Camp Bucca detainee abuse hearing begins

[unhappycamper]

Camp Bucca detainee abuse hearing begins
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 13, 2008 16:03:50 EST

An Article 32 hearing began Wednesday for a chief petty officer accused of mistreating detainees at Camp Bucca, Iraq, in May.

The chief, Aviation Structural Mechanic Tracy Necaise, 43, is charged with conspiracy, cruelty and maltreatment and making false official statements, Navy records show.

The hearing is scheduled to last four days at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. An Article 32 is the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury inquiry to determine whether there is enough evidence to take the case to trial.

The hearing suggests Navy officials think the case may warrant a general court-martial, with felony-level charges carrying more than a year in the brig and a dishonorable discharge.

In related cases, four junior sailors are facing a special court-martial, an intermediate-level trial that carries a maximum punishment of one year confinement and a bad conduct discharge.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/navy_detainee_abuse_111108w/%2e