John Galligan of Belton said adjudication has been handed down for nine non-commissioned officers who were subject to administrative or disciplinary action after an investigation into Sprader’s death.
“We met with the CG (Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, senior mission commander at Fort Hood) today (Wednesday) and he took action in all nine cases I represent,” Galligan said.
Galligan said Hammond withdrew a proposed letter of reprimand in the files of three of his clients, effectively exonerating them.
He said six of his clients were facing either a proposed reprimand or relief (of duty) for cause.
“All who received a letter of reprimand will only have it filed locally,” Galligan said. “This means it does not go into their file in Washington nor does it follow them to their next duty assignment.”
Galligan said of those facing relief for cause, only one actually was relieved of his duty assignment. He said the others facing relief for cause were simply transferred to other assignments.
He said he could not specify at this time how many soldiers had letters and how many were facing relief for cause.
“I think the variety of dispositions made indicate Gen. Hammond carefully considered each case from the information I gave him,” Galligan said.
Galligan said a formal hearing as such was not held with questioning and cross-examination.
“We met with the general and reviewed each case with him,” he said.
Col. Diane Battaglia, public affairs officer for III Corps, said the meeting was held Wednesday afternoon and was not a formal hearing.
“The soldiers were given time to research their cases and present rebuttals or mitigating circumstances,” she said. “All of their evidence was given due consideration.”
Col. Battaglia said all the findings were presented at the meeting in a professional manner. She said there might be other NCOs who have cases being considered other than the nine who are clients of Galligan.
“It has been our intent not to make any statements about any of the soldiers that will prejudice their cases,” she said.
She said decisions have been made final in all administrative cases involving letters of reprimand but there are still decisions to be made in the cases of certain NCOs before deciding if judicial remedies will be sought.
Col. Battaglia confirmed that the only soldier who has been discharged as a result of the Sprader investigation is Staff Sgt. Jose Wallace.
A client of Galligan’s, Wallace, 30, voluntarily identified himself in an Aug. 23 interview with the Telegram. He said he was glad to be out of the Army.
Wallace said he had been served with a letter of reprimand and received an Article 15 for relief for cause. However, evidence presented at his hearing led to all charges against him being dropped, Wallace said. He was given an honorable discharge.
Galligan said the environment today is one where everyone seeks accountability.
“I’m glad to see this was kept at the lowest level,” said Galligan.
Galligan said he prefers to keep the identities of his clients confidential until the determination on each case is formally handed down.
“It’s always wonderful when you can defend a soldier,” Galligan said. “They were and remain the very best of the NCO corps.”
Sprader died June 8 of severe dehydration and hyperthermia while trying to complete a Warrior Leader course in cross-country navigation taught by the Noncommissioned Officers Academy.
After a massive search Sprader’s body was found June 12. The Army announced an investigation into the NCO Academy to see if any members were culpable of negligence in conducting the exercise.
The sergeant’s father, Larry Sprader of Prince George, Va., said he believed the investigation was thorough and that he accepted Hammond’s decisions regarding the disciplinary actions.
“Obviously those that need to be held accountable will be held accountable,” Sprader said Thursday. “We’ll wait and see if anything else happens.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
hclark@temple-telegram.com
