Charges Dropped Against Chaplain

Friday, March 19, 2004
By Neil A. Lewis

New York Times Writer

In its statement on Friday night, the military said Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller of the Army, commander of the Guantánamo detention center, had decided to dismiss the charge of mishandling classified information because of "national security concerns that would arise from the release of the evidence."

Capt. James J. Yee

Image Credit: The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- NYT
The military said Friday night that it was dropping all charges, including one of mishandling classified information, against Capt. James J. Yee, the former Muslim chaplain at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

The case against Captain Yee, who officials once suggested was part of an espionage ring, had become a lingering embarrassment for the Pentagon.

In a statement released from the United States Southern Command in Miami, the military said it did not want to proceed with a trial on the charge of mishandling classified data because to do so could expose sensitive evidence to public view.

The remaining charges of adultery and possession of pornography against Captain Yee were also dropped. But he will have to face an administrative hearing on those accusations, and he could be penalized by having an official rebuke placed in his record.

The resolution of the case means that Captain Yee will not have to face an Army court-martial. At the same time, the military did not affirmatively clear him of the charge of mishandling classified data, but said it chose not to prosecute only to protect sensitive documents.

His lawyer, Eugene R. Fidell of Washington, said the resolution demonstrated that Captain Yee had prevailed in his fight.

"This represents a long overdue vindication," Mr. Fidell said.

(More: NYTimes.com / National)

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Dan