FBI finds Blackwater trucks patched (repairs destroyed evidence)

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Blackwater Worldwide repaired and repainted its trucks immediately after a deadly September shooting in Baghdad, making it difficult to determine whether enemy gunfire provoked the attack, according to people familiar with the government's investigation of the incident.

Damage to the vehicles in the convoy has been held up by Blackwater as proof that its security guards were defending themselves against an insurgent ambush when they fired into a busy intersection, leaving 17 Iraqi civilians dead.

U.S. military investigators initially found "no enemy activity involved" and the Iraqi government concluded the shootings were unprovoked.

The repairs essentially destroyed evidence that Justice Department investigators hoped to examine in a criminal case that has drawn worldwide attention. The Sept. 16 shooting has strained U.S. relations with the Iraqi government, which wants Blackwater expelled from the country. It also has become a flash point in the debate over whether contractors are immune from legal consequences for their actions in a war zone.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/blackwater_prosecutions

and sadly true

So why is there even a question about what they said happened. The Word told them that this is how they were to take control of Iraq and that's what they are doing. Kill them all and the "Word" will save you.

One is purely ideological and fanatic. The other is bought and paid for, yet still fanatical.

Now, will anyone punish them?

Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said any repairs
"would have been done at the government's direction."
Blackwater's contract with the State Department requires
that the company maintain its vehicles and keep them on the road.

The State Department would not comment on whether it ordered
the repairs to the vehicles involved in the shooting.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8j2u56IMqRcZhCnXxakvpIEJ3-QD8U4E4E01

never gave the order to repair them. Blackwater Worldwide - reporting to our State Dept. How far down can we go? A liar leading the State Dept. and General to rogue, drugged up hotshot cocky religious and/or war thrilled mercenary wackos.

They go where they want, they do what they want... anywhere in the world.

"Legally" no one can touch them.

I'm not so sure they can't be prosecuted. Certainly those who hired them can be, and if there can be a criminal intent or actions in the contract, then the contract and associated actions (such as immunity from prosecutions) are no longer legally valid. RICO statutes might well be applicable...

"They're protecting U.S. diplomats." Who that day?

Blackwater and other contractors operate in a legal gray area.
They are immune from prosecution in Iraqi courts. If the Justice
Department wants to bring criminal charges such as assault, manslaughter
or murder in a U.S. court, prosecutors would have to do so under the
Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act.

That would require the government to show that State Department contractors
were "supporting the mission of the Department of Defense overseas."
Defense lawyers are expected to argue that guarding diplomats was a purely
State Department function, one independent from the Pentagon.


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8j2u56IMqRcZhCnXxakvpIEJ3-QD8U4E4E01

Over the past two months, prosecutors have brought several guards before a Washington grand jury to describe their recollection of the shooting. According to the initial State Department report, the shooting occurred as the Blackwater convoy was responding to a car bombing about a mile outside the U.S.-protected Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi government and several embassies.

James Sweeney, a lawyer representing several guards, would not discuss the forensic gaps or whether the grand jury investigation is helping authorities bridge them. He said Blackwater guards are patriots, not aggressors.

"They are good, solid intelligent Americans. They're good people," Sweeney said. "They're protecting U.S. diplomats."

North Carolina-based Blackwater is the largest private security company protecting U.S. officials in Iraq. It has been paid more than $1 billion from federal contracts since 2001. Despite criticism, Blackwater notes that no official under its protection has been killed or seriously injured.

Blackwater also strongly denies wrongdoing in a weapons smuggling investigation by federal officials in North Carolina. Two former employees, who prosecutors say are aiding the investigation, were sentenced to probation Thursday on gunrunning charges.

Blackwater and other contractors operate in a legal gray area. They are immune from prosecution in Iraqi courts. If the Justice Department wants to bring criminal charges such as assault, manslaughter or murder in a U.S. court, prosecutors would have to do so under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act.

That would require the government to show that State Department contractors were "supporting the mission of the Department of Defense overseas." Defense lawyers are expected to argue that guarding diplomats was a purely State Department function, one independent from the Pentagon.

The Justice Department has said it could be some time before it decides whether it will bring charges in the case.

because all the super rich pig friends of GW got huge tax cuts. Its offensive that my tax dollars are going to murderers, rapists, corporate thugs.

Source: CBS News

Blackwater Said To Taint Shooting Evidence
Repairs, Painting Of Convoy Vehicles Following Baghdad Shootings Hinder FBI Investigation

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2008

(AP) Blackwater Worldwide repaired and repainted its trucks immediately after a deadly September shooting in Baghdad, making it difficult to determine whether enemy gunfire provoked the attack, according to people familiar with the government's investigation of the incident. Damage to the vehicles in the convoy has been held up by North Carolina-based Blackwater as proof that its security guards were defending themselves against an insurgent ambush when they fired into a busy intersection, leaving 17 Iraqi civilians dead.

- snip -

The repairs essentially destroyed evidence that Justice Department investigators hoped to examine in a criminal case that has drawn worldwide attention. The Sept. 16 shooting has strained U.S. relations with the Iraqi government, which wants Blackwater expelled from the country. It also has become a flash point in the debate over whether contractors are immune from legal consequences for their actions in a war zone.

Blackwater's four armored vehicles were repaired or repainted within days of the shooting, and before FBI teams went to Baghdad to collect evidence, people close to the case said. The work included repairs to a damaged radiator that Blackwater says is central to its defense. The damage and subsequent repairs were described to The Associated Press by five people familiar with the case who discussed it in separate interviews over the past month. All spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

- snip -

Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said any repairs "would have been done at the government's direction." Blackwater's contract with the State Department requires that the company maintain its vehicles and keep them on the road. The State Department would not comment on whether it ordered the repairs to the vehicles involved in the shooting.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/12/iraq/main3704441.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3704441