UNITED STATES, Appellee
v.
Sean W. GRIGGS, Senior Airman
No. 04-0392
Crim. App. No. 34739
Argued
Decided
BAKER, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which GIERKE, C.J., and EFFRON and ERDMANN, JJ., joined. CRAWFORD, J., filed a separate opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part.
Counsel
For Appellant: Major Andrew S. Williams (argued); Colonel Carlos L. McDade, Major Antony B. Kolenc, and Major Terry L. McElyea (on brief).
For Appellee: Major Michelle M. Lindo
(argued); Lieutenant
Colonel Robert V. Combs, Lieutenant Colonel Gary F. Spencer,
and Major
Military Judge: Robert G. Gibson Jr.
THIS OPINION IS SUBJECT TO REVISION BEFORE
FINAL
PUBLICATION
Judge BAKER delivered the opinion of the Court.
Appellant was tried before members at a general court-martial. In accordance with his plea, he was convicted of wrongful use of marijuana. Contrary to his pleas, he was convicted of two specifications of wrongful use of ecstasy (MDMA) and two specifications of distribution of ecstasy. All of the offenses were in violation of Article 112a, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 912a (2000). The adjudged and approved sentence included a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 150 days, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, E-1. The United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the findings and sentence. 59 M.J. 712 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2004). We granted review of the following issues:
I
WHETHER THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PREJUDICIALLY ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE MILITARY JUDGE DID NOT ABUSE HIS DISCRETION IN APPLYING R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) TO DEFENSE SENTENCING EVIDENCE.
II
WHETHER THE
EVIDENCE WAS LEGALLY
INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT APPELLANT’S CONVICTION TO SPECIFICATIONS 1 AND
2 OF THE
CHARGE WHERE THE EVIDENCE DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THAT THE SUBSTANCE USED
AND
DISTRIBUTED WAS ILLEGAL.1
For the reasons that follow, we hold that Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 1001(b)(5)(D) does not apply to defense sentencing evidence and that the error was prejudicial on sentencing. With respect to the findings, we hold that the evidence is legally sufficient. For ease of presentation, we will discuss the issues in reverse order.
FACTS2
In
August 2000,
Airman First Class Dilocker, Senior Airman Gardner and Appellant, also
an E-4,
were sent on a temporary duty assignment to the
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
The
specifications at issue alleged use and distribution of MDMA while
Appellant
was in the
Our
standard of
review for challenges to legal sufficiency 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, 324-25
(C.M.A. 1987)
(citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443
During
cross-examination of Dr. Papa, defense counsel attempted to suggest
that even
assuming
[MJ]:
Now on
[WIT]: I didn’t expect anything. I’d never even really heard of it before. So I didn’t have any expectations or anything really.
[MJ]: Did you expect to get a good feeling as compared to a bad feeling?
[WIT]: Well, I didn’t really have any expectation. Like I said, I’d never heard of it before. I’d never done any drugs. So I really didn’t know what to expect.
Thus, the
record indicates that Dr. Papa testified that the effects
As
reflected in
the record, the Government’s case was predicated, in part, on
circumstantial
evidence regarding the identity of the illicit drug based on the
observations
and testimony of a lay witness. In United States v. Nicholson,
49
M.J. 478, 480 (C.A.A.F. 1998), we held that “mere speculation as to the
identity of a substance by one non-expert witness -- and nothing more
-- does
not rise to the level of legally sufficient evidence for
conviction.” In Nicholson,
a conviction for possession of marijuana was based almost exclusively
on
testimony by a non-expert witness that he saw the accused holding a bag
that
contained a “brown leafy substance that he thought might have been
marijuana.”
Based on the evidence presented, we are satisfied that the members could have reasonably found beyond a reasonable doubt that what Appellant used and distributed to Gardner was illegal ecstasy and not herbal ecstasy.
DEFENSE SENTENCING EVIDENCE
Background
At a session pursuant to Article 39(a), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 839(a) (2000), prior to sentencing, trial counsel objected to portions of six defense character letters. Specifically, trial counsel argued that language in the proposed sentencing exhibits amounted to recommendations for retention, which he argued would confuse the members by misleading them into thinking they “are making a retention decision versus a decision of a punitive discharge.”
The military judge sustained the trial counsel’s objections to the following underscored passages from the six exhibits as follows:
I have no
doubt SrA Griggs will
continue to be an asset to the mission of the squadron and Air Force.
I can honestly say his future is not in my hands, but I ask the panel
to have
compassion and SrA Griggs is given a second chance to be a
productive member
of the
I would still like to be able to work with SrA Griggs. In fact I have two airmen I’d gladly trade just to keep him. I feel the Air Force could use more airmen like him. Even with the stress of a pending court martial he has remained dedicated, motivated, and faithful till [sic] the end.
