Law Commons^™

An Introduction To The My Lai Courts-Martial, Douglas O. Linder

Faculty Works

Two tragedies took place in 1968 in Viet Nam. One was the massacre by United States soldiers of as many as 500 unarmed civilians - old men, women, children - in My Lai on the morning of March 16. The other was the cover-up of that massacre. On March 14, a small squad from C Company ran into a booby trap, killing a popular sergeant, blinding one GI and wounding several others. The following evening, when a funeral service was held for the killed sergeant, soldiers had revenge on their mind. After the service, Captain Medina rose to give the …

The Oklahoma City Bombing And The Trial Of Timothy Mcveigh, Douglas O. Linder

Faculty Works

A bomb carried in a Ryder truck exploded in front of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City at 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995. The bomb claimed 168 innocent lives. That a homegrown, war-decorated American terrorist named Timothy McVeigh drove and parked the Ryder truck in the handicap zone in front of the Murrah Building there is little doubt. In 1997, a jury convicted McVeigh and sentenced him to death. The federal government, after an investigation involving 2,000 agents, also charged two of McVeigh's army buddies, Michael Fortier and Terry Nichols, with advance knowledge of the bombing and participation …

The Role Of The Lawyer In War: Lawyering For Uncle Sam When He Draws His Sword, William G. Eckhardt

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For 228 years, uniformed lawyers have been providing legal advice to commanders. They have used their legal skill, their sense of social organization, and their understanding of military history and tradition to assist in the formulation of sound discipline, governance, and policy. The unique contribution martial law has made to our country's dedication to the rule of law is a heritage worth celebrating. The purpose of this essay is to discuss this heritage so that one may appreciate the current state of the practice of military law. It includes an exploration of the theoretical conflict between law and armed force; …

One Small Step For Women: Female-Friendly Provisions In The Rome Statute Of The International Criminal Court, Rana R. Lehr-Lehnardt

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

My Lai: An American Tragedy, William G. Eckhardt

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No abstract provided.

Nuremberg - Fifty Years: Accountability And Responsibility, William G. Eckhardt

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No abstract provided.

Commentary On William V. O'Brien's "Just War Doctrine's Complementary Role In The International Law Of War", William G. Eckhardt

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No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The Symposium, William G. Eckhardt

Faculty Works

Professor William Eckhardt introduces the ideas which initiated planning for and later emanated from UMKC School of Law Symposium “Don't Ask, Don't Tell-Implementation and Litigation.” As the title suggests, the Symposium examined the complex and important issues surrounding the policy of the United States toward gays and lesbians in the Armed Forces. This community­wide event was centered in the UMKC Law School Courtroom on the evening of April 11, 1995.

The idea for this Symposium was conceived by Professor Samuel A. Marcosson, a senior attorney in the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It was …

Of Fatherhood, Families, And Fantasy: The Legacy Of Michael H. V. Gerald D., Mary Kay Kisthardt

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Command Criminal Responsibility: A Plea For A Workable Standard, William G. Eckhardt

Faculty Works

A major revision of the law of war is in process. The unusual timing of historical and political events requires Americans to seek a practical articulation of the standard of behavior expected of their combat commanders. The purpose of this article is to constructively participate in that search.

The cornerstone of military professionalism is professional conduct on the battlefield. The articulation of that professional conduct, in addition to underscoring the legitimacy of the honorable profession of arms, would shield commanders from untutored, politically motivated allega­tions of war crimes and, more importantly, would allow the teaching of expected conduct and thus …

Intrusion Into The Body, William G. Eckhardt

Faculty Works

The thesis of this article is that the rights of servicemen should be protected with the search and seizure concepts of the fourth amendment rather than with the fifth amendment protection against self-incrimination when intrusive bodily searches are required. The Supreme Court enunciated standard for intrusion into the body found in Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (1966). The subsequent application of this standard in the federal courts, and its adoption in the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969, (Rev.) are explored. Federal court decisions discussing the privilege against self-incrimination are contrasted with opinions of the Court of Military Appeals …