Editorial: No hope of justice
The New York Daily News Editorial Board writes:
An expected plea bargain that would end the sexual assault trial of Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, the highest-ranking officer ever to face such charges, vividly illustrates the urgent need for fundamental reform of the military justice system.
Sinclair reportedly will admit that he had treated a female captain in a way that “reasonably could have caused mental harm or suffering during the course of an ongoing inappropriate sexual relationship.” Her accusation that Sinclair had forced her to perform sexual acts would be dropped.
The judge, Col. James Pohl, halted the proceedings last week, citing indications that commanders had improperly influenced prosecutors to press the case in order to appear tough on sexual assaults in the military in a heated political climate.
