The Sexual Assault Case That Has The Pentagon Scrambling Just Took A Surprising Twist
Stars & Stripes reports that new allegations have surfaced against Wilkerson, with an unnamed woman reporting they had an extramarital affair and that he fathered her child.
“I guess it’s grating to me that he has no accountability,” the woman told Stripes. “They say he’s a perfect man — that’s unsettling to me.”
Wilkerson was convicted last year on sexual assault charges after he allegedly molested a sleeping house guest after a party. His case was later overturned and he was reinstated by Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, who apparently found him more credible than the victim.
The Wilkerson case outraged lawmakers and activists, and shined a light on the difference between civilian and
Wilkerson's military record and credibility weighed heavily in the general's decision. In a memo explaining his decision to overturn the court, Lt. Gen. Franklin wrote that letters from Wilkerson's supporters “painted a consistent picture of a person who adored his wife and 9-year-old son, as well as a picture of a long-serving professional Air Force officer.”
But the new allegations will certainly call this assessment into question.
"That is not justice," Rep. Jackie Speier said in an Apr. 17 press conference. "This general is not a lawyer. He has no legal training. This general never sat one hour in the courtroom."
From Stripes:
The woman declined to be identified, she said, to protect her children and herself from publicity. She said she possesses legal adoption documents in which Wilkerson relinquishes his parental rights over the child, but she declined to provide Stars and Stripes with unredacted versions of those documents that could be independently verified. According to the woman, Wilkerson’s wife, Beth, was aware of the affair and the child.
Wilkerson was returned to active duty, but was removed from the promotions list. The backlash from the move spurred
“Lt. Gen. Franklin in overturning Lt. Col. Wilkerson’s sexual assault conviction ignored the fact that Wilkerson failed a polygraph test, ignored he had pulled rank to fend off law enforcement officials, and ignored that he was caught peeking over a bathroom stall at an officer’s wife," said Nancy Parrish, president of Protect Our Defenders, in a statement. "If this recent alleged revelation is true it is one more indication that Franklin made the wrong decision for the wrong reasons -- to protect another pilot."
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market