That pretty much describes Eric Watada's chances before the panel of senior officers presiding over his court martial.
The army lieutenant faces up to four years imprisonment for refusing his assignment to Iraq. His request to be sent to fight in Afghanistan instead was refused.
The key facts aren't in dispute. Watada claims he wouldn't go to Iraq because that is an illegal war and, as such, his orders to deploy to Iraq were invalid. The presiding officer has ruled that that defence is not open to Watada and, even though the lieutenant is forbidden from arguing the point, the presiding military judge, Lt. Col. John Head managed to rule that the war is legal.
Colonel Head has shown an apparent bias against Watada and his defence that came through in this exchange between Head and one of the officers sitting as a member of the panel:
"Some seemed skeptical of any officer who would refuse to serve with his wartime unit, and they also said there were limits to public dissent in the military.
"Capt. Nicole White, however, said she was "impressed," when she first heard about Watada's decision. "Basically, it was like he was standing up for what he believes in."
"The judge appeared startled by the response.
"'Another word for 'impressed' would be 'surprised'?'" Head said.
"Yes, sir," White replied.
Lt. Watada is going down. This trial doesn't even have the illusion of a fair hearing.
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