Saturday, August 20, 2016

Troops using 'Clinton defense' in classified information cases

Lawyers for troops facing charges of mishandling classified information are using the “Clinton defense” to argue for leniency.
A lawyer for a 29-year-old sailor facing a felony charge for taking and keeping six photos of a submarine's propulsion system cited Hillary Clinton's mishandling of classified information this week to argue he should get probation instead of jail time.
In the case, Petty Officer 1st Class Kristian Saucier was facing up to 78 months in prison for his conviction on mishandling information. But a federal judge on Friday sentenced him to 12 months instead, as well as six months of low-level home confinement, three years post-release supervision and 100 hours of community service.  Greg Rinckey, Saucier’s lawyer, said that while the judge indicated Clinton's case did not factor into the sentencing, he believes it played a small, albeit favorable role.
“Honestly did it help our case? I’m sure it did,” Rinckey said.
“We were very concerned that some people that are in high, powerful positions within the United States are selectively prosecuted. So I think it was a valid rationale,” he said.
Clinton will also be mentioned in a separate case involving Maj. Jason Brezler, who is being discharged from the Marine Corps for mishandling classified information, according to his lawyer Michael Bowe. A hearing in federal court is scheduled for October.
Brezler used his personal email account in 2012 to send a classified briefing document to fellow Marines in Afghanistan, warning about the potential threat posed by an Afghan police chief. Brezler self-reported his actions to the military.

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/292064-troops-using-clinton-defense-in-classified-information-cases

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