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Humiliation at Abu Ghraib, and Then at the Prosecution Table

Lt. Col. Steven Jordan, whom the military decided to prosecute -- though not very effectively so far. (By Steve Ruark -- Associated Press)

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"No, sir."

A member of the jury -- which consists of nine colonels and a brigadier general -- asked if he had ever seen Jordan walk through the prison when detainees were unclothed.

"No," Frederick testified.

Unable to draw blood from Jordan, the prosecutors wandered. They had Sgt. William Cathcart talk about the Abu Ghraib "sleep-management program" -- a euphemism for sleep deprivation. This presentation proved so innocuous that the defense mounted no cross-examination.

"What state were the dogs in?" the prosecution inquired of Navy Chief Petty Officer William Kimbro, a handler of bomb-sniffing dogs.

"They were exhausted," testified Kimbro.

Just what the health of the hounds had to do with Jordan wasn't clear. "Do you know if that's Lieutenant Colonel Jordan?" a defense lawyer asked, beckoning toward the accused.

"No, I do not."

"You've never seen him before?"

"No, sir."

So the person giving orders "was certainly not Lieutenant Colonel Jordan?"

"No, sir."

Wisely, the prosecution decided to rest what was left of its case.

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