Ellsworth Court Martial

The military has dropped two potential
additional charges against an Ellsworth Air Force Base airman
facing court-martial in an off-base shooting.

Senior Airman Adam Grant, a base spokesman, and Greg Sperlich, attorney for Vinicus Santana, say aggravated sexual assault and sodomy charges are no longer under consideration after a witness failed to appear at a hearing.
The 22-year-old Santana is accused of shooting a fellow airman
at a Rapid City apartment last September and faces an April 20
court-martial hearing on an attempted murder charge.

Air Force officials say an investigating officer is determining
if the government will add new and unrelated charges, including
drug charges. A hearing similar to a civilian grand jury was held
this week. Sperlich says he expects a decision early next week. The
military would not give a timeline.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)