Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog

Failures in care of combat stressed Soldiers leading to blue on blue incidents?

October 20, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

MiamiHerald.com

An American soldier accused of killing five fellow troops at a counseling center in Iraq had been unraveling for nearly two weeks but the U.S. military lacked clear procedures to monitor him or deal with the deadly shooting spree once it began to unfold, a military report found.

The shooting deaths drew attention to the issues of combat stress and morale as troops have to increasingly serve multiple combat tours because the nation’s volunteer army is stretched thin by two long-running wars.

Key lapses in assistance, care, and observation of troubled soldiers.

Budwah guilty plea coming

October 19, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

A Marine sergeant charged with faking battle injuries to get freebies intended for wounded warriors will plead guilty on Wednesday.

What’s IAC when advising on collateral consequences.

October 19, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

If you’ve been following Miller (sex offender registration issues) and Denedo (immigration issues similar to Padilla)(link to SCOTUSWiki documents), you’ve been following Padilla v. Kentucky.

Here’s a link to United States v. Miller, 63 M.J. 452 (C.A.A.F. 2006).

Here’s a link to an LA Times editorial on Padilla.

ALERT: Second Cox Commission published

October 19, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Here is a link to the Report of the Second Cox Commission, published today.

More breaks.

October 18, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Here is another article about Breaker Morant, by John Silvester in the Age.

Rest in Peace?

According to the article, the photo in my previous post on this is of Morant “moments before he was executed,” on 27 February 1902.

Breaker Morant should get a break.

October 18, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Not completely off point, and it is Sunday. I certainly remember a number of NJS and other military law related CLE’s using the movie Breaker Morant to discuss aspects of military law and justice.

So here is an article in the Sydney Morning Herald by an Australian military lawyer who argues that Morant and his co-accused Handcock should receive a pardon.

“Get it right, you b’s: the fight to clear Breaker Morant’s name,” Steve Meacham, SMH.

Behenna update

October 16, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

The full congressional delegation of two senators and five representatives have petitioned the Army Clemency & Parole Board on behalf of 1Lt Behnna.

tip to Rob Gifford for fowarding articles from the NewsOK, and The Edmond Sun.

An Army JAG O-4 headed to court?

October 16, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

Army Major Daniel A. Woolverton, appeared in court at the Eastern District of Virginia today. He was charged with production and distribution of child pornography.

The report talks of peer-to-peer software, likely something such as Limewire.

Oh, and apparently he’s a judge advocate, according to Army Times.

Marine Reservist CM, for passing secrets.

October 16, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

A Marine reservist accused of removing secret documents at Camp Pendleton and sharing them with civilian law enforcement officials goes to trial today

A Fort Rucker soldier has been in a shaken baby case.

Former USNA footballer sentenced at court-martial

October 14, 2009 | The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

The USNA grad plead guilty to stealing from teammate lockers, using credit cards, and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to a dismissal, one year confinement, and TF.