FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) -- Close-up photos of a bloody leg are part of the government's arsenal as it tries to convict an Army dog handler of abusing detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
Sgt. Santos A. Cardona is accused of letting his tan Belgian shepherd, Duco, bite detainee Mohammed Bollendia on the leg badly enough to require stitches, according to charge sheets and investigators' reports. Cardona also is accused of using his dog to harass and threaten another detainee, Kamel Miza'l Nayil, in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
A jury was chosen Monday for Cardona's trial at Fort Meade, between Baltimore and Washington. Opening statements were set for Tuesday.
Cardona, 32, of Fullerton, Calif., is charged with assault, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of detainees, conspiracy to maltreat detainees and lying to investigators in late 2003 and early 2004. He faces up to 16 1/2 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Details here from the AP via the New York Times.