
Article 32 hearing
Watada's article 32 hearing to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to move forward with a general court-martial was held on August 17, 2006.[14] The investigating officer Lt. Col. Mark Keith presided.[15]
The Army prosecutor, Capt. Dan Kuecker, described Watada's actions as contemptuous of President George W. Bush, and argued that Watada's public statements hurt morale in his unit.[15] He played video clips from to a Veterans for Peace conference.[16] In that speech, Watada called on his fellow soldiers to stop fighting.[17]
Eric Seitz, Watada's civilian counsel, and Capt. Mark Kim, Watada's military lawyer, raised the issue of the legality of the war. Over the prosecutor's objections, Seitz and Kim called three witnesses to question the legality of the war.[15] University of Illinois Professor of international law Francis Boyle testified that the war is illegal because it was not authorized by the U.N. Security Council, and claimed that Congress approved the war on the basis of faulty intelligence. Also testifying in Watada's defense were Former United Nations Undersecretary Denis Halliday, and Army Colonel Ann Wright (ret.), who retired from the state department in March 2003, in protest of the coming invasion. Like Boyle, both asserted that the war was illegal and that therefore Watada was within his rights to refuse participation in it. Also, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed an amicus brief, saying that soldiers should not be court martialed for explaining their views.[18]
On September 15, 2006, the Army announced that it had preferred another charge against Watada of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman".[19] This brought the potential prison term faced by Watada to eight and a half years in prison if convicted of all charges. Approximately six of these years would have been for statements that he made concerning the war rather than his refusal to deploy to Iraq; "missing movement" is normally punishable by two years. Keith justified the additional charge by asserting that "contempt for the President and suggestion that US soldiers can stop the war simply by refusing to fight borders on mutiny and sedition. Seitz asserted that the Army added the new charge to make a public example of him: "He's not doing anything other than saying things he believes to be true, and that we believe are true. This makes it that much clearer that this is just a political prosecution, and that's really all this case has been about from the beginning."[20]
Keith recommended Watada for court-martial on all charges, even as he said that he thought that Watada was "sincere in his beliefs." Of the court-martial recommendation, Seitz accused the Army of trying Watada without looking seriously at his arguments and that of the other experts appearing at the trial about the legality of the war.[21]
On November 9, 2006, the U.S. Army announced the decision of the Fort Lewis commander, LTG James Dubik, that Watada would face a court martial. The charges of "contempt toward officials" were dismissed without comment. Without the "contempt for officials" charges, Watada could face up to four years confinement, two for missing movement and two for statements that he made, as well as a dismissal, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances, if convicted of the remaining charges.[22]
Watada's defense team had intended to demonstrate that the war was illegal by maintaining that the required congressional approval was granted only on the basis of the existence of WMDs in Iraq and ties between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. They also intended to subpoena witnesses to testify and to cite the Nuremberg Principles,[23] which require soldiers to disobey illegal orders. However, on January 16, 2007, Judge John M. Head ruled that Watada would not be allowed to present any defense based on the Nuremberg principles, stating that the legality of a war was a "nonjusticiable political question"[24] and ruling that the order that Watada had refused was lawful. Watada was also forbidden to present a First Amendment defense.[25] Seitz said about the rulings that "they are essentially saying there is no right to criticize, which we all know is not true," and that they intend to appeal any conviction to the federal courts.[26]
At a pre-trial press conference Watada remarked that he believed it his duty to refuse to fight in the war, and that he was prepared to face prison time for his beliefs.[23]
Court-martial
Watada was court-martialed in February 2007, with the case ending in a mistrial. On February 5, 2007, Watada's court-martial began with him entering a plea of not guilty to all of the specifications against him. He faced three specifications: one for missing movement, and two for "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" related to his public comments criticizing the Bush administration and the war.[27] Panel selection was conducted on the first day, narrowing a pool of ten officers down to seven, holding the rank of captain through lieutenant colonel. The court-martial panel is similar to a jury in a civilian trial, but due to rules provided in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), panels consist of service members equal or senior in rank to the defendant.
