Naval Academy Sexual Assault Case Back In Court
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorneys for a former U.S. Naval Academy football player accused of sexual assault are back in court to argue that political pressure influenced the decision to prosecute him.
A hearing in the case of Joshua Tate of Nashville, Tenn., is being held Monday in Washington.
Last month, a military judge heard testimony from the head of the Naval Academy, Vice Adm. Michael Miller, who said his decision to move forward with the charges against Tate was made after a careful review and in consultation with others in the military justice system.
Tate's lawyers, however, will be asking the judge to dismiss the case based on "unlawful command influence."
Prosecutors initially accused Tate and two other students of sexually assaulting a female student in 2012. He is now the only one charged.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
