thedrifter
09-13-06, 06:44 PM
September 13, 2006
Chaplain found guilty
By Chris Amos
Staff writer
NORFOLK NAVAL STATION, Va. — A military jury of five officers found a Navy chaplain guilty of disobeying a lawful order Wednesday after deliberating part of the afternoon.
Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt, an Evangelical Episcopal priest, was tried at a special court-martial that began Tuesday. The charge involved his appearance in uniform at a March 30 news conference in a park across from the White House.
The sentencing phase of the case began Wednesday afternoon after the verdict was read, with the case going to the jury as soon as Wednesday evening.
Witnesses for the prosecution included Capt. Loyd Pyle, commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, and Norfolk command chaplain Capt. Norm Holcomb.
The defense called Klingenschmitt’s wife, Mary; a former seaman who served aboard the cruiser Anzio and was counseled by Klingenschmitt; and retired Air Force Col. Allen D. Roby, who was Klingenschmitt’s supervisor while he served as an enlisted airman.
A special court-martial has no power to discharge or dismiss an officer. The maximum punishment Klingenschmitt could receive is:
• Forfeiture of two-thirds pay for 12 months.
• A fine.
• A combination of a fine and forfeitures not to exceed of two-thirds pay for 12 months.
• Two months’ restriction.
• A reprimand.
Ellie
Chaplain found guilty
By Chris Amos
Staff writer
NORFOLK NAVAL STATION, Va. — A military jury of five officers found a Navy chaplain guilty of disobeying a lawful order Wednesday after deliberating part of the afternoon.
Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt, an Evangelical Episcopal priest, was tried at a special court-martial that began Tuesday. The charge involved his appearance in uniform at a March 30 news conference in a park across from the White House.
The sentencing phase of the case began Wednesday afternoon after the verdict was read, with the case going to the jury as soon as Wednesday evening.
Witnesses for the prosecution included Capt. Loyd Pyle, commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, and Norfolk command chaplain Capt. Norm Holcomb.
The defense called Klingenschmitt’s wife, Mary; a former seaman who served aboard the cruiser Anzio and was counseled by Klingenschmitt; and retired Air Force Col. Allen D. Roby, who was Klingenschmitt’s supervisor while he served as an enlisted airman.
A special court-martial has no power to discharge or dismiss an officer. The maximum punishment Klingenschmitt could receive is:
• Forfeiture of two-thirds pay for 12 months.
• A fine.
• A combination of a fine and forfeitures not to exceed of two-thirds pay for 12 months.
• Two months’ restriction.
• A reprimand.
Ellie