SAN DIEGO:
A Navy SEAL platoon leader court-martialed on war crimes charges was unexpectedly ordered released from base confinement in San Diego on Thursday, 11 days before he is due to stand trial in a case that has attracted President Donald Trump’s attention.
The presiding judge, a Navy captain, freed Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher at the end of a five-hour pre-trial hearing on defense motions stemming from his lawyers’ accusations of prosecutorial misconduct.
Gallagher’s team says Navy prosecutors and their investigators illegally snooped on the defense and reporters in a transgression that merits dismissal of the charges or disqualification of the lead prosecutor from the case.
The judge, Captain Aaron Rugh, adjourned the hearing for the day without ruling on those requests.
Instead, to the apparent surprise of everyone present, the judge declared, “As an additional remedy to the interference from the prosecution, I order the release of Chief Gallagher.”
Many in the courtroom gasped, including the defendant’s wife, Andrea Gallagher, who burst into tears.
Her husband, dressed in his Navy summer whites uniform, smiled broadly before leaning over to hug and kiss his wife.
The couple left the Navy courthouse holding hands, surrounded by members of the defense team.
Global News 
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