New court-martial recommended for soldier who refused deployment

[Judi Lynn]

June 6, 2005, 11:40PM

New court-martial recommended for soldier who refused deployment
Associated Press



AP
Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, faces up to seven years in prison if the recommendation of an investigating officer is followed.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — An Army investigator has recommended a court-martial on desertion charges for a soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq.


Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, faces up to seven years in prison if the recommendation of the investigating officer — whose role is similar to that of a civilian grand jury — is followed by Fort Stewart commanders.

Benderman, an Army mechanic, refused to deploy with his 3rd Infantry Division unit for a second tour of duty Jan. 8, days after he told commanders he was seeking a discharge as a conscientious objector.

A military judge halted Benderman's first trial May 11 and ordered a new preliminary investigation, ruling previous investigative hearings may have been biased against Benderman.

Following that ruling, prosecutors added charges of larceny against Benderman, saying he accepted $2,922 in combat pay and related deployment bonuses while he remained in the United States.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3214175
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LARCENY?????

[cornermouse]

1. So they're going to start handing out criminal records for refusing to go?

Was this always the case?

[Mel]

3. I don't know cornermouse

what I do think when people see the military treating their people like this they aren't going to be encouraged to volunteer theirselves for this kind of abuse.
Seems to me they are trying to make an example out of this guy. I also think the military is worried that there's going to be a many more guys doing the same as Sgt. Kevin Benderman.

Here's a link to an interview with Benderman, I thought that name sounded familiar heard his interview on NPR in the NC area.

http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/programs/index_20041113.html

[unhappycamper]

2. FYI - if registration is required for any news article,

use bugmenot to avoid the spam that comes your way from giving out your email address. Here's how you use it:

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Most times the ID / password that is returned works. If not, there's a button to get another ID / password combination. You can be a good citizen and add ID / password combinations if you hit a site not on bugmenot.

[Mel]

4. DU link about Benderman

original poster Tinoire
To Stop a War - Welcome SGT Kevin Benderman
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3701519&mesg_id=3701519