Fed. judge rules to allow Hennis court-martial

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Fed. judge rules to allow Hennis court-martial

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 16, 2010 18:22:23 EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. — A federal judge has rejected a motion to halt the court-martial of a retired soldier forced back into the Army to face charges in North Carolina triple slaying that occurred a quarter-century ago.

Lawyers for Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis argued last month that the military does not have the power to charge him in the killings. U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle said in a ruling on Tuesday that it would be inappropriate to rule with a court-martial in progress.

Boyle dismissed the motion to allow it to continue through the military judicial system.

The 51-year-old Hennis is charged with premeditated murder in the May 1985 stabbing deaths of Air Force wife Kathryn Eastburn and two of her daughters.

Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday. The trial could last up to two months.

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Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis leaves the Terry Sanford Federal Building and Courthouse after a federal hearing in Raleigh, N.C., in February. Hennis, who was acquitted of killing a mother and two of her young daughters in North Carolina more than 20 years ago, now faces court-martial in connection with the 1985 killings.

Jim R. Bounds / The Associated Press Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis leaves the Terry Sanford Federal Building and Courthouse after a federal hearing in Raleigh, N.C., in February. Hennis, who was acquitted of killing a mother and two of her young daughters in North Carolina more than 20 years ago, now faces court-martial in connection with the 1985 killings.

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