April 8th, 2013
05:44 PM ET

Hagel seeks changes to military legal process

(CNN) - In response to an Air Force colonel's overturned sexual assault conviction, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is asking Congress to limit military commanders' authority to toss out court-martial verdicts.

"These changes would increase the confidence of service members and the public that the military justice system will do justice in every case," Hagel said in a statement Monday announcing the initiative.

Hagel also wants to require commanders who change court-martial sentences to explain their decisions in writing.

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soundoff (4 Responses)
  1. Rascal Rabble

    those "good old boys" commanders should be dishonorably discharged for conduct unbecoming of a military officer...criminnal acts should be before the federal judge and federal atty general and served a federal prison...the uniform and military service should not be a shield from prosecution of crimiminal activity...place their crime under the federal beaureau of investigation...these victims should report these crimes to the fbi not their commanders...

    April 8, 2013 at 5:53 pm | Report abuse |
  2. banasy©

    I hope Defense Secretary Hagel prevails. There is no excuse for this.

    April 8, 2013 at 7:22 pm | Report abuse |
  3. ronvan

    Remember the old saying, "if there is a preception of a problem then there is probably a problem"? ANY service person accused of a crime, that does not involve SOFA (status of forces agrrement", should be returned to the U.S.A. for federal prosecution.

    April 9, 2013 at 2:58 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Haiku you

    I got nothing here
    Writer's block is possible
    If story is dumb

    April 9, 2013 at 3:35 pm | Report abuse |
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