Coroner ruled Death of Navy SEAL trainee a homicide
A Southern California medical examiner says a Navy SEAL trainee was repeatedly dunked by an instructor in his first week of basic training and has ruled his death a homicide.
The San Diego County autopsy report released July 8 says Seaman James Derek Lovelace’s cause of death is drowning with a contributing heart problem. The homicide ruling doesn’t necessarily mean a crime occurred, and the instructor hasn’t been charged.
The Navy has said the 21-year-old was pulled out of a pool during a swimming exercise May 6 after showing signs he was having difficulty treading water in a uniform and dive mask.
The military says Lovelace lost consciousness and was taken to a civilian hospital, where he died.
Lovelace had joined the Navy about six months before his death. AP
Federal judge hears arguments in F-35 lawsuit in Vermont
A federal judge has heard arguments in a lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force regarding F-35 fighter jets.
WPTZ-TV reports that the judge heard from lawyers July 7 in Rutland over whether the Air Force did its job drafting an environmental impact study projecting how the jets would fit in at Burlington International Airport.
The lawyer for the plaintiffs — which includes the city of Winooski — says the analysis glossed over the jets’ noise impact on nearby neighborhoods.
The Air Force used the federal Environmental Impact Statement in part to approve basing its newest warplane at the Vermont Air National Guard base. Officials have said they expect Vermont’s first F-35 will land there in 2019.
Vermont Guard Maj. Gen. Steven Cray says he felt the Air Force did its job. AP