On Wed., Jul. 5, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Army has filed three charges against First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada: missing movement, contempt toward officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer. -- Supporters should plan to be at the Exit 119 overpass on I-5 at 5:00 p.m. on Thurs., Jul. 6, to make a strong show of support for Lt. Watada, who refused on Jun. 22 to obey an order to deploy to Iraq because he believes the war there is illegal....
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ARMY FILES THREE CHARGES AGAINST LT. WATADA
Associated Press
July 5, 2006
http://www.komotv.com/stories/44261.htm
FORT LEWIS -- The Army filed three charges Wednesday against an officer who refused to deploy to Iraq last month.
Fort Lewis says in a news release that the charges against 1st Lieutenant Ehren Watada include missing movement, contempt toward officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The next step in the military justice process will be a preliminary hearing known under military law as an Article 32 hearing. The Army hearing is similar to a grand jury investigation.
Defense and prosecution lawyers will have an opportunity to present and respond to evidence and a hearing officer will hear testimony regarding what level of court-martial should be considered.
Watada is a member of the Army's first Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He refused to go to Iraq after researching the war and determining it to be illegal.
The Army says he has been reassigned to headquarters and Headquarters Company, I Corps.