I would not hesitate to have SrA Griggs working for me or with me. I continue to hear, “This is not a one mistake Air Force” so I feel SrA Griggs can learn a valuable lesson from this experience.
I believe
strongly that everyone
deserves a second chance to prove him or herself. I have no doubt
SrA Griggs
will continue to be an asset to the mission of the squadron and Air
Force.
I ask the panel to have compassion and SrA Griggs is given a second
chance to
be a productive member of the
I am convinced that he has learned from this experience and can still be of great potential to the United States Air Force . . . We seem to “eat our young” sometimes and see the only course of action is to toss them out after investing so much time, effort, and money.
Emphasis added.
Although the military judge did not expressly state the basis for his rulings, we infer from the discussion relating to trial counsel’s objections, that the military judge based his ruling on R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D). This is reflected by his statement to defense counsel to “tell me why the [objectionable statements] don’t fall squarely within the parameters of R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D).” The defense counsel ultimately presented the exhibits to the members after redacting the offending language.
Discussion
We
review a military judge’s decision to exclude
evidence for an abuse of discretion.
R.C.M 1001 addresses presentencing procedures at a court-martial. Subsection (b) is titled “Matter to be presented by the prosecution.” In turn, R.C.M. 1001(b)(5) (A) states that “[t]he trial counsel may present, by testimony . . . evidence in the form of opinions concerning the accused’s . . . potential for rehabilitation.” The witness offering the opinion “must possess sufficient information and knowledge about the accused to offer a rationally-based opinion that is helpful to the sentencing authority.” R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(B). Also, the opinion “must be based upon relevant information and knowledge possessed by the witness.” R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(C). Finally, the rule expressly precludes a witness from offering “an opinion regarding the appropriateness of a punitive discharge or whether the accused should be returned to the accused’s unit.” R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D).
R.C.M.
1001(c) is
titled “Matter to be presented by the defense.” In turn, R.C.M.
1001(c)(1) states, “The defense . . . may
present matters in
extenuation and mitigation regardless whether the defense offered
evidence
before findings.” “Matter in mitigation of an offense is
introduced to
lessen the punishment to be adjudged by the court-martial, or to
furnish
grounds for a recommendation of clemency.” R.C.M. 1001(c)(1)(B) (emphasis added). Mitigation
evidence includes
“evidence of the reputation or record of the accused in the service for
efficiency, fidelity, subordination, temperance, courage, or any other
trait
that is desirable in a servicemember.”
We begin our analysis with the text of R.C.M. 1001(b), the subtitle of which refers expressly to “Matter to be presented by the prosecution.” Based on its heading, this section would appear to be limited to witnesses offered by the trial counsel. Moreover, as a structural matter, R.C.M. 1001 distinguishes this section from the next, which is titled “Matter to be presented by the defense.” This structure suggests intentional placement and drafting, rather than inadvertent use of a title to cover material that extends beyond the reach of a dated or ill-placed title. However, as with legislative text, the titles and subtitles of rules are not necessarily dispositive as to the scope, meaning, and intent of a rule. See generally United States v. Banker, 60 M.J. 216, 219-21 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (Court going beyond title of Military Rule of Evidence 412 to ascertain scope, meaning and intent of rule). Therefore, we look to the text of the rule and the manner in which the rule has been applied as well.
Under the general heading of “Matter to be presented by the prosecution” R.C.M. 1001 (b)(5)(A) and (D) state:
(5) Evidence of rehabilitative potential . . . .
(A) In general. The trial counsel may present, by testimony or oral deposition in accordance with R.C.M. 702(g)(1), evidence in the form of opinions concerning the accused’s previous performance as a servicemember and potential for rehabilitation.
. . . .
(D) Scope of opinion. . . . A witness may not offer an opinion regarding the appropriateness of a punitive discharge or whether the accused should be returned to the accused’s unit.
Emphasis added. Thus, the language of the rule itself follows the predicate of the heading. In general, subsection (A) is addressed to evidence “[t]he trial counsel may present.” Subsection (D), regarding the scope of opinion, would thus serve as a limitation on what trial counsel may “in general” present.
The
case law
offers support for both the Government’s position and Appellant’s
position. Defense witness testimony, including written
statements,
expressing an opinion that an accused should be returned to duty have
long been
viewed in case law as “classic mitigation evidence.” United
States v.
Aurich, 31 M.J. 95, 97 (C.M.A. 1990)(per curiam) (internal
quotation marks
omitted); see also United States v. Vogel, 17 C.M.A.
198, 199, 37
C.M.R. 462, 463 (1967); United States v. Guy, 17 C.M.A. 49,
49-50, 37
C.M.R. 313, 313-14 (1967); United States v. Robbins, 16 C.M.A.
474,
477-78, 37 C.M.R. 94, 97-98 (1966). In Aurich, two judges
of the
Court recognized that retention evidence had historically not been
offered as
evidence of rehabilitative potential. Rather, it was “classic
mitigation
evidence” which had “long been relevant in courts-martial.” 31 M.J. at 96, 97. At the same time, dicta
in certain
cases suggest that such evidence is nonetheless precluded as an opinion
that
the accused should not be punitively discharged. See
In Ohrt
we
considered whether the military judge erred in allowing the accused’s
commander
to testify in the Government’s case in aggravation that the accused
possessed
no potential for continued service in the Air Force. 28
M.J. at 302. The Court first observed that such witnesses
raise
the specter of command influence.
In Ramos,
the accused presented three military witnesses on sentencing who knew
the
accused on a personal and professional basis. 42
M.J.
at 393. Each testified that they were willing to take the
accused
back into their units to work for them. One of these witnesses
was
questioned at length by both counsel and the military judge, revealing
that his
opinion might have been based on his sense of loyalty to the
accused.
The mirror image [of
the Government-witness euphemism] might
reasonably be that an opinion that an accused could “continue to serve
and
contribute to the United States Army” simply is a euphemism for, “I do
not
believe you should give him a punitive discharge.” If so, then such
testimony
would seem to be what the Ohrt Court had in mind when it
explicitly
stated that “a witness -- be he
for the prosecution or the defense -- should not be
allowed to express an opinion whether an accused
should be punitively discharged.”
In light of these precedents, we can appreciate why the Court of Criminal Appeals found that there was sufficient confusion in the case law to conclude that the military judge in this case had not abused his discretion in applying R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) to the defense sentencing evidence. Griggs, 59 M.J. at 715. Indeed, Ohrt and Ramos suggest that R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) applies to a witness “be he for the prosecution or the defense,” where the testimony implicates the appropriateness of a punitive discharge. Moreover, Ramos was decided after R.C.M. 1001 was amended in 1994, suggesting that the language found in Ramos is purposeful and founded on the present structure and text of the rule.
We
are now confronted, as the Court was not in Ohrt and Ramos,
with the apparent tension between the prohibition of R.C.M.
1001(b)(5)(D)
against opinions related to whether the accused should be returned to
duty or
not and the express allowance in R.C.M. 1001(c) permitting the defense
to
present matters in mitigation. We conclude that the better view
is that
R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) does not apply to
defense
mitigation evidence, and specifically does not preclude evidence that a
witness
would willingly serve with the accused again. First, this view is
consistent with the structure of the rule. The prohibition is
contained
in that portion of the rule under the heading of “Matter to be
presented by the
prosecution.” R.C.M. 1001(b).
These
sections are clearly demarcated. As importantly, the text of the
rule is
addressed to evidence presented by trial counsel. If the
limitation in
subsection (D) is indeed applicable to the defense, the title and text
of the
rule can be easily amended to reflect such an
intent.
Thus far, no such amendment has occurred, notwithstanding the plain
text of the
sections and the apparent confusion suggested in the case law.
Second,
so-called “retention evidence” is classic matter in mitigation, which
is
expressly permitted to be presented by the defense.
As noted in Aurich, “the
fact that a member of an armed force has sufficient trust and
confidence in
another member is often a powerful endorsement of the character of his
fellow
soldier.” 31 M.J. at 96.
Moreover, though
“[h]aving rehabilitative potential is a mitigating factor.
Lacking
rehabilitative potential is not an aggravating factor.”
Finally, with
respect to the legal policy behind the rule, there is a distinction
between
commanders or command representatives expressing their views that they
do not
want the accused returned to duty and defense witnesses expressing
contrary
views. Our case law in this area deals
mostly with Government witnesses in
the sentencing phase testifying as to either their unwillingness to
have the
accused returned to duty, or their otherwise unfavorable view toward
the
accused. The chief concerns underlying these cases are “the need
to have
‘a rational basis for’ an opinion concerning rehabilitation and the
importance
of avoiding command influence in the sentencing process. . . .” United
States v. Pompey, 33 M.J. 266, 270 (C.M.A. 1991)(citing
Ohrt, 28 M.J. at 304). These concerns coincide with the
UCMJ’s
overarching concern regarding undue command influence.7
We reach this conclusion with caution. As recognized in Ramos, there can be a thin line between an opinion that an accused should be returned to duty and the expression of an opinion regarding the appropriateness of a punitive discharge. Obviously, an accused cannot return to serve in his unit if he receives a punitive discharge. 42 M.J. at 396. But an explicit declaration that an accused should not receive a punitive discharge or that any such discharge should be of a certain severity is disallowed for the defense not because of R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D), but because such evidence invades the province of the members to decide alone on punishment. Ohrt, 28 M.J at 305 (“The question of appropriateness of punishment is one which must be decided by the court-martial; it cannot be usurped by a witness.”). However, as for the kind of retention evidence at issue in this case, any concerns raised can be addressed with a tailored instruction focusing on the distinction between a punitive discharge, which is for the members to decide, and the willingness of a servicemember to serve with an accused again, which may mitigate the range of punishments available at courts-martial.
We are also cognizant of Government counsel’s concern, expressed during oral argument, that if the defense is allowed to admit such testimony in mitigation, the Government is without recourse. We disagree. Consistent with the historical concerns regarding command influence, the Government is free to rebut such assertions. As stated in Aurich, “if an accused ‘opens the door’ by bringing witnesses before the court who testify that they want him or her back in the unit, the Government is permitted to prove that that is not a consensus view of the command.” 31 M.J. at 96-97.
In conclusion, we hold that R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) does not apply to defense evidence offered in mitigation under R.C.M. 1001(c). However, the defense presentation is not boundless. Like other opinion testimony, to establish relevance on sentencing, the witness must have a proper foundation for the opinion or view expressed. Military judges shall exercise their discretion in determining whether such a foundation is laid, and whether the door to rebuttal swings open. Vogel, 17 C.M.A. at 199, 37 C.M.R. at 463; Robbins, 16 C.M.A. at 478, 37 C.M.R. at 98.
Prejudice Analysis
The
question now
becomes whether Appellant was prejudiced by this error. We test
the
erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence during the sentencing
portion of a
court-martial to determine if the error substantially influenced the
adjudged
sentence. See United States v. Boyd,
55 M.J.
217, 221 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (citing Kotteakos v. United States,
328
On one hand, evidence that a servicemember can “continue to be an asset” to his unit and service or that he can still be of “great potential” to his service is valuable mitigation matter, even “unusual” evidence, as stated by Appellant counsel at oral argument. Moreover, Appellant’s case was heard by members who, in the end, awarded Appellant less punishment than the Government asked for, suggesting that they were receptive to Appellant’s mitigation case.
On the other hand, even as redacted, the exhibits contained favorable language to Appellant. For example, three exhibits stated the authors’ view “that everyone deserved a second chance.” The other three letters stated in unredacted text the authors’ continued desire to work with Appellant. The remaining portions of the six exhibits were laudatory and were a part of ten such commendatory letters from a variety of civilian and military personnel praising the value of Appellant’s service. In addition, Appellant’s personnel file contained a number of unfavorable performance reports and adverse counseling entries. The members were also aware that during the pendency of Appellant’s trial, he had received nonjudicial punishment for violating a no-contact order involving a witness in the case.
Although this is a close case on prejudice, we believe the balance tips in favor of Appellant in light of the qualitative nature of the excluded statements and the potential impact they may have had upon the members. Evidence from fellow servicemembers who would have stated that Appellant should be retained because of his potential to the Air Force may have had a significant impact on the members, given the value that military members place on respect from peers and superiors. Significantly, one technical sergeant, a coworker and supervisor, who was the Group’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 2000, would have expressed the following view: “I have two airmen I’d gladly trade just to keep him. I feel the Air Force could use more airmen like him.”
As a result, we conclude that the excluded evidence may have substantially influenced the adjudged sentence in Appellant’s case.
DECISION
The decision of the United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals is affirmed as to the findings and reversed as to the sentence. The record of trial is returned to the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. A rehearing on sentence may be ordered.
1 Specification 1:
In that Senior
Airman Sean W.
Griggs, United States Air Force . . . did, in the
Specification 2:
In that Senior
Airman Sean W.
Griggs, United States Air Force . . . did, in the
2
As noted, Appellant was convicted of additional specifications of use
and
distribution of ecstasy at a different time and location.
However, the
facts discussed below relate only to the use and distribution offenses
in the
3 Appellant did not testify
in his own
behalf.
4 We hasten to add that the list of factors adopted in Nicholson is not exhaustive. Nor is it required that all the factors be present in a given case.
