Prosecutor leaves Fort Bragg general Jeffrey Sinclair's sex assault case

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9433716



Prosecutor leaves Fort Bragg general Jeffrey Sinclair's sex assault case
Saturday, February 15, 2014

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- The military prosecutor overseeing the sexual assault charges against Fort Bragg Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair has abruptly left the case.

Sinclair, 51, has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges including forcible sodomy, indecent acts, violating orders and conduct unbecoming an officer. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison at a court-martial that was scheduled to begin March 3.

The married father of three has admitted to having an extramarital affair with a female captain under his command, but maintains the relationship was consensual. Sinclair's defense has portrayed the woman as a jealous ex-lover and challenged her testimony - asking that she be charged with perjury after questions were raised about evidence she said she found on a cell phone.

In a statement to ABC11, Sinclair's lawyer Richard Scheff said it was clear that lead prosecutor Lt. Col. William Helixon had questions about the accuser's credibility and honesty.