Jody Neal-Post’s medical records tell the story of an attack: the fingerprints on her neck, the bruises up and down her chest and stomach.
So does a May 2002 affidavit from their 12-year-old-son: “He got on top of her and then began to beat her and choke her. I’m afraid of my father right now and don’t want to see him.”
The incident occurred during a visit to New Mexico by Lt. Col. Ross Gobel, who was stationed in Los Angeles, to see their two boys, who were in the custody of their mother.
The parents began to argue on the porch of her home. Neal-Post asked Gobel to leave the house. She told police Gobel refused and lunged toward her as she screamed for her son to call the police.
Gobel ordered him not to, then pushed her to the floor and began choking her. After a few minutes, Gobel jumped up and grabbed the phone to call the police himself, according to affidavits.
The local police investigated and charged both Neal-Post and Gobel. Both charges eventually were dropped, she said.
Later, Neal-Post’s son, who she said initially was too distraught and scared to testify after the incident, swore in an affidavit that his father attacked his mom.
Gobel’s commanders in Los Angeles reviewed the allegations and dismissed them. But Neal-Post said the California officials never questioned her or the 12-year-old. Gobel and his commanders did not respond to requests for comment.
“From what I can tell, they didn’t do anything to him,” said Neal-Post, a lawyer based in Albuquerque.
The base’s attorney wrote her a September 2002 letter, explaining why his supervisors didn’t take action against him for the May incident. “This is a private civil matter and appears to be an outgrowth of the ongoing legal disputes between you and your former husband,” the letter said.
Neal-Post is battling with military officials to release records that would show why her ex-husband was not punished.
“In the military, you are rewarded for violent behavior. This indoctrinates people to a certain state of mind, that they can do this even at home.”
