Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Fairbanks Daily Newsminer.com reports: A general court-martial for a Fort Wainwright soldier accused of killing his wife begins this week.
Spc. Aaron M. Rentfrow, 30, of Fort Wanye, Ind., faces charges of murder and kidnapping. The court-marital convened Monday morning and is expected to begin selecting a five-member panel of jurors this morning. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Military justice practitioners will immediately see the significant error in this report – capital referral, “five member” panel? If the case is referred non-capital, then the death penalty is not authorized, so the reference to five (at least five) is correct.
Marine Corps Times reports: One Marine faces court-martial and another faces non-judicial punishment for allegedly hazing a lance corporal who killed himself in Afghanistan, according to a military investigation report obtained by Marine Corps Times.
Navy Times reports a brief, “I wish” statement from CAPT Owens to his show cause board.
Slightly off course but, Navy Times reports: Police in Connecticut say a Navy sailor charged with illegally possessing an AK47 assault rifle was “disgruntled” and critical of the military, and officials were concerned about potential violence.