MAs charged in Brunswick suicide go to mast

MAs charged in Brunswick suicide go to mast
By Chris Amos - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 5, 2008 6:54:25 EDT

Court-martial proceedings against two masters-at-arms charged with allowing a sailor in their custody to commit suicide have been halted.

“Both cases were withdrawn last month from courts-martial and directed into captain’s mast by convening authority” Capt. William Fitzgerald, commanding officer Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, said NAS Brunswick spokesman John James.

James, citing privacy rules, declined to discuss how Mitchell R. Tafel and David C. Rodriguez, both masters-at-arms first class, were punished, but said the maximum punishment at mast for both men would have been 45 days of restriction, 45 days of extra duty, forfeiture of one-half month’s pay for two months, a rank reduction of one grade, and an oral or written reprimand. If they had gone to court-martial, both men could have faced up to one year in the brig and dismissal from the Navy.

James said both men are now working as MAs at NAS Brunswick.

Tafel and Rodriguez were charged with violating a general order, reckless endangerment and dereliction of duty for failing to properly search and supervise Hospitalman Christopher Purcell after they and four civilian police officers arrived at Purcell’s on-base apartment Jan. 27.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_suicide_090408/%2e