Lamar S. Owens Jr.

Lamar S. Owens Jr. was a student and quarterback at the United States Naval Academy. During his senior year, in 2006 Owens, 22 years old at the time, was charged with rape under the military code of justice. [http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/headlines/lamarowens223] A court-martial panel later found him not guilty of rape but guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman (having consensual sex within Bancroft Hall at the Naval Academy) and for violation of a lawful order (not to go near the room of the alleged victim after the investigation was initiated). [http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51213] The trial revealed that the then Superintendent of the Naval Academy, Vice-Admiral Rodney P. Rempt (now retired) had made comments and sent emails that amounted to unlawful command influence, leading the presiding military judge, Commander John A. Maksym to rule that there was at least an appearance of unlawful command influence by Rempt for which he granted the defense additional peremptory challenges during jury selection. Though convicted of two violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the General Court Martial sentenced Owens to "No Punishment". Despite this, Owens has still not been allowed to graduate, a decision which has stirred some controversy. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600956.html]

On January 19, 2007 Vice Admiral Paul E. Sullivan signed an order affirming the jury’s decision to clear Owens of raping a female midshipman and spare him any punishment for convictions of conduct unbecoming an officer and violating a military protective order. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011801791.html]

On April 12th, 2007 Owens was expelled with no degree and will owe the school more than $90,000.

Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled his conduct "unsatisfactory" and ordered him discharged, in spite of the fact that Owens was previously acquitted of rape and numerous supporters had launched an effort on his behalf including, but not limited to, letter-writing and lobbying in both Annapolis and Washington.

Owens' education was valued at close to $136,000, but his debt since reduced to $90,797.75 "in recognition of his noteworthy professional conduct during the time he served as a midshipman following his anticipated graduation date", the Navy stated in a written statement.

Vice Admiral Rempt had recommended that Owens repay nothing.

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