JAG CENTRAL

From the AP (via Lexington Herald-Leader)--testimony concluded today in the SGT Akbar "Fragging" murder trial:

After the defense rested, prosecutors called rebuttal witnesses, including Akbar's former company commander. Capt. Darman Place said Akbar told him he didn't have a problem fighting in the Iraq war as a Muslim and added that Akbar was "mediocre at best" as a soldier.

Place was followed by an Army psychiatrist, Lt. Col. Carroll Diebold, who testified that a sanity investigation showed Akbar suffered no mental problems other than low-grade depression, or a case of "the blues."

In related news, the father of SGT Akbar sent a letter to the AP calling Akbar's unit "racist":

The elder Akbar said his son had complained to superiors about the threats, slurs and taunts he faced as the only black and Muslim in his platoon, but little was done before the March 2003 attack in Kuwait against fellow members of the 101st Airborne Division.

"As a father seeking justice, I want all of these things thoroughly investigated," his statement said." I want to know why my son's complaints were not taken seriously and why he was kept in such a racist platoon. He deserved to be with a supportive platoon and superior officers, which I believe, would have prevented my son from being part of this horrible tragedy."

Yes, I'm sure that's why he killed two soldiers and injured 14 more, because his unit wasn't "supportive" enough. That's a good reason for fragging your CO's. Closing arguments begin tomorrow; the case could be to the jury by Friday.