“I think the military judge here did send a message that she was in fact taking this seriously,” Mr. Conway told the newspaper. “It certainly could have an impact on his retirement if he were to retire.”
The victim — who did not want her name used but consented to the disclosure of her family relationship to General Cooley — said in a statement after the verdict that “the price for peace in my extended family was my silence, and that was too high a price to pay.”
“Doing the right thing, speaking up, telling the truth, shouldn’t be this hard,” she said. “Hopefully it won’t be this difficult for the next survivor.”
Ryan Guilds, a lawyer for her, stated that victims of sexual misconduct by military personnel have found it easier to come forward due to many changes in the past decade. These changes include policy developments that provide better support for accusers, greater sensitivity from military leadership to sexual assault, enhanced procedural protections to victims, and prosecutors who are more likely believe survivors.
General Cooley’s conviction “is a hopeful sign, for sure,” Mr. Guilds said. “The reality, though, is that every survivor who decides to come forward and make that brave choice is going to confront a justice system that is going to be very challenging.”
He added, “In this case, it’s taken years to get where she is today, and I wouldn’t wish that journey on anyone.”
General Cooley asked the woman to ride after an Albuquerque evening barbecue on August 12, 2018. She had been drinking and she said yes. According to the Air Force,
Source: NY Times