Military Jury Convicts Naval Academy Midshipman In Sex Assault

Monday, April 9th 2007, 4:06 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Naval Academy midshipman was found guilty Monday of sexually assaulting a fellow student at a hotel last year, a verdict that could lead to prison time and his dismissal from the Annapolis military school.

After three hours of deliberation, a jury of seven Navy and Marine Corps officers convicted Kenny Ray Morrison of forcing himself on a female midshipman in February 2006 after a night of drinking. He was also convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer
and a gentleman.

He was cleared on charges that he had sex with another midshipman against her will in April 2006.

Morrison, 24, quivered slightly as the verdict was read while he stood at attention behind the defense table, his fists clenched, his chest out. He faces a possible 10-year prison sentence, dismissal from the academy and forfeiture of pay. The military jury reconvenes Tuesday to consider a penalty.

A former backup linebacker on the Navy football team, Morrison is the second Navy football player to be court-martialed in the past year on sexual assault charges.