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War Resistor Cliff Cornell in Court Today
Soldier who fled to Canada for nearly four years will enter a guilty plea at court-martial
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Cliff Cornell stands outside the gates of Fort Stewart on Feb. 4, 2009. He was just moments from turning himself into Fort Stewart authorities after being AWOL for nearly four years.
The Iraq war resistor, Cliff Cornell, will be in court this afternoon.

Cornell, 28, will have a sentencing hearing at 2 p.m., today, at Fort Stewart where he is expected to enter a court-martial plea.
In February, Cornell was charged with violating the UCMJ, Article 85, for deserting his military duties at a time of war on Jan. 22, 2005, and not returning to his unit until Feb. 4, 2009

Cornell, a Mountain Home, Ark. native, turned himself into Fort Stewart officials after having fled to Canada to avoid what he said was an illegal war.

Cornell's lawyer James Branum said via e-mail this morning that Cornell was in "OK spirits" and "mostly eager to get this over with, but is certainly nervous about going to jail."

Branum said he will enter a guilty plea on Cornell's behalf and will argue for what Cornell's sentencing should be.

Cornell was stationed at Fort Stewart at the time of his desertion. He was a soldier with the 1st Battalion, 39th Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and 3rd Infantry Division.

The Courier will have more information as it becomes available.


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