Up Periscope Category Archives — Page 83 of 108 — Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog Published by International Military Lawyer

Rapper case wrapped up

April 17, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

It appears that the case of the “rapper” charged with making threats through rap songs and his website has been resolved. For some weeks the case drew criticism from supporters and the public and the military attitude to free speech issues. Something that we are seeing again in regard to LTC Lakin and Sgt Gary Stein the Marine on the left coast and his MySpace page.

On the rapper, Army Times reports:

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Eric Bloom said Saturday that top brass decided to discharge Hall instead of taking him to trial in part because he admitted his guilt.

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April 15, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

FayObserver reports that:

An Army major who allegedly told another soldier that his fellow jury members in an October court-martial acted improperly and with an agenda testified Thursday that he never made such an allegation.

Pvt. Justin A. Boyle – a sergeant before having his rank stripped – was convicted in October of involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy for his role in the death of Pfc. Luke Brown.

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April 14, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Military.com reports that:

They are sold under catchy names like Sage of the Seers, Magic Mint and Thang, designer drugs that can be legally sold at shops and online in most cases.

But due to their increasing use by Sailors and the effects they cause, these designer drugs have been added to the U.S. Navy’s zero-tolerance drug-abuse policy.

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April 12, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

The last of four soldiers accused of tormenting Pvt. Keiffer Wilhelm, the Huron County teen who killed himself in Iraq last summer, was found guilty of minor offenses and will apparently escape serious punishment.

Staff Sgt. Bob Clements was convicted of obstruction of justice at a court martial that ended Sunday night in Kuwait. He was given a written reprimand and demoted one pay rank, according to a U.S. Army official.

Up periscope – WE100410

April 10, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

1. SEALS:

Kokomo Perspective reports that:

Rep. Burton issued the following statement after the Navy dropped several charges against two Navy SEALs who are accused of mistreating terrorist mastermind Ahmed Hashim Abed, the man believed to be responsible for the infamous mutilations of four American contractors in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

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April 9, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

1. What ever happened to the Coast Guard O-6 in Alaska pending GCM for a host of offenses.

The former Coast Guard Sector Anchorage Commander was awarded the maximum allowable punishment at an Admiral’s Mast Friday and will retire on July 1 in the grade of lieutenant with a general discharge in lieu of trial by a general court-martial.

Capt. Herbert M. Hamilton, III, was relieved of command in May 2009. An investigation conducted by the Coast Guard Investigative Service revealed that Hamilton had inappropriate relationships with several women, including officer and enlisted Coast Guard members, and civilians, over a period of more than 13 years. Hamilton also was charged with misusing government computers and cell phones; making false official statements; and soliciting an enlisted member to destroy evidence. His retirement as a lieutenant in lieu of trial by a general court-martial is the result of a pretrial agreement and Hamilton’s unsatisfactory service in the grades of captain, commander, and lieutenant commander.

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April 8, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

FayObserver reports:

An 82nd Airborne soldier suspected of sexually assaulting seven women in Fort Bragg, Fayetteville and Hoke County will face a military judge Thursday.

Spec. Aaron Michael Pernell, 22, has been held in military custody at Fort Bragg since his Feb. 1 arrest. He is suspected in two break-ins and a sexual assault in December and a September break-in, all of which occurred on post.

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April 7, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Gazette.com reports that:

An Army prosecutor Tuesday opened the trial of an Iraq war veteran by accusing him of the “ultimate betrayal” — raping a comrade’s wife.

Spc. Philip C. Vermeiren, 28, is accused of assaulting the woman early Oct. 31 during an alcohol-fueled party at the Fort Carson apartment she shared with her husband.

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March 31, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

eNews Park Forest reports.

Last August, Travis Bishop refused to serve in Afghanistan. Having filed for Conscientious Objector (CO) status, Bishop, based at Fort Hood, Texas, in the US Army’s 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, was court-martialed and sentenced to 12 months in a military brig. He was released from the brig today.

Bishop served his time in Northwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Lewis, Washington. This military brig is notorious for being a particularly difficult jail to serve time.

Up periscope WE 270310

March 27, 2010 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Sentencing Law & Policy reports:

This remarkable local story out of Montana, which is headlined "Man blames PTSD for child pornography downloads," reports on another notable sentence break given to a notable child porn offense. Here are the details, which spotlight many of the hottest issues in current federal sentencing debates:

An Iraq war veteran in Helena, who claimed that post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his viewing child pornography, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised probation.