Despite his admission, USAREUR E-9 acquitted in sex case

[unhappycamper]

Despite his admission, USAREUR E-9 acquitted in sex case
By Nancy Montgomery, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, May 21, 2010

MANNHEIM, Germany — A U.S. Army Europe brigade sergeant major who’d admitted sexual contact with a low-ranking soldier in his command was acquitted Thursday of sexual assault, fraternization, maltreatment and adultery.

Sgt. Maj. Garry Tull shouted with joy, hugged his lawyers and began to cry after a court-martial panel comprising three other sergeants major, a lieutenant colonel, a major and a warrant officer acquitted him on all counts.

The accuser, who prosecutors said had not wanted to report the assault in the first place, was not in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered, about two hours after the panel started deliberations.

The verdicts were a stunning rebuke to the prosecutors, who’ve been engaged in a recent Army effort to deal more effectively with sexual assault in the ranks, encourage victims to report and gain expertise in how to investigate and prosecute cases.

Over four days, prosecutors had presented a narrative of a predatory E-9 who used his rank and position for sexual access to a timid 23-year-old specialist who was under his command and understandably afraid to cross him.



:wtf:

[xchrom]

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