Judge rules for officer who refused Iraq duty
Federal court cites double jeopardy in Watada case
If the Army tries to court-martial 1st Lt. Ehren Watada a second time, it cannot prosecute him for refusing to deploy to Iraq, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Seeking a conviction on that charge -- the most serious that Watada faced -- would constitute double jeopardy, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma decided.
Settle agreed with Watada's request by throwing out the charge of missing movement for refusing to deploy with his ...
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Ehren Watada is a hero of conscience. The decision is a good step toward relieving his legal burden, but all charges should be dismissed and struck from the record. He should be promoted and honored for his courage.