Court Martial Lawyer - Activist Now Say Court-Martial Not Needed For Zimmerman

Court Martial Lawyer - Activist Now Say Court-Martial Not Needed For Zimmerman

Miri Marshall-Weekend Anchor/Weathercaster/News Reporter

EL PASO, Texas -- Animal activist Jessie Miller said a court martial is not necessary for the Fort Bliss soldier accused of killing one dog and injuring another.

Miller said she met with Maj. Cummings and Col. Benjamin for two hours at Fort Bliss Friday to discuss animal cruelty and the way it is handled in the military. She said they are in the JAG unit on post.

“I feel that Fort Bliss understands the severity of this crime. I think that they've done a very thorough investigation,” said Miller

Spc. Franklyn Zimmerman is the Fort Bliss soldier accused of killing the dog Tinkerbell and injuring the dog Wrigley. Military officials say they will not court-martial Zimmerman, and initially Miller thought that punishment wasn't enough.

"I was thinking an Article 15 was a slap on the hand," she said.

Army officials said Zimmerman will be dismissed from the Army over the case. Over the long haul, Miller thinks this punishment will be fitting.

"He's going to lose his career, medical benefits; he's going to lose his livelihood,” she said.

Miller said she is not sure if in a civilian court Zimmeran would be convicted on felony charges. She said there is a possiblity he would not have served jail time in a civilian justice system and if so, perhaps very little.

Miller said in the meeting the major and colonel assured her that they were handling the case to the best of their ability.

Miller also said that she is working with Fort Bliss leaders to form a committee that will offer advice to the military on how to deal with animal cruelty cases. She said they are thinking of naming it the Tinkerbell Committee in honor of the dog that was killed.



Michael Waddington is a court martial lawyer - court martial attorney that defends military personnel worldwide as well as deployed civilian contractors subject to the UCMJ. He defends Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and civilian contractor court martial cases. He has successfully defended military personnel as a court martial lawyer Army Navy Marine & Air Force court martials in Germany, England, San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Yokota, and throughout the United States. military-defense-lawyer-recentcases.htm.