U.S. v. Howard Court-Martial Set To Begin

Court-martial proceeding will begin Nov. 2 at 8 a.m. in the case against Senior Airman Phillip Howard for the June 2007 death of Airman 1st Class Brian Santos.

Airman Howard, of the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, was charged with the unpremeditated murder of Airman Santos.

Court-martial proceeding will take place at the Evo A. de Concini U.S. Federal Courthouse located at 405 W. Congress St. in Tucson, Ariz.

A military judge will preside over the court-martial. The accused has the option of having the case decided by the judge alone or by a jury (called "court members" in the military justice system). An enlisted accused who chooses to have the case decided by a jury has the option of having a jury consisting of either all officers or officers and enlisted members.

The charges are merely accusations. Airman Howard is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  


NOTE TO MEDIA: Please RSVP by 12 p.m. on Oct. 30 to attend this court-martial. Direct all questions/queries to the D-M Air Force Base Public Affairs Office at 228-3407.