MCCLATCHY INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND that the military is prosecuting a growing number of rape and sexual assault cases that would be unlikely to be brought to trial in civilian court, with most of them leading to acquittal or convictions on lesser crimes, raising the perception that commanders are bowing to political pressure.

Military’s newly aggressive rape prosecution has pitfalls

By Marisa Taylor and Chris Adams | McClatchy Newspapers

Marisa Taylor and Chris Adams McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — By the time Marine Staff Sgt. Jamie Walton went to trial on rape charges, his accuser had changed her story several times.
A military lawyer who evaluated the case told Walton’s commander they didn’t have enough evidence to go to trial on sexual assault charges. The prosecutor even agreed. But the Marines ignored the advice.
“Everyone knew I didn’t rape her,” said Walton, who was acquitted of the charge last year. “But they went ahead with the trial anyway.”
Walton’s questionable prosecution clashes with the public’s perception of a soft-on-rape military. A McClatchy analysis found that the military is prosecuting a growing number of rape and sexual assault allegations, including highly contested cases that would be …