On the second day of his court-martial, the prosecution presented opening arguments stating that Watada had "abandoned his soldiers and disgraced himself and the service"[28] and began calling witnesses. The first witness called was Watada's former Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Bruce Antonia. He testified that he learned of Watada's feelings about the war soon after Watada concluded, in early January 2006, that the war was illegal. Antonia stated, "I told him I was concerned. I did not want this to turn into a big media event." Furthermore, his chain of command counseled him on the consequences of his actions if he refused to deploy and used his position to make a spectacle of the issue.[29] Lt. Col. William James, another officer who counseled Watada, testified that he found Watada's offer to serve in Afghanistan in "direct conflict" with Watada's written statement or stipulation that he did not want to deploy as a "tool" of the Bush administration.[29] Watada had also stipulated that he had indeed missed his brigade's June deployment to Iraq and that he made a series of public statements against the war. In return for the stipulation, Army prosecutors had dropped several counts that knocked two years off the maximum six-year sentence.
Watada argued that his orders were unlawful, and Military Judge John Head ruled that the question could not be resolved within the military justice system, saying Watada's argument was reduced to an admission of guilt. The judge ruled that the court-martial was unable to decide the question of whether the deployment order was unlawful, and decided to strike Watada's stipulation, calling it an admission of guilt. Recognizing that the stipulation was the basis of the prosecution's case, Judge Head granted their request for a mistrial.[30]
Attempted retrial and double jeopardy
A new court martial was set for March 19, 2007[31] rescheduled for July 23, 2007, and then postponed until October 9, 2007,[32] as an appeal based on the issue of double jeopardy delayed the case. Following the ruling on July 5, 2007, by Lt. Col. John Head, again presiding over Watada's court-martial, that double jeopardy did not apply, Watada's attorneys appealed the ruling to the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals and then to U.S. civilian court. On October 5, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle stayed further proceedings until October 26. The Army challenged the injunction. Watada was represented by Ken Kagan and Jim Lobsenz with the Seattle law firm Carney Badley Spellman,[33] who had replaced Eric Seitz. On the issue of double jeopardy, Joe Piek, spokesman for Fort Lewis, argued[34] that the rules for courts-martial (MCM Rule 915(c)),[35] allow the Army to try Watada again, on the theory that the mistrial is not a decision and that the mistrial was not due to prosecutorial misconduct. Others, including the military defense attorney assigned to Watada, as well as Kagan and Lobsenz, argued that double jeopardy attached at the start of the presentation of evidence.[36] Rule 907(b)(2)(C) of the MCM states that jeopardy attaches at the "beginning of the presentation of evidence on the merits," raising the possibility that jeopardy attached prior to the declaration of mistrial.
The second court-martial was stayed in October 2007 by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, on grounds of double jeopardy. Settle issued an order stating that Watada's "double jeopardy claim is meritorious" and that no evidence to the contrary was presented.[37] The Army challenged the injunction, and Judge Settle ruled on October 21, 2008, that Watada cannot be retried on three of the five counts, but abstained from deciding whether the remaining two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer may go forward.[38] On November 8, 2007, the injunction was extended by Judge Settle, who held that Lt. Watada's double jeopardy claim is meritorious, and that there was no evidence presented that it lacks merit.[37]
The Army appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in November, 2008. But after the Obama administration took office, the Justice Department asked the court to drop the case, which was dismissed on May 6, 2009.[39]
Discharge
On October 2, 2009, the Army discharged Watada "Under Other-Than-Honorable-Conditions".[4] Watada's defense attorney stated that in his opinion, "the Army came to the conclusion that it was not going to be able to prevail in a prosecution, and when the new solicitor general came in, her office had a fresh look at it, and as it was not bound by any of the decisions that had been made previously, they saw fit to put a stop to the appellate process."[40]
An administrative discharge, “Under Other than Honorable Conditions” Discharge is the least favorable type of administrative discharge from the Army. According to AR 635-200, an OTH Discharge is reserved for a “pattern of behavior that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of Soldiers of the Army.”[41]
