Soldier's carjacking court-martial begins

[Rose Siding]

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- An Army lieutenant allegedly ordered his soldiers to find him a vehicle after his broke down, then tried to cover up the theft of a sheik's SUV in Iraq, military prosecutors said Wednesday.

In opening statements at the court-martial of 1st Lt. Bradley Pavlik, prosecutor Capt. Howard Hoege said the officer "led his platoon down a road of misconduct."

Pavlik's civilian attorney, Frank Spinner, said the officer was just sticking up for his soldiers, and that he later tried to turn the stolen vehicle in to the Army. Spinner said it was refused.

"It appears that Lt. Pavlik's platoon led him down a path," Spinner said.

In July, a soldier in Pavlik's platoon, Sgt. 1st Class James Williams, 37, was convicted of stealing the SUV in April 2003; the jury recommended he serve no prison time.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/08/11/soldiers_carjacking_court_martial_begins/

[freetobegay]

1. I do believe the UCMJ states

You do not have to follow an unlawful command. Common sense goes along way!