Nearly two years after prosecutors in Jacksonville decided not to charge anyone in the gunfight that killed a club owner outside his bar north of Springfield, the Navy has acquitted a sailor of murder in the case.
NewsJacksonville.com reports —
Navy prosecutors would only say they had believed the case should be pursued.
"Jacksonville authorities had reviewed the case and decided not to prosecute under Florida law," a statement from the Navy’s Norfolk public affairs office said.
"Navy authorities made an independent decision that the case merited prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice."
So, a military panel acquitted in a court-martial where only a two—thirds majority of those voting is required to convict, the Jacksonville police found the case a justifiable homicide, the state prosecutor isn’t sure, but the trial counsel are. So, is there a direct or indirect criticism of the members here? If so, is that allowed?