Public reaction to the trials
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/19_Mar_2007_Seattle_Demo_17.jpg/220px-19_Mar_2007_Seattle_Demo_17.jpg)
Rallies were held at the gates of Fort Lewis during the court-martial; the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that the first day drew "more than 1,000" supporters, including the actor Sean Penn.[42] Among the organizations supporting Watada were the ACLU, Iraq Veterans against the War and Veterans for Peace.[43] Watada told reporters that "almost every day, someone from the military or the outside sends me some kind of correspondence or approaches me in person to render support or their respect.”[44] Amnesty International issued a press release stating that if Lt Watada were convicted and imprisoned, the organization would consider him a "prisoner of conscience and call for his immediate and unconditional release."[45]
Other organizations opposed Watada's actions. Military Families Voice of Victory claimed he was helping al-Qaeda and the Communist Party,[46] Some Japanese American veterans said that as a Japanese American he shamed the community.[47] Watada reported that although he had not received open hostility from fellow soldiers, there was "definitely a tension."[11] There were occasional counter demonstrations at Fort Lewis opposite his supporters.[14]
Watada's mother, Carolyn Ho, became an anti-Iraq War activist.,[48] founding a website to support him, formerly at http://www.thankyoult.org.[14] Watada's father, Bob, also became a critic of the war[49] and went on a national tour[50] to raise money for his son's defense, from October 26 to November 17. Ehren Watada was on hand to speak, and shared the stage with other prominent critics of the war, including Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, and Tim Robbins, at the January 27, 2007 anti-war protest in Washington, D.C.[51]
At event called the "Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq" testimony that had been barred from Watada's Courts Martial was heard;[52] among those testifying on January 20 and January 21, 2007 were:
- Daniel Ellsberg, Vietnam War-era whistleblower who leaked The Pentagon Papers
- Denis Halliday, who coordinated United Nations humanitarian aid to Iraq when he was UN Assistant Secretary-General
- Benjamin G. Davis, law professor, and expert on International Law
- Marjorie Cohn, President of the National Lawyers' Guild
See also
- Legality of the Iraq War
- List of Iraq War Resisters
- Crime against peace
- Criticism of the Iraq War
- Nuremberg Principles
- Ann Wright (United States Army Colonel who publicly submitted her letter of resignation to then Secretary of State Colin Powell on March 19, 2003, one day before the U.S. invasion of Iraq.)
- Doe v. Bush (Appeals court decision on the constitutionality of the Iraq invasion)
- Malcolm Kendall-Smith
References
- ^ a b Soldier's Iraq war stance backed: Watada has right to refuse to go, retired officer says, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 20, 2006.
- ^ Initial video statement of Lt. Ehren Watada June 6, 2006 Archived December 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Army lieutenant who won’t go to Iraq issues recorded statement Archived June 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b The Associated Press (2009-09-26). "Army Officer Who Refused Iraq Duty Is Allowed to Resign". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
- ^ ESC, Capt. Bill Wicks Trial Counsel, 13th. "Leaving on good terms: Types of discharges, their consequences". Fort Hood Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ International Day of Action to Support First Lt. Ehren Watada
- ^ Officer at Fort Lewis calls Iraq war illegal, refuses order to go Archived 2006-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Instead of Iraq, a battle all his own
- ^ Security Council Resolution 1511 Archived January 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, October 16, 2003.
- ^ a b c d Officer faces court-martial for refusing to deploy, The New York Times, July 23, 2006.
- ^ a b Deployment Refuser has no Regrets, Army Times, June 14, 2006. Archived June 20, 2006, at the Library of Congress Web Archives
- ^ The Nation: Lieutenant Watada's War Against the War. June 26, 2006.
- ^ Army Charges Lieutenant With Contempt and Conduct Unbecoming an Officer for Refusing Iraq Deployment and Criticizing Bush, War Archived 2006-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, Democracy Now, July 7, 2006.
- ^ a b c Hearings to open on 'no Iraq' officer: Fort Lewis panel to decide if Watada faces court-martial, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 17, 2006.
- ^ a b c Hearing for soldier who won't serve in Iraq puts war on trial Seattle Post Intelligencer, August 18, 2006.
- ^ Military uses video of Watada speeches as evidence against him[permanent dead link] The Olympian, August 17, 2006.
