PSA pilot charged with triple murder
#51
Covfefe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 0
USMCFLYER, there are a few more details in this article. A quick google search yields a few other cases. And for each case identified, how many get away with UCI or other shenanigans unreported? Had it not been for this whistleblower and subsequent admission of UCI by the retired RADM, it would have never been overturned. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-...e-court-rules/
The military justice system is only as good as its officers empowered by it. I saw UCI (used against me as a commander), but it was somewhat minor and I was able to mostly mitigate it for those under my command who it was affecting, and I was getting out so I didn’t pursue it much. I went to JAG about it only to be told our JAG with our unit there works for the command and so can’t advise me when my/their commander was the subject of the complaint. Where I was deployed at the time, I didn’t have good access to JAG resources for myself.
I’m not completely sour on the UCMJ and its associated authority given to commanders, I think it’s a necessary system. But it has its flaws and people get screwed. I had a former soldier/pilot get ruined by an abusive ex-wife who made a rape accusation (from 2 years prior) after he tried to divorce her. Guy got ruined by the commanding general with zero evidence...solely a he said/she said scenario. It was all administrative and not UCMJ, but his career was ruined. He eventually got everything tossed after more evidence came to light, but that was years later after the damage was done and he was on his way out. He narrowly avoided a discharge that wasn’t going to be an honorable one.
Civil justice systems in the US have their issues too, but I do think we probably one of the better overall justice systems in the world.
The military justice system is only as good as its officers empowered by it. I saw UCI (used against me as a commander), but it was somewhat minor and I was able to mostly mitigate it for those under my command who it was affecting, and I was getting out so I didn’t pursue it much. I went to JAG about it only to be told our JAG with our unit there works for the command and so can’t advise me when my/their commander was the subject of the complaint. Where I was deployed at the time, I didn’t have good access to JAG resources for myself.
I’m not completely sour on the UCMJ and its associated authority given to commanders, I think it’s a necessary system. But it has its flaws and people get screwed. I had a former soldier/pilot get ruined by an abusive ex-wife who made a rape accusation (from 2 years prior) after he tried to divorce her. Guy got ruined by the commanding general with zero evidence...solely a he said/she said scenario. It was all administrative and not UCMJ, but his career was ruined. He eventually got everything tossed after more evidence came to light, but that was years later after the damage was done and he was on his way out. He narrowly avoided a discharge that wasn’t going to be an honorable one.
Civil justice systems in the US have their issues too, but I do think we probably one of the better overall justice systems in the world.
#53
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Arrgh Jay
And one should make an effort to enunciate, like their 5th grade teacher told them. A mouthful of marbles helps no one.
Murder or other felonious files are pretty much a given, nowadays. I love my colleaguez
#54
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
From: Taco Rocket Operator
I doubt it. Unfortunately, it's not improbable that some army people twisted the system for their own purposes but state attorney generals don't dance to the army's tune... most especially for something this high profile. The KY AG would not have personally held a press conference if he didn't think he had an ironclad case. In 2019 you can't get away with framing a dedicated military officer for multiple murders.
The son of the couple that was killed asked Beshear to take the case over in 2017 because the Christian County Commonwealths Attorney office was a mess, and Lynn Pryor was voted out in 2018 due to several misconduct issues in that office.
There is a whole bunch of crap around this case and it is a big mess. If Little Andy hasn't found any new evidence that wasn't found before don't be surprised if this results in an acquittal.
#55
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,888
Likes: 684
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Little Andy Beshear loves attention and press conferences. Wouldn't put it past him to shove a weak case before a grand jury to get a big splash in the news a week before the Democratic primary for Governor where he is in a tight race with two others. They had a debate last Monday and of course Beshear had to bring up the fact that he has done such a good job with cold cases and brought up this case.
The son of the couple that was killed asked Beshear to take the case over in 2017 because the Christian County Commonwealths Attorney office was a mess, and Lynn Pryor was voted out in 2018 due to several misconduct issues in that office.
There is a whole bunch of crap around this case and it is a big mess. If Little Andy hasn't found any new evidence that wasn't found before don't be surprised if this results in an acquittal.
The son of the couple that was killed asked Beshear to take the case over in 2017 because the Christian County Commonwealths Attorney office was a mess, and Lynn Pryor was voted out in 2018 due to several misconduct issues in that office.
There is a whole bunch of crap around this case and it is a big mess. If Little Andy hasn't found any new evidence that wasn't found before don't be surprised if this results in an acquittal.
#56
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
It's not necessarily a matter of framing anyone; prosecutions press forward all the time for political reasons, for for any number of other reasons, and the attorney general speaks not off his own investigation, but the word of others, who may or may not believe they have a solid case. Trials are often throws of the dice.
Regardless, innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
From: Taco Rocket Operator
I sincerely hope that they have a solid case for the families of the victims, however after reading the local papers coverage of the court martial and the murders it looks dicey at best because a lot of this case may rest on his ex "wife", and her credibility fell apart in the Christian County Family Court in 2012 and in the Court Martial. Hard to say she is his ex "wife" because in Kentucky you can't be legally married if you are still married to somebody else.
They are going to have a hard time getting around Phillips statement on tape that he never saw or heard any evidence of sexual abuse, assault, or molestation. This is why Martin says he wanted Phillips there. Also hard to believe you would kill somebody over an affair when you walked away from your ex "wife" 3 years before for being a bigamist. Kills their motive theory unless they found new evidence to the contrary. Gonna be interesting to see how they prosecute this.
#58
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
#59
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,888
Likes: 684
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Exactly. Win or lose he will be gone from the AGs office by the time this gets to trial.
I sincerely hope that they have a solid case for the families of the victims, however after reading the local papers coverage of the court martial and the murders it looks dicey at best because a lot of this case may rest on his ex "wife", and her credibility fell apart in the Christian County Family Court in 2012 and in the Court Martial. Hard to say she is his ex "wife" because in Kentucky you can't be legally married if you are still married to somebody else.
They are going to have a hard time getting around Phillips statement on tape that he never saw or heard any evidence of sexual abuse, assault, or molestation. This is why Martin says he wanted Phillips there. Also hard to believe you would kill somebody over an affair when you walked away from your ex "wife" 3 years before for being a bigamist. Kills their motive theory unless they found new evidence to the contrary. Gonna be interesting to see how they prosecute this.
I sincerely hope that they have a solid case for the families of the victims, however after reading the local papers coverage of the court martial and the murders it looks dicey at best because a lot of this case may rest on his ex "wife", and her credibility fell apart in the Christian County Family Court in 2012 and in the Court Martial. Hard to say she is his ex "wife" because in Kentucky you can't be legally married if you are still married to somebody else.
They are going to have a hard time getting around Phillips statement on tape that he never saw or heard any evidence of sexual abuse, assault, or molestation. This is why Martin says he wanted Phillips there. Also hard to believe you would kill somebody over an affair when you walked away from your ex "wife" 3 years before for being a bigamist. Kills their motive theory unless they found new evidence to the contrary. Gonna be interesting to see how they prosecute this.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post



