Court-martial delayed for US Army general facing sexual misconduct charges

The trial of a U.S. Army general facing charges he sexually assaulted a female subordinate has been delayed indefinitely.

A court-martial for Brig. Gen. Jeffery A. Sinclair had been scheduled to begin Tuesday. Officials at Fort Bragg announced Thursday that the process of selecting a jury will begin next week, but that opening statements, testimony and the other elements are on hold.

The judge overseeing the case has not yet set a new date for the trial to begin.

The general's defense lawyers had sought the delay because of concerns that selecting an impartial jury could be a lengthy process. Under the military justice system, the guilt or innocence of a defendant is judged by those of higher rank. In Sinclair's case, that means generals with two stars and above.