Our courtroom observer reports from a lunch break that LTC Lakin pled guilty to the specifications of Charge II for violating Article 92, UCMJ, by failing to obey lawful orders. Apparently, Judge Lind ruled the 4th specification was multiplicious for sentencing (see more on this at caaflog) with other specifications, so that spec is now gone.

LTC Lakin didn’t have a pretrial agreement, so he pled “naked.” He also pled not guilty to Charge I for missing movement in violation of Article 87, UCMJ.

The court members (aka panel, better known as the jury in the civilian world) have been seated. During voir dire, the defense successfully challenged the lone O-5 for cause, and the defense counsel used its sole peremptory challenge to excuse one of the O-6s.

The trial counsel will start proving up the missing movement specification when court resumes around 3 this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more…