Hagel Wants Military Brass Stripped Of Ability To Overturn Convictions, Officials Say

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

U.S. officials say Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is recommending that military commanders be stripped of their ability to reverse criminal convictions of service members in response to a congressional uproar over an Air Force officer's decision to overturn a guilty verdict in a sexual assault case.

Officials say Hagel will seek legislation requiring that cases go through the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. The furor involves a decision by Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, commander of the 3rd Air Force, to overturn the sexual assault conviction against Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, a former inspector general at Aviano Air Base in Italy. Hagel ordered a review but lacks sole authority to change the law or the case's outcome.

Officials weren't authorized to speak publicly about the change, so they requested anonymity.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57578482/hagel-wants-military-brass-stripped-of-ability-to-overturn-convictions-officials-say/

[geek tragedy]

1. Yeah, hard to see how that rule would get abused?

[MADem]

2. Right the fuck on, pardon my French. WAY past due. nt

[bemildred]

3. That's why we like Chuck.

He's a straight shooter.

[saidsimplesimon]

4. bemildred, Pres. Obama should be congratulated for his choice.

[Kolesar]

5. With upper management written all over him...eom

[shawn703]

6. Yeah... I'm going to go ahead and sort of disagree with you there...

Great movie.

[bemildred]

13. As long as I get the pencil sharpener. nt

[Kolesar]

17. The red Swingline stapler, it doesn't jam

I'm going to burn this place down

[UnrepentantLiberal]

7. That general should be court-martialed.

[24601]

9. For violation of what article of the UCMJ? If Mr. Hagel wants to make military law like

civilian law, shouldn't he should start with requiring a unanimous guilty vote instead of the the 2/3 vote that it takes now?

[TwilightGardener]

11. It's going to be changed through Congress--I think either Claire McCaskill

or Kirsten Gillibrand is drafting legislation, probably with help from the Pentagon. Edit to add: I guess that means there's a chance it won't pass, though.

[Sgent]

14. Civilian law doesn't require unamious verdicts

There are a few states that allow guilty verdicts of 9-3.

[24601]

15. Good catch - was referring to federal civilian law since the UCMJ is federal.

[PolitFreak]

8. Easy K&R for this

Good idea!

[Joey Liberal]

10. Hagel is starting out on the right track

Our generals and admirals are too spoiled. Way too many perks. And way too many generals and admirals.

[mallard]

12. Re: hope he stays on track, too ...

... and this is not just an exercise in reinforcing current version of the law.

[SunSeeker]

16. K&R