FriscoLady
05-12-2004, 08:52 PM
"By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer
ROSELLE, N.J. - Family members of the two latest servicemen to face courts-martial in the Iraq (news - web sites) prisoner abuse scandal defended the soldiers Wednesday, saying the allegations are inconsistent with the men they know.
Sgt. Javal "Shawn" Davis of Maryland, 26, and Staff Sgt. Ivan L. "Chip" Frederick II, 37, of Buckingham, Va., are the second and third soldiers ordered to stand trial in the abuse. No trial date has been set.
In the charge sheet, Frederick was accused of having taken part in forcing a prisoner to stand on a box with wires placed on his hands — a scene displayed in one of the photos that broke open the scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison. Davis' lawyer said his client is not accused of involvement in any of the photographs depicting humiliation of Iraqi prisoners.
Jonathan Davis says his son, a devout Baptist who grew up in New Jersey, keeps a Bible near him at all times and frequently reads it in order to try and remain calm as he faces the possibility of up to 10 years of hard labor if convicted.
"I want everybody to know that Shawn is a great American hero who risked his life and volunteered to go to Iraq knowing he might never return," attorney Paul Bergrin told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "He felt compelled to serve his country based upon 9-11, and the propaganda and political statements pertaining to the state of Iraq."
Frederick's uncle, William W. Lawson, of Newburg, W.Va., said the family expects Frederick to plead innocent although they had not yet heard from him or his attorneys about the court-martial order. He said his nephew "is still in good spirits."
His mother, Jo Ann Frederick, of Oakland, Md., learned of the court-martial order from a reporter. She declined to comment on the case but said her son's attitude was upbeat as far as she knew.
"I had a positive e-mail from him today but at the time he wrote that, I'm sure he hadn't heard that news," she said.
Davis and Frederick have been charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty for failing to protect detainees from abuse and maltreatment of detainees. Davis also faces a charges of rendering false official statements and assault, and Frederick has been charged with wrongfully committing an indecent act by watching detainees commit a sexual act.
Davis, father of a 4-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, was a high school track star who also played on the football team. He has been in the reserves nearly seven years and has previously served tours in Egypt and Bosnia. Prior to his deployment he lived in Maryland with his wife, Zeenethia, who is in the Navy, and their children.
"We are going to bring forth my son's innocence and expose the real people who are behind this," Jonathan Davis said told The Associated Press in Roselle. "They know who they are. I think it goes all the way up to (Secretary of Defense Donald) Rumsfeld and the joint chiefs of staff; I really do," the elder Davis said.
Before deployment in February 2003, Frederick was a corrections officer at Buckingham Correctional Center, a state prison in south-central Virginia. His wife, Martha, also works there.
Martha Frederick said she got the news about the court-martial from her husband's uncle and had not yet talked to her husband.
"It's still sinking in a little bit," she said. "I kind of anticipated that. We are still having faith that things are going to work out fine.""
I want everyone to know that though I feel that these individuals should face courts-martial that if they or their families came to PTO for support I would support them 100% It is a terrifying experience for anyone who is a defendant in trial whether civilian or military as many of us can attest.
These individuals have the right to best that we as a nation and the military can offer in their trip through the military justice system. However, to be honest they will more than likely not receive the best in either representation, publicity or verdict. Many have convicted them already in their own minds, I am not sure that I had not.
But, sometimes life can give you a little reality check. Yes, I still feel that they should face courts-martial, however, I, especially I, should remember:
Been there, done that - only mine was in a civilian court.
We will see what happens, meanwhile if they or their families come to PTO, I intend to insure that the welcome will be warm the support there at all times and that this forum, as all other will be their sanctuary from heartache and pain that we know they are going through.
Patti
ROSELLE, N.J. - Family members of the two latest servicemen to face courts-martial in the Iraq (news - web sites) prisoner abuse scandal defended the soldiers Wednesday, saying the allegations are inconsistent with the men they know.
Sgt. Javal "Shawn" Davis of Maryland, 26, and Staff Sgt. Ivan L. "Chip" Frederick II, 37, of Buckingham, Va., are the second and third soldiers ordered to stand trial in the abuse. No trial date has been set.
In the charge sheet, Frederick was accused of having taken part in forcing a prisoner to stand on a box with wires placed on his hands — a scene displayed in one of the photos that broke open the scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison. Davis' lawyer said his client is not accused of involvement in any of the photographs depicting humiliation of Iraqi prisoners.
Jonathan Davis says his son, a devout Baptist who grew up in New Jersey, keeps a Bible near him at all times and frequently reads it in order to try and remain calm as he faces the possibility of up to 10 years of hard labor if convicted.
"I want everybody to know that Shawn is a great American hero who risked his life and volunteered to go to Iraq knowing he might never return," attorney Paul Bergrin told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "He felt compelled to serve his country based upon 9-11, and the propaganda and political statements pertaining to the state of Iraq."
Frederick's uncle, William W. Lawson, of Newburg, W.Va., said the family expects Frederick to plead innocent although they had not yet heard from him or his attorneys about the court-martial order. He said his nephew "is still in good spirits."
His mother, Jo Ann Frederick, of Oakland, Md., learned of the court-martial order from a reporter. She declined to comment on the case but said her son's attitude was upbeat as far as she knew.
"I had a positive e-mail from him today but at the time he wrote that, I'm sure he hadn't heard that news," she said.
Davis and Frederick have been charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty for failing to protect detainees from abuse and maltreatment of detainees. Davis also faces a charges of rendering false official statements and assault, and Frederick has been charged with wrongfully committing an indecent act by watching detainees commit a sexual act.
Davis, father of a 4-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, was a high school track star who also played on the football team. He has been in the reserves nearly seven years and has previously served tours in Egypt and Bosnia. Prior to his deployment he lived in Maryland with his wife, Zeenethia, who is in the Navy, and their children.
"We are going to bring forth my son's innocence and expose the real people who are behind this," Jonathan Davis said told The Associated Press in Roselle. "They know who they are. I think it goes all the way up to (Secretary of Defense Donald) Rumsfeld and the joint chiefs of staff; I really do," the elder Davis said.
Before deployment in February 2003, Frederick was a corrections officer at Buckingham Correctional Center, a state prison in south-central Virginia. His wife, Martha, also works there.
Martha Frederick said she got the news about the court-martial from her husband's uncle and had not yet talked to her husband.
"It's still sinking in a little bit," she said. "I kind of anticipated that. We are still having faith that things are going to work out fine.""
I want everyone to know that though I feel that these individuals should face courts-martial that if they or their families came to PTO for support I would support them 100% It is a terrifying experience for anyone who is a defendant in trial whether civilian or military as many of us can attest.
These individuals have the right to best that we as a nation and the military can offer in their trip through the military justice system. However, to be honest they will more than likely not receive the best in either representation, publicity or verdict. Many have convicted them already in their own minds, I am not sure that I had not.
But, sometimes life can give you a little reality check. Yes, I still feel that they should face courts-martial, however, I, especially I, should remember:
Been there, done that - only mine was in a civilian court.
We will see what happens, meanwhile if they or their families come to PTO, I intend to insure that the welcome will be warm the support there at all times and that this forum, as all other will be their sanctuary from heartache and pain that we know they are going through.
Patti