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Levin wants to keep commanders in charge of military sexual assault cases

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)--   The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is stepping up his opposition to legislation that seeks to staunch the growing number of sexual assaults in the armed forces by overhauling the military justice system. 

Michigan Democrat Carl Levin has released two letters from senior Defense Department officials that support keeping commanders involved in deciding whether to prosecute sexual assault cases.

Legislation introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York would remove commanders from the process of deciding whether serious crimes, including sexual misconduct cases, go to trial.  That judgment would rest instead with seasoned trial lawyers — civilians who have prosecutorial experience.

But Levin says that approach would take away one of the "strongest weapons" commanders have to change the culture in their units and stem sexual assaults.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.