ehren watada

2nd trial illegal, Watada argues

Lawyers turn to federal judges in Seattle to stop new court-martial

By MIKE BARBER
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
October 3, 2007

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Lawyers for Fort Lewis 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who in June 2006 went public with his refusal to serve in Iraq and said the war is illegal, asked the U.S. District Court in Seattle on Wednesday to halt his court-martial, which is only days away.

Watada's second court-martial is slated to begin Tuesday. His first court-martial earlier this year ended in a mistrial before a jury could deliberate.

Watada's lawyers said they hope for a decision Friday. Monday is a federal holiday, Columbus Day.