Moira Modzelewski
Moira Dempsey Modzelewski is an American lawyer and former Captain in the United States Navy.[2][3] Until her retirement in 2018,[4] she served as Chief Judge of the Navy and one of four assistant judge advocates general.[5] Modzelewski is notable for her appointment to serve as the Presiding Officer over Noor Uthman Muhammaed's Guantanamo military commission.
Moira Modzelewski | |
---|---|
Moira Modzelewski in 2013 | |
Born | Moira Lee Dempsey[1] |
Nationality | United States |
Occupation | lawyer, Captain (USN) |
Known for | Presiding over a Guantanamo military commission |
Education
B.A. | 1980 | University of Virginia | Chinese Studies |
J.D. | 1985 | University of Virginia | Law |
1985 | Naval Justice School | Law |
Teaching career
Modzelewski taught English at Szechuan University after earning her bachelor's degree, in 1980.[2] This was shortly after China and the United States re-opened diplomatic relations.
In 1989 Modzelewski was an assistant professor at the United States Naval Academy.[2]
In 1995–96 Modzelewski opened the detachment of the Naval Justice School in Norfolk.[2]
Legal career
All of Modzelewski's legal career has been in the United States Navy.[2] In addition to her teaching postings she has served as a lawyer or administrator of legal services in over a half dozen posts.
In 2009 she presided over the courts-martial of Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 10 who were charged with beating an Iraqi captive.[6]
She was subsequently appointed was to serve as a Presiding Officer in Guantanamo.[3] In April 2010 she predicted she would require a year to review the secret evidence against Noor Uthman Muhammaed.
Modzelewski joined the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals in 2011 and became its Chief Judge on 6 August 2013.[7] She was appointed Chief Judge of the Navy after the retirement of Christian L. Reismeier on 1 July 2015.[8]
Modzelewski retired from active duty on 12 July 2018.[4] She was succeeded as Chief Judge of the Navy by Charles N. Purnell II.[9]
Personal
Modzelewski is the daughter of Navy physician John Joseph "Jack" Dempsey (26 June 1925 – 1 August 2004)[10] and retired Navy nurse Joan Louise Barron Dempsey (9 March 1926[11] – 20 January 2001).[1] She has three sisters and one brother.[10]
Modzelewski is married to retired Navy officer Stephen Anthony Modzelewski.[12] They have three sons and one daughter.[13]
References
- Malone, Mandy (2001-01-21). "Joan Barron Dempsey". Daily Press. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- "CAPTAIN MOIRA MODZELEWSKI, JAGC, USN". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Carol Rosenberg (2010-04-08). "Judge says she needs year to sort through evidence". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "180712-N-YP490-111". U.S. Navy JAG Corps. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- "Organization". U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "2 SEALs arraigned in detainee abuse case". Military Learning Center. December 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-03-16.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "Passing the Gavel, Investiture Ceremony". U.S. Navy JAG Corps. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "Promotion, Retirement of Chief Judge of the Navy". U.S. Navy JAG Corps. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "181016-N-YP490-140". U.S. Navy JAG Corps. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- "John Joseph (Jack) Dempsey". Daily Press. 2004-08-08. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps (PDF). Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 January 1953. p. 391. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- "PN673 — Navy". U.S. Congress. 1993-10-25. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- "1980s Class Notes". UVA Lawyer. Fall 2005. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
External links
Media related to Moira D. Modzelewski at Wikimedia Commons