Midshipman's lawyers say academy superintendent was pressured in assault case

Article here. Excerpt:

'Attorneys for a Naval Academy midshipman accused of sexually assaulting a classmate argued Monday that the academy's superintendent was pressured to prosecute the case — one of several claims the legal team is making in an effort to have the case dismissed.

Midshipman Joshua Tate is awaiting trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault and making false statements, stemming from an alleged assault at an April 2012 off-campus party.

The case has gained national attention, and at a motions hearing in military court at the Washington Navy Yard, Tate's attorneys said academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Michael H. Miller was influenced by military and political pressure when he made the decision to prosecute the midshipman.

Jason Ehrenberg, a civilian attorney for Tate, cited updates Miller sent to his superiors on the case, comments made by President Barack Obama at graduation in 2013 regarding sexual assault in the military, and letters from Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski to top military leaders urging more action on such cases. In one of her letters, Mikulski asked how academy superintendents are hired and fired.
...
"Sure, outside pressure exists in this case … but that goes with the territory," said Lt. Cmdr. Phil Hamon, a Navy attorney. Miller "simply made a tough call, and that is what commanders are paid to do."

In addition to saying Miller was unduly pressured, Tate's team is asking military judge Col. Daniel Daugherty to dismiss the case because, they say, Tate was selectively prosecuted while others who drank or lied about the party had lesser punishments. They also contend that there's insufficient evidence and a lack of specificity in the charges.'