- ^ Lt. Watada addresses national veterans convention thankyoult.org Archived May 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ACLU of Washington Defends Free Speech Rights of Lt. Ehren Watada, "ACLU", August 15, 2005.
- ^ Brecher, Jeremy; Brendan Smith (May 19, 2009). "The Trials of Ehren Watada". The Nation.
- ^ Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Court-martial recommended for Army war protestor. October 24, 2006.
- ^ Investigator recommends court martial on all charges, thankyoult.org Archived May 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Fort Lewis soldier opposed to war faces military trial, The Seattle Times, November 10, 2006.
- ^ a b It was My Duty to Refuse to go to Iraq The Daily Telegraph, November 23, 2006.
- ^ Judge John M. Head (January 16, 2007). "Ruling of the Court: Defense Request for Hearing on Nuremberg Defense". Retrieved January 30, 2007.
- ^ Judge John M. Head (January 16, 2007). "Ruling of the Court: Defense Motion to Suppress the Charge and All Specifications Alleging Violations of Article 133". Retrieved January 30, 2007.
- ^ Officer facing Court-Martial Denounces War, "Los Angeles Times," January 17, 2007. Archived October 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Not-guilty plea in court-martial Los Angeles Times, February 6, 2007. [dead link]
- ^ Army: War Objector Brought DisgraceForbes.com, February 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Army: Watada betrayed trust Archived 2007-02-18 at the Wayback Machine Seattle Times, February 7, 2007.
- ^ Mistrial ends Watada court-martial: War objector may have to be tried again, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 7, 2007.
- ^ "US war objector's trial misfires". BBC. 2007-02-07.
- ^ Melanthia Mitchell (2007-05-19). "Court issues stay in Watada court-martial". Associated Press.
- ^ "Watada switches lawyers for second court-martial". Associated Press. 2007-04-06. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Mike Barber (2007-02-09). "Army expects to retry Watada". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
- ^ Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), United States (2005 Edition) PDF document.
- ^ Jeff Paterson, "Lt. Watada Mistrial Clear Victory," Courage to Resist, February 8, 2007. Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Order Granting in Part Petitioner's Motion for a Stay of Court Martial Proceedings dated October 5, 2007, Tacoma, Washington Federal District case no. C07-5549BHS [dead link]
- ^ "Watada Won't Be Retried on 3 of 5 Counts" Archived 2008-10-25 at the Wayback Machine (Seattle Times)
- ^ "Justice Department Won't Pursue War Objector Case" May 6, 2009 (Associated Press) [dead link]
- ^ Murphy, Kim (28 September 2009). "Justice Department won't pursue war objector case". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ ESC, Capt. Bill Wicks Trial Counsel, 13th. "Leaving on good terms: Types of discharges, their consequences". Fort Hood Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Watada lawyer frustrated as judge narrows defense" Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 6, 2007.
- ^ Military veterans stand behind "illegal war" refuser, August 14, 2006.
- ^ Loyal to Country or Conscience?, "Los Angeles Times", October 16, 2006.
- ^ Amnesty International: USA: War objector’s freedom of conscience must be respected. February 2, 2007.
- ^ Military Families Rebuke Army Lt. for Refusal to Serve and Alliance with Anti-American Groups, Military Families Voice of Victory, June 7, 2006.
- ^ Japanese Americans, Latest Group to Criticize Watada, KHNL 8, July 15, 2006.
- ^ WORLD CAN'T WAIT--DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Father becomes outspoken critic of Iraq war Archived May 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Beth Freed. "Paternal Pride: Father Delivers Army Son's Anti-War Message Nationwide". Lone Star Iconoclast. Archived from the original on 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ SoCal events with Bob Watada underway, thankyoult.org Archived March 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Citizens' hearing on the legality of U.S. actions in Iraq: The Case of Lt. Ehren Watada". January 20, 2007. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
{{cite web}}
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External links
- LewRockwell.com court-martial coverage by Jeff Paterson "Lt. Watada Mistrial Clear Victory"
- Ehren Watada: a Soldier Refuses an Illegal War - YouTube video of Lt. Watada's speech in December, 2006.