Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Lawyers for P-3 NFO Accused of Espionage Say Case Should Be Dismissed

August 9, 2016
FighterSweep Staff No Comments Navy, News

The attorneys for LCDR Edward Lin, a former P-3 Orion Naval Flight Officer accused of espionage, have filed a motion in court and accused the US Navy of “an aggressive media campaign” against the officer. They are seeking to dismiss the government case against the Naval Officer because of a lack of speedy trial.

According to a late June motion, Lin’s attorneys argue that he has been denied his constitutional right of a fair and speedy trial. In its place, Lin’s defense alleges that the Navy and US Fleet Forces command have waged an “aggressive media campaign” against him. The results of this campaign have made it impossible to render a fair verdict for the accused according to the motion.

“The court should grant the defense motion to dismiss all charges and all specifications thereto, with prejudice for a lack of speedy trial,” wrote Lin’s civilian attorney, Larry Youngner.

“We maintain that Lt. Cmdr. Lin is innocent of espionage, innocent of failing to follow lawful orders, innocent of false official statements and innocent of violating Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” Youngner said earlier in a May 16 statement.

Lin has been in pre trial confinement since September 2015. Among the charges, he is accused of two instances of espionage, mishandling classified information, and failing to report contact with foreign agents. Lin, a Taiwan native who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998, is suspected of providing secrets to Taiwan diplomats and military staff.

The Naval Flight Officer served in Special Projects Patrol Squadron 2 (VPU-2) in MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI. The E-P3’s flown by VPU-2 are some of the Navy’s most sophisticated reconnaissance aircraft in its inventory.

Lin’s attorney’s charge that the Navy organized negative press against the accused which in turn led to unlawful command influence. The defense also stated it would be impossible to find an impartial jury due to the negative media attention.

“All of this has come from the government, either the Pentagon, Navy spokespersons, Fleet Forces or even unnamed sources within the various commands,” read the motion.

“That is just further evidence of a continued taint on Lt. Cmdr. Lin, and that the Government and its agents are continuing to taint our members.”

Since most of the evidence of against Lin is classified Secret, the trial will be closed.  Lin remains in pre-trial confinement at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Va. The general court-martial date has been set for late October.

You can read Sam LeGrone’s full USNI article here and David Larter’s full Navy Times article here.

Top Photo credit: Lin, a native of Taiwan, became a U.S. citizen in 1998 and spoke at a 2008 naturalization ceremony.(Photo: MC1 Sarah Murphy/Navy)

Related Posts

  • China’s Dangerous Intercept of US Navy AircraftChina’s Dangerous Intercept of US Navy Aircraft
  • Only Highly Skilled Pilots Can Tame the ‘Killer’ Corsair—Here’s WhyOnly Highly Skilled Pilots Can Tame the ‘Killer’ Corsair—Here’s Why
  • 22 American UAVs in the 21st Century Battlefield22 American UAVs in the 21st Century Battlefield
  • HiJENKS Missile: Bold Innovation From US Navy and Air Force LabsHiJENKS Missile: Bold Innovation From US Navy and Air Force Labs
  • The little known story of how a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper shot down another drone with a heat seeking missileThe little known story of how a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper shot down another drone with a heat seeking missile

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • August 2, 2019

    The Ultimate Carrier Break: Nasty SHB

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers