JAG CENTRAL

2LT Pantano with Wife and Mother (NY Times)

From the NY Times, Hearing Begins for Marine Accused of Killing 2 Iraqis. This story contains more information about the defense strategy:

Charles Gittins, Lieutenant Pantano's civilian lawyer, said after Tuesday's hearing that his defense was not affected by the number of times Lieutenant Pantano fired, and that the position of the bodies as seen by a military translator were not germane to the case.

The defense team began its case before testimony began, when it challenged the fitness of the hearing officer, Maj. Mark E. Winn, to preside.

Capt. Brandon Bolling, a defense team member, asked Major Winn whether he had made disparaging remarks about defense counsel in a conversation last week.

The major was also asked whether he had said that he did not want any part of hearing the case and that a military judge should be handling it.

The conversation, Mr. Gittins said, took place at a bar called Kelsey's and involved a military member of the defense team.

Major Winn denied having any such conversation and turned down a defense challenge to his authority.