UPDATE ~ England defense lawyer resigns as new investigation begins News
UPDATE ~ England defense lawyer resigns as new investigation begins

[JURIST] Pfc. Lynndie England's lead civilian lawyer has resigned [Washington Post report]. Speaking Thursday, Richard Hernandez of Denver cited the heavy financial burden of working on the high-profile case without compensation over such a long time. Following a military's judge's dismissal of England's guilty plea [JURIST report] to seven charges on Wednesday. Fort Hood Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz [official profile] is expected to undertake a new investigation [JURIST report] from scratch into her actions in Iraq that could lead to a new Article 32 hearing [JAG backgrounder] and probably a new trial. Hernandez' co-counsel and England's military lawyer, Capt. Jonathan Crisp, stated that it is too early to surmise what England's plea may be after new charges are filed. The New York Times has more.