Judge Orders Navy to Release Records in USS Bonhomme Richard Arson Case
A federal judge has ordered the Navy to release court records in the USS Bonhomme Richard arson case.
Why it matters: The ruling reinforces the principle of transparency in military legal proceedings, especially in high-profile cases. Legal professionals tracking government accountability and public records access will see potential precedents for similar requests.
- The Navy previously withheld court documents, citing the Privacy Act and FOIA Exemption 7(A).
- Congress required public access to military court-martial records starting in 2016.
- Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays was acquitted in 2022 after being charged in the 2020 ship fire.
- The USS Bonhomme Richard fire led to decommissioning and extensive accountability review.
A federal judge has blocked the Navy's attempt to withhold court documents from the high-profile case surrounding the 2020 fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard. The ruling comes after Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays, charged with aggravated arson and willfully hazarding a vessel, was acquitted in September 2022.
- The Navy initially refused to release records, citing the Privacy Act and a Freedom of Information Act exemption intended to shield documents tied to law enforcement proceedings (Navy Times).
- However, a 2016 congressional law requires court-martial documents to be accessible to the public during all trial phases.
- "These documents are filed on behalf of the people of the United States, and the people of the United States should have the same right to see them... as they do in federal court," said Paul LeBlanc, retired Navy judge and lawyer.
The 2020 fire occurred while the USS Bonhomme Richard was at Naval Base San Diego and resulted in the ship's decommissioning due to multi-billion-dollar repair costs. Over 60 people were treated for injuries following the blaze.
The federal judge's order not only impacts this case but also provides a benchmark for public access to records in sensitive military proceedings, according to legal experts following the situation closely.
By the numbers:
- $2.5B–$3.2B — Estimated repair cost after the fire, leading to decommissioning
- 60+ — Sailors and civilians treated for minor injuries during the fire
- 2016 — Year Congress mandated public access to military court-martial records
Yes, but: Details on whether the Navy will appeal or further challenge the judge's order remain unavailable.