Officer’s Comments Irk Defense Lawyer

A Navy defense attorney on Friday criticized his client’s commanding officer, saying the officer made public statements that could “coerce or influence” jurors in his client’s upcoming trial on assault charges.

Lt. Adam Paul Stoffa, who represents a woman facing charges of assaulting a federal officer, said he was concerned about Capt. Craig Weideman’s comments after announcing that there was no substantiating evidence that four women under his command had been sexually harassed.

Stoffa’s client was one of four women who raised harassment allegations that triggered a criminal investigation in the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 at the Point Mugu Navy base.

Although the investigation ended in no charges filed against accused male officers, Stoffa’s client was charged with assault for allegedly breaking the foot of an investigator while being interviewed during the probe.

Weideman said he decided to pursue charges against the woman because, “the Navy cannot send a message of letting people walk away from things like that.”

Stoffa said that Weideman has ultimate control of the woman’s court-martial and should remain neutral and detached from the incident.

“His unequivocal statements indicating that my client has done something wrong and that the Navy cannot send a message of letting people walk away from things like that . . . should certainly cause members of the public to question whether my client can receive a fair trial,” Stoffa said.

“Ultimately, Capt. Weideman’s statements should cause the public to lose confidence in the military justice system and to believe that the system is unfair.”

Weideman said Stoffa is confused about the facts. The commanding officer said his decisions on which charges to pursue were based on the conclusions of three separate investigations into the behavior of his squadron members.

“I view myself as a referee,” Weideman said.