As a retired military officer (not a graduate of USMA), I also commend the academy for taking another look at this matter. But I’m also disappointed that it took a spate of negative press articles to make it happen. Based on what I’ve read, it looks like the young man was beaten savagely by LaBelle’s “bodyguards,” then railroaded by West Point. He needs to collect a few million from LaBelle and her gang of thugs; a few million more from the Houston PD, and then demand reinstatement at USMA. The cadet is the real victim in this sorry mess.
I personally believe if this incident had NOT been caught on tape, the cadet would have been toast. West Point wouldn’t have investigated any further than reading a police report. I truly believe that the video put the officer in a bad light and West Point as well. I can’t imagine the cadet waking up in a hospital with staples in his head and being informed that he had been demoted. My hopes is that WP will learn from this and truly investigate a situation before making a final decision. IMHO