SEAL commander charged in war crime cover-up heading to trial in September
SAN DIEGO — As throngs of reporters and military officials filed out of the Naval Base San Diego courtroom where Navy SEAL Chief Edward R. Gallagher had just been sentenced for taking photos with a deceased combatant, another SEAL — wearing pressed whites and the shining gold Trident badge of the SEALs — waited with his attorneys to file in and take their seats.
Navy Lt. Jacob X. Portier’s legal fight with the Navy is just beginning.
Portier is charged with a number of offenses related to those Gallagher fought during his 2 1/2-week trial. Portier is charged with conduct unbecoming an officer, for allegedly conducting Gallagher’s reenlistment ceremony near a dead enemy combatant — the same fighter Gallagher was found not guilty of murdering.
Portier also is charged with dereliction of duty because, prosecutors say, he failed to supervise Gallagher that day. He’s also charged with failure to report war crimes allegations against Gallagher and with obstruction of justice for allegedly destroying evidence.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/seal-commander-charged-in-war-crime-cover-up-heading-to-trial-in-september/ar-AADTXMp?li=BBnb7Kz