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FORT BLISS, Texas - An Afghan detainee who died in military custody was injured
so severely that has leg muscles were split apart, an Air Force medical examiner
testified Tuesday in the trial of a soldier accused in the beating.
Lt. Col. Elizabeth Rouse, who performed the autopsy on the prisoner known as Dilawar,
said his muscles were "crumbling and falling apart."
She testified Tuesday that the injuries could have been caused by repeated
knee strikes or by a fist.
Army Pfc. Willie V. Brand, 26, an Ohio reservist, is accused of abusing two
prisoners in 2002, both of whom later died.
The defense has said Brand was ill-trained for his duties and was simply following
orders. Prosecutors say Brand was never taught or ordered to abuse prisoners.
Several other soldiers charged with mistreating detainees at Bagram airfield
in Afghanistan have pleaded guilty or announced their intention to do so.
No officers in charge of training soldiers involved in the abuse cases or those
who oversaw operations at the airfield have been charged. Military officials
have said the investigation is continuing.
