Attorney objects to hearing testimony before his other lawyer is hired
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C- Facing a desertion charge that could send him to prison for life, Marine CplWassef Ali Hassoun appeared in a military courtroom Tuesday. However, the pretrial hearing was scuttled at the last minute by an objection from Hassoun's attorneys.
Testimony was anticipated from a Marine counterintelligence officer whose job is to blend in with Iraqi civilians and prevent sensitive information from leaking from the camp to the Iraqis. The officer also gathers intelligence to protect the soldiers stationed at Camp Fallujah.
Hassoun, a native of Lebanon who moved to Utah a few years ago, worked as an Arabic translator for the intelligence officers, known as Human Exploitation Team 9He participated in interrogations, interviews and other team activities, said Maj. Matt Morgan, spokesman for the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, antiterrorism unit.
Tuesday's hearing was cut short after Major Phil Stackhouse, Hassoun's Marine Corps defense attorney, objected to hearing testimony from the HET9 officer until Hassoun has hired his own lawyer.
Hassoun decided over the weekend to hire an attorney to represent him in the case, but the HET9 officer, whose name is being withheld to protect his identity, was already at Camp Lejeune and expected to testify Tuesday.
But moments before the hearing began, Stackhouse objected to the testimony and prosecutors agreed to delay the remainder of the hearing until Jan 13.
Hassoun appeared relaxed during his 20-minute courtroom appearanceHe was dressed in standard Marine fatigues, leaning forward with his hands folded in front of him and giving brief "yes, sir" or "no, sir" answers as he was advised of his rights under military law.
ColDavid Wunder, who is reviewing the evidence against Hassoun, advised him to hire an attorney quickly to ensure the lawyer can gain proper security clearance to handle the classified evidence in the case.
Hassoun's brother, Mohamad Hassoun, said the family has not decided on an attorney.
Hassoun disappeared from Camp Fallujah in Iraq on June 20. He was initially categorized as a deserter, but his status was changed to captured after a video surfaced a week later showing a blindfolded Hassoun and saying he was a hostage.
On July 8, Hassoun mysteriously appeared in Tripoli, Lebanon, and was taken to the U.S. embassy there.
After his return to the United States in July, Hassoun denied deserting his post, maintaining he was captured and held against his will.
Morgan said Tuesday that Hassoun could be sentenced to life in prison if he is convicted of desertion. Earlier the Corpshad reported the maximum penalty on the charge was five years incarceration.
Hassoun is also charged with larceny in the alleged theft of his 9-millimeter service weapon and a Humvee, and with loss of government property for losing the firearm. Together, those charges could result in up to 20 years in prison. All of the charges carry a dishonorable discharge and loss of benefits.
Wunder set the hearing to resume Jan 13.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducted a five-month inquiry into the disappearance and has an ongoing investigation into Hassoun's whereabouts after he disappeared from the Marine base. The lead NCIS investigator in the case and several other Marine intelligence officers are among the witnesses expected to testify after the hearing reconvenes next month.
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Tribune reporter Derek PJensen contributed to this story.
By Robert Gehrke The Salt Lake Tribune
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