United States v. Jones ( 2020 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 39543
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Kahlil J. JONES
Airman (E-2), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 11 June 2020
________________________
Military Judge: Mark F. Rosenow.
Approved sentence: Dishonorable discharge, confinement for 4 years,
forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and reduction to E-1. Sentence ad-
judged 5 May 2018 by GCM convened at Beale Air Force Base, Califor-
nia.
For Appellant: Lieutenant Colonel Anthony D. Ortiz, USAF; Major Ben-
jamin H. DeYoung, USAF; Tami L. Mitchell, Esquire; David P. Sheldon,
Esquire.
For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Kubler, USAF; Lieutenant
Colonel Brian C. Mason, USAF; Major Jessica L. Delaney, USAF; Mary
Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before J. JOHNSON, LEWIS, and POSCH, Appellate Military Judges.
Chief Judge J. JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the court, in which
Judge LEWIS and Judge POSCH joined.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 30.4.
________________________
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
J. JOHNSON, Chief Judge:
A general court-martial composed of officer members convicted Appellant,
contrary to his pleas, of one specification of willfully disobeying a superior com-
missioned officer and two specifications of sexual assault in violation of Articles
90 and 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. §§ 890, 920. 1,2
The court-martial sentenced Appellant to a dishonorable discharge, confine-
ment for four years, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and reduction to the
grade of E-1. The convening authority approved the dishonorable discharge,
confinement, and reduction; however, she disapproved the adjudged forfeitures
and waived mandatory forfeitures for a period of six months for the benefit of
Appellant’s dependent child.
Appellant raises 16 issues on appeal: (1) whether the court-martial lacked
subject matter jurisdiction over the sexual assault specifications; (2) whether
the evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the convictions; (3)
whether the military judge erred by failing to disclose a basis for the military
judge’s disqualification; (4) whether the military judge erred in instructing the
court members on the use of charged misconduct as evidence that Appellant
did not reasonably believe the alleged victims consented to sexual acts and
sexual contact pursuant to Mil. R. Evid. 404(b); (5) whether the military judge
erred by limiting cross-examination of one of the victims; (6) whether the mil-
itary judge erred by denying a defense motion to compel discovery of certain
information and evidence regarding one of the victims; (7) whether the military
judge erred by admitting certain out-of-court statements by the victims as prior
consistent statements pursuant to Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B); (8) whether the
military judge provided improper findings instructions; (9) whether assistant
trial counsel engaged in prosecutorial misconduct by interfering in the De-
fense’s pretrial interview with one of the victims; (10) whether the military
judge erred by allowing improper sentencing testimony from the victims’ moth-
ers; (11) whether the imposition of a mandatory dishonorable discharge for the
offense of sexual assault in violation of Article 120, UCMJ, was unconstitu-
tional; (12) whether the military judge erred by denying a defense motion to
suppress Appellant’s statements to a civilian police detective; (13) whether the
military judge erred by denying a defense challenge for cause against a court
1 All references in this opinion to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Rules
for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.), and Military Rules of Evidence are to the Manual for
Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.).
2The court-martial found Appellant not guilty of two specifications of abusive sexual
contact in violation of Article 120, UCMJ, and one specification of unlawful entry in
violation of Article 134, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 934.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
member; (14) whether the military judge erred in permitting the Government’s
expert witness to testify regarding “tonic immobility;” (15) whether Appellant
received ineffective assistance of counsel; and (16) whether Appellant is enti-
tled to relief for cumulative error. 3 In addition, although not raised by Appel-
lant, we consider whether he is entitled to relief for facially unreasonable ap-
pellate delay. With respect to issues (11), (12), (13), (15), and (16), we have
carefully considered Appellant’s contentions and find they do not require fur-
ther discussion or warrant relief. 4 See United States v. Matias, 25 M.J. 356,
361 (C.M.A. 1987). We find no error that materially prejudiced Appellant’s sub-
stantial rights, and we affirm the findings and sentence.
I. BACKGROUND
A. CO
Appellant was stationed and lived on Beale Air Force Base (AFB), Califor-
nia, when he met CO through a dating application known as “OkCupid” in late
2015. CO was 16 years old at the time and lived with her mother and stepfather
in a community approximately a one-hour drive from Beale AFB. She attended
school online and used OkCupid to “find friends.” CO misrepresented her age
in order to use OkCupid.
After being matched by OkCupid, Appellant and CO communicated for ap-
proximately a month and a half to two months over multiple platforms, includ-
ing text message, Internet, and live video calls. Appellant, who was 21 years
old at the time, knew how old CO was because she told him and they talked
about it. They shared an interest in video games, but talked about other topics
3 Appellant personally raises issues (12), (13), (14), and (15) pursuant to United States
v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1992). We have slightly reordered the issues Appel-
lant presents in his brief.
4 See R.C.M. 912(f)(4) (failure by challenging party to exercise peremptory challenge
against any member waives appellate review of denial of challenge for cause); United
States v. Datavs, 71 M.J. 420, 424 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citation omitted) (appellant seeking
to demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel must establish both deficient perfor-
mance and resulting prejudice); United States v. Chatfield, 67 M.J 432, 439 (C.A.A.F.
2009) (citation omitted) (statements that are the product of an essentially free and
unconstrained choice are not involuntary); United States v. Gray, 51 M.J. 1, 61
(C.A.A.F. 1999) (assertions of error without merit are not sufficient to invoke the doc-
trine of cumulative error); United States v. Yates, No. ACM 39444, 2019 CCA LEXIS
391, at *70–73 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 30 Sep. 2019) (unpub. op.), rev. denied, 2020 CAAF
LEXIS 124 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (mandatory dishonorable discharge for sexual assault con-
viction does not violate Fifth or Eighth Amendments).
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
as well. According to CO’s later testimony, Appellant sometimes made com-
ments of a sexual nature to her, but she “brushed them off” because she “wasn’t
really interested in talking about that kind of stuff.”
Appellant and CO made plans for Appellant to visit her at her apartment
on 29 January 2016 and to spend the night. Appellant was to sleep in CO’s
room while CO slept with her mother in her mother’s bedroom. This would be
the first time Appellant and CO met in person.
Appellant arrived on the evening of 29 January 2016 as planned. CO’s
mother and stepfather were also home; CO had misled her mother regarding
Appellant’s age. Initially, Appellant and CO played with the family dog and
ate pizza before moving to CO’s room to watch television. While they were
watching television, Appellant began pulling on CO’s pants, trying to touch her
breasts, and kissing her. However, CO was not interested in sexual activity,
and after a while Appellant gave up and went to sleep. CO departed the room
and slept in her mother’s bed, as planned.
When CO awoke in the morning, she sent Appellant a text message for him
to let her know when he was awake. When Appellant responded, CO went into
her room and sat on the bed, where Appellant was lying under the blankets.
Appellant and CO each used their phones for a while before Appellant stood
up, moved in front of CO, and pushed her back on the bed. Initially CO thought
Appellant intended to lie down next to her, but instead he pulled her pants and
underwear down. CO tried to pull them up. After some struggle, Appellant
pushed CO’s legs open and penetrated her vagina with his penis. CO testified
she asked him to stop, “first politely, then forcefully.” Appellant “acknowledged
that [she] was speaking by saying, ‘It’s okay,’ repeatedly throughout the entire
thing.” CO tried pushing on Appellant’s hips and stomach, but she was “not
strong enough.” CO then gave up because she “knew that [she] couldn’t strug-
gle anymore.” Eventually, Appellant removed his penis and ejaculated on CO’s
stomach. According to CO, Appellant then played video games in her room for
a “few hours” while she remained in the room. Then Appellant received a call
on his phone, told CO he had to return to the base, and departed.
CO testified that for the next two days it did not “register” that she had
been sexually assaulted, and she “just thought that [she] messed up.” During
that time CO sent Appellant messages asking him when he was going to re-
turn. She explained at trial that she reasoned at the time, “we are friends and
I am desperate for friends, so I should message him.” Appellant never returned.
Two days after the assault, CO told her life coach, TB, about what had hap-
pened, and he “helped” CO tell her mother. CO’s mother contacted the civilian
police. The police encouraged CO to confront Appellant about the sexual as-
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
sault through text messages. In a series of exchanged messages, Appellant ex-
pressed the belief that he would get in trouble if they continued a relationship.
Appellant asked CO if she “even like[d]” the sex, which led to the following
exchange:
CO: I didn’t really have a choice now did I?
CO: just wish it could have been on my terms. maybe next time
you will consider that.
Appellant: I’m sorry
Appellant: [two crying emojis]
CO: genuinely?
Appellant: Very. I overstepped your boundaries
Appellant: And it may have ruined our relationship
CO: you still haven’t answered my question, why did you keep
going when I asked you to stop and told you that you were hurt-
ing me?
Appellant: Why do you think someone would keep going in that
situation
CO: Um I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you!
Appellant: That person would probably think that it felt too good
and really couldn’t control themself
...
Appellant: It felt too good [CO]
Appellant: That’s why
Appellant: Happy?
Appellant then asked CO to delete the texts and to “drop this.”
CO underwent a forensic sexual assault nurse examination on 2 February
2016 which identified a bruise on CO’s breast and a possible minor genital in-
jury, which the nurse examiner opined was consistent with CO’s description of
the incident but indeterminate with respect to whether a sexual assault had
occurred. Forensic analysis by the United States Army Criminal Investigation
Laboratory (USACIL) identified Appellant’s DNA on CO’s bedsheet and cervi-
cal swab, as well as semen with Appellant’s DNA profile on the pants CO was
wearing the morning of the assault.
On 9 February 2016, Detective (Det) AC, a civilian police detective, called
Appellant to ask if he would agree to meet to talk about CO. Appellant agreed
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
and met Det AC the following day for a recorded interview at the police depart-
ment. When Det AC asked Appellant to explain what happened, Appellant de-
scribed going to CO’s apartment, spending the night, deciding the next morn-
ing that he did not want to be in a relationship with CO, and texting a friend
to call him as a pretext to leave the apartment. Appellant denied any sexual
intercourse or physical contact with CO. Det AC accused Appellant of lying. He
falsely told Appellant that the police already had evidence of Appellant’s DNA
on CO’s body and bedding, and that a physical examination of CO revealed
trauma indicative of forcible rape. Faced with these claims, Appellant repeat-
edly modified his version of events, first admitting to “kissing and cuddling” on
the night of 29 January 2016, and later admitting to consensual sexual inter-
course the following morning.
B. KE
KE was a female Airman stationed at Beale AFB when she met Appellant
through Tinder, a phone application for dating, in late May or early June 2017.
Within a couple of days, KE met Appellant in person and they initiated a sex-
ual relationship. On approximately three to five occasions, KE and Appellant
met, talked, ate food together, and engaged in sexual intercourse.
On 14 or 15 June 2017, KE invited Appellant to her dormitory room again.
However, KE was “exhausted” and told Appellant she just wanted to “cuddle”
and not to have sex. Appellant arrived shortly afterward. KE greeted him,
hugged him, and reminded him she did not want to have sex. Appellant agreed.
KE and Appellant then got in KE’s bed, with Appellant behind her in a “spoon-
ing” position with his arm around her stomach. KE was wearing sweatpants,
underwear, a t-shirt, and a bra. Appellant was wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
KE and Appellant talked for a period of time, and then KE began to fall asleep.
At trial, KE described what happened next:
I remember I was either almost fully asleep or just got into full
sleep when I felt my pants and underwear pulled down at the
same time. Um -- I was shocked. And then right as I felt him
insert his penis in, my eyes shot wide open. I didn’t realize fully
what was happening. I mumbled “stop” after a couple of thrusts.
He didn’t hear me so he said, “Huh?” And then I said “stop” a
little bit louder. And then he pulled out and pulled my pants up.
