Reservist's trial over Abu Ghraib abuse starts

FORT HOOD, Texas -- A lawyer for Army Private First Class Lynndie England said yesterday that she posed for graphic photos of detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison at the direction of her soldier boyfriend, whom she loved and trusted and didn't think would mislead her.

Captain Jonathan Crisp also told jurors that England, charged with seven counts of conspiracy and abuse, had learning disabilities and was prone to clinical depression that made it difficult for her to function as a soldier in the constant stress of the Iraq prison.

Crisp said that England posed for the photos to please Private Charles Graner, the former Pennsylvania prison guard described by prosecutors as the abuse ringleader, and that she didn't think she was doing anything improper.

England placed her faith in Graner's actions because he outranked her, was much older, and was an experienced guard, the lawyer said.

Graner, who England has said fathered her young son while they were deployed, is scheduled to testify as a defense witness. He was convicted in January and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors countered that England's smiles and thumbs-up in the photos taken by Abu Ghraib guards in 2003 show that she was a willing, even eager, participant in the abuse.

England, 22, is charged with two counts of conspiracy, four counts of maltreating detainees, and one count of committing an indecent act. The reservist from West Virginia faces up to 11 years in a military prison if convicted.

England's defense team opted for an all-officer jury, which was selected earlier yesterday.