Gag order on Bush in Iraq rape case lacks legal basis, prosecutors say

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/NEWS01/607260523

A gag order on President Bush and his top aides in a case against a former Army private charged with rape and murder in Iraq would have no legal basis, Justice Department lawyers said in court papers filed yesterday.

The issue is pending before U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell in Paducah, Ky. The former soldier, Steven D. Green, 21, was with the Fort Campbell, Ky.-based 101st Airborne.

He is accused of raping an Iraqi female and killing her and her family.

A gag order would "prevent the President and members of his cabinet from addressing the incident … with foreign leaders and the public at large," federal prosecutors said in their filing.

Silencing Bush and his aides would prevent them from "assuring the Iraqi people -- and people throughout the world -- that the United States is diligently pursuing justice in this matter and that it will not tolerate unprovoked attacks on civilians by our armed forces."

[uppityperson]

1. That is a funny take on it.

I can see not wanting to influence potential jurors, but silencing the lies is a good side benefit

[Monkeyman]

2. All right as a vet now they are hiding something here what?

He did not belong in the the military in the first place what meds was this lowlife on