Amanda Dolasinski reports for the Fayetteville Observer that in a reversal, the transcript of Matt Golsteyn's CIA pre-employment polygraph interrogation will be admitted into evidence in his board of inquiry hearing. Excerpt:
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/in-surprise-twist-green-beret-s-polygraph-ex... In surprise twist, Green Beret's polygraph exam used against him in Fort Bragg hearing Posted: Friday, June 26, 2015 10:25 am | Updated: 1:31 pm, Fri Jun 26, 2015.
By Amanda Dolasinski Staff writer
The transcript of a Fort Bragg Green Beret's CIA polygraph exam will be entered into evidence against him as he fights to keep from being kicked out of the Army for shooting an Afghan bomb maker.
The lawyer for Maj. Matt Golsteyn of 3rd Special Forces Group had argued against the government's request to admit the polygraph exam into evidence. Twice this week during a board of inquiry hearing at Fort Bragg, the government was told it couldn't use the transcript, which was a pre-employment interview.
But on Friday, when it had appeared the hearing was nearing an end, the legal advisor to the three-member board of inquiry granted the government's request. The polygraph transcript hasn't been made public, but Golsteyn apparently talks about the alleged 2010 fatal shooting of an unarmed Afghan.
The decision by the legal advisor, Capt. Thomas Akacki, to enter the transcript into evidence is final.
Phil Stackhouse, Golsteyn's lawyer, argued that polygraph exams have never been acceptable in court, and a board of inquiry should be no different. He told the board that if the transcript was admitted, he'd have to consider recalling about a dozen witnesses who have already testified this week.
The board recessed around 11:30 a.m. so it could review an email from the Department of the Army G1 that said the board must adhere to Akacki's decision.
The board will ultimately decide whether Golsteyn will remain on active duty. He is accused of committing acts unbecoming of an officer and violating the law of armed conflict, and the Army has already revoked his Silver Star. Golsteyn has never been charged with a crime.
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