Well, it appears that the Sinclair legal team has tipped its hand, at least partially, regarding its strategy.
They’re going to call the former and current XVIII Airborne Corps Commanders to testify. It appears they’re going to allege “unlawful command influence”
It’s unclear at this time what the rest of their strategy will be. Personally, I’d recommend a plea deal – if they can get one.
Stay tuned
If you are guilty as hell, then COmmand Influence is often a good defense. It will probably come up in Manning’s and Hassan’s cases as well.
That may not work out too well for them. Even if pressure was applied, that might only establish that they had to be pushed to do the right thing, to overcome reluctance to go after one of their own. The crux of the matter will be whether the charges are supported by the evidence sufficiently to convict.
I don’t think I’m understanding this right; are they saying the 18ABN CMDR influenced him to get drunk and screw his subordinates??
ComancheDoc: no. Command Influence is sometimes brought up as a defense with the argument being it shows prejudice on the part of the Court-Martial Convening Authority (CMCA) or their boss. The theory is that it thus makes it difficult or impossible for the accused to get a fair trial.
The theory is IMO bullshit, but it’s sometimes tried nonetheless.
Well damn, that was going in a funnier direction in my head…