Kentucky

Sergeant in carjacking says he was following orders

An Army sergeant accused of carjacking a sheik’s sport utility vehicle in Iraq testified Wednesday an officer told him to do it, and that he didn’t think it was a criminal act.

“I was a soldier fulfilling my duties to my lieutenant within the rules of engagement,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Williams, 37, of rural Westmoreland County, Va.

Williams, of the 101st Airborne Division, began testifying late Tuesday afternoon in the second day of his court-martial. He is charged with armed robbery and willful dereliction of duty for allegedly allowing his soldiers to consume alcohol. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

The defense rested Wednesday night. A panel of eight military jurors is expected to begin deliberating today.

On Tuesday, Williams’ attorney, Bernard Casey, argued the vehicle was taken only after Williams’ lieutenant instructed soldiers to find him a vehicle, and that it was the lieutenant, Bradley Pavlik, who came up with the cover story that the SUV was found abandoned.

Philippines

Gracia Burnham testifies about year of abduction

American missionary Gracia Burnham tearfully testified against her alleged Muslim extremist abductors in a heavily guarded court Thursday, recounting a year of jungle captivity.

Philippine authorities and U.S. FBI agents brought Mrs. Burnham, who arrived in secrecy late Monday.

During 2 1/2 hours on the stand, Mrs. Burnham identified six of the handcuffed suspects, separated from her by a wooden grill, prosecutor Aristotle Reyes said.

“According to her, she cannot forget them because she ate and lived with them for almost a year,” he said. “So far, she is the witness who had the clearest recollection of what happened.”

Gracia and Martin Burnham, longtime missionaries from Kansas, celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary when the Abu Sayyaf snatched them at a resort on western Palawan island on May 27, 2001, taking them by speedboat to southern Basilan island. Martin Burnham was later killed during rescue efforts.