U.S. Army reopens accidental beating probe

WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has reopened an investigation into how a U.S. soldier was mistaken for a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay and badly beaten, ABC News reported.

In January 2003, Specialist Sean Baker donned a prisoner's orange jump suit to pose as an uncooperative prisoner as part of a training exercise.

He followed instructions to remain under a bunk and silent, but somehow fellow military police mistook him for a real prisoner.

Baker, 37, said he was choked, beaten and had his head slammed against the steel floor several times. He said the soldiers didn't stop when he gasped out the code word, but finally stopped when they noticed his uniform under the jumpsuit.

Medical documents showed Baker sustained traumatic brain injury, leading to a complex seizure disorder and he has since been given a medical discharge from the military.

The incident was videotaped, as is standard procedure, but the Army said the tape is not available and perhaps was recorded over.

After first finding no incidence of misconduct, the Army said it is now reopening the criminal investigation.