Judge hints at trial for lawsuit on harsh CIA interrogation

(AP) — Psychologists who designed the CIA's harsh interrogation methods for the war on terror want a lawsuit from three former detainees dismissed, but a federal judge said Thursday that he was inclined to allow it to move to a trial that was expected to include classified information.

U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush heard arguments on whether Mitchell and Jessen acted as agents of the federal government, which could make them immune from lawsuits, or as independent contractors.

Mitchell and Jessen designed the interrogation methods and took part in sessions with CIA prisoners, according to the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into the torture program.

Techniques included slamming the three men into walls, stuffing them inside coffin-like boxes, exposing them to extreme temperatures, starving them, inflicting various kinds of water torture, chaining them in stress positions designed for pain and keeping them awake for days, the ACLU said.

The psychologists have said in court documents that they used harsh tactics but denied allegations of torture and war crimes.