Lawyer for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair argues for fair trial

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/06/26/1265964?sac=fo.military



Lawyer for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair argues for fair trial
By Paul Woolverton
Published: 08:03 AM, Thu Jun 27, 2013

The president, members of Congress and high-ranking defense officials have ensured that Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair can't get a fair court-martial in his sexual assault case, one of his lawyers argued to a military judge Wednesday.

The ongoing "white-hot" political climate surrounding sexual misconduct in the military will put intense pressure on Sinclair's jury to find him guilty, defense lawyer Richard Scheff said during a pre-trial hearing at Fort Bragg. The jury will consist entirely of generals whose jobs and career advancement are in the hands of the president and others who have been vocal on the subject, Scheff said.

Sinclair's court-martial is scheduled for July 16. He is accused of forcing an Army captain, with whom he admits an adulterous affair, to twice perform oral sex on him. He also faces additional accusations of misconduct involving other women, and several other charges.

A conviction could end Sinclair's career with a prison sentence.