This week, a small parade of crew members, from petty officers to lieutenants have taken the stand to defend their leader. Waddle's attorney and a Navy attorney for another officer under inquiry, Michael Coen, last week systematically challenged and called into question the Navy's theory of what went wrong. No Violations Found Waddle's superiors have testified that the responsibility begins and ends with the captain. But none have said there was criminal negligence. None have brought up specific violations of Navy code.
Legal experts say there is little ammunition for further prosecution.
If the Navy wants to find out what happened, they need Waddle. But his testimony, under immunity, could point right back to the Navy. The Navy's best didn't see a 200-foot ship less than 10 miles from Pearl Harbor. And the Navy brass wants to know why. For the rest of the day's U.S. news, click here .