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US Army General Jeffrey Sinclair faces assault accuser US Army General Jeffrey Sinclair faces assault accuser
(about 5 hours later)
A female US Army captain who accuses a general of sexually assaulting her has wept as she told a court he threatened to kill her family. A US Army captain who accuses a general of sexually assaulting her has wept as she told a court he threatened to kill her family.
The unidentified accuser spoke after opening arguments in a military trial at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, against Brig Gen Jeffrey Sinclair, 51.The unidentified accuser spoke after opening arguments in a military trial at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, against Brig Gen Jeffrey Sinclair, 51.
Defence lawyers said the general was the victim of an infatuated woman and a prosecution under political pressure.Defence lawyers said the general was the victim of an infatuated woman and a prosecution under political pressure.
On Thursday Gen Sinclair pleaded guilty to three lesser charges against him. The Pentagon has been pledging to stamp out an epidemic of sexual misconduct.
His lawyers said he did so to accept responsibility and limit some of the evidence prosecutors could present. In two other cases to emerge on Friday:
Gen Sinclair faces a sentence of up to 15 years after admitting on Thursday to adultery and other charges deemed illegal in the military. But the case of Gen Sinclair is believed to be the highest-ranking US military prosecution to date.
He already faces a sentence of up to 15 years after admitting on Thursday to adultery and other charges deemed illegal in the military.
The former deputy commander of the elite 82nd Airborne Division could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of sexual assault.The former deputy commander of the elite 82nd Airborne Division could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of sexual assault.
'Sexually explicit texts''Sexually explicit texts'
In opening statements, Army prosecutor Colonel Robert Stelle said Gen Sinclair had used his authority to intimidate a female officer into sexual acts. In Friday's opening statements, Army prosecutor Col Robert Stelle said Gen Sinclair had used his authority to intimidate a female officer into sexual acts.
According to Col Stelle, Sinclair twice ended arguments about his affair with the female officer by unbuttoning his trousers and forcing her head into his lap to perform oral sex. The female captain, who has been granted anonymity, testified that Gen Sinclair twice ended arguments about their relationship by forcing her to perform oral sex on him.
The female captain, who has been granted anonymity, testified on Friday that she "knew it was wrong" when they began their three-year affair. She said she "knew it was wrong" when they began their three-year affair. But she said she thought Gen Sinclair's wife knew about their relationship until he told her that she must never find out.
She also testified she thought Gen Sinclair's wife knew about their relationship until he told her that she must never find out.
"He told me that if I ever told her or anyone else about he and I, he would kill me and then he would kill my family," she said, sobbing on the witness stand."He told me that if I ever told her or anyone else about he and I, he would kill me and then he would kill my family," she said, sobbing on the witness stand.
"And he would do it in a way no-one would ever know.""And he would do it in a way no-one would ever know."
Gen Sinclair's defence portrayed him as the victim of a prosecution under political pressure to stamp out a rash of sexual assault in the ranks. But Gen Sinclair's lawyer, Ellen Brotman, read excerpts from the captain's diary, in which she expressed desire for him even after he allegedly threatened violence against her loved ones.
The accused's lawyer, Ellen Brotman, also read excerpts from the captain's diary, in which she expressed her desire for him even after he allegedly threatened violence against her loved ones.
"I'm so in love with him," Ms Brotman read from the diary. "I do know that I love him incredibly... I love him almost unconditionally.""I'm so in love with him," Ms Brotman read from the diary. "I do know that I love him incredibly... I love him almost unconditionally."
The only fear she expressed, Ms Brotman said, was that he might still love his wife.The only fear she expressed, Ms Brotman said, was that he might still love his wife.
Gen Sinclair and his accuser also exchanged thousands of often sexually explicit text messages, even after he tried to end their relationship, said the defence.Gen Sinclair and his accuser also exchanged thousands of often sexually explicit text messages, even after he tried to end their relationship, said the defence.
Meanwhile, officials said on Friday that an Army sergeant at West Point military academy had admitted secretly photographing and videotaping female cadets, some while they were undressed.
Sgt First Class Michael McClendon faces a 33-month prison sentence followed by a reduction in rank to private before being discharged for bad conduct.
On Thursday, a bill that would have stripped military commanders of the authority to decide whether to prosecute rapes and other serious crimes failed to progress in the US Senate.On Thursday, a bill that would have stripped military commanders of the authority to decide whether to prosecute rapes and other serious crimes failed to progress in the US Senate.
Lawmakers instead voted to move forward a more moderate measure.Lawmakers instead voted to move forward a more moderate measure.