[JURIST] US Army Spc. Charles Graner [Wikipedia profile] may take the witness stand in his own defense Thursday on the second day of the defense case in his court-martial at Fort Hood [official base website] TX for abusing Iraqi detainees at the Abu Ghraib [JURIST Hot Topic] prison in Iraq. A defense witness called Wednesday admitted on cross-examination that Graner, a former prison guard from Uniontown PA, just six miles outside of Pittsburgh, didn't like to follow orders, refusing to cut his hair, wear a regulation uniform and to stay away from a female soldier, Pfc. Lynndie England, with whom he was having an affair. The admission is critical insofar as Graner's defense to abuse-related charges [original chargesheet; two charges have since been dropped] is that he was only following orders originating further up the chain of command. AP has more. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review provides additional coverage.