Stevens Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Support Veterans Seeking Justice

WASHINGTON – On Monday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) filed an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court, as the Court prepares to hear a case about a misconstrued legal technicality allowing military courts to potentially free hundreds of convicted rapists.

In April, Congresswoman Stevens introduced Harmony’s Law, a bipartisan bill named after Harmony Allen, an Air Force veteran who was raped by her instructor. Despite being found guilty and sentenced to jail time, Harmony’s attacker was freed due to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces misinterpreting the Congressionally-mandated statute of limitations. Harmony’s Law seeks to clarify the misinterpretation and prevent these convicted rapists from escaping justice because of a technicality.  

This amicus curiae brief seeks to enforce Congress’ long-standing judgement that sexual violence has no place in the military and that no statute of limitations bars it from prosecution. It also defends Congress’ decades-old policy of requiring punishment for rape in the military no matter how long ago the offense occurred. The Supreme Court is expected to hear Harmony Allen’s case in April 2020.

“Harmony Allen embodies the very best that our armed services have to offer,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “She is brave, strong, and determined to make our country a safer and more just place. It was an honor to meet and spend time with Harmony, and I am proud to file this amicus brief to make it clear that Harmony’s attacker cannot evade justice because of a misconstrued legal technicality. Those who are found guilty of violent crimes in the military must be held fully accountable for their heinous actions.”

“I still bear the scars of what he did to me 16 years ago, and I have endured immense pain and suffering for justice, but my rapist is now free because of this absurd ruling that has now set a precedent that does not follow the intent of Congress,” Harmony Allen said in April.  “Knowing my rapist has been out there for the past 16 years has haunted me.  The fact that he’s been able to stay in the military that I loved so dearly, get promoted and possibly have the chance to hurt others horrifies me. What’s worse is that allowing the rapists in the military to use this unlawful technicality will not only allow my rapist to go free, but other rapists who committed rapes for nearly two decades could avoid being held accountable and go free.  They will be given a clean slate, receive medical benefits, back pay, and retirement even though they were rightfully convicted.  This is not justice and should not be allowed.”

Rep. Stevens was joined in the filing of the amicus brief by Representatives Brian Mast (FL-18), Ted Yoho (FL-03), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Jim Baird (IN-04), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Denny Heck (WA-10), Kendra Horn (OK-05), Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02), and Jackie Speier (CA-14). 

###