JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Four Navy men went before a military judge at Naval Air Station Jacksonville Wednesday to determine if they should be court-martialed on charges they mistreated prisoners at an Iraqi camp and lied to cover it up. Another sailor is expected to appear Friday on similar charges.

Sailors Go Before Military Judge

CPO Tracy Necaise appeared at an Article 32 hearing, the equivalent of a civilian grand jury, to determine if the senior enlisted sailor will face a court-martial for conspiracy, cruelty and making false statements.

Necaise is accused of holding down one detainee with his foot on the prisoner’s neck while he was beaten.

Three other sailors, ranging from a seaman to petty officers 2nd class, were arraigned on similar charges Wednesday. All are accused in playing a part in May 14 assaults at Camp Bucca, one of the largest detention camps in Iraq.

The Navy said total of 10 detainees were mistreated in the incident. Two detainees suffered abrasions, and eight others were locked overnight in a detention cell with no ventilation that was filled with pepper spray, Navy officials said.

The military court was told the incident began when a detainee threw feces and urine at one of the accused naval officers. That's when Necaise was accused of putting his foot on the neck of a prisoner to hold him down.

A witness told the court that Necaise told his men, "Do what you've got to do."

Two sailors are accused of punching and kicking a detainee 15 to 20 times over a five-minute period. The witness said Necaise then told the detainee, "This will teach you not to spit on one of my guards."

A defense attorney said the sailors had no training in running a detention facility.

One sailor facing discipline is based at Naval Station Mayport. The others are from bases in Pensacola and Virginia. Bates said NAS Jax was chosen to host the military hearings because of its central location.

"The Navy takes these charges very seriously and we've done a thorough and complete investigation of these charges," Cmdr. Dan Bates said.

The hearing is expected to continue for several days. If Necaise is found guilty of the charges, he could face prison time as well as dishonorable discharge.