Chaplain enters plea at court-martial

[deadparrot]

NORFOLK, Va. - A Navy chaplain charged with disobeying orders by wearing his uniform at a White House protest pleaded not guilty at his court-martial Tuesday.

Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt contends he is being punished for praying in Jesus' name at a March 30 news conference to protest a Navy policy requiring nondenominational prayers outside of religious services.

A superior officer had ordered Klingenschmitt not to wear his uniform during media appearances without first receiving permission but said he could be in uniform if conducting a "bona fide worship service."

"Of course it was his duty to obey the order," said Lt. David M. Sherry, a Coast Guard lawyer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060912/ap_on_re_us/navy_chaplain

[mcscajun]

1. Praying or not praying, he was in his uniform at a protest.

He's in violation of orders and the military code; he's guilty, and if he's found Not Guilty, the floodgates open a little wider...

[SKKY]

2. Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to agree with LT. Sherry here...

...I find it difficult to believe a protest could be considered a bona fide worship service. Having said that, I hope
some judicial restraint is show by the presiding judge and this guys career isn't ruined.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. Depends on what you mean by "ruined."

A court-martial conviction pretty much forcloses any further promotion or retention. At best, he'll finish his time in grade and be released from duty. I doubt he'll receive an honorable discharge, and I think a general discharge may be too much to hope.

But I don't see brig time at all.

[Eugene]

4. AP: Chaplain Convicted of Disobeying Order

Associated Press
Chaplain Convicted of Disobeying Order
By SONJA BARISIC , 09.13.2006, 05:24 PM

A military jury found a Navy chaplain guilty Wednesday of disobeying
an order by appearing in uniform at a White House protest.

A jury of five officers deliberated for an hour and 20 minutes before
deciding Lt. Gordon J. Klingenschmitt disobeyed a superior officer's
order that he could be in uniform if conducting a "bona fide worship
service."

The penalty phase began immediately after the verdict. Klingenschmitt
could be docked two-thirds of his pay for a year and reprimanded.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/09/13/ap3015211.html