Soldier’s Lawyer Alleges Accuser Fabricated Log
Sgt. Maj. Gene C. McKinney’s lawyer charged on Thursday that the key witness in the soldier’s sexual-misconduct trial fabricated a journal to bolster her claim that McKinney harassed and assaulted her.
Staff Sgt. Christine Fetrow denied the allegation.
Testifying at McKinney’s court-martial, Fetrow, 27, said she kept a log of her service that included her attendance at a 1994 Army convention in Washington. The spiral-bound log contains a reference to McKinney’s making sexual advances and hugging her.
Defense attorney Charles Gittins argued on cross-examination that Fetrow used three different pens to make the journal look authentic and had written it to take to a meeting with investigators.
McKinney, 47, was removed as sergeant major of the Army, the highest enlisted post, after six women accused him of sexual misconduct last year. He could get 55 1/2 years in prison. His lawyers claim all six women are lying.
Fetrow’s allegations account for 10 of the 19 charges.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
