It is uncommon for criminal charges to be leveled where military procedural rights have been compromised. Such a case has arisen in
New Zealand where, according to
this article, a commanding officer is facing summary trial on charges he backdated a search authorization in connection with theft charges against another soldier. What must have seemed a simple matter at first has turned into a military justice pile-up:
An army officer has pleaded not guilty to four charges related to documents signed after seizure of a rifle, bag with 46 syringes, 10 empty vials and various military equipment on May 1, 2013.
A trooper who was searched has previously been the subject of a court martial and appeal.
Now a commanding officer is facing a summary trial centred on documents he signed.
A summary trial can be upgraded to a court martial.
The officer pleaded not guilty to two charges of making a false document and two charges of negligently performing a duty.
The accused has name suppression and no decision on whether this will be lifted will be made on Friday.
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