Reservist cleared of rape

Reservist cleared of rape
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 11, 2008 17:05:24 EST

LEBANON, Pa. — An Army reservist was cleared of rape and other felony charges but convicted of lesser counts of indecent assault.

A jury deliberated for nearly five hours Thursday before finding Sgt. Robert Shackelford Jr., 46, of Dover, Del., not guilty of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault charges. The panel convicted him of two indecent assault charges.

Shackelford, a member of the 233rd Quartermasters Company based in Philadelphia, was accused of raping a 22-year-old Army Reserve private in a men’s barracks in March. He had been charged with rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

Judge Robert J. Eby tentatively set sentencing for Feb. 27 but said it would probably be postponed because the conviction requires a Megan’s Law evaluation.

“I wish he would have been cleared of everything,” defense attorney Erin Zimmerer said. adding that Shackelford faces a minimum sentence of between three and 14 months and could be sentenced to time already served.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_rapecleared_080111/



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