Tyrion Davis, a senior airman in the US Air Force, was convicted of sexually assaulting his estranged wife, Emily, by a military court martial. The case, which began with rape allegations from another British woman named Rebecca in June 2020, was transferred from Suffolk police to US military jurisdiction, bypassing the British justice system.
Why was the case transferred to the US military?
Suffolk police ceded control of the investigation to the US Air Force 20 days after it began in June 2020. According to Rebecca, an independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA) and police officers suggested the military route would be a “quicker route to justice,” potentially taking six months compared to a minimum of two years in the UK system.
Rebecca testified that she was warned the Crown Prosecution Service might not take the case and that Davis could potentially flee the UK. She cited the precedent of Anne Sacoolas, a US official who left the UK after killing Harry Dunn.
How did the court martial process differ from UK courts?
The trial, held in June 2022 at RAF Lakenheath, lacked several protections standard in England and Wales. Rebecca reported she could not testify from behind a screen and had to face Davis directly in a small courtroom. She testified that she removed her glasses during the proceedings so she would not have to see him.
Legal representation advised Rebecca to avoid wearing red lipstick or any red clothing, suggesting white instead because it is “more angelic.” The promised six-month timeline eventually stretched to two years, a delay that Rebecca said forced her to drop out of her midwifery degree.
What were the specific charges and convictions?
Tyrion Davis was convicted of one count of sexual assault under Article 120 of the US Uniform Code of Military Justice for penetrating Emily’s vulva without consent. This conviction was based partly on Facebook messages where Davis wrote, “I never said you didn’t say stop. I said you didn’t say it like you meant it.”
Davis was acquitted of 10 counts of sexual assault and abusive sexual contact, and two counts of assault involving both Rebecca and Emily.
How does this compare to other RAF Lakenheath cases?
What may happen next for the victims and the system?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the offense not charged as rape?
The source states it is unclear why the military prosecuted the non-consensual penetrative sex as sexual assault, though in England and Wales, such an offense would likely be charged as rape.
Do you believe military personnel should be subject to the laws of the host country when accused of violent crimes?
