Blackwater Guards Given a Pass
So, not only did we find out that the initial State Department report on the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians at the hands of Blackwater guards was drafted only on the words of the guards themselves, now we find out that some of those guards were granted immunity on the spot from prosecution for their alleged crimes. What's worse, is this is apparently routine!
According to the AP, the waiver given to Blackwater guards reads, in part: "I further understand that neither my statements nor any information or evidence gained by reason of my statements can be used against me in a criminal proceeding, except that if I knowingly and willfully provide false statements or information, I may be criminally prosecuted for that action."
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack declined to discuss specifics of the agency's role in the investigation, but said any immunity deals should not stop the Justice Department from prosecuting.
"It's up to the investigators and prosecutors to determine what kind of case they have ... and ultimately whether to bring prosecution," McCormack told reporters.
Of course, it's hard to prosecute a case when the statements given by the alleged assailants is not admissible in court, nor is any evidence gathered as a result of those statements, nor is it particularly easy to gather evidence now, six weeks and counting from the date of the incident.
Is it any wonder this whole shithouse in Iraq is coming down?
