Military judge Lt. Col. Leon Francis convicted a Camp Pendleton Marine on Wednesday of attempted adultery and obstruction of justice, even though the woman says she was raped by the Marine with whom she supposedly attempted adultery.
The Associated Press reports Francis did not give an explanation as to why he convicted the Marine, a staff sergeant with 17 years in the Corps, of the charges. Because of the conviction, she faces a year in the brig and a dishonorable discharge.
The Marine says she was too intoxicated to consent to a sexual encounter with the fellow Marine, who was not charged in the case.
Her defense counsel, Capt. Rafiel Warfield, said of the sexual encounter that brought about the charges:
"It was not consensual. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't an affair. It was rape."
But prosecutors argued that the female Marine lied about renting a hotel room, and claimed rape only when charges of adultery were brought against her. Maj. Doug Hatch said in closing arguments:
"By whatever means necessary, (she) was going to save her skin. When backed into a corner, she played the ultimate trump card by claiming sexual assault."
According to the Los Angeles Times, the defendant did not testify during the court-martial, and showed no emotion when the guilty verdict was read.
