Court-martial begins for soldier accused of assault on girl

[unhappycamper]

Court-martial begins for soldier accused of assault on girl
Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, February 7, 2008

VICENZA, Italy — A general court-martial began Wednesday for an Italy-based soldier charged with carnal knowledge and indecent acts with a child under the age of 16.

Staff Sgt. Daniel H. Gaskins, 31, also faces one count of indecent assault.

Gaskins, assigned to a NATO command, is accused of having sex with the 12-year-old daughter of a fellow soldier on Feb. 24, during a party in Latina, Italy, about an hour’s drive from Naples.

The girl and her mother were expected to testify Wednesday afternoon after a morning of jury selection and opening arguments.

The second offense allegedly occurred in March, when Gaskins — who had been reassigned to a unit in Naples — was invited to stay in the guest room of a fellow soldier after a night of drinking.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52276