KE testified she was “shocked,” “paralyzed,” and “didn’t know what to do” when
Appellant pulled down her pants. She “didn’t expect it” because she “trusted
[Appellant] a little bit” and “felt safe” with him. On cross-examination, she
clarified that she had been asleep and was awakened when Appellant pulled
her clothing down.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
Appellant then asked KE if she wanted him to leave. KE replied that she
“didn’t care.” KE fell back asleep. KE testified that when she awoke, she be-
lieved Appellant had already left. Within a day or two, KE sent Appellant a
screenshot of Article 120, UCMJ, from the Manual for Courts-Martial, United
States. Appellant responded that he wanted to talk to KE in person. KE met
with Appellant in her room, where she asked him why this had happened. Ap-
pellant responded that he did not know, and that he had been “out of it.” When
KE told Appellant she felt the need to report it, Appellant asked her not to
because he was “young” and had his “life to live.”
Over the next several days Appellant continued to ask KE not to report the
incident. KE contacted her mother seeking advice. KE’s mother put her in con-
tact with a family friend who happened to be a senior noncommissioned officer
in the Air Force. Through the family friend, KE was put in contact with the
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) at Beale AFB. KE made a re-
stricted sexual assault report to the SARC on 21 June 2017. In September
2017, KE changed her report from restricted to unrestricted after she learned
of other allegations of sexual misconduct by Appellant.
Special Agent JW of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)
interviewed Appellant regarding KE’s report. After a rights advisement and
waiver, Appellant initially stated he had consensual sex with KE only once. 5
With regard to the alleged sexual assault, Appellant acknowledged there had
been a subsequent night where “things got weird.” Appellant described “cud-
dling” in KE’s room because “honestly, yeah, she was saying, like, she really
wasn’t like interested in hooking up . . . .” However, according to Appellant, KE
then took her shirt off and put Appellant’s hand on her chest, which made him
think she may have changed her mind. Appellant then “kiss[ed] her on her
neck or something and like, I think I tried to like slide her pants down and she
was like, I still don’t want to f*ck . . . .” Later in the interview, Appellant clar-
ified that he did “actually . . . pull her pants down.” However, he repeatedly
denied penetrating KE with his penis and told Special Agent JW he simply
went to sleep after KE pulled her pants back up.
C. Disobeying a Lawful Order
On 13 and 14 September 2017, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) MD, Appellant’s
squadron commander, issued Appellant oral and written orders that Appellant
was “prohibited from entering another female’s dorm room or having a female
5 When Special Agent JW challenged Appellant with KE’s statement that they had
consensual sex on multiple occasions, Appellant stated he only remembered one time,
but he was not sure and it was possible there were other occasions.
7
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
enter [his] dorm room.” Appellant signed a written acknowledgment of the or-
der on 15 September 2017.
A1C EO met Appellant at a party on 9 October 2017. After the party, A1C
EO communicated with Appellant by Snapchat and invited him to visit her
dormitory room on Beale AFB. In the early morning hours of 11 October 2017
Appellant arrived at A1C EO’s room, where they watched movies for approxi-
mately an hour before she asked him to leave.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Jurisdiction
We review questions of jurisdiction de novo. United States v. Hale, 78 M.J.
268, 270 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (citing EV v. United States, 75 M.J. 331, 333 (C.A.A.F.
2016)). Challenges of jurisdiction not raised at trial are not waived and may be
raised for the first time on appeal. See Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.)
907(b)(1); United States v. Reid, 46 M.J. 236, 240 (C.A.A.F. 1997).
The court-martial convicted Appellant of Specifications 2 and 3 of Charge
I, which alleged that Appellant committed sexual assault on CO and KE, re-
spectively, by causing bodily harm. As charged, in order to convict Appellant
of these offenses the court members were required to find beyond a reasonable
doubt: (1) that Appellant committed a sexual act upon the victim by causing
penetration, however slight, of the vulva, and (2) that Appellant did so by caus-
ing bodily harm to her, specifically, the penetration of the vulva by the penis
without consent. See Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.)
(MCM), pt. IV, ¶ 45.b.(3)(b). “Bodily harm” is defined as “any offensive touching
of another, however slight, including any nonconsensual sexual act or noncon-
sensual sexual contact.” See MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 45.a.(g)(3).
On appeal, Appellant contends the court-martial lacked jurisdiction over
Specifications 2 and 3 because he was convicted on a theory of sexual assault
other than sexual assault by bodily harm. He notes that in accordance with
R.C.M. 201(b)(3), a court-martial has jurisdiction only over charges that are
referred to it by a competent authority. Appellant argues that the court mem-
bers were presented with two theories of sexual assault that were not referred
for trial, specifically that he sexually assaulted CO and KE by placing them in
fear, and that he sexually assaulted KE by penetrating her when she was
asleep. See MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 45.a.(b)(1)(A), (b)(2). Appellant points to testimony
from CO and KE describing their feelings during the assaults, and to KE’s tes-
timony that she was asleep when she felt Appellant pull down her pants. He
further contends that the senior trial counsel “presented” these alternative the-
ories during the Government’s closing argument, and that the military judge
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
failed to adequately instruct the members to prevent confusion about the dif-
ferent theories. Therefore, Appellant concludes he may have been unlawfully
convicted based on theories of guilt that were never referred to trial.
We recently considered a similar argument in United States v. Plourde, No.
ACM 39478, 2019 CCA LEXIS 488 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 6 Dec. 2019) (unpub.
op.), rev. denied, 2020 CAAF LEXIS 106 (C.A.A.F. 2020). There, as in this case,
the appellant was charged with sexual assault by causing bodily harm; in
Plourde, the appellant contended on appeal he was improperly convicted on an
uncharged theory of constructive force, over which the court-martial lacked ju-
risdiction. Id. at *12–16. In Plourde, we found the jurisdictional argument to
be without merit; we reach the same conclusion in Appellant’s case. Id. at *16.
As in Plourde, Appellant misconstrues the relevant inquiry with respect to
jurisdiction. A general court-martial has jurisdiction to try persons subject to
the UCMJ for any offense punishable under the UCMJ. Article 18, UCMJ, 10
U.S.C. § 818; see United States v. Ali, 71 M.J. 256, 261–62 (C.A.A.F. 2012). The
specifications of sexual assault by bodily harm in violation of Article 120,
UCMJ, referred for trial by Appellant’s court-martial are unquestionably of-
fenses punishable under the UCMJ. Similarly, Appellant was on continuous
active duty in the Air Force throughout the time frames of the charged offenses,
and has offered no challenge at trial or on appeal to the court-martial’s juris-
diction over his person. Thus the court-martial had jurisdiction over Appellant
and over Specifications 2 and 3 of Charge I.
B. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
1. Law
We review issues of legal and factual sufficiency de novo. United States v.
Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted). Our assess-
ment of legal and factual sufficiency is limited to the evidence produced at trial.
United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993) (citations omitted).
The test for legal sufficiency of the evidence is “whether, considering the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a reasonable factfinder
could have found all the essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt.” United
States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 324 (C.M.A. 1987) (citation omitted); see also
United States v. Humpherys, 57 M.J. 83, 94 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted).
“[I]n resolving questions of legal sufficiency, we are bound to draw every rea-
sonable inference from the evidence of record in favor of the prosecution.”
United States v. Barner, 56 M.J. 131, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (citations omitted).
The test for factual sufficiency is “whether, after weighing the evidence in
the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed
the witnesses, [we are] convinced of the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt.” Turner, 25 M.J. at 325. “In conducting this unique appellate role, we
9
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
take ‘a fresh, impartial look at the evidence,’ applying ‘neither a presumption
of innocence nor a presumption of guilt’ to ‘make [our] own independent deter-
mination as to whether the evidence constitutes proof of each required element
beyond a reasonable doubt.’” United States v. Wheeler, 76 M.J. 564, 568 (A.F.
Ct. Crim. App. 2017) (alteration in original) (quoting Washington, 57 M.J. at
399), aff’d, 77 M.J. 289 (C.A.A.F. 2018).
2. Analysis
Appellant asserts his convictions for sexual assault against CO and KE are
both legally and factually insufficient. We consider each in turn. 6
a. CO
The Government introduced strong evidence to support Appellant’s convic-
tion for sexual assault against CO. CO testified that she never consented to
sexual intercourse with Appellant. The night before the assault, Appellant
kissed CO and tried to touch her breasts and pull on her pants when they were
alone in her room, but she did not want to have sex and Appellant eventually
gave up. In the morning, CO entered the room and sat on the bed. Without any
sexual conversation or foreplay, Appellant pushed CO down on the bed, which
confused her at first. When he pulled down her pants and underwear, she
struggled to pull them back up. CO testified she asked Appellant to stop and
struggled against him, but he disregarded her protests and she eventually gave
up because she was not strong enough.
Other evidence reinforced CO’s testimony. Forensic analysis identified Ap-
pellant’s DNA on CO’s bedsheet and cervical swab, and Appellant’s semen in
her pants. Appellant’s pretext text exchange with CO after the assault was
incriminating in several respects: he apologized and acknowledged he “over-
stepped her boundaries;” he did not dispute her assertion that she asked him
to stop and told him he was hurting her; he stated that he disregarded her
protests because “it felt too good;” and he repeatedly asked her to delete the
text messages. Furthermore, Appellant lied repeatedly during his interview
with Det AC to the effect that he did not touch CO and, more specifically, did
not have sexual intercourse with her, before he eventually stated they had con-
sensual sexual intercourse.
Appellant contends CO consented when Appellant penetrated her, and sug-
gests that her subsequent account is colored by her immaturity, disappoint-
ment, and anger at how Appellant behaved after they had sex. He suggests
6On appeal, Appellant does not challenge the legal and factual sufficiency of his con-
viction for disobeying a superior commissioned officer in violation of Article 90, UCMJ.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
CO’s life coach TB influenced her after-the-fact perception of the incident as
Appellant “raping” her due to California’s statutory rape criminal statute. 7 He
further suggests CO’s family received certain financial assistance due to CO’s
status as an alleged sexual assault victim. Additionally, Appellant argues that
because the Government charged him with “penetrating [CO’s] vulva with his
penis without her consent,” it was required to prove the absence of consent at
the moment of penetration. If CO initially consented to sexual intercourse but
subsequently withdrew her consent after penetration, he argues, Appellant
could not be found guilty of the offense as charged.
Although this court has not previously had occasion to decide the issue, we
doubt Appellant’s assertion that a person cannot effectively withdraw consent
to sexual intercourse after penetration has occurred. See United States v.
Rouse, 78 M.J. 793, 786 (A. Ct. Crim. App. 2019), pet. denied, 79 M.J. 254
(C.A.A.F. 2019) (“A majority of the jurisdictions we have surveyed agree that
consent to a sexual act may be withdrawn at any time, including after the sex-
ual act has begun.”) However, we need not decide the issue now, because the
evidence demonstrates CO did not consent to the initial penetration either, and
Appellant knew or should reasonably have known she did not consent. We are
not persuaded that any of Appellant’s arguments materially diminish CO’s tes-
timony that he disregarded her protests and efforts to keep her clothes on. CO’s
testimony was well supported by Appellant’s text message admissions and
demonstrations of consciousness of guilt.
b. KE
Similarly, the Government introduced ample evidence to support Appel-
lant’s conviction for sexual assault against KE. KE testified that she repeat-
edly told Appellant she did not want to engage in sexual intercourse on the
night of the assault. She also clearly testified that he penetrated her vagina
with his penis. Notably, at Appellant’s AFOSI interview he told Special Agent
JW that KE did tell him at least twice that she did not want to have sex. In
7 Appellant notes that under California law, due to their respective ages, it was a crime
for Appellant to engage in sexual intercourse regardless of whether CO consented. At
trial, the military judge instructed the court members that he took judicial notice that
under the California Penal Code, “[s]exual intercourse accomplished with a person who
is not the spouse of the perpetrator, if the person is under the age of 18 years old and
the perpetrator is at least 18 years old, constitutes the crime of unlawful sexual inter-
course.” See Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, Cal. Penal Code § 261.5(a).
However, under the UCMJ, a member may lawfully engage in sexual intercourse with
a consenting 16-year-old. See generally 10 U.S.C. §§ 920, 920b.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
fact, Appellant’s version of the incident largely matches KE’s testimony, to in-
clude pulling down her pants, except for his self-serving claim that she put his
hand on her chest and his denial that he penetrated her.
We also note the absence of a credible motive for KE to falsely allege sexual
assault against Appellant. KE testified that the two had a consensual sexual
relationship; it was Appellant who attempted to minimize the extent of their
prior consensual encounters during his AFOSI interview. KE challenged Ap-
pellant the day after the assault by texting him a screenshot of Article 120 of
the UCMJ. She also informed her mother and a family friend shortly after the
incident. Although, at Appellant’s urging, KE initially declined to report the
assault, she eventually made a restricted report at a time when she was una-
ware of any other allegations against Appellant. It was only after she learned
of another allegation that she changed her report to unrestricted.
On cross-examination before the members, KE did admit she had lied un-
der oath in an earlier hearing in Appellant’s case when she denied having had
a sexual relationship with another individual. On redirect examination, KE
stated she did so because she believed acknowledging the sexual relationship
“would have made [her] look like [she] was a whore.” Certainly, having lied
under oath in order to protect her reputation does not enhance KE’s credibility.
Nevertheless, despite this admission, the court members who saw and heard
KE testify found her account of the sexual assault credible. So do we. In con-
trast to her relationship with the other individual, KE was forthright about
her consensual sexual relationship with Appellant. As described above, Appel-
lant’s own account of the incident matches KE’s account in many respects, and
we find it difficult to discern a credible motive for KE to have falsified her al-
legation.
Drawing “every reasonable inference from the evidence of record in favor of
the prosecution,” the evidence was legally sufficient to support Appellant’s con-
victions for sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt. Barner, 56 M.J. at 134
(citations omitted). Moreover, having weighed the evidence in the record of
trial and having made allowances for not having personally observed the wit-
nesses as the court members did, we are convinced of Appellant’s guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt. See Turner, 25 M.J. at 325. Appellant’s conviction of Spec-
ifications 2 and 3 of Charge I is therefore legally and factually sufficient.
C. Military Judge Disqualification
1. Additional Background
As reflected in his official Air Force biography, the military judge served as
a senior trial counsel for the four years preceding his assignment as a military
judge. For the two years immediately preceding his assignment as a military
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
judge, he also served as Chief of Policy and Coordination of the Special Victims
Unit (SVU) within the Air Force Legal Operations Agency (AFLOA).
Appellant was arraigned on 17 January 2018. On the record prior to Appel-
lant’s arraignment, the military judge stated that he was not aware of any
grounds for challenge against him; that he did not have any concerns about his
impartiality, fairness, or ability to serve as the military judge in Appellant’s
trial; and that he did not believe a member of the public could reasonably chal-
lenge his impartiality and fairness. He did note that he had served as the de-
tailed military judge in “a prior proceeding” involving Appellant, of which the
parties were aware. 8 When the military judge asked whether either party de-
sired to question or challenge him, counsel for both sides declined.
After motions hearings on 22–23 January 2018, Appellant’s court-martial
reconvened on 23 April 2018. At the outset of that session, after re-advising
Appellant of his rights to counsel, the military judge extensively described an
R.C.M. 802 conference he conducted with the parties on the morning of 23 April
2018 before the court convened. At the conference, the military judge had dis-
closed that he was aware that a comment he had made during his time as a
senior trial counsel with regard to an unrelated case had become the subject of
an appeal at this court. 9 Neither party expressed a desire to question or chal-
lenge him with regard to that matter during the R.C.M. 802 conference. The
military judge then reiterated that he was not aware of any matter that might
be a ground for challenge against him. He again asked whether either party
desired to question or challenge him, and counsel for both parties again de-
clined. At no point during Appellant’s trial did the Defense challenge the mili-
tary judge or request that he recuse himself.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s decision not to recuse himself for an abuse of
discretion. See United States v. Sullivan, 74 M.J. 448, 454 (C.A.A.F. 2015). “A
military judge abuses his discretion when: (1) the findings of fact upon which
8 Originally, only a single charge and specification alleging Appellant committed sex-
ual assault against CO were referred for trial. After some motions hearings, that
charge and specification were withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice, terminat-
ing that proceeding.
9 The military judge also related that he had no direct involvement in any actions or
decisions by members of the Government Trial and Appellate Counsel Division—the
parent organization for Air Force senior trial counsel—described in this court’s opin-
ions in United States v. Vargas, No. ACM 38991, 2018 CCA LEXIS 137 (A.F. Ct. Crim.
App. 15 A.K. Marsh. 2018) (unpub. op.), rev. denied, 78 M.J. 51 (C.A.A.F. 2018), and United
States v. Bowser, 73 M.J. 889 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2014), aff’d, 74 M.J. 326 (C.A.A.F.
2015).
13
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
he predicates his ruling are not supported by the evidence of record; (2) if in-
correct legal principles were used; or (3) if his application of the correct legal
principles to the facts is clearly unreasonable.” United States v. Ellis, 68 M.J.
341, 344 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citing United States v. Mackie, 66 M.J. 198, 199
(C.A.A.F. 2008)). “The abuse of discretion standard is a strict one, calling for
more than a mere difference of opinion. The challenged action must be ‘arbi-
trary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable,’ or ‘clearly erroneous.’” United States v.
McElhaney, 54 M.J. 120, 130 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting United States v. Miller,
46 M.J. 63, 65 (C.A.A.F. 1997); United States v. Travers, 25 M.J. 61, 62 (C.M.A.
1987)).
“An accused has a constitutional right to an impartial judge.” United States
v. Wright, 52 M.J. 136, 140 (C.A.A.F. 1999) (citations omitted). R.C.M. 902 gov-
erns disqualification of the military judge. R.C.M. 902(b) sets forth five specific
circumstances in which a “military judge shall disqualify himself or herself.”
In addition, R.C.M. 902(a) requires disqualification “in any proceeding in
which th[e] military judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” Dis-
qualification pursuant to R.C.M. 902(a) is determined by applying an objective
standard of “whether a reasonable person knowing all the circumstances would
conclude that the military judge’s impartiality might reasonably be ques-
tioned.” Sullivan, 74 M.J. at 453 (citing United States v. Hasan, 71 M.J. 416,
418 (C.A.A.F. 2012)).
“There is a strong presumption that a judge is impartial, and a party seek-
ing to demonstrate bias must overcome a high hurdle . . . .” United States v.
Quintanilla, 56 M.J. 37, 44 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (citation omitted). A military judge
“should not leave [a] case ‘unnecessarily.’” Sullivan, 74 M.J. at 454 (quoting
R.C.M. 902(d)(1) Discussion). “Of course, ‘[a] . . . judge has as much obligation
not to . . . [disqualify] himself when there is no reason to do so as he does to
. . . [disqualify] himself when the converse is true.’” United States v. Kincheloe,
14 M.J. 40, 50 n.14 (C.M.A. 1982) (alterations in original) (citations omitted).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant faults the military judge for failing to disclose his
prior assignment as Chief of Policy and Coordination for the AFLOA SVU. Ap-
pellant contends that in that role, the military judge had provided “significant”
support for the Government and for alleged victims of sexual assault. He
helped develop strategies for the investigation of allegations of sexual assault
and child sexual abuse, and testified twice on behalf of the Air Force before the
congressional Joint Proceedings Panel (JPP) regarding Article 120, UCMJ. Ap-
pellant further contends the military judge made several “questionable” rul-
ings during his trial in favor of the Government and one of the alleged victims,
CO, in particular. Appellant concludes that at a minimum, a member of the
14
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
public with full knowledge of the military judge’s assignment history, testi-
mony before the JPP, and rulings during Appellant’s trial could reasonably
question his impartiality and fairness. Appellant contends the military judge
was required to disclose this prior role, and had he done so, the Defense would
have moved to recuse the military judge. We disagree.
First, we are not persuaded the Defense was unaware of the military
judge’s prior role as Chief of Policy and Coordination for the AFLOA SVU. Both
of Appellant’s trial defense counsel were active duty Air Force judge advocates,
and the military judge’s official biography would have been readily available
to them. Notably, Appellant neither offers nor points to any indication his
counsel were unaware of the military judge’s assignment history, or that they
would have moved for recusal had the military judge specifically addressed his
prior position on the record.
Second, the military judge did specifically address several other potential
bases for concern regarding his impartiality. Moreover, he provided the parties
ample opportunity to question or challenge him regarding these or any other
matters. We believe a member of the public would have taken note of the mil-
itary judge’s effort to thoroughly identify and vet any such concerns, and of the
parties’ apparent satisfaction with his fairness and impartiality.
Third, as we discuss below, we find the military judge did not abuse his
discretion with respect to the rulings Appellant now challenges on appeal. We
are not persuaded his rulings suggest any inappropriate bias in favor of the
Government or the alleged victims, or against Appellant.
Fourth, we have considered the military judge’s experience as a senior trial
counsel, as well as his comments to the JPP to which Appellant refers us. We
further note the military judge had also served as a defense counsel for two
years. We perceive no basis to conclude he brought any inappropriate bias in
favor of the Government or alleged victims of sexual assault to his role as a
military judge, or that a fully-informed member of the public might question
his impartiality. The military judge’s record implies he diligently and appro-
priately performed the roles to which he was assigned.
For the foregoing reasons, we find the military judge did not abuse his dis-
cretion by failing either to specifically identify his prior role as Chief of Policy
and Coordination for the SVU, or to recuse himself sua sponte.
D. Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)
1. Additional Background
Appellant was charged with a total of four specifications of violating Article
120, UCMJ. Specifications 2 and 3 of Charge I alleged sexual assault by caus-
15
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
ing bodily harm against CO and KE, respectively; Specifications 1 and 4 al-
leged Appellant committed abusive sexual contact against two other victims,
AC and KF, in unrelated incidents by touching AC’s vagina and breast and
kissing her mouth and touching KF’s breast and buttocks and kissing her neck,
without their consent. Both AC and KF testified at trial and described the al-
leged abusive sexual contact. The court members found Appellant not guilty of
Specifications 1 and 4 of Charge I.
Before trial, the Government provided notice to the Defense of its intent to
use “[t]he Article 120 offenses and their facts and circumstances, to prove in-
tent, motive and lack of mistake for the other Article 120 offenses,” pursuant
to Mil. R. Evid. 404(b). In response, the Defense submitted a motion in limine
to request the military judge to prevent “the Government from arguing the
charged offenses bolster each other” as improper character and propensity ev-
idence. The Government responded that the evidence of each charged Article
120, UCMJ, offense was proper evidence of Appellant’s motive, intent, and ab-
sence of a mistake of fact as to the alleged victims’ consent. The military judge
received argument on the motion and issued a written ruling denying the de-
fense request for a preliminary order “preclud[ing] as a matter of law any pos-
sibility of the use of evidence admissible to prove one charged offense for pur-
poses contemplated within [Mil. R. Evid.] 404(b)(2).” However, the military
judge stated he would consider any timely requests for reconsideration as the
case developed.
The military judge readdressed Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) when he discussed his
proposed findings instructions with counsel. He noted the Defense had previ-
ously objected to the Government’s intended use of Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) evi-
dence, and stated his belief that the issue was preserved for review on appeal.
Relying in part on this court’s decision in United States v. Lightsey, No. ACM
38851 (rem), 2018 CCA LEXIS 220, at *6 n.2 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 30 Apr. 2018)
(unpub. op.), the military judge then concluded that Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) per-
mitted evidence of one charged Article 120, UCMJ, offense to be used as evi-
dence of another charged Article 120, UCMJ, offense, if the evidence was rele-
vant to the other offense for a purpose other than character or propensity to
engage in criminal conduct.
The military judge instructed the members, inter alia, as follows: (1) the
burden was on the Prosecution to prove each and every element of each offense
beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) proof of one offense carries with it no inference
that Appellant was guilty of any other offense; (3) there was “some evidence”
presented on Charge I and its specifications which also may be considered for
a limited purpose “among the separate sexual offenses;” (4) evidence support-
ing each allegation in Charge I and its specifications may be considered for its
tendency, if any, to rebut a defense based on an incorrect belief that Appellant
16
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
might have held that any alleged victim consented to the alleged sexual con-
duct; (5) such evidence could be considered only for whether Appellant had a
reasonable mistake of fact as to consent; and (6) the evidence may not be con-
sidered for any other purpose, including whether Appellant had general crim-
inal tendencies and was therefore more likely to have committed the charged
offenses.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s ruling pursuant to Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) for an
abuse of discretion. United States v. Hyppolite, 79 M.J. 161, 164 (C.A.A.F. 2019)
(citation omitted).
Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) provides that evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act
by a person is generally not admissible as evidence of the person’s character in
order to show the person acted in conformity with that character on a particu-
lar occasion. However, such evidence may be admissible for another purpose,
including, inter alia, proving intent or absence of mistake. Mil. R. Evid.
404(b)(2). We apply a three-part test to review the admissibility of evidence
under Mil. R. Evid. 404(b):
1. Does the evidence reasonably support a finding by the court
members that [the] appellant committed prior crimes, wrongs or
acts?
2. What “fact . . . of consequence” is made “more” or “less proba-
ble” by the existence of this evidence?
3. Is the “probative value . . . substantially outweighed by the
danger of unfair prejudice”?
United States v. Staton, 69 M.J. 228, 230 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (alterations in origi-
nal) (quoting United States v. Reynolds, 29 M.J. 105, 109 (C.M.A. 1989)).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion by permitting
the Government to use, and instructing the court members that they could
consider, evidence of each of the charged violations of Article 120, UCMJ, as
evidence of the other charged violations of Article 120. Appellant relies sub-
stantially on the reasoning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed
Forces (CAAF) in United States v. Hills, 75 M.J. 350 (C.A.A.F. 2016).
In Hills, the CAAF narrowed the scope of Mil. R. Evid. 413, which generally
provides: “In a court-martial proceeding for a sexual offense, the military judge
may admit evidence that the accused committed any other sexual offense. Such
evidence may be considered on any matter to which it is relevant,” including to
prove the accused has a propensity to commit sexual assault. Mil. R. Evid.
17
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
413(a); see United States v. James, 63 M.J. 217, 220 (C.A.A.F. 2006). Mil. R.
Evid. 413 thus provides an exception to the general prohibition in Mil. R. Evid.
404(b)(1) on using evidence of other crimes or wrongful acts to demonstrate
propensity. Hyppolite, 79 M.J. at 165 n.4. However, in Hills the CAAF held
that evidence of the accused’s commission of a sexual assault may not be used
in this way if that alleged sexual assault is charged in the same court-martial
and the accused has pleaded not guilty to it. 75 M.J. at 356; see also United
States v. Guardado, 77 M.J. 90 (C.A.A.F. 2017); United States v. Hukill, 76
M.J. 219 (C.A.A.F. 2017).
Citing Hills, Appellant contends that Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2), like Mil. R.
Evid. 413, is a rule of admissibility and not a rule of use. He notes Mil. R. Evid.
404(b)(2) provides that evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts “may be ad-
missible for another purpose” besides character and propensity. Because evi-
dence of charged misconduct is already relevant and admissible, he reasons
the structure of Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) suggests it was not intended to apply to
evidence of charged offenses. See Hills, 75 M.J. at 355 (“Charged misconduct is
already admissible at trial under [Mil. R. Evid.] 401 and 402, and it is not sub-
ject to exclusion under [Mil. R. Evid.] 404(b).”). Therefore, he contends applying
Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) to evidence of charged misconduct is an abuse of discre-
tion per se. Appellant further argues that applying Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) to
charged misconduct implicates some of the same fundamental concerns the
CAAF identified in Hills, such as finding the accused committed one charged
offense by a preponderance of the evidence to then prove he committed a dif-
ferent charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt—a proposition he finds “an-
tithetical to the presumption of innocence.” See Hills, 75 M.J. at 357.
However, Appellant’s position is undermined by the CAAF’s subsequent
decision in Hyppolite. There, the CAAF held the trial judges did not abuse their
discretion in permitting the Government under Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) to use evi-
dence the accused committed three charged Article 120, UCMJ, offenses as ev-
idence he had a common plan and intent to commit two other charged Article
120 offenses. Hyppolite, 79 M.J. at 167. The CAAF held that the familiar three-
part test for Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) evidence articulated in Reynolds provided
the correct framework for analysis. Id. at 164 (citing Reynolds, 29 M.J. at 109).
The majority opinion in Hyppolite referred to Hills and Hukill only in passing
in a footnote, finding them inapposite because the trial judges in Hyppolite did
not rely on Mil. R. Evid. 413 and “refused to consider the evidence admitted for
the purpose of showing propensity.” Id. at 165 n.4.
Reading Hills and Hyppolite together, then, we can see where the CAAF
has drawn the essential distinction in the law, notwithstanding Appellant’s
arguments and concerns. Proof of an accused’s guilt of one offense may not be
used as evidence of a character or propensity to commit such offenses, in order
18
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
to prove his guilt of another charged offense. In other words, the Government
may not argue that if the factfinder believes the accused committed one
charged offense, they can infer from his guilt alone that he is also more likely
to be guilty of another charged offense. However, the Government may use ev-
idence the accused committed one charged offense as evidence with respect to
another charged offense if it is relevant to prove a material fact other than
character or propensity—provided that the notice requirements of Mil. R. Evid.
404(b)(2) and the Reynolds test are satisfied.
Accordingly, the next step in our analysis is to consider the application of
the three-part test for Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) evidence from Reynolds, 29 M.J.
at 109, to the evidence in Appellant’s case. Having denied the Defense’s Hills-
oriented objection, the military judge did not formally address his analysis of
the Reynolds criteria before providing the Mil. R. Evid. 404(a) instructions de-
scribed above. We note the third prong of the Reynolds test incorporates the
balancing test of Mil. R. Evid. 403, see Reynolds, 29 M.J. at 109; accordingly,
we afford less deference to the military judge’s ruling on this point. See United
States v. Barnett, 63 M.J. 388, 394–96 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (trial judge ruling on
admission of Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) evidence afforded less deference on appeal
where balancing inquiry is not conducted on the record).
Nevertheless, we conclude the military judge did not abuse his discretion
under Reynolds. First, the testimony of the several alleged victims and other
evidence adduced by the Government would support a finding by the court
members that Appellant committed the alleged acts. Second, this evidence was
relevant to the non-propensity purposes identified by the military judge—evi-
dence of Appellant’s pattern of disregarding manifestations of non-consent in
multiple situations has some tendency to demonstrate he did not reasonably
believe subsequent alleged victims consented to his actions. Third, the military
judge did not abuse his discretion in concluding that, with proper instructions,
the probative value of this evidence was not substantially outweighed by the
danger of unfair prejudice. The military judge provided clear and appropriate
instructions that each element of each offense required proof beyond reasona-
ble doubt, that the members were not allowed to infer guilt of an offense based
on proof of guilt of another offense, and that the Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) instruction
did not permit a finding that Appellant had a “bad character” or general crim-
inal tendencies. Court members are presumed to follow the military judge’s
instructions absent evidence to the contrary. United States v. Taylor, 53 M.J.
195, 198 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (citations omitted). In this case, the members’ mixed
findings on the charged Article 120, UCMJ, offenses, although hardly conclu-
sive, provide some indication that they appreciated the requirement that each
charged offense stand on its own. But see Guardado, 77 M.J. at 94 (“It simply
does not follow that because an individual was acquitted of a specification that
evidence of that specification was not used as improper propensity evidence
19
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
and therefore had no effect on the verdict.”). Moreover, we note senior trial
counsel’s argument made proper use of the military judge’s instruction and did
not invite the members to misuse the evidence to find propensity.
Accordingly, we find the military judge did not abuse his discretion by per-
mitting the Government to use, and instructing the court members that they
could consider, evidence of each of the charged violations of Article 120, UCMJ,
with regard to the absence of Appellant’s reasonable mistake of fact as to con-
sent.
E. Cross-Examination of CO
1. Additional Background
On cross-examination, senior defense counsel asked CO whether she
scratched or punched Appellant during the assault, or thought about “hurting
him.” CO responded that she was “not a violent person by nature.” On further
questioning, CO acknowledged she had at least two “very violent outbursts in
the past.” Senior defense counsel then asked CO whether she had “injured peo-
ple,” at which point the Government objected and the military judge sustained
the objection on cumulativeness under Mil. R. Evid. 403. When senior defense
counsel continued to ask about CO’s violent outbursts, senior trial counsel re-
quested a hearing without the court members pursuant to Article 39(a), UCMJ,
10 U.S.C. § 839(a).
After hearing argument from counsel, the military judge agreed to allow
the Defense to clarify whether, when CO acted violently in the past, it had been
in response to feeling threatened, and to clarify that CO had previously testi-
fied that she had reacted violently less than ten times in her life. However, the
military judge did not permit the Defense to question CO about any injuries
she may have caused. He explained the question about injuries was “truly a
distraction” and not “necessary,” and it did not survive the balancing test com-
paring probative value with countervailing concerns under Mil. R. Evid. 403.
When CO’s testimony resumed before the court members, she confirmed
she had previously testified she had fewer than ten violent outbursts, and that
some of those outbursts were in response to feeling threatened.
2. Law
“We review a military judge’s decision to exclude or admit impeachment
evidence for abuse of discretion.” United States v. Langhorne, 77 M.J. 547, 555
(A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2017) (citing United States v. Bins, 43 M.J. 79, 83
(C.A.A.F. 1995)).
Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(1) provides that “[e]vidence of a crime, wrong, or act is
not admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that on a partic-
ular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character.”
20
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
Evidence that is relevant, material, and otherwise admissible may be ex-
cluded “if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of . . .
unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the members, undue delay,
wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence.” Mil. R. Evid. 403.
Where a military judge conducts a proper balancing test under Mil. R. Evid.
403, an appellate court will not overturn the ruling absent a clear abuse of
discretion. United States v. Manns, 54 M.J. 164, 166 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (citation
omitted).
“An accused has a constitutional right ‘to be confronted by the witnesses
against him.’” United States v. Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. 314, 318 (C.A.A.F. 2011)
(quoting U.S. CONST. amend. VI). “That right necessarily includes the right to
cross-examine those witnesses.” Id. (citing Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 315
(1974)) (additional citation omitted). However, an accused is not simply al-
lowed “cross-examination that is effective in whatever way, and to whatever
extent, the defense might wish.” Delaware v. Fensterer, 474 U.S. 15, 20 (1985)
(per curiam). “[T]rial judges retain wide latitude . . . to impose reasonable lim-
its on such cross-examination based on concerns about, among other things . .
. confusion of the issues . . . or interrogation that is repetitive or only margin-
ally relevant.” United States v. Gaddis, 70 M.J. 248, 256 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (quot-
ing Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 679 (1986)) (additional citations omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge erred by preventing trial defense
counsel from cross-examining CO as to whether she had ever injured anyone.
He contends CO’s testimony that she was not a violent person “opened the
door” to the question of whether she reacted to violence with violence, and per-
mitted the Defense to introduce “extrinsic evidence” of “violent reactions to es-
tablish that the lack of physical violence toward Appellant during their sexual
encounter tended to show it was consensual.”
We find the military judge did not abuse his discretion. As an initial matter,
the military judge’s ruling was not a question of “extrinsic evidence;” rather, it
was a limitation on the scope of Appellant’s opportunity to confront CO through
cross-examination. See Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. at 318. Therefore, the parties’ cita-
tions to Langhorne, 77 M.J. at 555–56, and United States v. Mote, No. ACM
39462, 2019 CCA LEXIS 372, at *39–43 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 13 Sep. 2019)
(unpub. op.), rev. denied, 2020 CAAF LEXIS 10 (C.A.A.F. 2020)—cases in
which extrinsic impeachment evidence was at issue—are not apt.
The military judge permitted the Defense to challenge CO’s suggestion that
she did not violently resist Appellant because she was not a violent person by
nature with questions establishing that she had, in fact, had “very violent out-
bursts” in the past. The military judge further permitted the Defense to elicit
21
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
that CO had reacted violently in situations where she felt threatened and to
quantify an estimate of the maximum number of times such outbursts had oc-
curred. He properly concluded that such information was relevant and mate-
rial, and its probative value was not substantially outweighed by the danger of
countervailing concerns. See Mil. R. Evid. 401, 402, 403. These questions per-
mitted Appellant to challenge and counteract CO’s testimony regarding her
opinion of her own character, without devolving into the specifics of extraneous
situations or lurid details of unrelated violent incidents.
In contrast, questions about resulting injuries would have substantially in-
creased the risks of distraction to the court members. Moreover, such evidence
had already been robbed of its materiality by the permitted testimony that CO
had, in fact, reacted violently in the past in situations in which she felt threat-
ened. To the extent such testimony would have been relevant to undermine
CO’s opinion regarding her non-violence, that purpose had already been
achieved by CO’s responses to the permitted cross-examination, and therefore
it would have been substantially cumulative and a waste of time as well.
Although it was not a model of clarity, the military judge articulated his
Mil. R. Evid. 403 balancing on the record, and therefore we afford his ruling
greater deference. For the foregoing reasons, we find he did not clearly abuse
his discretion.
F. Discovery
1. Additional Background
Before trial, the Defense moved to compel production of several types of
evidence related to CO, including: (1) CO’s school records; (2) CO’s medical rec-
ords; (3) CO’s mental health records; and (4) records related to support CO and
her family received by virtue of CO’s status as an alleged victim of sexual as-
sault. After conducting a hearing, at which the Defense refined its request in
certain respects, the military judge granted the motion in part and denied it in
part. The military judge granted the defense request with respect to CO’s his-
tory of drug prescriptions for six months before and six months after the date
of the sexual assault, and allowed the release of records generated by CO’s life
coach, TB, on or about 2 February 2016, the date CO disclosed the sexual as-
sault to him. The military judge noted the defense request for other medical
records was essentially mooted when at the hearing the Defense accepted the
Government’s representation that CO did not receive any follow-on medical
care as a result of the assault. The military judge denied the defense motion
with respect to CO’s school records, additional prescription records, and mental
health records other than those created by TB on or about 2 February 2016.
22
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
During sentencing proceedings, the Defense sought reconsideration of the
military judge’s ruling following the testimony of KD, CO’s mother, with re-
spect to additional mental health records created by TB. Senior defense counsel
contended KD’s testimony regarding how the sexual assault affected CO put
in issue CO’s condition prior to the offense. The military judge reconsidered his
prior ruling and again denied the motion.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s ruling on a production request for an abuse of
discretion. United States v. Stellato, 74 M.J. 473, 480 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (citations
omitted).
“[T]he suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused
upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt
or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.”
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963). The United States Supreme Court
has extended Brady, clarifying “that the duty to disclose such evidence is ap-
plicable even though there has been no request by the accused . . . and that the
duty encompasses impeachment evidence as well as exculpatory evidence.”
Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 280 (1999); see United States v. Claxton, 76
M.J. 356, 359 (C.A.A.F. 2017).
“A military accused also has the right to obtain favorable evidence under
[Article 46, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 846] . . . as implemented by R.C.M. 701–703.”
United States v. Coleman, 72 M.J. 184, 186–87 (C.A.A.F. 2013). Article 46 and
these implementing rules provide a military accused statutory discovery rights
greater than those afforded by the Constitution. See id. at 187; United States
v. Roberts, 59 M.J. 323, 327 (C.A.A.F. 2004). Each party is entitled to the pro-
duction of evidence which is relevant and necessary. R.C.M. 703(f)(1); United
States v. Rodriguez, 60 M.J. 239, 246 (C.A.A.F. 2004). Evidence is relevant if
“it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be
without the evidence” and “is of consequence in determining the action.” Mil.
R. Evid. 401. “Relevant evidence is ‘necessary when it is not cumulative and
when it would contribute to a party’s presentation of the case in some positive
way on a matter in issue.’” Rodriguez, 60 M.J. at 246 (quoting R.C.M. 703(f)(1)
Discussion). R.C.M. 703(f)(3) provides that “any defense request for the pro-
duction of evidence . . . shall include a description of each item sufficient to
show its relevance and necessity.”
Mil. R. Evid. 513(a) provides:
A patient has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any
other person from disclosing a confidential communication made
between the patient and a psychotherapist or an assistant to a
psychotherapist, in a case arising under the [UCMJ], if such
23
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
communication was made for the purpose of facilitating diagno-
sis or treatment of the patient’s mental or emotional condition.
The privilege is subject to a number of specific exceptions. Mil. R. Evid. 513(d).
Before ordering the production or admission of a patient’s records or com-
munications under Mil. R. Evid. 513, the military judge must conduct a closed
hearing at which the patient is provided a reasonable opportunity to attend
and be heard. Mil. R. Evid. 513(e)(2). Prior to conducting an in camera review
of Mil. R. Evid. 513 evidence, “the military judge must find by a preponderance
of the evidence that the moving party showed,” inter alia, “a specific factual
basis demonstrating a reasonable likelihood that the records or communica-
tions would yield evidence admissible under an exception to the privilege.” Mil.
R. Evid. 513(e)(3)(A).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant challenges the military judge’s denial of the Defense’s
motion with respect to several types of records. We address each in turn.
a. School Records
The military judge denied the defense request for CO’s school records from
the seventh grade on as “wholly unsupported” and insufficient to demonstrate
their relevance and necessity as required by R.C.M. 703(f)(3). He explained in
his written ruling:
Apart from a general reference to the potential for these materi-
als to develop evidence useful for the reasons outlined by the de-
fense [to indicate CO’s disciplinary problems, academic perfor-
mance, bullying, or school-related injuries], there has been no
demonstration that these materials are relevant in total or not
cumulative with other information already discovered where
there may be some slight relevance. Moreover, there is no indi-
cation that the information regarding bullying or disciplinary
actions—if it exists in some record available through compulsory
process—would contribute to the defense’s presentation of its
case in some positive way.
On appeal, Appellant contends the military judge should have compelled
discovery of CO’s school records to enable the Defense to “test the veracity” of
CO’s and KD’s claims that CO changed schools repeatedly due to being bullied,
rather than due to CO’s disciplinary problems. Appellant argues CO “opened
the door” to such evidence during her testimony on cross-examination that she
was “not a violent person by nature.”
24
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
We find the military judge properly concluded the Defense did not meet its
burden to demonstrate the relevance and necessity of these records. See Rodri-
guez, 60 M.J. at 246 (burden of persuasion on motion to compel discovery is on
moving party) (citing R.C.M. 905(c)(2)(A), 906(b)(7)). The Defense made no
showing as to what information these records would contain; rather, it specu-
lated that the records might contain information helpful to the Defense. More-
over, CO’s school records were entirely collateral to the charged sexual assault.
Furthermore, the Defense did not request reconsideration of its production mo-
tion after it elicited, on cross-examination, CO’s testimony that she was not a
violent person. We find no abuse of discretion by the military judge.
b. Transition to Independence Program (TIP) Records
At the time of the sexual assault, CO was being schooled from home with
support from the Placer County Transition to Independence Program (TIP).
TIP augmented her education with counseling on various subjects, including
her “life coach” sessions with TB. On appeal, Appellant contends the military
judge erred by failing to compel production of TIP records, beyond those cre-
ated by TB on or about the date CO reported the offense. Appellant avers there
might have been evidence of a “violent outburst” by CO during a TIP-sponsored
event.
Similar to his resolution of the defense request to produce school records,
the military judge denied this request for failure to demonstrate relevance and
necessity in accordance with R.C.M. 703(f)(3). We also reach a similar conclu-
sion. The military judge applied the correct law, and his conclusion was not
“clearly erroneous.” See McElhaney, 54 M.J. at 130 (citation omitted).
c. Records Generated by TB
Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion by failing to
order production of records generated by TB—beyond those created on or about
2 February 2016—because he erroneously applied Mil. R. Evid. 513 to such
records, despite the fact that TB was not a mental health counselor for TB. He
contends TB was acting as a “life coach” to TB rather than a therapist, and
cites CO’s and KD’s beliefs that TB was not functioning as a CO’s mental
health counselor. We find Appellant’s argument unpersuasive, for two reasons.
First, in the military judge’s findings of fact in his written ruling on the
motion to compel, which we do not find to be clearly erroneous, he found TB
was a “professional clinical counselor intern,” licensed by the State of Califor-
nia as such, with degrees in psychology and mental health counseling, who
provided services for TIP under the direction of a licensed clinical social
worker. His responsibilities in working with CO for TIP included “assessing
and diagnosing minors for mental disorders, case management, developing
25
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
treatment plans, facilitating workshops and therapy groups as well as provid-
ing collateral and rehabilitative counseling for his clients in meeting treatment
goals.” The psychotherapist-patient privilege applies to “a confidential commu-
nication made between the patient and a psychotherapist or an assistant to
the psychotherapist . . . if such communication was made for the purpose of
facilitating diagnosis or treatment of the patient’s mental or emotional condi-
tion.” Mil. R. Evid. 513(a). For purposes of Mil. R. Evid. 513, a “psychothera-
pist” includes, inter alia, a “clinical social worker” or “other mental health pro-
fessional” who is licensed by a state; an “assistant to a psychotherapist” in-
cludes “a person directed by or assigned to assist a psychotherapist in provid-
ing professional services.” Mil. R. Evid. 513(b)(2), (3). Given the facts found by
the military judge, his conclusion that Mil. R. Evid. 513 would apply to profes-
sional communications between CO and TB was not clearly erroneous. See
McElhaney, 54 M.J. at 130 (citation omitted). Use of the term “life coach” in
connection with TB’s counseling of CO did not vitiate the substance of his role
as a licensed mental health professional supporting CO’s mental and emotional
well-being.
Second, even if we assume for purposes of argument that Mil. R. Evid. 513
did not apply to TB’s communications with CO, the military judge reasonably
found the Defense’s motion failed on an even more fundamental level to estab-
lish relevance and necessity for records as required by R.C.M. 703(f)(3)—be-
yond the records related to CO’s report that Appellant had sexually assaulted
her, which were produced. As in the other cases, Appellant essentially specu-
lates that the requested records might have contained some noncumulative in-
formation that may have contributed to the Defense’s case in some way. Ac-
cordingly, the military judge did not abuse his discretion in denying production
of records unrelated to the sexual assault report.
d. Emergency Room Records
Appellant contends the military judge erred by failing to order production
of hospital records regarding a purported emergency room visit by CO related
to a mental health concern. The record of trial is ambiguous at best as to
whether the Defense maintained such a request before or during trial. Regard-
less, as with the other record requests analyzed here, the Defense failed to
demonstrate the relevance or necessity of such records as required by R.C.M.
703(f)(3). A good faith belief that CO may have been depressed at a particular
point in the past, for reasons unrelated to Appellant and before the sexual as-
sault took place, without more, is not a sufficient showing.
e. “Stand Up Placer” Records
26
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
Appellant notes the Defense sought records from the “Stand Up Placer” 10
program reflecting benefits CO and her mother received based on CO’s status
as an alleged sexual assault victim. Appellant contends information regarding
the number of counseling sessions CO received at “Stand Up Placer’s” expense
would not include confidential information, and would not fall under the Mil.
R. Evid. 513 privilege. Regardless, the military judge noted the Government
had agreed to provide certain “Stand Up Placer” material to the Defense, and
he advised the parties he considered the request to compel these records “with-
drawn unless additional information is submitted.” The Defense did not raise
the issue again at trial; accordingly, we find no error. 11
G. Prior Consistent Statements
1. Additional Background
a. CO
During cross-examination, senior defense counsel questioned CO about the
materials she had reviewed prior to her testimony, including CO’s statement
to the civilian police, her police interview, and notes taken by the first police
officer to respond to the report of sexual assault. In addition, senior defense
counsel elicited that CO received housing assistance, clothing, and unspecified
“other services” based on her status as an alleged victim of sexual assault.
The Government subsequently called Det AC, the civilian police detective
who investigated the sexual assault of CO. On redirect examination, trial coun-
sel attempted to have Det AC testify to CO’s statements to him during an in-
terview on 12 February 2016. Trial defense counsel objected to hearsay; trial
counsel explained that Det AC would testify to a prior consistent statement by
CO. The military judge instructed trial counsel:
I’m going to ask you to be fairly leading on this then, not in giv-
ing him the response, but in targeting that particular statement
you’re trying to adduce that is consistent with the testimony that
was given by [CO] yesterday. So ask a fair bit of orienting ques-
tions before you call for the response so that I can confirm that
would fall under [Mil. R. Evid.] 801(d)(1)([B]).
10 CO resided in Placer County, California.
11Trial defense counsel’s failure to reassert its motion to compel the “Stand Up Placer”
records forms part of the basis for Appellant’s assertion, pursuant to Grostefon, 12 M.J.
at 431, that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, which we found to be without
merit.
27
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
The military judge then sustained the hearsay objection “at this point.”
Trial counsel then asked approximately 40 short, mostly leading questions
which Det AC answered with brief, affirmative replies. Trial counsel thereby
elicited numerous statements CO made to Det AC regarding the events sur-
rounding the sexual assault. Trial defense counsel maintained an objection
only once during this litany, 12 on the basis of hearsay, which the military judge
sustained.
b. KE
On cross-examination, senior defense counsel questioned KE about her de-
cision to change her report that Appellant had sexually assaulted her from a
restricted report to an unrestricted report. Senior defense counsel elicited that
KE made this decision after her victim advocate called her for a meeting in
September 2017 and informed her that other alleged victims had reported sex-
ual assaults by Appellant. Senior defense counsel also suggested that the vic-
tim advocate “encouraged” KE to make an unrestricted report; KE denied that,
and said it was KE’s own choice to do so, although she acknowledged the victim
advocate had “stated on the phone that she was going to see if [KE] would like
to go unrestricted.”
The Government subsequently called AE, KE’s mother, to testify. AE testi-
fied that she received a “notable” phone call from KE in June 2017. Assistant
trial counsel then asked AE, “What did [KE] tell you over this phone call?”
Senior defense counsel objected to hearsay. In response, assistant trial counsel
cited Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B). The military judge overruled the objection “in-
sofar as it falls under [Mil. R. Evid.] 801(d)(1)([B]).” The military judge contin-
ued, a “narrative is probably unlikely to all fall within [Mil. R. Evid.]
801(d)(1)([B]) so I’d ask you to target your questions a little bit more . . . .
[B]reak it up a little bit more than asking for a narrative. That’s the condition
of me overruling defense’s objection.”
Without further defense objection, AE then provided the following narra-
tive account of what KE told her about the sexual assault:
[KE] said that she had been raped by another Airman and that
they were hanging out in her room. She said that she had told
him she did not want to have sex that night. They were cool to
hang out and everything. He attempted to get intimate, she had
told him no. He waited until she fell asleep and she woke up
feeling him push inside of her. She said that she had asked him
what he was doing. He asked her if she wanted him to stop and
12Trial defense counsel made and then withdrew two other objections, one on the basis
of hearsay and one on the basis of speculation.
28
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
she said yes. She said she did or he did stop. She fell back asleep.
In the morning he was still there, she told him to leave and he
had asked her to please not report it because he was only 22.
Senior defense counsel did object to hearsay again when AE continued to
describe what KE had said Appellant said about why he did not want KE to
report the incident. Assistant trial counsel cited Mil. R. Evid. 803(3). At that
point the military judge held an Article 39(a), UCMJ, hearing without the
members to explore the proposed testimony. During the hearing, the military
judge asked assistant trial counsel for clarification, under Mil. R. Evid.
801(d)(1)(B), as to what “express or implied improper influence or motive to
fabricate” the Government sought to rebut with AE’s testimony about the
phone call. Assistant trial counsel cited KE’s September 2017 meeting with the
victim advocate, and argued the Defense implied the victim advocate convinced
KE that she was a victim. The military judge found the June 2017 phone con-
versation did constitute a prior consistent statement and overruled the De-
fense’s hearsay objection.
c. Instruction
The military judge included the following in his instructions to the court
members on findings:
You have heard evidence that [CO and KE] made statements
prior to trial that may be consistent with their testimony at this
trial. If you believe that such consistent statements were made,
you may consider them for their tendency, if any, to rebut an
express or implied charge that the witness recently fabricated
the statement, acted from a recent improper influence or motive
in so testifying, and to rehabilitate their credibility as a witness.
You may also consider the prior consistent statements as evi-
dence of the truth of the matters expressed therein.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s decision to admit evidence for an abuse of dis-
cretion. United States v. Finch, 79 M.J. 389, 394 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (citing United
States v. Frost, 79 M.J. 104, 109 (C.A.A.F. 2019)) (additional citation omitted).
“A military judge abuses his discretion when his findings of fact are clearly
erroneous, the court’s decision is influenced by an erroneous view of the law,
or the military judge’s decision on the issue at hand is outside the range of
choices reasonably arising from the applicable facts and the law.” United States
v. Kelly, 72 M.J. 237, 242 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (citation omitted). The failure to
make a timely objection to evidence at trial forfeits that error in the absence of
plain error. Mil. R. Evid. 103(a)(1)(A); United States v. Knapp, 73 M.J. 33, 36
(C.A.A.F. 2014) (citation omitted). To prevail under a plain error analysis, an
29
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
appellant must show: “(1) there was an error; (2) it was plain or obvious; and
(3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial right.” United States v. Erick-
son, 65 M.J. 221, 223 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations omitted). The burden of proof
under a plain error review is on the appellant. See United States v. Sewell, 76
M.J. 14, 18 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (citation omitted).
Hearsay is generally inadmissible unless an exception applies. Mil. R. Evid.
802. However, Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B) provides that a statement is not hear-
say if it “is consistent with the declarant’s testimony and is offered: (i) to rebut
an express or implied charge that the declarant recently fabricated it or acted
from a recent improper influence or motive in so testifying; or (ii) to rehabili-
tate the declarant’s credibility as a witness when attacked on another ground.”
The CAAF has identified three criteria for out-of-court statements to be
admissible as a non-hearsay prior consistent statement under Mil. R. Evid.
801(d)(1)(B)(i): “(1) the declarant of the statement must testify and must be
subject to cross-examination about the prior statement; (2) the statement must
be consistent with the declarant’s testimony; and (3) the statement must be
offered ‘to rebut an express or implied charge that the declarant recently fab-
ricated it or acted from a recent improper influence or motive in testifying.’”
Frost, 79 M.J. at 109–10 (quoting [Mil. R. Evid.] 801(d)(1)(B)(i)). In addition,
“the prior statement . . . must precede any motive to fabricate or improper in-
fluence that it is offered to rebut,” and “where multiple motives to fabricate or
multiple improper influences are asserted, the statement need not precede all
such motives or inferences, but only the one it is offered to rebut.” Id. at 110
(citations omitted).
3. Analysis
a. CO
Appellant argues CO’s statements to Det AC on 12 February 2016 do not
qualify as prior consistent statements under Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B). He con-
tends the statement did not precede the improper influences or motivations
that caused her to report the sexual assault on 2 February 2016. He further
contends her statements to Det AC were not consistent with her trial testimony
in certain respects. In addition, he notes the military judge did not conduct an
analysis on the record of whether Det AC’s testimony qualified as a prior con-
sistent statement, and therefore this court should afford the decision to permit
the testimony less deference.
We do not find these arguments persuasive. First, to qualify as non-hearsay
under Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B)(i), a prior consistent statement need not pre-
cede every alleged improper motive or influence on the witness’s trial testi-
mony. So long as it precedes one of several alleged improper motives or influ-
ences, it is admissible to rebut that allegation. Frost, 79 M.J. at 110 (citations
30
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
omitted). Because such a statement is not hearsay, once admissible under Mil.
R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B), it may also be considered on any matter for which it may
be relevant. Senior defense counsel’s cross-examination of CO suggested that
at least two improper influences after the 12 February 2016 interview that
might have affected CO’s trial testimony: that CO had reviewed materials from
the investigators’ files to prepare for her testimony, including police notes; and
that CO and her family had received benefits based on her status as an alleged
victim of sexual assault.
Second, Det AC’s testimony regarding CO’s statements on 16 February
2016 was “generally consistent” with CO’s testimony in court, and Appellant
has not identified any materially inconsistent aspects. See Finch, 79 M.J. at
398. Appellant cites Det AC’s testimony that CO told him she “already had a
boyfriend” as inconsistent with other statements attributed to CO that she had
broken up with her boyfriend; however, CO did not testify that she had broken
up with a boyfriend at the time of the sexual assault. Similarly, Appellant’s
contention that CO’s statement to Det AC that she told Appellant to stop before
he penetrated her is inconsistent with the testimony of a different civilian po-
lice officer that CO told Appellant to stop after he penetrated her is inapt, be-
cause the relevant issue is consistency with CO’s own testimony at trial.
Moreover, Appellant’s position on appeal suffers from a more fundamental
weakness. At trial, the Defense did not object to the vast majority of the testi-
mony that he now challenges on appeal. On the two occasions senior defense
counsel maintained hearsay objections, the military judge sustained the objec-
tions. Because the Defense forfeited its objections to the other questions, we
review for plain error—that is, error that should have been “plain” or “obvious”
to the military judge. Erickson, 65 M.J. at 223 (citations omitted). The military
judge is not required to make strategic or tactical decisions on behalf of a party,
who may elect not to challenge arguably excludable hearsay testimony for var-
ious reasons. In this case, the military judge may have perceived multiple po-
tential reasons why the Defense elected not to object to the majority of Det AC’s
testimony. For example, the Defense may have perceived the testimony was in
fact admissible under Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B), provided trial counsel articu-
lated an appropriate rationale; the Defense may have intended to make use of
perceived inconsistencies between what CO told Det AC and other evidence
introduced at trial, as Appellant has attempted to do on appeal; or the Defense
may have desired not to appear obstructionistic or as if they had something to
fear from Det AC’s testimony by objecting in front of the court members. There
may be times when a military judge has an obligation to intercede sua sponte
in order to protect an accused’s substantial rights and ensure a fair proceeding.
See United States v. Cox, 42 M.J. 647, 652 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 1995), aff’d, 45
M.J. 153 (C.A.A.F. 1996) (citing United States v. Toro, 37 M.J. 313, 316 (C.M.A.
1993)) (“If there is a defense strategy to allow the evidence, and admission does
31
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
not affect a substantial right of the appellant, then there is no plain error.”).
However, this was not such a case, and we find the military judge did not
plainly err by declining to intervene in Det AC’s testimony sua sponte.
b. KE
The military judge overruled the Defense’s initial hearsay objection to AE’s
testimony regarding the June 2017 phone call from KE. Although the Defense
did not object when, contrary to the military judge’s instructions, AE provided
a narrative description of the content of the call, we will assume for purposes
of argument that the Defense’s initial objection that was overruled was suffi-
cient to preserve the objection on appeal. Accordingly, we review the ruling for
an abuse of discretion, and we find none.
Applying the criteria set forth in Frost, 79 M.J. at 110 (citation omitted),
we note KE testified and was subject to cross-examination regarding this prior
statement. Furthermore, we find the statement was offered to rebut the ex-
press or implied charge that KE’s testimony was influenced by the information
about Appellant that she learned from the victim advocate approximately
three months later, in September 2017. Appellant’s contention that the mili-
tary judge erred rests on his assertion that KE’s statements to AE were actu-
ally inconsistent with her trial testimony in several respects. However, the dis-
crepancies Appellant identifies are minor and do not affect the general con-
sistency of the prior statement. See Finch, 79 M.J. at 398. Whether KE told
Appellant to leave her room immediately after the assault or in the morning
when he was still there, and whether KE told her mother that she woke up
when Appellant penetrated her or a moment earlier when he pulled down her
clothing, are details that do not vitiate the substantial consistency of the state-
ment as a whole.
c. Instruction
Because the military judge properly admitted prior consistent statements
pursuant to Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B), his instruction to the court members as
to how to use that information was appropriate. Appellant argues the military
judge erred by failing to specify the portions of the prior statements that were
actually inconsistent, and therefore were not admissible at substantive evi-
dence. We are not persuaded.
“[A] military judge has wide discretion in choosing the instructions to give,”
so long as he provides an “accurate, complete, and intelligible statement of the
law.” United States v. Behenna, 71 M.J. 228, 232 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citations
omitted). Here, the military judge provided an accurate, complete, and intelli-
gible instruction. He did not prescribe any conclusion that a particular state-
ment was or was not consistent with the witnesses’ testimony, but appropri-
ately left it to the members to draw their own conclusions. We find no error.
32
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
H. Findings Instructions
1. Additional Background
The Defense objected to the inclusion of the instruction, “A person cannot
consent while under threat or fear” within the definition of “consent” in rela-
tion to the elements of the charged Article 120, UCMJ, offenses. Trial defense
counsel argued that “the evidence didn’t raise the concern of a threat or fear in
any of the four specifications [under Article 120, UCMJ],” and in conjunction
with expert testimony the Government introduced regarding “tonic immobil-
ity,” the instruction had “the potential to confuse or mislead the members.”
Relevant to this appeal, the military judge overruled the objection with re-
gard to Specification 2 (involving CO) and Specification 3 (involving KE). He
found the issue of threat or fear was raised by the evidence on these specifica-
tions. Additionally, he explained: “[T]his instruction is . . . making it clear to
the finder of fact that a freely given agreement cannot be the product of threat
or fear. It’s another way of stating what is clearly unobjectionable, in the sense
that it comes from the statutory language, as well as the Manual.”
Accordingly, the military judge provided the following instructions with re-
spect to the elements of Specifications 2 and 3, alleging sexual assault by bodily
harm without consent on CO and KE:
“Consent” means a freely given agreement to the conduct at is-
sue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent
through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of ver-
bal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the use of
force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not
constitute consent. A current or previous dating or social or sex-
ual relationship by itself or the manner of dress of the person
involved with the accused in the conduct at issue shall not con-
stitute consent. A person cannot consent while under threat or
fear. Lack of consent may be inferred based on the circum-
stances. All the surrounding circumstances are to be considered
in determining whether a person gave consent, or whether a per-
son did not resist or ceased to resist only because of another per-
son’s actions.
(Emphasis added.)
2. Law
Whether the military judge correctly instructed the court members is a
question of law we review de novo. United States v. Payne, 73 M.J. 19, 22
(C.A.A.F. 2014) (citation omitted).
33
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
“[A] military judge has wide discretion in choosing the instructions to give
but has a duty to provide an accurate, complete, and intelligible statement of
the law.” Behenna, 71 M.J. at 232 (citations omitted). “[T]he military judge . . .
is required to tailor the instructions to the particular facts and issues in a case.”
United States v. Baker, 57 M.J. 330, 333 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citations omitted).
3. Analysis
Echoing his jurisdictional argument we addressed above, Appellant argues
that because the Government chose to prosecute him for sexually assaulting
CO and KE only on a theory of bodily harm, the military judge was “required
to remove all references” to other potential theories of culpability, including
“lack of resistance, use of force, threat of force, and fear.” Therefore, Appellant
asserts, the military judge erred by including the italicized portions of the in-
struction quoted above, referencing resistance, submission, threats, and fear.
We disagree. 13
In order to convict Appellant of sexual assault against CO and KE, the Gov-
ernment was required to prove, inter alia, that Appellant penetrated their vul-
vas with his penis without consent. See MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 45.b.(3)(b). Therefore,
consent was obviously at issue. The language of the instruction the military
judge provided is taken directly from the statutory definition of “consent.” See
10 U.S.C. § 920(g)(8). No doubt, a military judge should tailor instructions to
the evidence in a particular case, but that is what the military judge did. He
provided instructions regarding threats and fear because the evidence raised
the possibility that Appellant’s conduct made the alleged victims feel threat-
ened or afraid.
“All the surrounding circumstances are to be considered in determining
whether a person gave consent . . . .” 10 U.S.C. § 920(g)(8)(C). Those circum-
stances may include whether the alleged victim was threatened or afraid, as
well as whether she was asleep or unconscious at the time of the alleged as-
sault, or other factors. The fact that such evidence might also have supported
other, uncharged theories of sexual assault does not make an instruction inap-
propriate where such evidence is also relevant to the charged theory of absence
13 We note the record indicates trial defense counsel objected only to the words, “A
person cannot consent while under threat or fear.” Trial defense counsel’s subsequent
statement that the Defense did not object to the other instructions of which Appellant
now complains waives the objection on appeal. See United States v. Davis, 79 M.J. 329,
331 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (trial defense counsel’s affirmative declination to object to instruc-
tions or offer additional instructions waives objection on appeal). Recognizing our au-
thority to pierce waiver in order to correct a legal error, we do not distinguish between
the various portions of the instruction in our analysis. See United States v. Hardy, 77
M.J. 438, 443 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (citations omitted).
34
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
of consent. Ultimately, we can be certain the court members convicted Appel-
lant of Specifications 2 and 3 of Charge I on the charged theory of bodily harm
by lack of consent because those were the elements on which the military judge
instructed them. See Taylor, 53 M.J. at 198 (citations omitted) (court members
are presumed to follow instructions absent evidence to the contrary).
I. Prosecutorial Misconduct
1. Additional Background
Senior defense counsel cross-examined CO about a telephonic interview the
Defense conducted with her in June 2017. One of the assistant trial counsel,
Captain (Capt) WC, listened to the interview by telephone. Senior defense
counsel asked CO whether Capt WC had interrupted the interview multiple
times and advised CO not to answer certain questions. This drew an objection
from the Government, and senior defense counsel asked to be heard in an Ar-
ticle 39(a), UCMJ, hearing outside the presence of the court members.
During the hearing, senior defense counsel began to explain: “I think it is
probative that their -- her willingness to cooperate with defense, her willing-
ness to cooperate with prosecutors and insofar as prosecutors encouraged her
not to speak with us, I am not . . . .” At that point, the military judge inter-
rupted and expressed considerable concern that the Defense appeared to be
raising the issue of prosecutorial misconduct and discovery violations. The mil-
itary judge asked senior defense counsel: “Are you asking for any relief in terms
of your pretrial discovery or do you have any complaint of prosecutorial mis-
conduct?” Senior defense counsel responded, “No sir.” Over the course of the
lengthy hearing, the military judge clarified with senior defense counsel that
the purpose of this line of questioning was essentially to suggest CO was biased
in favor of the Government, not to allege government misconduct. With respect
to discovery, senior defense counsel told the military judge that the Defense
had “a lot of opportunity” to talk to CO across various hearing and interviews,
that “access” had been “good,” and the Defense “got what [it] needed.” He reit-
erated that the Defense was “not alleging any sort of ethical, prosecutorial mis-
conduct at all.”
Ultimately, the military judge sustained the Government’s objection in
part. When the court members returned, the military judge instructed them to
disregard any reference to “interruptions by a trial counsel or any recommen-
dation as to how [CO] might answer a question or not answer a question.”
When the cross-examination resumed, CO testified she had spoken to the pros-
ecutors more often than to the Defense, and that she had refused to answer
multiple questions from defense counsel and at least one question from the
prosecutors. Senior defense counsel did not revisit Capt WC’s role in the June
2017 interview.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
2. Law
“Prosecutorial misconduct can be generally defined as action or inaction by
a prosecutor in violation of some legal norm or standard, e.g., a constitutional
provision, a statute, a Manual [for Courts-Martial] rule, or an applicable pro-
fessional ethics canon.” United States v. Hornback, 73 M.J. 155, 160 (C.A.A.F.
2014) (quoting United States v. Meek, 44 M.J. 1, 5 (C.A.A.F. 1996)) (quotation
marks omitted). Where the defense properly objects at trial, we review alleged
prosecutorial misconduct for prejudicial error. Id. at 159 (citation omitted).
Whether an appellant has waived an issue is a question of law we review
de novo. United States v. Davis, 79 M.J. 329, 331 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (citing United
States v. Haynes, 79 M.J. 17, 19 (C.A.A.F. 2019)). Waiver is the intentional
relinquishment of a known right. Id. (quoting United States v. Gladue, 67 M.J.
311, 313 (C.A.A.F. 2009)) (additional citations omitted). “Whether a particular
right is waivable; whether the defendant must participate personally in the
waiver; whether certain procedures are required for waiver; and whether the
defendant’s choice must be particularly informed or voluntary, all depend on
the right at stake.” United States v. Ahern, 76 M.J. 194, 197 (C.A.A.F. 2017)
(quoting United States v. Girouard, 70 M.J. 5, 10 (C.A.A.F. 2011)) (internal
quotation marks and additional citation omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant now asserts on appeal that Capt WC unlawfully interfered with
the Defense’s access to CO. See generally Stellato, 74 M.J. at 481–84 (Govern-
ment must allow defense equal access to witnesses and evidence and may not
unreasonably impede access) (quoting 10 U.S.C. § 846; R.C.M. 701(e)). He fur-
ther asserts the military judge failed to provide an adequate remedy for this
violation, and also erred by instructing the court members to disregard refer-
ences to Capt WC’s interruption.
However, in response to an extended and very specific inquiry by the mili-
tary judge, senior defense counsel repeatedly disavowed any claim of prosecu-
torial misconduct or discovery violation with respect to the June 2017 inter-
view. We find the Defense thereby affirmatively relinquished the right to seek
a remedy for any alleged impropriety on Capt WC’s part, and thereby waived
appellate review of the matter. See Davis, 79 M.J. at 331 (citation omitted).
In general, a valid waiver leaves no error to correct on appeal. Id. (quoting
United States v. Campos, 67 M.J. 330, 332 (C.A.A.F. 2009)). We recognize our
authority pursuant to Article 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866, to pierce waiver in
order to correct a legal error in the proceedings. See United States v. Hardy, 77
M.J. 438, 443 (C.A.A.F. 2017). We decline to do so in this case. In the approxi-
mately ten months between the June 2017 interview and senior defense coun-
sel’s cross-examination of CO, the Defense never sought any remedy for the
36
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
misconduct Appellant now asserts or any resulting prejudice to his discovery
rights. Senior defense counsel told the military judge, in essence, that the De-
fense’s access to CO had not been materially impaired. Moreover, the Defense’s
affirmative waiver of the issue denied the military judge the opportunity to
fully examine and adjudicate the matter, leaving this court with a very incom-
plete record on appeal. Accordingly, we find this issue warrants no relief.
J. Sentencing Evidence
1. Additional Background
The Government called KE’s mother, AE, to testify during sentencing pro-
ceedings. AE described KE generally, and then described how AE felt about
KE joining the Air Force. When senior trial counsel asked how AE felt “about
the fact that [KE] was assaulted by somebody who’s also in the military,” AE
responded: “It angers me because not that I didn’t think anything like this ever
happen[s] because you hear about sexual assault everywhere, you hear about
it --” At that point, senior defense counsel objected to “[i]mproper sentencing
evidence.” The military judge asked senior defense counsel, “You don’t believe
that this falls under [R.C.M.] 1001(b)(4)?” Senior defense counsel replied, “No
sir.” The military judge overruled the objection. AE went on to testify that,
inter alia, she was surprised the assault occurred on base; the fact that KE was
not the only victim “made it even worse” for AE; AE was distressed that she
could not be where KE was to support her; and the incident made AE more
protective and “overbearing” with her two younger daughters. The Defense did
not object again during AE’s testimony.
The Government also called CO’s mother, KD, to testify during sentencing.
KD testified, inter alia, that she personally felt “angry,” “disgusted,” and “dev-
astated” by the sexual assault of CO. KD testified it was “torturous to know it
happened when [KD] was there” in the apartment, that KD “felt like [she]
didn’t protect” CO, and that the incident would have a “huge” impact on KD as
a mother. Trial defense counsel did not object during KD’s testimony.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s decision to admit sentencing evidence for an
abuse of discretion. United States v. Stephens, 67 M.J. 233, 235 (C.A.A.F. 2009)
(citing Manns, 54 M.J. at 166). However, “[w]hen an appellant does not raise
an objection to the admission of evidence at trial, we first must determine
whether the appellant waived or forfeited the objection.” United States v.
Jones, 78 M.J. 37, 44 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (citation omitted). “[F]ailure to make the
timely assertion of a right” constitutes forfeiture. Ahern, 76 M.J. at 197 (cita-
tions omitted). We review forfeited issues for plain error. Id. To prevail under
a plain error analysis, an appellant must show “(1) there was an error; (2) it
37
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
was plain or obvious; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial
right.” Erickson, 65 M.J. at 223 (citations omitted).
R.C.M. 1001(b)(4) permits the Government to introduce evidence in aggra-
vation during sentencing proceedings. The rule provides, in pertinent part:
The trial counsel may present evidence as to any aggravating
circumstances directly relating to or resulting from the offenses
of which the accused has been found guilty. Evidence in aggra-
vation includes, but is not limited to, evidence of financial, social,
psychological, and medical impact on or cost to any person or
entity who was the victim of an offense committed by the accused
....
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion by permitting
AE and KD to testify regarding the emotional impact of the offenses on them-
selves as the mothers of the victims pursuant to R.C.M. 1001(b)(4). He notes
R.C.M. 1001A(b)(1)—a different rule—defines a “crime victim,” “[f]or purposes
of th[at] rule,” as “an individual who has suffered direct physical, emotional,
or pecuniary harm as a result of the commission of an offense of which the
accused was found guilty.” He then reasons that AE and KD did not suffer
direct harm from the offenses, and “therefore could not be permitted to testify
about the impact of Appellant’s crimes on them under R.C.M. 1001(b)(4).” We
disagree.
As an initial matter, the Defense objected only once during the testimony
Appellant now challenges. It appears the testimony the Defense found objec-
tionable was not the emotional impact on AE or KD, but AE’s reference to what
she had “heard” about sexual assault. Accordingly, Appellant forfeited the ob-
jections he now asserts. We find no error on the military judge’s part, much
less “plain or obvious” error. Erickson, 65 M.J. at 223.
A witness is not required to meet the R.C.M. 1001A(b)(1) definition of a
“victim” in order to testify to aggravating circumstances under R.C.M.
1001(b)(4). Appellant overlooks the relevant portion of the R.C.M. 1001(b)(4).
The criteria is aggravating circumstances “directly relating to or resulting from
the offenses” of which Appellant was convicted. R.C.M. 1001(b)(4). Appellant
correctly observes “an accused is not responsible for a never-ending chain of
causes and effects.” United States v. Rust, 41 M.J. 472, 478 (C.A.A.F. 1995)
(citation and internal quotation marks omitted). However, “evidence of the nat-
ural and probable consequences of the offenses of which an accused has been
found guilty is ordinarily admissible at trial.” United States v. Stapp, 60 M.J.
795, 800 (A. Ct. Crim. App. 2004) (citing Rust, 41 M.J. at 478), aff’d, 64 M.J.
179 (C.A.A.F. 2006). The emotional distress AE and KD felt was a natural and
38
United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
probable consequence of Appellant’s offenses and directly related to those of-
fenses. Appellant cites no decision of our superior court, this court, or our sister
courts holding that the parent of a sexual assault victim who learns of the
crime within days of the offense cannot testify regarding their resulting emo-
tional distress, and we are aware of none. Accordingly, we conclude the mili-
tary judge did not abuse his discretion by overruling the Defense’s sole objec-
tion at trial or declining to interrupt the testimony sua sponte.
K. Expert Testimony Regarding “Tonic Immobility”
1. Additional Background
The Government called Dr. JT to testify during the findings portion of Ap-
pellant’s trial as an expert in clinical and forensic psychology. After conducting
a Daubert hearing outside the presence of the court members, over the De-
fense’s objection the military judge permitted Dr. JT to testify regarding the
concept of “tonic immobility” in sexual assault victims. See generally Daubert
v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993).
Before the members, Dr. JT testified, inter alia:
During a sexual assault a lot of times we see three different var-
iables come into play. And the first one maybe that they -- should
they are [sic] will they fight back? Will they flight or run away
or will they freeze? This reaction has been found throughout the
literature fairly commonly. Each victim is going to determine
based usually on their background and characteristics, as well
as the situation, which one of those responses they make. So
there is an internal assessment that is going on that is fairly
autonomic. There’s not a lot of cognition that goes into it. It’s
basically an arousal response within the nervous system that
tells us either to fight back, to flee the person that is doing this,
or to freeze up.
Dr. JT further explained that the “involuntary” freeze response manifested
to different degrees across different individuals and situations. Thus some sex-
ual assault victims might become “completely paralyzed, unable to vocalize or
to move,” whereas other victims may be able to move or speak to some extent.
The duration of the reaction was also variable. Dr. JT further testified it was
“not unusual” for sexual assault victims to not fight back or cry out, and it was
“very common” for victims to “freeze” or “feel paralyzed.”
On cross-examination, Dr. JT agreed that “pretty much” anything could be
a response to sexual assault. In addition, trial defense counsel explored some
of the limitations on the research underlying Dr. JT’s testimony.
2. Law
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
A military judge’s decision to admit or exclude expert testimony is re-
viewed for an abuse of discretion. Ellis, 68 M.J. at 344 (citation omitted).
Mil. R. Evid. 702 governs the testimony of expert witnesses in a trial by
court-martial. The rule provides:
A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, ex-
perience, training, or education may testify in the form of an
opinion or otherwise if: (a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or
other specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to under-
stand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue; (b) the testi-
mony is based on sufficient facts or data; (c) the testimony is the
product of reliable principles and methods; and (d) the expert
has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts of
the case.
The CAAF has articulated six factors to determine whether a proponent of
expert testimony has met the Mil. R. Evid. 702 criteria:
(1) the qualifications of the expert; (2) the subject matter of the
expert testimony; (3) the basis for the expert testimony; (4) the
legal relevance of the evidence; (5) the reliability of the evidence;
and (6) that the probative value of the expert’s testimony out-
weighs the other considerations outlined in [Mil. R. Evid.] 403.
United States v. Billings, 61 M.J. 163, 166 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (citing United States
v. Houser, 36 M.J. 392, 397 (C.M.A. 1993)). Although Houser predates the lead-
ing Supreme Court decisions in this area, Daubert and Kumho Tire Co. v. Car-
michael, 526 U.S. 137 (1999), Houser is consistent with these decisions and
continues to guide the admission of expert testimony in courts-martial.
Billings, 61 M.J. at 166 (citations omitted). “[W]hile satisfying every Daubert
or Houser factor is sufficient, it is not necessary.” United States v. Sanchez, 65
M.J. 145, 149 (C.A.A.F. 2007). The military judge’s inquiry is “flexible” and
“tied to the facts of [the] particular case.” Id. (citations omitted).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant does not challenge Dr. JT’s qualifications to testify as
an expert witness or the scientific basis for her testimony. Instead, he contends
Dr. JT’s testimony was “not relevant” to either CO or KE, because neither vic-
tim experienced fear or a threat with regard to Appellant. In Appellant’s view,
CO’s testimony that she “zoned out” during the assault, KE’s statements that
she was as asleep when Appellant penetrated her, and the military judge’s
finding that CO and KE felt confused during the assaults were insufficient to
make Dr. JT’s testimony regarding fear responses relevant.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
We disagree. The military judge reasonably determined Dr. JT’s testimony
would be helpful to the court members to understand the victims’ responses
that the Defense challenged on cross-examination as being counterintuitive.
See United States v. Flesher, 73 M.J. 303, 313 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (citations omit-
ted) (expert testimony about counterintuitive behaviors of sexual assault vic-
tims is allowed because it assists jurors in overcoming widely-held misconcep-
tions). Prior to Dr. JT’s testimony, CO testified that after initially resisting,
she “gave up” and lay still as Appellant continued the assault, she did not cry
out, and she was “really confused” during the assault. KE testified that when
Appellant pulled her clothing down and penetrated her, she felt “shocked,”
“paralyzed,” and her body felt “frozen.” The Defense cross-examined both vic-
tims specifically about their reactions during the assaults. To the extent the
Defense sought to cast doubt on the victims’ testimony by suggesting their re-
actions were illogical or not indicative of sexual assault, Dr. JT’s testimony
tended to counteract any preconceptions the members might have held.
The significance of Dr. JT’s testimony was not that sexual assault victims
react in specific ways. To the contrary, her testimony indicated sexual assault
victims respond in different ways, to include not moving and not crying out in
some cases, and therefore any fixed preconceptions the members might have
as to how a sexual assault victim would or should behave may not be valid. Her
testimony the Defense elicited on cross-examination that a sexual assault vic-
tim might respond in “pretty much” any way illustrates the point. Accordingly,
we find no abuse of discretion.
L. Post-Trial Delay
Appellant’s case was docketed with this court on 19 September 2018. Ap-
pellant’s civilian appellate defense counsel filed their notice of appearance with
this court in October 2018. Appellant filed his assignments of errors 491 days
later on 23 January 2020, after his counsel requested and were granted 14
extensions of time in which to file his brief. The court conducted status confer-
ences with counsel for both parties in June 2019, August 2019, and December
2019 to monitor the progress of Appellant’s case. At the last status conference,
held on 10 December 2019, Appellant’s counsel affirmed that Appellant was
aware of and agreed to the additional delay in his case. The Government con-
sistently opposed Appellant’s motions for enlargement of time.
The Government filed a timely answer brief on 24 February 2020. Appel-
lant then moved for an extension of seven days in which to file his reply brief,
which this court granted, again over the Government’s opposition.
“We review de novo claims that an appellant has been denied the due pro-
cess right to a speedy post-trial review and appeal.” United States v. Moreno,
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
63 M.J. 129, 135 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citations omitted). In Moreno, the CAAF es-
tablished a presumption of facially unreasonable delay when the Court of
Criminal Appeals does not render a decision within 18 months of docketing. 63
M.J. at 142. Where there is such a delay, we examine the four factors set forth
in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972): (1) the length of the delay; (2) the
reasons for the delay; (3) the appellant’s assertion of his right to a timely re-
view; and (4) prejudice to the appellant. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135 (citations omit-
ted). “No single factor is required for finding a due process violation and the
absence of a given factor will not prevent such a finding.” Id. at 136 (citing
Barker, 407 U.S. at 533).
However, where an appellant has not shown prejudice from the delay, there
is no due process violation unless the delay is so egregious as to “adversely
affect the public’s perception of the fairness and integrity of the military justice
system.” United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2006). In Moreno,
the CAAF identified three types of cognizable prejudice for purposes of an Ap-
pellant’s due process right to timely post-trial review: (1) oppressive incarcer-
ation; (2) anxiety and concern; and (3) impairment of the appellant’s ability to
present a defense at a rehearing. 63 M.J. at 138–39 (citations omitted). In this
case, we find no oppressive incarceration nor impairment of the Defense at a
rehearing because Appellant has not prevailed in his appeal. See id. at 140. As
for anxiety and concern, the CAAF has explained “the appropriate test for the
military justice system is to require an appellant to show particularized anxi-
ety or concern that is distinguishable from the normal anxiety experienced by
prisoners awaiting an appellate decision.” Id. Appellant has articulated no
such particularized anxiety in this case, and we discern none. To the contrary,
Appellant’s counsel affirmed that Appellant agreed with the delays in order to
ensure his counsel prepared a thorough brief on his behalf.
Where, as here, there is no qualifying prejudice from the delay, there is no
due process violation unless the delay is so egregious as to “adversely affect the
public’s perception of the fairness and integrity of the military justice system.”
Toohey, 63 M.J. at 362. We do not find such egregious delays here. The record
of trial is unusually large and includes 17 volumes. The proceedings took place
over 15 days, and the transcript spans 2,510 pages. Appellant has raised 16
separate issues for our consideration. Additionally, the appellate delay in this
case is overwhelmingly attributable to the Defense. Despite the size of the rec-
ord and number of issues, the Government filed a timely answer without re-
questing an extension. This court is issuing its opinion within three months of
the Moreno date. Appellant has neither demanded speedy appellate review nor
asserted that he is entitled to relief for appellate delay. Accordingly, we do not
find the delay so egregious as to adversely affect the perceived fairness and
integrity of the military justice system. Id.
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United States v. Jones, No. ACM 39543
Recognizing our authority under Article 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866(c),
we have also considered whether relief for excessive post-trial delay is appro-
priate even in the absence of a due process violation. See United States v. Tar-
dif, 57 M.J. 219, 225 (C.A.A.F. 2002). After considering the factors enumerated
in United States v. Gay, 74 M.J. 736, 744 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2015), aff’d, 75
M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F. 2016), we conclude it is not.
III. CONCLUSION
The approved findings and sentence are correct in law and fact, and no er-
ror materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Arti-
cles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the find-
ings and sentence are AFFIRMED.
FOR THE COURT
CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court
43