Clifford Cornell

According to Courage to Resist, Cliff was released in January 2010

Clifford Cornell

The U.S. Army convicted Specialist Clifford Cornell of desertion at a
brief courts martial at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. He was sentenced to 12
months in a military jail. He has been transferred to the Marine brig at
Camp Lejuene, North Carolina to serve his sentence. The military judge,  Col. Tara Osborn, also ordered Cliff’s rank be reduced to private and for  him to receive a bad conduct discharge. Cliff, 28, surrendered himself to authorities at Fort Stewart, Georgia on February 17, after being denied refugee status in Canada. The Arkansas native left Fort Stewart four years ago, when his artillery unit was ordered to Iraq. According to family and friends, Cornell did not want to kill civilians, and said that Army trainers told him he must shoot any Iraqi who came near his vehicle. Cliff’s attorney and supporters believe the Army’s charges were excessive.

“Cliff Cornell is a conscientious objector who voluntarily turned himself in to Army authorities,” said attorney James Branum.. “The Army is engaging in overkill in order to make an example of my client.” “Cliff is being punished for what he believes, for his comments to the press,” explained James Branum to the UPI press service following the courts martial.

“Because he spoke out against the Iraq war, Cliff’s sentence is harsher than the punishment given to 94 percent of deserters who are not penalized but administratively discharged.” However, Cliff could have faced 5 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge were it not for significant support from individuals across the country.

This political and financial support through Courage to Resist’s defense fund for Cliff made experienced civilian legal representation possible. By agreeing to plead guilty to the facts of his leaving the Army and traveling to Canada, and agreeing to an expedited courts martial, Cliff and his attorney were able to minimize his punishment.