Pubdate: Fri, 16 Nov 2001
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/foto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Tanya S Biank
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

MILITARY POLICE OFFICER NOT GUILTY OF USING DRUGS

A military jury on Thursday found a Fort Bragg military police 
officer not guilty of drug use. The MP worked as an undercover drug 
agent.

Spc. Christina Nettles, who is 22, was acquitted on all charges of 
using Ecstasy, obstruction of justice and dereliction of duty at her 
court-martial.

She is a covert agent with Fort Bragg's Criminal Investigation 
Division's Drug Suppression Team and a member of the 118th Military 
Police Company.

Nettles, who had remained stoic and expressionless throughout two 
days of testimony, covered her mouth with her hand and cried when the 
jury president, a colonel, announced the verdict.

The jury of eight officers and noncommissioned officers deliberated 
for two hours and 20 minutes before reaching a verdict. Two-thirds of 
the jury, or six of the eight members, must concur for a guilty 
verdict.

Nettles' lawyer, Maj. Jennifer McGee, hugged Nettles and cried with 
her. Nettles also received hugs from military police officer friends.

Nettles was one of 13 military police officers from the 16th Military 
Police Brigade charged with illegal drug activity. She, along with 
Spc. Robert Ybarra, another MP, faced the most serious of charges in 
unrelated cases.

In October, Ybarra was sentenced to two years in prison for using and 
selling drugs.

Nettles' court-martial began Wednesday. She did not take the stand.

Throughout the trial the prosecution portrayed Nettles as a drug user 
who tried to get her friends to lie about her drug use at Club 
Odyssey, a gay nightclub in Winston-Salem, in November and December 
2000 and March 2001.

''Specialist, then investigator, Nettles was paid to fight crime, not 
commit crime, and that's why we are here today,'' said prosecutor 
Capt. John Kiel during closing arguments. ''She received specialized 
training, all of which she put in her tool bag to commit a crime.''

Defense arguments

In her closing arguments, McGee told the jury the case was about 
reasonable doubt. McGee called two of the prosecution's witnesses 
''inherently unbelievable'' and ''confirmed liars'' who were trying 
to protect themselves.

Pvt. Kevin Whitehead and Spc. Ryan Johnson, both MPs in the 118th 
Military Police Company, received immunity for their testimony 
against Nettles. Both had testified that they used Ecstasy with 
Nettles at Club Odyssey and that she later told them to lie about 
what happened when the Army began an investigation.

Both admitted to lying in their initial sworn statements that they 
and Nettles had not taken drugs. They changed their stories when 
faced with their own charges.

Kiel said during closing arguments that the prosecution made no 
apologies for putting the two, who had been Nettles' friends, on the 
witness stand.

''They aren't choir boys,'' Kiel said. ''Choir boys don't hang out 
with drug users. Drug users hang out with drug users.''

Thursday's testimony included statements from Nettles' supervisors 
about her good character and work ethic.

Darren Petri, who had been Nettles supervisor and is now a deputy 
with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, said Nettles was a hard 
worker and excelled at performing her duties.

Under cross examination by Capt. Thomas Hurley, Petri was asked if it 
was true that he and Nettles had oral sex during stakeouts.

''When she asked you to testify, you couldn't say no because she had 
some dirt on you?'' Hurley said.

Petri said he never had sexual relations with Nettles.

Sgt. Bryan Lynch, who is Nettles' squad leader, testified that 
Nettles was very dependable and required little supervision.

Expert witnesses in forensic toxicology also testified about drug 
analysis performed on strands of Nettles' hair.

The results of a general screening test were negative, according to 
testimony by Dr. James Bourland, an expert in toxicology and hair 
testing. Bourland testified for the defense, but did say the hair 
test was designed for regular drug use.

''We may not be able to find infrequent use,'' he said.
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