Army Court-Martial Opening Is Delayed

The court-martial of the Army’s former top enlisted soldier at Ft. Belvoir was delayed a day until today so his lawyers could investigate why one of six women who accused him of sexual misconduct is in the witness protection program. Sgt. Maj. Gene C. McKinney’s lawyers sought the delay to follow up on newly declassified documents about Sgt. Christine Fetrow, the first witness scheduled against him. Charles Gittins, McKinney’s attorney, said Fetrow claimed that she was threatened after making sexual-misconduct charges against McKinney. The 29-year Army veteran is accused of crudely pushing five enlisted women and one officer for sex, in some cases assaulting or threatening them. He could be sentenced to more than 55 years in prison if convicted of 19 charges. He has denied all wrongdoing.