Family of sailor slain in Newport News seeks court-martial, The Associated Press, October 1, 2009
NEWPORT NEWS
The family of a sailor slain in Newport News is pressing the Navy to court-martial and dishonorably discharge the fellow sailor convicted of killing her.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has already weighed in, telling the Navy last month that the sailor, Darren W. Mackie, 22, should be dishonorably discharged "at the very least," which the Navy hasn’t pursued.
The slain sailor’s parents, Mary and Don Trask of Bradford, Mass., have also written to President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and others.
Note Sen. Kerrey’s request that a dishonorable discharge be issued. Only a general court-martial can impose a DD as part of a sentence. If discharged administratively, the worst could be an Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge.