United States v. Sergeant ERIC F. KELLY , 76 M.J. 793 ( 2017 )

CORRECTED COPY
UNITED STATES ARMY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
Before the Court Sitting En Banc
UNITED STATES, Appellee
v.
Sergeant ERIC F. KELLY
United States Army, Appellant
ARMY 20150725
Headquarters, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
David H. Robertson, Military Judge
Major Michael P. Baileys, Acting Staff Judge Advocate (pretrial)
Colonel Paula I. Schasberger, Staff Judge Advocate (post-trial)
For Appellant: Zachary D. Spilman, Esquire (argued); Captain Matthew L.
Jalandoni, JA; Zachary D. Spilman, Esquire (on brief); Captain Katherine L. DePaul,
JA; Captain Matthew D. Bernstein, JA (on reply brief).
For Appellee: Captain Jennifer A. Donahue, JA (argued); Colonel Mark H.
Sydenham, JA; Lieutenant Colonel A.G. Courie III, JA; Major Melissa Dasgupta
Smith, JA; Captain Jennifer A. Donahue, JA (on brief).
5 July 2017
---------------------------------
OPINION OF THE COURT
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WOLFE, Judge:
After a contested trial of the facts, a court-martial with enlisted representation
convicted appellant, Sergeant (SGT) Eric F. Kelly, of abusive sexual contact and
sexual assault in violation of Article 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10
U.S.C. § 920 (2012 & Supp. I 2014) [hereinafter UCMJ]. Appellant brings
numerous claims of error to our attention, seven of which we discuss below. 1 The
1
We do not address in depth appellant’s contention that the military judge’s
deviation from the standard instructions from Dep’t of Army, Pam. 27-9, Legal
Services: Military Judges’ Benchbook [hereinafter Benchbook] (10 Sep. 2014) was
error. As appellant did not object to the instructions we test for plain error. Rule
for Courts-Martial [hereinafter R.C.M.] 920(f); United States v. Davis, 76 M.J. 224(continued . . .)
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panel sentenced appellant to be dishonorably discharged from the Army, to be
confined for one year, to forfeit all pay and allowances, and to be reduced to the
grade of E-1.
In December 2014, SGT RK had just returned from a deployment in
Afghanistan where she had served as a crew member of a rotary wing medical
evacuation unit. Appellant and SGT RK previously served together. Appellant
invited SGT RK over to his house where, along with appellant’s wife and other
friends, they played board games and drank alcohol. Both appellant and SGT RK
testified but gave starkly different versions of what happened next.
Sergeant RK testified that after falling asleep on appellant’s couch, she awoke
to appellant touching her breast. After pushing his hand away and telling him to
stop, she went to the guest bedroom and fell back asleep. Sergeant RK again woke
up to appellant touching her, this time as he was removing her pants. She then
testified appellant had sex with her as she tried to resist. She reported the assault to
a mutual friend the next day.
Appellant, by contrast, testified the sexual encounter was entirely consensual.
Appellant claimed he and SGT RK had a deeply personal conversation about her
difficult experiences in Afghanistan, which included airlifting dead children. He
said the conversation turned sexual when SGT RK kissed him. He conceded
touching SGT RK’s breast but stated it was only upon her invitation after he tried to
guess her breast size. Appellant also agreed he tried to have sexual intercourse with
SGT RK, but could not recall whether there had been actual penetration.
I. The Numbers Game
During voir dire, the senior member of the panel, Colonel (COL) F, stated he
did not believe a person who was black-out drunk was capable of consenting.
(. . . continued)
(C.A.A.F. 2017). Having reviewed the instructions, we do not find error let alone
plain and obvious error.
While the instructions were non-standard, they were not wrong. For example, when
the sexual assault by bodily harm is the penetrative act itself, the Benchbook
provides as a third element to the offense: that the victim did not “consent” to the
touching. See Benchbook, para. 3-45-14(c) n.2. The military judge in this case did
not instruct on that element. However, he included identical language into the
definition of bodily harm instructing that “in order to find the sexual act was
offensive and nonconsensual, you must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that
Sergeant [RK] did not consent to having her vulva penetrated by the accused’s
penis.”
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Appellant challenged the member, but the military judge denied the challenge.
Appellant then waived any appellate issue by not exercising a peremptory 2
challenge. R.C.M. 912(f)(4).
Appellant now asserts defense counsel was ineffective in failing to exercise a
peremptory 3 challenge. To succeed, appellant must demonstrate that not using a
peremptory 4 challenge was deficient, and that the military judge erred in denying the
defense challenge for cause (i.e. prejudice). 5 Nonetheless, we will address
appellant’s claim that his counsel’s performance was deficient.
In determining whether appellant’s counsel at trial was ineffective we apply
the well-settled two prong test in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 697
(1984).
Appellant claims his counsel was deficient for admittedly engaging in the
“numbers game.” The “numbers game” is when a party tactically exercises a
peremptory 6 challenge to obtain a favorable number of members. As a guilty verdict
requires the concurrence of two-thirds of members, under the “numbers game” the
government prefers to have panels composed of multiples of three (e.g. 6, 9, or 12,
panel members). R.C.M. 902(c)(2)(B).
2
Corrected.
3
Corrected.
4
Corrected.
5
If the military judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the challenge for cause
to COL F, then even if the defense counsel were deficient in not exercising a
peremptory* challenge, appellant cannot show prejudice from a qualified member
continuing to serve on the court-martial. Appellant’s burden to establish the claim
of ineffective assistance of trial is more critical in cases (such as this one) where the
allegation involves affidavits from outside the record of trial which are not part of
our normal Article 66(c), UCMJ, review. As we resolve this issue on the deficiency
prong, we do not address one way or the other whether the military judge erred in
denying appellant’s challenge for cause.
* Corrected
6
Corrected.
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In this case, when it came time for the defense to exercise a peremptory 7
challenge, there were seven members on the panel. Under the “numbers game,” the
defense counsel’s choice was to leave the panel at seven members or exercise a
peremptory 8 challenge and reduce the panel to six members.
By not exercising a peremptory 9 challenge, the panel of seven required the
concurrence of at least five members to convict appellant. If the defense exercised a
peremptory 10 challenge, a guilty verdict would require the concurrence of only four
members. The exercise of a peremptory 11 challenge would have removed a vote that,
all other things being equal, the government would have needed to prove guilt.
Assume, as appellant contends, that COL F was a government-friendly panel
member. With a seven member panel, the government would need to convince COL
F and at least four other members of appellant’s guilt. With COL F removed, the
government would still need to convince at least four members. As a matter of
math, the defense counsel’s reasoning for not exercising a peremptory 12 challenge
was sound.
Of course, panel member selection is not merely a question of math. Many
litigators often pay little attention to the “numbers game” and focus instead on
shaping the panel based the panel members’ answers to questions in voir dire. Thus,
one can say as a matter of logic that COL F’s vote would have been irrelevant, as the
government would have been required to have four votes for guilty whether COL F
remained on the panel or not. But, one cannot say COL F’s presence on the panel
was of no consequence. Panel members deliberate. The danger of an unfavorable
panel member is not merely they vote against your client, it is also they may
persuade other panel members how to vote. Perhaps the danger is all the more so
when the member in question will become the panel president.
This scenario is likely why in United States v. Newson, our superior court
stated they “do not subscribe to the myth of the ‘numbers game.’” 29 M.J. 17, 21
(C.A.A.F. 1989). However, the context in that case is important. In Newson,
7
Corrected.
8
Corrected.
9
Corrected.
10
Corrected.
11
Corrected.
12
Corrected.
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appellant claimed he had been deprived of the opportunity to play the “numbers
game” because the military judge altered the order of challenges. The court found
no prejudice, stating there “is no reason to suspect that a different mix of members
would have produced results more favorable to appellant.” Id. Indeed that same
court stated “[t]here is no question that in the court-martial system the numerical
composition of the court may be said to be either ‘favorable’ or ‘unfavorable’ to
either side.” Id. at 19 n.1.
This case is not Newson. Is there a sound logic behind the “numbers game”?
There is. The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) has explicitly said
that certain numbers are “favorable” to one side or the other. Id. In the same
footnote in Newson quoted above the court described the numbers game as a matter
of “trial tactics and strategy.” Id. Accordingly, the performance of the defense
counsel at trial was not constitutionally deficient. That, however, should not be read
as a ringing endorsement of the practice. There is an obvious danger in substituting
math for advocacy. 13
II. Improper Argument
Appellant alleges the court-martial committed plain error when the military
judge failed to sua sponte correct the trial counsel’s findings argument.
Specifically, we address appellant’s claim that the trial counsel told the panel
appellant lied to them during his testimony.
Part of the government’s strategy at trial was to admit appellant’s statements
regarding the night of the assault. The government wanted the panel to question
appellant’s reliability and veracity because of his changing statements. The trial
counsel analogized that appellant had been caught in his own “web of lies.” We
decline to provide appellant relief because: 1) we find appellant waived any
objection to this argument; and 2) if not waived, the argument did not amount to
plain error.
A. Waiver
The Rules for Courts-Martial use the term “waiver” in two different contexts.
On some occasions, a rule will state that an objection is “waived, absent plain
error.” See, e.g., R.C.M. 920. In other cases the rule will say the objection is
“waived” without any condition for plain error.
13
As a coda to this analysis we note the “numbers game” will come to an end with
the recent amendments to the UCMJ establishing fixed panel sizes. National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Pub. L. 114-328, § 5187 (2016)
(Assembly and Impaneling of Members and Related Matters).
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R.C.M. 919(c) governs argument on findings. The rule states: “[f]ailure to
object to improper argument before the military judge begins to instruct the
members on findings shall constitute waiver of the objection.” R.C.M. 919(c). The
rule has no “plain error” condition.
In the recent case of United States v. Ahern, 76 M.J. 194 (C.A.A.F. 2017), our
superior court discussed this difference while interpreting Military Rule of Evidence
[hereinafter Mil. R. Evid.] 304. The waiver provision of Mil. R. Evid. 304 is
virtually identical to the rule at issue here, R.C.M. 919(c). Our superior court wrote
the rule “unambiguously provides that any claim arising under [the rule] is waived
absent an objection.” Id. at 197. The CAAF noted the difference between the two
types of waiver and stated “[t]his is not a case where the rule uses the word ‘waiver’
but actually means ‘forfeiture.’” Id. The court in Ahern found this court erred when
we tested for forfeiture and plain error. Id. at 198.
To avoid making the same error here, and applying Ahern to this case, we find
appellant waived any objection to the trial counsel’s argument. As a matter of
statutory interpretation, R.C.M. 919 “unambiguously” provides “failure to object . . .
shall constitute waiver of the objection” (emphasis added). 14 R.C.M. 919(c).
We duly recognize in numerous prior cases, both this court and our superior
court have tested improper arguments for forfeiture and plain error. 15 See, e.g.,
United States v. Fletcher, 62 M.J. 87, 88 (C.A.A.F. 2005). However, the plain
language of the rule, and our superior court’s decision in Ahern, compel our result
here. To find otherwise would mean the same “unambiguous” words have polar
opposite meaning within the same regulatory structure. It would also demand we
give no meaning to the stark differences between R.C.M. 919(c) and 920(f), which
were promulgated simultaneously. Such a finding would be contrary to the plain
language of the rule and contrary to the CAAF’s decision in Ahern. To the extent
we are presented with contrary case law, we follow our superior court’s most recent
decision.
14
The obvious effect of Ahern is to encourage timely objections at trial. Timely
objections allow the military judge to issue corrective instructions (or declare a
mistrial if the error is too egregious to be corrected) and prevent additional
erroneous argument. In general, a rule properly promulgated by the President is
binding on this court unless it violates an applicable statute such as the UCMJ or the
Constitution. Thus, we discuss here only circumstances where application of the
rule is not of a constitutional magnitude (e.g. commenting on the accused’s right to
silence).
15
This court may “notice” waived error. See United States v. Chin, 75 M.J. 220(C.A.A.F. 2016); UCMJ, art. 66(c). Thus, if application of waiver results in an
unbalance, equilibrium may be restored by a Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA).
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B. Plain Error
Ahern was decided after we held oral argument in this case, so the parties did
not have the opportunity to address its impact. Accordingly, we will also address
the error as it was assigned. We do not find the trial counsel’s argument amounted
to plain error. Plain error occurs when: 1) there is error; 2) the error is plain or
obvious; and 3) the error results in material prejudice to a substantial right of the
accused. United States v. Rodriguez, 60 M.J. 87, 88-89 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
Our superior court stated “[c]alling the accused a liar is a dangerous practice
that should be avoided.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 182. The court stopped short,
however, of stating that such comments are per se error. The question is then, when
is it error for a party (especially the trial counsel) to label the testimony of a witness
a “lie”? And, when may that witness be called a “liar”?
Our superior court has described the difference between permissible and
impermissible arguments as an “exceedingly fine line which distinguishes
permissible advocacy from improper excess.” Id. at 183. On which side of that line
one falls will depend on whether the counsel is arguing a permissible inference from
the evidence or engaging in “name-calling.” United States v. White, 486 F.2d. 204,
207 (2d Cir. 1973).
When an accused testifies, the veracity of the testimony is at issue. The trial
counsel may properly point out the incredulous nature of the testimony and point out
contradictions with other evidence. Counsel may also call witnesses to testify that
in their opinion the accused is not a truthful person. If a person can be shown to
have lied on one or more occasion, it is also permissible to argue the panel should
not believe the testimony in other regards. Indeed, trials often turn on such
credibility determinations.
The CAAF’s decision in Fletcher cited White heavily. In White, the Second
Circuit remonstrated the prosecutor for calling the defendant a liar. 486 F.2d. at
204-05. In a subsequent case, however, that same court noted “because defendant
had put his credibility in issue, the prosecutor’s arguments portraying him as a liar
were not improper.” United States v. Edwards, 342 F.3d 168, 181 (2d Cir. 2003);
see also United States v. Coriaty, 300 F.3d 244, 255-56 (2d Cir. 2002) (observing it
is generally not improper for the prosecutor to use the words “liar” and “lie” to
characterize disputed testimony when the witness’s credibility is clearly in issue)
(internal citations omitted).
Likewise, the D.C. Circuit has stated they could “conceive of no reason in law
why the words ‘lie’ and ‘lying’ should be banned from the vocabulary of summation,
particularly in cases that turn on the defendant’s credibility.” United States v.
Donato, 99 F.3d 426, 432 (D.C. Cir. 1996) (citing United States v. Dean, 55 F.3d
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640, 665 (D.C. Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1184 (1996)) (internal quotations
omitted); see also Virgin Islands v. Edwards, 233 F. App’x 167, 173 (3rd Cir. 2007).
Summarizing federal case law, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals said the
following:
We have not determined whether describing a defendant as
a “liar” is, per se, improper. But the Second, Seventh,
Eighth, and Ninth Circuits have held that the government
may refer to a defendant as a liar under some
circumstances. E.g., United States v. Moreland, 622 F.3d
1147, 1161-62 (9th Cir. 2010) (allowing where based on
reasonable inferences from the evidence); [Coriaty, 300
F.3d 244, 255 (2nd Cir. 2002)] (permitting as long as not
excessive or inflammatory); United States v. Shoff, 151
F.3d 889, 893 (8th Cir. 1998) (finding no misconduct as
long as the prosecutor is arguing about the evidence);
United States v. Manos, 848 F.2d 1427, 1437 (7th Cir.
1988) (deducing no undue prejudice from labeling “the
teller of [a] falsity a liar”).
United States v. Powell, 680 F.3d 350, 358 (4th Cir. 2012).
On the other hand, the First Circuit stated the impropriety of a prosecutor
calling the defendant a “liar” and a “crook” is “so clear as not to brook serious
discussion.” United States v. Rodriguez-Estrada, 877 F.2d 153, 158 (1st Cir. 1989);
United States v. Moore, 11 F.3d 475, 481 (4th Cir. 1993) (“We have recognized that
it is highly improper for the government to refer to a defense witness as a liar.”).
Perhaps the difference lies between arguing that testimony was intentionally false (a
lie) and calling the witness a liar (name-calling).
Answering this question likely applies not only to the testimony of the
accused. When an accused takes the stand, he or she is subject to same credibility
determinations as other witnesses. The United States Supreme Court has stated that
“[o]nce a defendant takes the stand, he is subject to cross-examination impeaching
his credibility just like any other witness.” Portuondo v. Agard, 529 U.S. 61, 70
(2000) (internal quotations and citations omitted); see also United States v. Piren,
74 M.J. 24 (C.A.A.F. 2015). A prohibition on the trial counsel calling the accused’s
testimony a lie may, therefore, be equally applicable to the testimony of his accuser.
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However, we need not decide definitively in this case which side of the line
the trial counsel’s argument fell. 16 This is a case of unpreserved error. Assuming
the trial counsel’s argument was error, it was not plain and obvious error for two
reasons.
First, error is “plain” when it is “obvious” or “clear under current law.”
United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 734 (1993). As the prior discussion shows,
the trial counsel’s arguments were not clearly error under current law.
Second, we look to see how obvious the error was in the context of the trial.
When examining this prong, we ask whether the error was so obvious “in the context
of the entire trial” that “the military judge should be ‘faulted for taking no action’
even without an objection.” United States v. Gomez, 76 M.J. 76, 81 (C.A.A.F. 2017)
(citing United States v. Burton, 67 M.J. 150, 153 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (quoting United
States v. Maynard, 66 M.J. 242, 245 (C.A.A.F. 2008))); see also United States v.
Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 163 (1982) (noting that error is clear if “the trial judge and
prosecutor [would be] derelict in countenancing it, even absent the defendant’s
timely assistance in detecting it”). The trial counsel’s arguments were not so wrong
that we could fault the military judge for not sua sponte intervening.
We cannot say appellant meets either definition of plain and obvious error.
Therefore, we do not find appellant has met his burden of establishing plain error.
The argument in this case is not nearly as severe as that which was made in Fletcher.
We therefore answer this question identically to our superior court in United
States v. Jenkins:
Applying the foregoing principles to trial counsel’s
argument in this case, we hold that there was no plain
error. Although trial counsel repeated called appellant a
thief and a liar, defense counsel did not find the argument
sufficiently offensive to warrant an objection or a request
for a curative instruction.
54 M.J. 12, 20 (C.A.A.F. 2000)
16
Consider the following possible arguments ranging from the permissible to the
clearly impermissible: “The evidence shows the accused deliberately tried to
deceive when he testified that . . . ;” “The evidence shows the accused lied when he
testified that . . . ;” “The accused lied when he testified that . . . ;” “The evidence
shows the accused is a liar;” “The accused is a liar;” “I think the accused is a liar
who lied to you when . . . ;” and “Trust me, I’ve been working on this case for
months, the accused is a liar.”
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Accordingly, we leave this issue where we started, with our superior court’s
guidance that “[c]alling the accused a liar is a dangerous practice that should be
avoided.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 182 (emphasis added).
III. The Rules of Completeness
At trial, the prosecution called U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
(CID) Special Agent (SA) AG to testify about statements appellant made during an
interrogation. On cross-examination, the defense attempted to elicit other
statements made by appellant during the same interrogation. What followed was a
tripartite misunderstanding of the interplay between the two “rules of completeness”
in the Military Rules of Evidence.
After the trial counsel finished the direct examination, the defense counsel
asked SA AG about other statements appellant made during the interrogation. After
the military judge sustained the trial counsel’s hearsay objection, the defense
counsel said the following:
[A]t this time, we would request that under the “rule of
completeness” that - - as portions of the accused’s
statement have been offered by the prosecution, that the
entire statement - - being that the - - made by the accused
be permitted to be questioned by the defense pursuant to
Rule 806.
The military judge directed an Article 39(a), UCMJ, session to consider
appellant’s objection. The defense counsel explained:
The defense believes that the government opened the door
to this line of questioning and to permit the defense to
offer the rest of the statement offered - - that the accused
gave under the “rule of completeness” as this was not
testimony that was only offered to prove - - to demonstrate
an inconsistent statement. . . . And as the - - one of the
charged offenses, events that happened in the bedroom, we
believe that, at the very least, a mistake to fact as to
consent has been raised. And therefore, we should be able
to discuss the rest of the statement with the individual that
he - - who received that statement.
The military judge found this explanation confusing and asked the defense,
“So what specifically do you want to ask this witness, and what rule allows its
admissibility?”
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The defense counsel responded the remainder of the accused’s statement was
admissible as the “rule of completeness” under Mil. R. Evid. 806. The military
judge then questioned whether counsel was citing the correct rule. The defense
apologized, admitted he was citing the wrong rule, and that he was looking for the
correct rule.
The military judge asked if the defense had intended to cite Mil. R. Evid. 106.
The defense counsel agreed, and told the judge “Yes. That’s exactly the rule we
were thinking of.”
It was not the right rule.
“Under the Military Rules of Evidence . . . there are two distinct rules of
completeness.” United States v. Rodriguez, 56 M.J. 336, 339 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
They are Mil. R. Evid. 106 and 304(h)(2). Our superior court in Rodriguez
explained the difference between the two. Id. In short, Mil. R. Evid. 106 applies to
written or recorded statements made by any person, and Mil. R. Evid. 304(h)(2)
applies to statements made by the accused whether in writing, recorded, or oral.
As Mil. R. Evid. 106 does not apply to oral statements, the military judge
correctly determined that Mil. R. Evid. 106 was inapplicable to appellant’s oral
statement to SA AG. No one discussed the rule that was the most likely applicable,
Mil. R. Evid. 304(h)(2). The CAAF explained the effect of Mil. R. Evid. 304(h)(2)
as follows:
Rule 304(h)(2): (1) applies to oral as well as written
statements; (2) governs the timing under which applicable
evidence may be introduced by the defense; (3) permits
the defense to introduce the remainder of a statement to
the extent that the remaining matter is part of the
confession or admission or otherwise is explanatory of or
in any way relevant to the confession or admission, even if
such remaining portions would otherwise constitute
inadmissible hearsay; and (4) requires a case-by-case
determination as to whether a series of statements should
be treated as part of the original confession or admission
or as a separate transaction or course of action for
purposes of the rule.
Rodriguez, 56 M.J.. at 341-42. As the correct rule was not discussed, we are faced
with an undeveloped record on appeal. There are two rules of completeness. As the
defense counsel told the military judge that Mil. R. Evid. 106 was “exactly” the rule
he was referring to, the correct rule was never identified. The military judge’s
ruling on Mil. R. Evid. 106 was correct. The better rule, Mil. R. Evid. 304(h)(2),
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was never mentioned. Accordingly, the “case-by-case” determination on whether the
statements were part of the same statement never happened.
Nonetheless, we need not dwell on whether any error was preserved (unclear)
or whether we would under Article 66(c), UCMJ, notice the error if forfeited (we
likely would, given these facts), as appellant was clearly not prejudiced by any
error. The defense counsel sought to admit, through SA AG, appellant’s version of
events about the alleged sexual assault. Appellant took the stand and testified to
exactly this same information. Accordingly, we cannot find prejudice.
IV. Improper Panel Questions
During trial, the panel asked a series of questions regarding past adulterous
acts by appellant. Appellant asserts on appeal the member’s repeated questions
demonstrate they were unable to follow the military judge’s instructions to ignore
this information. Therefore, appellant argues, the military judge should have
granted appellant’s request for a mistrial.
The sequence of events is important and requires some explanation. The
defense at trial was any sexual contact between appellant and SGT RK was
consensual. To buttress this theory, defense counsel elicited that appellant told his
wife he had consensual intercourse with SGT RK shortly after it happened.
Appellant’s wife testified she was a light sleeper and did not hear any
evidence of an assault. After appellant’s wife finished testifying, a panel member
asked whether appellant had ever cheated on her before. The military judge
sustained the defense objection.
Appellant then testified. The same panel member asked appellant if he had
ever been unfaithful to his wife. Again, the military judge sustained the defense
objection.
Near the conclusion of appellant’s testimony, a third question was asked
regarding appellant’s infidelity. This time, the defense made the tactical decision to
answer the question and did not object. Appellant testified that on one prior
occasion, he had an affair. He further explained during this instance he also
informed his wife of the transgression. He also testified the affair had not resulted
in any allegation of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. Appellant’s testimony
successfully framed his prior affair as being consistent with his version of what
happened during the alleged assault. That is, he had cheated on his wife when he
engaged in consensual conduct with SGT RK, just as he had before.
The military judge ultimately instructed the members to disregard any
evidence of prior marital infidelity by appellant. Notwithstanding that instruction,
the panel interrupted deliberations to ask one more question: “When did SGT Kelly
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tell his wife about his first adulterous event?” The military judge again instructed
the members to ignore issues of adultery. Appellant did not object to the military
judge’s instructions or request additional instructions. However, after the panel
members returned a guilty verdict appellant moved for a mistrial.
A mistrial is appropriate when “manifestly necessary in the interest of justice
because of circumstances arising during the proceedings which cast substantial
doubt upon the fairness of the proceedings.” R.C.M. 915(a). We do not find the
military judge abused his discretion in denying appellant’s request for a mistrial.
Panel members normally have no formal training in the law. In general, and
in this case, panel members are not offered a chance to explain why they ask the
questions they do. Also, the military judge does not explain the legal basis as to
why an objection to a question is sustained. Indeed, when a question is improper
such an explanation would often compound the problem the question presents.
In this case, the defense presented the panel with testimony from appellant
and his wife there had been no sexual assault and instead there was a consensual
event where appellant cheated on his wife. The panel was required to judge the
credibility of the testimony in light of the other evidence. Questions about
appellant’s marriage and relationship with his wife were probative of appellant’s
wife’s bias and motive in testifying. The final panel question regarding “when” he
told his wife of the first affair would help explain the similarity of the two events. 17
In other words, from the perspective of a panel member, adultery was relevant.
To find prejudice to appellant, we would need to find the panel wanted to
know of prior adulterous acts because they believed someone who would commit
adultery was more likely to commit sexual assault. We discount this rational for two
reasons. First, appellant’s defense was he did indeed commit (consensual) adultery.
That is, appellant’s very defense depended on the panel not making such far-fetched
assumptions. Second, the panel’s final question—about when appellant told his wife
about the prior affair—demonstrates they were focused on the credibility of
appellant’s story, not whether appellant was a bad person.
Considering the entire record, the fact that the defense placed the issue of
adultery squarely before the panel when appellant testified about his prior affair,
considering appellant did not request or ask for any additional instructions to the
members, and given the high threshold to require a mistrial, we do not find the
military judge abused his discretion in denying the defense request for a mistrial.
17
We speak only of logical relevance under Mil. R. Evid. 402, not legal relevance
under Mil. R. Evid. 403. We do not dispute the military judge’s ruling to keep
issues of adultery out of the court-martial on Mil. R. Evid. 403, Mil. R. Evid. 404, or
other grounds.
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V. Prior Inconsistent Statements, Extrinsic Evidence, and Hearsay
The defense called Specialist (SPC) EU in their case in chief. Specialist EU
was a mutual friend of both SGT RK and appellant. The morning after the charged
offenses, SPC EU gave SGT RK a ride. It was at this time that SGT RK told SPC
EU what happened the night before. The defense asked SPC EU to repeat a few of
SGT RK’s statements. The government then asked SPC EU to repeat other
statements SGT RK made that morning.
A. The Direct Examination
The defense asked whether SGT RK said she was awake or asleep during “the
events that occurred on the couch.” Specialist EU testified SGT RK said she was
awake. The defense also asked the witness to repeat whether SGT RK said what
appellant’s wife had told SGT RK that morning. Specialist EU said SGT RK told
him appellant’s wife was upset and had asked SGT RK to leave.
Both statements were inconsistent with SGT RK’s testimony at trial.
However, offered through SPC EU, they were extrinsic evidence of a prior
inconsistent statement.
Extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a
witness is not admissible unless the witness is afforded an
opportunity to explain or deny the same and the opposite
party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate the witness
thereon, or the interests of justice otherwise require. This
provision does not apply to admissions of a party-
opponent as defined in Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(2).
Mil. R. Evid. 613.
When SGT RK was on the stand, the defense never asked SGT RK whether
she made the allegedly inconsistent statements. If a witness admits making a prior
inconsistent statement, extrinsic evidence of the statement is prohibited. See United
States v. Gibson, 39 M.J. 319 (C.A.A.F. 1994); United States v. Harcrow, 65 M.J.
190 (C.A.A.F. 2007). Again, however, no objection was made to the testimony.
B. The Cross Examination
The trial counsel began the cross-examination of SPC EU by laying a
foundation for the “excited utterance” hearsay exception. The direct examination
already established SPC EU and SGT RK talked about the alleged assault while
driving away from appellant’s house. Specialist EU stated SGT RK became
emotional and was crying. He then agreed that she was crying “a lot.”
The trial counsel then sought to ask SPC EU about the remainder of the
conversation. Specifically, the government asked SPC EU if SGT RK told him she
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had been raped. The defense objected on two grounds—the testimony was hearsay
and was beyond the scope of the direct examination.
The trial counsel explained to the military judge the defense “asked about the
conversation . . . . We are simply asking for clarification in the context of the
conversation.”
The military judge overruled appellant’s objection but without explanation.
Neither party further developed the record. Specialist EU then testified that the
morning after the alleged assault, SGT RK told him appellant raped her.
C. Analysis
On appeal, appellant claims the statements admitted by the government were
inadmissible hearsay. We find the military judge did not err in admitting the
statements because either they were an excited utterance 18 or because the defense
opened the door to putting the conversation in context.
At issue is whether the trial counsel may properly admit statements made by
SGT RK to SPC EU in order to more fully explain the context of the conversation.
The defense improperly introduced extrinsic evidence of prior inconsistent
statements that, as they were narrow questions, failed to provide context to SGT
RK’s conversation with SPC EU. The government then sought to introduce the
context of the conversation.
We have recognized at least four instances in which prior statements of a
witness are relevant to rehabilitate the witness’s credibility. They are:
(1) to place a purported inconsistent statement in context
to show that it was not really inconsistent with a witness’
trial testimony; (2) to support the denial of making an
inconsistent statement; (3) to refute the suggestion that the
witness’ memory is flawed due to the passage of time; and
(4) to refute an allegation of recent fabrication, improper
influence, or motive.
United States v. Adams, 63 M.J. 691, 696-97 (Army Ct. Crim. App. 2006) (internal
citations omitted).
18
Counsel on appeal do not address the excited utterance issue. The first questions
the trial counsel asked SPC EU were about SGT RK’s emotional state. She was
“emotional” and crying “a lot” and just left the scene of the assault for the first time.
Only after laying the foundation did the trial counsel begin eliciting hearsay.
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Here, the defense tried to portray the conversation between SPC EU and SGT
RK, made shortly after the alleged assault, as starkly inconsistent with SGT RK’s
trial testimony. This was not a fair description. Sergeant RK had tearfully told SPC
EU she had been groped on the couch, “raped” in the bedroom, and she awoke with
no pants on.
The trial counsel explained to the military judge the statements elicited by the
defense needed “context” to be understood. Neither party ever asked for a limiting
instruction.
As our superior court stated in United States v. Martin,
The invited error doctrine prevents a party from creating
error and then taking advantage of a situation of his own
making on appeal. As a result, invited error does not
provide a basis for relief. The question of whether trial
defense counsel invited an error at trial is a question of
law, which we review de novo.
75 M.J. 321, 325 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (internal citations and quotations omitted).
In United States v. Jumping Eagle, the Eighth Circuit addressed an issue
almost the same as here: “[I]t is fundamental that where a defendant ‘opens the
door’ or ‘invites error,’ there can be no reversible error.” 515 F.3d 794, 801 (8th
Cir. 2008) (internal citation omitted). “Accordingly, we have allowed the use of
otherwise inadmissible evidence, including hearsay statements, to clarify, rebut, or
complete an issue opened up by defense counsel on cross-examination.” Id. The
court summarized the issue as follows:
Jumping Eagle first brought up this conversation during
Mandy’s cross-examination, when he queried: “[J.J.] told
you that this had happened over 20 times to him, didn’t
he?” During redirect of Mandy, the government asked her
what J.J. had told her about the abuse. Jumping Eagle’s
inquiry of Mandy, opened the door, permitting further
evidence of the conversation between Mandy and J.J. As a
result, the district court did not commit reversible error by
admitting the testimony.
Id. Accordingly, even if not an excited utterance, we cannot find the military judge
erred in overruling the defense objection. “Otherwise, preventing the Government
from walking through the door already opened by the defense would have left the
members with a skewed view of the evidence.” Martin, 75 M.J. at 327; See United
States v. Banks, 36 M.J. 150, 162 (C.M.A. 1992) (noting that evidence “may be
admitted in rebuttal when a party ‘opens the door’ by introducing potentially
misleading testimony.”) (citation omitted); see also United States v. Segines, 17 F.3d
847, 856 (6th Cir. 1994) (allowing evidence on the same issue “to rebut any false
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impression that might have resulted from the earlier admission”) (citation and
internal quotation marks omitted).
Judge Cox addressed this same issue through a different lens in United States
v. McCaskey:
In my view, this is not a hearsay issue at all. The proper
basis for admission of the statements is that they were
relevant evidence -- made so by the defense -- and it was
necessary and proper for the factfinder to know their
content in order to understand the witness’ explanation of
the changes. The defense cannot be heard to complain
that it has a right to present an abbreviated or distorted
picture of the facts to the court.
30 M.J. 188, 194 (C.M.A. 1990) (Cox, J., concurring)
As we find no error, we do not answer the question of whether SPC EU’s
testimony would have been otherwise admissible as a prior consistent statement, or
whether the admission of the statement was harmless in the context of a trial in
which SGT RK’s several reports of being sexually assaulted were also admitted
through other witnesses. 19
VI. Factual Sufficiency
Appellant testified at this trial. If believed, appellant’s version of events
would result in a finding of not guilty. Consistent with our Article 66(c), UCMJ,
responsibilities we conducted a factual sufficiency review.
Article 66(c), UCMJ, provides that this court may “weigh the evidence, judge
the credibility of witnesses, and determine controverted questions of fact.” When
exercising this authority, this court does not give deference to the decisions of the
trial court (such as a finding of guilty). United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394,
399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (A court of criminal appeals gives “no deference to the
decision of the trial court” except for the “admonition . . . to take into account the
fact that the trial court saw and heard the witnesses.”).
19
During cross-examination of SGT RK, the defense counsel inferred she was
inflating her testimony at trial by pointing out that many of the facts had not been
included in her statement to CID. The thrust of the cross-examination was that she
elaborated (i.e. “recently fabricated”) her story since being interviewed by CID. See
Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1). Her statement to SPC EU was consistent with her trial
testimony and predated the statement to CID, although it also lacked the specificity
of her trial testimony.
17
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We note the degree to which we “recognize” or give deference to the trial
court’s ability to see and hear the witnesses will often depend on the degree to which
the credibility of the witness is at issue. United States v. Davis, 75 M.J. 537, 546
(Army Ct. Crim. App. 2015), aff’d on other grounds, 76 M.J. 224 (C.A.A.F. 2017).
Given this deference, we credit SGT RK’s version of events. See also United
States v. Crews, ARMY 20130766, 2016 CCA LEXIS 127, at *11-12 (Army Ct.
Crim. App. 29 Feb. 2016) (mem. op.) (“The deference given to the trial court’s
ability to see and hear the witnesses and evidence—or ‘recogni[tion]’ as phrased in
Article 66, UCMJ—reflects an appreciation that much is lost when the testimony of
live witnesses is converted into the plain text of a trial transcript.”). The evidence
here is factually sufficient to support the verdict.
VII. Can the Military Judge Require an Accused to Testify
to Raise a Mistake of Fact Defense?
We briefly discuss an issue raised by appellant in his R.C.M. 1105 submission
to the convening authority. Appellant claimed that the night prior to the alleged
assault, SGT RK kissed appellant. The defense filed a motion under Mil. R. Evid.
412 to admit the kiss as evidence of a reasonable mistake of fact as to consent.
[W]hether evidence is constitutionally required — so as to
meet the [Mil. R. Evid.] 412(b)(1)(C) exception to [Mil.
R. Evid.] 412’s general prohibition of sexual behavior or
predisposition evidence — demands the ordinary
contextual inquiry and balancing of countervailing
interests, e.g., probative value and the right to expose a
witness’s motivation in testifying versus the danger of
harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues, the
witness’ safety, or evidence that is repetitive or only
marginally relevant. This balance is bounded on the one
hand by the broad discretion of trial judges and
rulemakers’ broad latitude under the Constitution to
establish rules excluding evidence from criminal trials,
and on the other by the Constitution’s guarantee of a
meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense.
United States v. Gaddis, 70 M.J. 248, 252 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (internal citations and
quotations omitted).
Here, the defense wanted to ask SGT RK about the kiss on cross-examination.
Sergeant RK, however in a closed Article 39(a), UCMJ, session pursuant to Mil. R.
Evid. 412, denied the kiss happened. The military judge excluded evidence
regarding the kiss unless appellant testified.
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An accused is not required to testify to establish a mistake of fact defense.
United States v. Jones, 49 M.J. 85, 91 (C.A.A.F. 1999). However, to warrant an
instruction on the mistake of fact defense there must be “some evidence of an honest
and reasonable mistake to which the members could have attached credit if they had
so desired.” United States v. Hibbard, 58 M.J. 71, 75 (C.A.A.F. 2003).
In other words, there is no per se requirement an accused testify to establish a
mistake of fact defense, but evidence the accused honestly and reasonably believed
the victim had consented must come from somewhere. In many cases, the only
source of admissible evidence about the accused’s subjective belief the victim
consented may well be from the accused himself.
Here, only appellant and SGT RK could testify about the kiss—and SGT RK
flatly denied it. Therefore, SGT RK’s testimony would result in no evidence of a
kiss, let alone the accused was honestly or reasonably mistaken about SGT RK’s
consent because of a kiss. Having SGT RK testify there was no kiss would not be
some evidence of a kiss. See id. As SGT RK’s denial of a kiss would not be any
evidence, let alone “some evidence” of a defense, it was not constitutionally
required under Mil. R. Evid. 412. Put differently, appellant does not have a
constitutional right to admit evidence there was no kiss.
However, even assuming the military judge erred in restricting the cross-
examination of SGT RK, we cannot find prejudice to appellant. UCMJ art. 59(a).
Appellant took the stand and testified about the kiss. Accordingly, there was no
prejudice when appellant was prevented from asking SGT RK about a kiss.
VIII. Cross-examining the Accused on his Preparation for Testifying
While cross-examining appellant, trial counsel asked a series of questions
designed to elicit that appellant had been well-prepared to testify. Appellant was
asked several questions about having access to and reviewing the evidence in the
case, as well as his ability to speak to his attorneys before testifying.
United States v. Carpenter, 51 M.J. 393 (C.A.A.F. 1999), addressed a similar
issue on whether such questions were an inappropriate commentary on an accused’s
exercise of constitutional rights. Id. at 395-96. In Carpenter, the trial counsel
specifically argued the accused testified with the benefit of having first seen all the
government’s evidence. The CAAF stated:
This Court has not specifically ruled on the propriety of a
prosecution argument that an accused has had the
opportunity to shape his testimony by his presence
throughout the trial and opportunity to hear all the
witnesses. In Agard v. Portuondo, 117 F.3d 696, 709 ([2d
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Cir.] 1997), the Second Circuit held, in a split decision,
that such an argument violates the Sixth Amendment.
Id. at 396. Ultimately, our superior court did not address the issue of whether such
arguments are per se impermissible, as they decided that any error did not amount to
plain error.
Subsequent to the CAAF’s decision in Carpenter, however, the Supreme
Court had the opportunity to consider Agard v. Portuondo 529 U.S. 61 (2000), and
stated when an accused testifies last it is “quite impossible” for “the jury to evaluate
the credibility of the defendant’s testimony while blotting out from its mind the fact
that before giving the testimony the defendant had been sitting there listening to the
other witnesses.” Id. at 68. The Court concluded that:
A witness’s ability to hear prior testimony and to tailor his
account accordingly, and the threat that ability presents to
the integrity of the trial, are no different when it is the
defendant doing the listening. Allowing comment upon
the fact that a defendant’s presence in the courtroom
provides him a unique opportunity to tailor his testimony
is appropriate -- and indeed, given the inability to
sequester the defendant, sometimes essential -- to the
central function of the trial, which is to discover the truth.
Id. at 73. Given the Supreme Court’s ultimate resolution of the very case that gave
the CAAF pause in Carpenter, we see no error, let alone plain error, in the trial
counsel’s questions.
IX. Mandatory Sentences and Article 66(c), UCMJ
In his final assignment of error, appellant asks that we set aside the mandatory
sentence of a dishonorable discharge as being too severe. We conclude we lack the
authority to give appellant his requested relief.
Congress amended Article 56, UCMJ, in 2013 to read, in relevant part, as
follows:
While a person subject to this chapter who is found guilty
of [sexual assault] shall be punished as a general court-
martial may direct, such punishment must include, at a
minimum, dismissal or dishonorable discharge, except as
provided for in section 860 of this title (article 60) [10
U.S.C. § 860].
The article requires that “such punishment must include” a “dishonorable
discharge” in this case. The only exception to the mandatory minimum is a
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reference to the convening authority’s ability to reduce the sentence at initial action,
in two very limited circumstances. 20 There is no exception provided for a sentence
reduction as part of our Article 66(c), UCMJ, authority. 21
Additionally, Article 66(c), UCMJ, limits our authority to give relief in a case
with a mandatory punishment. “Article 66(c), UCMJ, empowers the CCAs to ‘do
justice,’ with reference to some legal standard, but does not grant the CCAs the
ability to ‘grant mercy.’” United States v. Nerad, 69 M.J. 138, 145 (C.A.A.F. 2010).
When a sentence is mandatory as a matter of law, there is no “legal standard” that
would allow us to set the sentence aside.
United States v. Curtis, 52 M.J. 166 (C.A.A.F. 1999), is the closest case we
could find on point. In that case, the CAAF set aside the appellant’s death sentence.
The court concluded the CCA could order a rehearing on sentence or reassess the
sentence and approve the mandatory life sentence. The court did not provide for the
CCA approving a sentence less than the mandatory sentence.
Appellant’s matters submitted pursuant to R.C.M. 1105 contain numerous
letters and other mitigating material. However, as we see ourselves as lacking the
authority to provide relief, we do not reach the question of whether appellant’s
sentence “should be approved” in the absence of an applicable mandatory minimum.
CONCLUSION
Upon consideration of the entire record, the findings of guilty and the
sentence are AFFIRMED.
Chief Judge RISCH, Senior Judge TOZZI, Senior Judge MULLIGAN, Judge
HERRING, and Judge FEBBO concur.
20
Under Article 60(c)(4)(B-C), UCMJ, the convening authority may set aside a
mandatory minimum when: 1) the prosecutor so recommends based on the accused’s
substantial assistance in another case; and 2) as part of a pretrial agreement it is
agreed that the dishonorable discharge will be reduced to a bad-conduct discharge.
21
The mandatory minimum punishment contained in Article 56, UCMJ, is unique.
The other mandatory punishments in the UCMJ are contained directly in their
respective punitive articles and refer to the mandatory punishment the court-martial
could direct. See UCMJ arts. 106 and 118. That is, by their own terms, the other
mandatory minimums are a limit on the court-martial, not the CCA. By contrast, the
language of Article 56(b), UCMJ, directs the “punishment” must include, in this
case, a dishonorable discharge. Thus appellant’s argument is weaker here than it
would be with respect to the mandatory minimum sentence for premeditated murder
contained in Article 118, UCMJ.
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Senior Judge CAMPANELLA, concurring in the judgment, joined by Judge
CELTNIEKS, Judge PENLAND, and Judge BURTON:
The majority reads the recent amendment to Article 56, UCMJ, too broadly,
and this reading results in construing the court’s Article 66, UCMJ, authority too
narrowly. While the ultimate judgment of not providing relief for sentence
appropriateness is sound in this case, the foundation upon which the majority
judgment is based is flawed.
In concluding this court has no power to examine the sentence appropriateness
of a trial court’s issuance of a mandatory dishonorable discharge, the majority
disregards three things. First, the majority disregards the language of the statute
mandating a dishonorable discharge; second, they ignore the purpose behind the
change in the statute; and finally they discount the precedents regarding the Article
66, UCMJ, authority of a service court of criminal appeal.
Article 66(c), UCMJ, provides this court “may affirm only such findings of
guilty and the sentence or such part or amount of the sentence, as it finds correct in
law and fact and determines, on the basis of the entire record, should be approved.”
(Emphasis added). The plain language of this provision effectively establishes a
three-pronged constraint on our authority to affirm. To affirm the findings and
sentence, we must be satisfied that the findings and sentence are: 1) “correct in
law,” and 2) “correct in fact.” However, even if these first two prongs are satisfied,
we “may affirm only so much of the findings and sentence as we determine, on the
basis of the entire record, should be approved.” United States v. Nerad, 67 M.J.
748, 751 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (emphasis added).
This power has been described as “an awesome, plenary, de novo power of
review” that we may use to substitute our judgment for that of the trial judge.
United States v. Cole, 31 M.J. 270, 272 (C.A.A.F. 1990). “A clearer carte blanche
to do justice would be difficult to express.” United States v. Claxton, 32 M.J. 159,
162 (C.M.A. 1991) (citations omitted) (emphasis added). “If the Court . . . in the
interest of justice, determines that a certain finding or sentence should not be
approved . . . the Court need not approve such finding or sentence.” Id. While cases
have addressed this power within the context of sentence appropriateness
determinations, the plain language of the statute, and the quoted decisions, make
clear this court’s power is not limited to that application. The majority opinion,
likely for the first time ever, finds there is now one area where our “carte blanche”
is no longer accepted.
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Prior to the recent amendments, the convening authority could reduce the
sentence of an accused as a matter of clemency. 22 Congress recently restricted the
convening authority's power. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2017, Pub. L. 114-328, § 5322 (2016) (Limited Authority to Act on Sentence in
Specified Post-Trial Circumstances). The new Article 60a, UCMJ, generally limits
the convening authority's clemency powers to minor offenses and punishments. Id.
Congress, however, neither explicitly nor implicitly, restricted our authority
under Article 66, UCMJ, to review a mandated sentence of dishonorable discharge
for sentence appropriateness and determine whether it “should be approved.”
Having thus reached the question the majority avoids, in this case a
dishonorable discharge is appropriate and therefore should be approved.
FOR THE COURT:
MALCOLM H.
MALCOLM H. SQUIRES,
SQUIRES, JR.
JR.
Clerk of Court
Clerk of Court
22
This power included the authority to set aside the mandatory minimum punishment
of life in prison required by Article 118, UCMJ. As the majority points out, the
mandatory minimum punishment in Article 118, UCMJ, is a limitation on the court-
martial’s sentencing authority, not a limitation on the convening authority or this
court.
23