The State - News from Jan. 12, 1989

Charges were withdrawn, at least temporarily, against a Marine sergeant accused of dereliction of duty in the death of a fellow Marine who was left stranded in the Mojave desert after a training exercise. A lawyer for Sgt. Christopher Clyde, 28, of Mentor, Ohio, argued for dismissal on grounds that the battalion commander who convened Clyde’s court-martial at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is, himself, under scrutiny in the death of Lance Cpl. Jason J. Rother, 19, of Minneapolis. Presiding Judge Maj. Kent Smith approved the withdrawal of charges, which were referred to another officer and could be refiled. Rother’s remains were found near Twentynine Palms on Dec. 4. He had served as a road guide during a night exercise in August.