Air Force E-3 Acquitted of Aggravated Assault Charge Based on Self-Defense

After a night of drinking, an Air Force E-3 stabbed another Airman. At his subsequent court-martial for Aggravated Assault and Underage Drinking, we were able to develop evidence that our client, an Airman small in stature, was under a threat of physical attack from a much larger individual who was substantially intoxicated at the time. We also presented evidence that the alleged victim had a well-known reputation for being a “violent” and “angry” drunk, and had previously assaulted our client. Result: Based upon our overwhelming evidence of self-defense, our client was ACQUITTED of Aggravated Assault. Furthermore, we were subsequently able to convince the Convening Authority in clemency to SET ASIDE our client’s conviction for Underage Drinking.