Lonetree's rights denied, lawyers charge

Marine Sgt. Clayton Lonetree's lawyers, trying to prove investigators unfairly ganged up on the former Moscow embassy guard, argued yesterday that he incriminated himself in a spy scandal before being advised of his rights. Dave Moyer, a special agent with the Naval Investigative Service, testified that he used information provided by United States agents who questioned Sergeant Lonetree to prepare for his own interrogation.

Mr. Moyer said the two agents had not advised Lonetree of his right to avoid self-incrimination before questioning him, although Moyer said he did advise Lonetree of his rights before his own interviews.

Lonetree could receive a life sentence if convicted of handing over US secrets to his Soviet girlfriend.

Moyer, under cross examination by defense lawyers, said he met on Dec. 24 with agents code-named ``Little John'' and ``Big John'' to get ready for his interviews with Lonetree. The two testified behind closed doors Tuesday to protect their identities.

Moyer testified that Lonetree had been shown photos from which he identified a Soviet KGB agent named ``George'' as an employee of the Soviet Embassy in Vienna. Lonetree also identified a Soviet agent named Sasha, whom he allegedly met through his Soviet girlfriend.

Defense lawyer Michael Stuhff said he has been forbidden to discuss a memorandum released by the Marines and dated Monday that indicates Lonetree disclosed his contact with Soviet agents on Dec. 14 to a CIA station chief.

Mr. Stuhff and fellow defense lawyer William Kunstler are attacking the way Lonetree was questioned in an effort to have his statements thrown out. They said they are forbidden to divulge with which government agency ``Big John'' and ``Little John'' are affiliated.