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Mock trial tackles difficult subject matter

  • Published
  • By Adam Bailey
  • Nucleus staff writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  As part of the events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a mock trial was held at Kirtland.

The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator's office held the trial, "Got Consent," Friday in Building 201. The trial showed Airmen what a real-world case could look like.

"Carry a message with you to others after being a part of this. Be able to walk out of this session and share this experience with someone who wasn't able to attend and give them the insight you gained here" Col. Tom Miller, 377th Air Base Wing commander.

The program started with a video showing two Airmen, a man and a woman, having a night out. The video showed the events from the man's and the woman's perspective.

Following the video, members from Kirtland's Legal Office held a mock trial in which the female Airman accused the male Airman of sexual assault.

The female Airman stated the male Airman took advantage of her while she was in an intoxicated state and that she didn't give consent.

The male Airman's attorney said that consent was given. The attorney also said the female Airman kept a relationship with the male Airman and only severed ties when she filed a complaint.

"This is glimpse of how a court process takes place with a situation like this," Lt. Col. Tammie Sledge, 377th Air Base Wing and Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center staff judge advocate.

After the trial was over, those who attended acted as jury members and were asked to render a guilty or not guilty verdict for the Airman accused of sexual assault and share their reasoning. The audience's verdict was not part of the presentation, however.

"This is one of the most thought provoking methods of training. You can see how difficult the subject is," said Chief Master Sgt. John Dougherty, 377th Air Base Wing command chief.

There will be another mock trial from 1 to 4 p.m. April 29 at the Base Theater. There will also be a "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" fun run/walk at Veterans' Memorial Park starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response run/walk at 3 p.m. April 28 at Hardin Field.

For more information, call SARC at 846-5225.