Fort Hood, Texas – Army Pfc. Lynndie England, who said she was only trying to please her soldier boyfriend when she took part in prisoner abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison, was sentenced late Tuesday to three years behind bars.
England’s sentencing wrapped up the last of nine courts-martial of low-level soldiers charged in the abuse scandal, which severely damaged America’s image in the Muslim world and tarnished the U.S. military at home and abroad.
The jury of five Army officers needed about 90 minutes to determine their sentence for England, a 22-year-old from rural West Virginia who was the most recognizable of the reservists charged after graphic abuse photos became public.
The charges carried up to nine years, but prosecutor Capt. Chris Graveline asked the jury to imprison her for four to six years. The defense asked for no time behind bars.
England, who was convicted Monday on six of seven counts involving prisoner mistreatment, sat with her eyes forward as the verdict was read, occasionally looking down.
She apologized earlier Tuesday for posing for the photos, saying she did so at the behest of Pvt. Charles Graner, the boyfriend who she said took advantage of her love and trust while they were deployed in Iraq.
“I was used by Private Graner,” England said. “I didn’t realize it at the time.” She appeared in several of the best-known photos taken by U.S. guards at Abu Ghraib in late 2003. In one image she held a naked prisoner on a leash, while in others she posed with a pyramid of naked prisoners and pointed at the genitals of a prisoner while a cigarette hung from the corner of her mouth.
England, speaking in response to questions from a defense lawyer, said she was embarrassed by the photos. She apologized to the detainees and their families, as well as to American soldiers who may have suffered in Iraq for her misguided actions.
“I heard attacks were made on coalition forces because of the photos,” she said.
“I apologize to coalition forces and their families that lost their life or were injured because of the photos.”
England’s defense contended she is a compliant person who took part in the detainee maltreatment to please Graner, who prosecutors said was the ringleader of the abuse by a group of U.S. troops.
Graner and another former guard were also convicted at trial, while six other soldiers struck plea bargains. Graner was sentenced to 10 years.
No officers have gone to trial, though several received administrative punishment.
