Sailor accused of killing shipmate on carrier waives preliminary hearing

The Navy confirmed that Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Jayjrion Rodriguez has waived his Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian court. USS John F. Kennedy during acceptance trials in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia in August 2026. (HII Newport News Shipbuilding) (Tribune News Service) — The sailor accused of shooting his shipmate on the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy has waived his preliminary hearing. The Navy confirmed Thursday that Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Jayjrion Rodriguez has waived his Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian court. Often, Article 32 hearings are waived during plea negotiations. The Navy did not confirm whether Rodriguez is planning to take a plea.

A plea agreement would happen during a general court martial. Rodriguez does not have any upcoming hearings listed on the public Navy trial docket. On June 6, Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Jesse Braswell was killed by a gunshot wound to the head on the Kennedy. Though the victim’s name was redacted from Rodriguez’s charge sheet, according to USNI News, both sailors were part of the ship’s in-port security force at the time. According to his charge sheet, Rodriguez was charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter. He was also charged with reckless endangerment and simple assault and accused of pointing his loaded service