The U.S. Army reserve soldier photographed holding a naked Iraqi man on a leash has pleaded guilty to seven charges of abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.
Private Lynndie England entered the plea Monday at a military hearing in Texas. She told the judge she took part in abuses at Abu Ghraib because of pressure from her colleagues.
The sentencing phase of her trial begins today (Tuesday). She is facing a maximum prison sentence of eleven years. Her lawyers say they plan to introduce evidence that she has severe learning disabilities and mental health issues.
So far, only low-ranking soldiers have been tried and convicted for the abuses at Abu Ghraib. Last week, four top army officers were cleared of any wrongdoing at the prison. Only one commander (Brigadier General Janis Karpinski) was relieved of her command and given a written reprimand.
Private Lynndie England entered the plea Monday at a military hearing in Texas. She told the judge she took part in abuses at Abu Ghraib because of pressure from her colleagues.
The sentencing phase of her trial begins today (Tuesday). She is facing a maximum prison sentence of eleven years. Her lawyers say they plan to introduce evidence that she has severe learning disabilities and mental health issues.
So far, only low-ranking soldiers have been tried and convicted for the abuses at Abu Ghraib. Last week, four top army officers were cleared of any wrongdoing at the prison. Only one commander (Brigadier General Janis Karpinski) was relieved of her command and given a written reprimand.