January 18th, 2010 by Brian F. George
An Army Lieutenant Colonel who was previously diagnosed with kleptomania will face court-martial at Fort Benning for stealing $37 worth of challenge coins from the post exchange. Despite an investigating officer’s recommendation that the matter be resolved through an administrative discharge, the convening authority decided to take the matter to court-martial based on a prior shoplifting conviction in a post exchange in Kuwait. A staff psychiatrist testified at the Article 32 hearing that the officer was originally prescribed a daily dose of 150 mg of Zoloft, but that dosage was later reduced to 100 mg by a different doctor without explanation. The change “may have contributed” to the latest shoplifting incident according the psychiatrist. The story is here.
January 13th, 2010 by Brian F. George
A single mother who was scheduled to deploy with her unit to Afghanistan on November 5 has been charged with missing movement, absence without leave, dereliction of duty and insubordinate conduct. The specialist’s mother was supposed to take care of her 10-month old son for the year-long deployment , but reportedly backed out a few days before the scheduled deployment. The New York Times report indicates that the matter will be scheduled for an Article 32 investigation.
January 11th, 2010 by Brian F. George
Two of the three Seals charged with abusing an Iraqi detainee will face court-martial in Iraq, not in Norfolk, as originally anticipated. Today, a military judge granted defense motions to move the trials to Iraq where the alleged victim is being held and can be produced as a live witness instead of by deposition, the way the government wanted to produce him. Two of the courts-martial will take place in April. A third Seal is awaiting a hearing on Wednesday.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_seal_detainee_case_011110w/
January 11th, 2010 by Brian F. George
The government is seeking a delay in the first scheduled court-martial of the three Navy Seals charged with abusing an Iraqi detainee, a case which has garnered significant attention. The first court-martial was to start today. The defense is opposing the delay and as of this morning, the matter appears unresolved, according to the AP.
January 6th, 2010 by Brian F. George
This Stars and Stipes article highlights an interesting case pending at Fort Stewart, GA, in which a soldier is accused of threatening violence toward other soldiers and to go on a “rampage.” In addition, he is charged with distributing, “to soldiers in his unit original songs wrongfully threatening acts of violence against members of his unit.” This charge is apparently related to a rap song in which the soldier allegedly discusses shooting those responsible for his stop-loss orders.
