Charges reduced for Iraq jail MP

[Judi Lynn]

Charges reduced for Iraq jail MP
By David Rising, Associated Press | August 26, 2004

MANNHEIM, Germany -- A US military policewoman accused in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal had the charges against her reduced yesterday as a set of pretrial hearings wrapped up at an American base in Germany.

The decision by military prosecutors could significantly reduce prison time for Specialist Megan Ambuhl -- one of seven Army reservists charged with abuse of Iraqi prisoners -- if she is found guilty.

Two counts of cruelty and maltreatment and one of conspiracy had been added after the investigation against Ambuhl was completed, a step her lawyers argued was improper and added a possible three more years of prison time.

Prosecutors had said Monday they would reopen the Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a grand jury investigation. But Captain Christopher Graveline, the prosecutor, said at a pretrial hearing yesterday that the government had changed its mind.
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http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2004/08/26/charges_reduced_for_iraq_jail_mp/