McKinney not guilty on 18 of 19 counts in sexual misconduct trial

March 13, 1998
Web posted at: 6:59 p.m. EST (2359 GMT)

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia (CNN) -- A military jury found former Army Sgt. Maj. Gene McKinney guilty of only one of 19 counts in his trial on charges related to sexual misconduct.

The only guilty verdict came on an obstruction of justice charge stemming from a recorded phone call in which McKinney was heard telling a woman she did not have to tell investigators anything.

McKinney, 47, was court-martialed after six military women accused him of pressuring them for sex. He faced 19 charges, including indecent assault; making threats; adultery, which is a crime in the military; and obstruction of justice.

The verdict means that McKinney could face up to five years in prison. The eight-member panel was expected to begin deliberations on McKinney's punishment Monday.

The Army's former top enlisted soldier could have been sentenced to as many as 55 1/2 years in prison. Jury selection began February 4.

McKinney heatedly denied any wrongdoing and suggested that at least two of his accusers were out for revenge -- one for being fired and the other because he rejected her advances. He also contended before the trial that he was being singled out because of his race. He is black; his accusers are white.

The judge, Col. Ferdinand Clervi, listens as McKinney testifies

The most sensational charge he faced was forcing a subordinate into sex when she was nearly eight months pregnant. McKinney testified that he never had sex with the woman and merely took a special interest in her, because he talked her out of having an abortion.

McKinney rose through the ranks over three decades to become sergeant major of the Army, the person who advises the Army brass on issues affecting the 400,000 enlisted soldiers who constitute the bulk of the service. He was the first African American to hold that job.

McKinney's position came under attack when he was named to a panel investigating sexual harassment in the military, created in the wake of a scandal among drill sergeants at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Hoster

Angered by that appointment, retired Sgt. Major Brenda Hoster, who once worked under McKinney's command, stepped forward to say that she had been repeatedly sexually harassed by him. At least five other women followed, accusing McKinney of pressuring them for sex and, in some cases, assaulting or threatening them.

After a nine-week preliminary hearing last year, the Army decided that McKinney would face court-martial on 20 charges. One of those was subsequently dropped.

He was replaced as sergeant major of the Army, although he remains a member of the service and in uniform.

Related stories:

• Closing arguments in McKinney case set for Tuesday - March 9, 1998
• Doubt cast on McKinney's alibi - March 6, 1998
• McKinney's attorney wants Army prosecution investigated - March 5, 1998
• McKinney combative under cross-examination - March 4, 1998
• McKinney denies all charges in Army sex case - March 3, 1998
• McKinney accuser asked to re-enact assault - February 18, 1998

Related sites:

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• U.S. Army
• Army Policy on EO and Sexual Harrassment
• Department of Defense: Sexual Harassment

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