In the end Faith had been grateful for the recess because Harriet who she was planning on calling as her first witness to dispense the why she had talked to the other witnesses question, had been delayed due to traffic on her way back from Bethesda for her appointment with her obstetrician.
Admiral Morris had allowed both sides to make an opening statement, before he instructed Faith to call her first witness.
"The prosecution calls Lieutenant Harriet Sims-Roberts." Faith announced. Harriet was called into the room. "Please raise your right hand. Do you swear that the evidence you give in this hearing, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"
"I do." Harriet replied.
"Please take a seat." Faith said. "Would you state your name and current duty station for the record?"
"Lieutenant Harriet Sims-Roberts, I'm with the Inspector Generals office, but I'm on permanent loan as the Office Manager here at JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia" Harriet replied.
"Lieutenant Sims could you please tell us how you can to talk to several women who had filed complaints about Captain Krennick's behaviour and then withdrawn them?"
"Colonel Mackenzie asked to me to lunch and then gave me a copy of the list of women who had withdrawn their complaints. She said it that she found it odd that number of women had filed then withdrawn complaints and asked me to talk to a couple of them. She said she didn't want to know what information I found out, just to talk to them."
"So what did you do with the information that they told you?" Faith asked.
"I made detailed notes of our conversations and then placed that information in an envelope at the end of the day, which I sealed and then signed my across and stamped so it could be seen if they had been tampered with. The information was then placed into a filing cabinet drawer which only Petty Officer Coates had a key too."
"This would be one of those envelopes?" Faith picked up one of the envelopes that Harriet had signed and took it over and showed it to her.
"Yes ma'am."
"The prosecution would like to enter this as exhibit A." Faith handed the envelope to the Admiral.
"Your honour that envelope could have been opened by anyone at anytime; just because it was sealed and signed it doesn't mean it wasn't opened."
"Your honour, I was the person who opened the envelope." Faith said. "I have signed affidavits from Colonel Mackenzie, Lieutenant Sims and Petty Officer Coates that they were unopened when I was given them." Faith showed them to Brett before taking them handing them to Admiral Morris.
"I'll allow the envelope and stipulate that it and the others were unopened at the time they were given to Major Williams." Admiral Morris said. "Carry on Major."
"Lieutenant, do you have an opinion on whether Captain Krennick is guilty of conduct unbecoming from these conversations?" Faith asked.
"Objection, the Lieutenant isn't qualified to give that kind of opinion." Brett interrupted.
"I'll withdraw the question your honour. Lieutenant you're married is that correct?"
"Yes ma'am."
"If you witnessed a female officer make advances towards your husband, would you file a complaint?" Faith asked.
"Yes ma'am. There are certain standards that being officers in the military, especially female officers, that should be maintained, making unwelcome and unwarranted advances to another woman's husband is clearly a breech of those standards."
"Thank you Lieutenant. No further questions."
"Commander. Do you have any questions for this witness?"
"Yes your honour." Brett stood. "Lieutenant, do you usually interview material witnesses in a case."
"No sir."
"Do you have any formal legal training?"
"No sir."
"But you did talk to witnesses in this case?"
"Commander, at the time I spoke to the women on the list it was an informal inquiry into why they had filed the complaint and why they had chosen to withdraw it. I had no knowledge as to whether there was a case against Captain Krennick and if any charges if at all would be filed against her."
Mac slipped into the back of the court and walked over to the rail behind the prosecution desk and touched Sturgis on the shoulder, she handed him an evidence bag. He looked at what was in his hand.
"Lieutenant..."
"Sorry to interrupt Admiral, but may we have a moment." Sturgis asked.
"Your honour, this is highly unusual." Brett stated.
"You had your hour Commander; they can have a couple of minutes. Very well Commander." The Admiral said.
"Thank you sir." He turned to face Mac. "Where did you get this?" He whispered.
"I had to recess my court martial for twenty so I could throw up. I had a few minutes before I had to head back so I went to my office and that was delivered. I called Agent Gibbs at NCIS, since he owes me he's sending someone over to collect it and run some tests on it." Mac whispered back.
"What is it?" Faith asked.
"A death threat." Sturgis replied. "Hang on." He turned back to the court. "Your honour, we need to speak to you in chambers."
"Is that absolutely necessary Commander?" Admiral Morris asked.
"Admiral, sorry to hijack your Article 32 hearing, but I think this is something you should... need to see." Mac said standing up to her full height.
"Very well. Lieutenant Sims if you will remain where you are, you are still under oath."
"Yes your honour."
"Captain, you remain where you are too. The Sgts will ensure that no improper conduct takes place. Everyone else my office now."
TBC
