OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Turner Statement on DoD Convening Authority Review

Statement

Date: April 8, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Defense Criminal Justice

Congressman Mike Turner, Co-Chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus released the following statement as the Department of Defense has completed a review of Article 60 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) after a commander dismissed an Air Force officer's court-martial conviction for sexual assault, using the authority provided by Article 60:

"The dismissal of the court martial of Lt Col. Wilkerson was a blow to the progress made by the military in their fight against sexual assault within its ranks. The Department rightly undertook a review of that action and I agree that changes must be made to Article 60. A single commander who was not involved in the proceedings should not have the ability to reverse a decision reached by a fair and impartial jury. That sends the wrong message to victims and to their accused. Victims should know that justice won't be subverted, but will be served."


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