Killeen, Texas – Pfc. Lynndie England, the Army reservist who personified the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal by gleefully posing with naked Iraqi detainees, pleaded guilty Monday to seven of nine criminal counts, telling a military court, “I knew it was wrong.”
Standing just over 5 feet tall and speaking almost inaudibly, with little emotion, England testified in court at Fort Hood that she went along with the demands of a fellow soldier, Spec. Charles Graner, thinking “it was just for his personal amusement.”
England, 22, who appeared at her court-martial in her dress green uniform and clutching a maroon beret, could receive up to 11 years in prison. But as part of an expected plea deal, she should face no more than 30 months behind bars, people involved in the prosecution of the abuse cases said last week.
Hearings on a sentence are scheduled to begin today before a jury of up to nine officers and enlisted personnel.
England is one of seven soldiers implicated in the abuse scandal, which erupted in 2003 with the emergence of photographs showing American and coalition troops humiliating Iraqis in disturbing and sexually suggestive poses. All seven were reservists with the 372nd Military Police Company based in Cresaptown, Md.
Graner, 36, who has been identified as England’s former lover in Iraq and the father of the baby boy she gave birth to in October, went on trial here in January. He was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Graner has married another of the accused, Megan Am buhl, who pleaded guilty in exchange for dismissal from the military. Three other soldiers have pleaded guilty and been given prison terms of six months to eight years. And one more is to go on trial next week.
The judge asked England about a series of photographs central to the charges against her of conspiracy, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of subordinates and indecent acts. They showed her holding a leash around the neck of a naked Iraqi prisoner, posing with a group of naked Iraqis who had been forced to simulate masturbation and with a pyramid of naked detainees, pointing at the genitals of a prisoner, and standing by another prisoner with the word “rapeist” written on his exposed buttocks.
“Did you think any of this was wrong?” the judge asked. “Why were you doing it?”
“He asked me to,” she said, referring to Graner.
Asked about the episode with the leash, England contended it was for her fellow soldier’s amusement. But she said, “It was not only morally wrong, it was legally wrong.”
Pressed by the judge why she thought it was wrong, she said, “Because it was humiliating him.”