Must Testify Against Second Suspect

A Marine sentenced to 20 years in the brig for sabatoging parachutes before a jump drill will have to testify against another Marine in the same case. LCpl Antoine Boynkins was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Cpl. Clayton Chaffin.

Charges against a third Marine in the case were previously dropped.

"It's clear to this court that you have a great deal of natural ability and you are lucky to have a number of people who support you," said the judge, Col. Alvin Keller.

The judge also cut Boykins' rank to private, stripped him of all future pay and allowances, and said he would be dishonorably discharged.

Boynkins confessed to cutting the lines on parachutes, causing the injuries of three Marines whose primary chutes failed during the drill. All three victims had to use their reserve canopies in the Sept. 21 jump.

"Somewhere along the way, I went left where I should have gone right," Boykins said, reading from a prepared statement.

"I was wrong and I am sorry."

FMI: www.usmc.mil