In her letter to the Honorable John M. McHugh dated May 10, 2010, Mrs. Boyle wrote…
Secretary McHugh, I am writing today to request a meeting with you to discuss my son’s case. While I am sure it is highly unusual for a mother of an imprisoned soldier to make such a request, this is a highly unusual case that merits an investigation.
My son has been imprisoned for seven months as of this writing, and I trust you can find the time to meet with this military mom who has cried and prayed for his release every day of every one of those seven months. I anxiously await your response.
and his response…
Dear Ms. Boyle:
I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Secretary of the Army, the
Honorable John M. McHugh, to your letter dated May 10,2010, regarding the court-
martial of your son, Private Justin Boyle. Your letter was sent to the Criminal Law
Division, Office of The Judge Advocate General because this office has special
expertise in military criminal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
I have read your letter carefully and understand your concerns. Private Boyle’s
court-martial case is currently pending review by the United States Army Court of
Criminal Appeals. This court is composed of experienced military judges who will weigh
the evidence, determine whether the findings are legally correct and, if so, whether the
sentence is appropriate. The court may set aside the findings and the sentence or may
reduce the sentence, but it cannot increase the punishment.
Because Private Boyle’s case is undergoing appellate review, I have taken the
liberty of forwarding a copy of your letter to the Defense Appellate Division as they are
in a better position to address your concerns, to include the post trial issues. If you
have additional questions pertaining to your son’s case, please correspond directly with
Private Boyle’s assigned appellate defense counsel at Defense Appellate Division, U.S.
Army Legal Services Agency, 901 North Stuart Street, Ballston Room 340, Arlington,
Virginia 22203.
I trust this responds to your concerns.
Sincerely,
Alyssa S. Adams
Major, U.S. Army
Chief, Operations Branch