FORT BRAGG, N.C., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. Army general's court-martial on sex-related charges has been delayed until next year due to "procedural issues," a military court ruled Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, the former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne, was set to go to court-martial Sept. 30. A military judge granted a continuance sought by Sinclair's defense team. The proceeding is now scheduled for Jan. 7, Stars and Stripes said.
"There are a number of procedural issues that we are grappling with that resulted in the delay of the trial," Richard Scheff, Sinclair's attorney, said in an email. "The government agreed with our assessment."
Sinclair has been charged with forcible sodomy, inappropriate but non-physical behavior and adultery, the latter of which is a crime under military law.
Sinclair's team has conceded the general had a sexual relationship with a woman under his command but argues it was consensual. They have pointed to evidence including text messages between the two -- during one, the alleged victim calls Sinclair "papa panda sexy pants" -- to prove Sinclair never sexually assaulted the woman.
The victim said Sinclair forced her to perform oral sex, leading to the forcible sodomy charge.
Sinclair is also charged with making lewd and sexual comments to other women in his office.
