New York Times: Next Steps on Military Sexual Assaults

The New York Times Editorial Board writes:

Ms. Gillibrand would leave decisions in serious military cases, including sexual assaults, to an independent prosecutor and end the power of senior commanders to quash a verdict. A similar measure that would create a system for handling sexual trauma cases outside the chain of command has been introduced in the House by Jackie Speier, a California Democrat. To his credit, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel supports eliminating the discretion of senior officers to overturn jury findings in serious cases, still leaving defendants robust rights of appeal. But he has stopped short of endorsing the changes necessary to give impartial military prosecutors the power to investigate and prosecute offenses.

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