Secret video shown to jurors

FORT LEWIS – Jurors deciding the fate of a Lynnwood soldier saw a 61-minute video Tuesday of Spc. Ryan G. Anderson telling two men how to disable U.S. weapons and kill American soldiers.

In a matter-of-fact fashion, Anderson talked about vulnerable points of the M1 battle tank and told men posing as al-Qaida terrorists that he wanted to defect.

The chilling account was aired before a panel of nine commissioned officers who will determine if Anderson, a 1995 Cascade High School graduate, is guilty of attempted treason in his court-martial trial in Fort Lewis.

Much of the information disclosed by Anderson would have been effective, said John Rowe, an Army expert on the Abrams tank.

Rowe, a Michigan project manager for testing the Abrams in battle conditions, said Anderson correctly described reducing the effectiveness of the tank by damaging the primary gun sight. He also said Anderson disclosed several other methods of disabling the tank or killing soldiers.

Anderson, 27, is accused of five counts of trying to disclose vital military information to members of the al-Qaida terrorist network.

The tape, secretly recorded Feb. 9 at a Seattle Center parking garage, is the same secretly recorded video the government showed in a May hearing when a judge recommended that Anderson face a general court-martial.

Moments before the video was shown, Anderson told the trial judge that he agreed actions described in one of the five counts against him, if proved, would be disloyal acts harmful to the good order and discipline of the armed services. That stipulation is expected to eliminate the need for some prosecution witnesses.

Anderson, a tank driver, was a member of the Washington National Guard’s 81st Armor Brigade, which was nearing a yearlong deployment to Iraq when he was arrested Feb. 12.

He has pleaded innocent, and his defense attorney has told jurors he had no intention of committing a crime.

On tape, Anderson was asked by an undercover agent how he could kill the crew but not destroy the tank. Anderson said he knew a way, and was “amazed this has not happened yet,” he told the agents.

Anderson referred to a handle on the outside of the tank. By pulling it, he said that would flood the engine compartment with fire retardant and the crew would be forced out, where they could be killed. However, Rowe testified that wouldn’t happen.

An al-Qaida expert from Virginia, Christopher Wallace, told the jury he has reviewed a transcript of the taped meeting and Anderson’s statements.

“I believed that information would have been helpful to al-Qaida,” Wallace testified.

Much of Tuesday’s testimony was spent in closed-door sessions with the jury hearing classified or otherwise sensitive information. The news media and other witnesses were excluded from that testimony.

Anderson had no intention of committing a crime, his defense attorney told the jurors on Monday. Maj. Joseph Morse said his client is prone to lie and exaggerate, and he talks about things he doesn’t know much about, but is not a traitor.

The defense is expected to have mental experts this week testify on Anderson’s behalf.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.