Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2004 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Erin Emery TESTIMONY CONFLICTS AT CADET'S DRUG HEARING AIR FORCE ACADEMY - Two witnesses who testified Tuesday in an Article 32 hearing for a cadet accused of using drugs gave inconsistent accounts of whether he committed the offense. Cadet Shane Thomas was charged Oct. 31 with wrongful use of Ecstasy and ketamine, an animal tranquilizer, and wrongfully communicating a verbal threat to another cadet. The alleged drug offenses occurred between Aug. 1, 2002, and Nov. 1, 2002. An Article 32 hearing is similar to a preliminary hearing and determines whether there is enough evidence to take the case to trial. The hearing resumes today. If convicted of the charges, Thomas could face up to 13 years in jail. One cadet, now serving 13 months in prison for use and distribution of illegal drugs at the academy, testified Tuesday that he never saw Thomas use ketamine. Another cadet, who is also now in jail, testified that Thomas had used ketamine, but he could not remember when or where. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin