Witnesses Clash Over Soldier’s Mental State
A psychologist testified that Pvt. Lynndie England suffered from depression and that her mental condition, coupled with an overly compliant personality, made her a heedless participant in the abuse of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison.
Xavier Amador, a clinical psychologist from New York, said England’s soldier boyfriend, Charles Graner, was her “social accomplice” whom she relied upon without reservation to guide her behavior.
Prosecutors maintain England was a willing participant in the 2003 abuse at the Iraq prison.
Maj. Jennifer Lange, an Army psychiatrist called by prosecutors at Ft. Hood to rebut Amador’s testimony, interviewed England and concluded that she was neither clinically depressed nor suffered from other personality disorders.
England, 22, is charged with seven counts of conspiracy and abuse. They carry a maximum sentence of 11 years. Closing arguments before a jury of five Army officers are scheduled for Monday.
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