Court hears cadet’s sex misconduct appeal

[unhappycamper]

Court hears cadet’s sex misconduct appeal
By Andrew Miga - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 16, 2008 13:17:00 EST

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lawyers for a former cadet who was the first student court-martialed in the 130-year history of the Coast Guard Academy asked an appeals court Wednesday to reverse his convictions for sexual misconduct.

Webster Smith of Houston was acquitted in 2006 of rape but was convicted of extortion, sodomy and indecent assault.

He was sentenced to prison for extorting sexual favors from a female classmate at the academy in New London, Conn.

He served all but one month of a six-month sentence and was released early for good behavior.

His lawyers said Wednesday the convictions should be thrown out because Smith’s defense team was not allowed to fully cross-examine one of his accusers during the court martial.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_coastguardmisconduct_080116/