Hearing delayed for Army officer facing rape allegation

Army Lieutenant charged with rape,
conduct unbecoming an officer, and adultery

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Officials said Monday that a hearing has been postponed for an Army lieutenant facing allegations he raped a soldier while at Camp Shelby in south Mississippi.

Army Lt. Col. Richard Steele said the delay was requested by attorneys for Michael R. Hall of the 278th Regimental Combat Team. He said no new date had been set for the Article 32 proceeding, which is similar to a civilian court grand jury hearing.

Steele said earlier the hearing would consider charges of rape, conduct unbecoming an officer and adultery against [Lieutenant] Michael R. Hall, who is from the Nashville area.

Military officials said earlier that Hall would not be available for comment.

The woman, a lieutenant who lives in Atlantic County in New Jersey, said she was raped in August by another officer in the unit, which was training at the sprawling Mississippi National Guard facility near Hattiesburg.

She was sent home for convalescent leave and was supposed to return to Hattiesburg, but did not because the alleged attacker remained on duty there.

The Army insisted she report for duty at Camp Shelby, or face AWOL prosecution. She refused. The Army relented, encouraging her to report to the nearest military installation so military officials could discuss the case with her.

Through her attorney, the female officer has told the Army that she is so irate about what she describes as its insensitivity that she wants to leave the National Guard altogether.

© 2004 AP