Moira Modzelewski
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moira Dempsey Modzelewski (born 30 May 1958)[2][3] is an American lawyer and former captain in the United States Navy.[4][5] Until her retirement in 2018,[6] she served as Chief Judge of the Navy and one of four assistant judge advocates general.[7] Modzelewski is notable for her appointment to serve as the Presiding Officer over Noor Uthman Muhammaed's Guantanamo military commission.
30 May 1958
Naval Justice School
Moira Modzelewski | |
|---|---|
Moira Modzelewski in 2013 | |
| Born | Moira Lee Dempsey[1] 30 May 1958 |
| Education | University of Virginia (BA, JD) Naval Justice School |
| Occupations | lawyer, Captain (USN) |
| Known for | Presiding over a Guantanamo military commission |
| Spouse |
Stephen Anthony Modzelewski Jr.
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 4 |
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.[4]
In 1989 she was an assistant professor at the United States Naval Academy[4] and from 1995–96, she opened the detachment of the Naval Justice School in Norfolk.[4]
Legal career
Modzelewski has served a lawyer or administrator of legal services in over a half dozen posts with the U.S. Navy.[4]
In 2009 she presided over the courts-martial of Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 10 who were charged with beating an Iraqi captive.[8]
She was subsequently appointed to serve as a presiding officer in Guantanamo.[5] 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.[9] She was appointed Chief Judge of the Navy after the retirement of Christian L. Reismeier on 1 July 2015.[10]
Retiring from active duty in on 12 July 2018,[6] she was succeeded as Chief Judge of the Navy by Charles N. Purnell II.[11][12]
Personal
Modzelewski is the daughter of Navy physician John Joseph "Jack" Dempsey (26 June 1925 – 1 August 2004)[13] and retired Navy nurse Joan Louise Barron Dempsey (9 March 1926[14] – 20 January 2001).[1][2] She has three sisters and one brother.[13]
Modzelewski is married to retired Navy officer Stephen Anthony Modzelewski Jr.[15] They were married on 7 January 1989 in Norfolk, Virginia.[2] The couple have three sons and one daughter.[16]