5 At the time, R.C.M. 1001(b)(5) read as follows: “(5) Evidence of rehabilitative potential. The trial counsel may present, by testimony . . . evidence, in the form of opinions concerning the accused’s previous performance as a servicemember and potential for rehabilitation. On cross-examination, inquiry is allowable into relevant and specific instances of conduct.”
6 The relevant portion of the military judge’s instruction in Ramos was as follows:
And
one of the
dangers that this court and the appellate courts are concerned with is
that you
will view a punitive discharge as something along the line, “Well, if
he can't
be a good -- if we don’t want him in the service then we will give him
a
punitive discharge.” And that’s not the purpose of it; it’s to be
deemed by you
to be the appropriate punishment for the offenses not to -- as a means
of
eliminating a person from the service.
7 For instance, Professor Edmund M. Morgan Jr., chairman of the drafting committee, explained in his statement during the House Armed Services Committee hearing that, “We have tried to prevent courts-martial from being an instrumentality and agency to express the will of the commander.” Uniform Code of Military Justice: Hearings on HR 2498 Before a Subcommittee on Armed Services, 81st Cong. 606 (1949), reprinted in Index and Legislative History, Uniform Code of Military Justice (1950)(not separately paginated).
CRAWFORD, Judge (concurring in part and dissenting in part):
I concur in the majority’s conclusion that the evidence at trial was legally sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance used and distributed by Appellant was illegal. On the question of evidentiary error, however, I cannot agree that the military judge abused his discretion by excluding certain phrases from documents offered by the defense in its sentencing case. Nor can I conclude, after considering all the sentencing evidence and weighing Appellant’s crimes against his sentence, that if there were any error that it was prejudicial.
FACTS
Two critical factual aspects of this case are ignored by the majority: the concession of Appellant’s trial defense counsel and the rote nature of both the excluded language and the letters from which that language was redacted.
The majority correctly quotes the military judge’s query regarding the applicability of Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 1001(b)(5)(D) during a session pursuant to Article 39(a), Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 839(a), at which the admissibility of defense sentencing exhibits was discussed, but omits the defense counsel’s response, which I include below:
MJ: Defense Counsel, tell me why the language of the second and third sentences of paragraph 4 of Defense Exhibit D don’t fall squarely within the parameters of RCM 1001(b)(5)(D). I can quote it for you if you like.
DC: No sir, I am familiar. I would have to agree with the judge’s opinion on that one, sir.
The majority correctly notes the favorable effect that testimonials from peers and superiors can and should have on the trial court’s determination of an appropriate sentence. A cursory examination of Defense Exhibits B, C, D, E, F, and H, however, reveals their “form letter” nature, and as the majority notes, the redacted language is also notably similar.
R.C.M. 1001(b) AND 1001(c)
I agree with the majority that Rule for Courts-Martial 1001(b)(5)(D) applies only to evidence offered by the prosecution in its sentencing1 case, and not to defense evidence. I do not share the majority’s reliance on dicta in United States v. Ohrt, 28 M.J. 301 (C.M.A. 1989), and United States v. Ramos, 42 M.J. 392 (C.A.A.F. 1995), to support the lower court’s confusion between: (1) a recommendation/opinion in favor of or opposed to a punitive discharge; (2) a recommendation/opinion for retention; (3) a recommendation/opinion that an accused be separated; and (4) the scope and effect of R.C.M. 1001(b) and 1001(c).
Nothing in
either Ramos or Ohrt applies R.C.M. 1001(b) to evidence
offered
by the defense during its sentencing case, nor do those opinions even
suggest
such an application. What those opinions do suggest, in dicta, is
that
defense witnesses are not permitted to offer a recommendation
pertaining to a
punitive discharge. This “sauce for the goose”2
tangent is posited without reference to any rule of evidence or
procedure, but
appears to be grounded on the proposition that “such an opinion invaded
the
province of the court-martial. . . .”3
If we accept Ohrt’s4 dicta, arguendo, we could summarize the rules rather easily: (1) the only discharge a court-martial can impose is a punitive discharge, which may only be imposed as a punishment included in the sentence of a court-martial; (2) no witness at court-martial may recommend for or against a punitive discharge; (3) the opinion of a witness at court-martial to the effect that an accused should be discharged or separated is prohibited as tantamount to a recommendation for punitive discharge; and (4) the opinion of a witness at court-martial to the effect that an accused should be retained in the unit or in his service may or may not be a recommendation against punitive discharge.
It is this latter category of opinions that I now address. While R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) expressly prohibits opinions by prosecution witnesses “regarding the appropriateness of a punitive discharge or whether the accused should be returned to the accused’s unit,” R.C.M. 1001(c) contains no such prohibition. This is entirely consistent with the drafters’ intention that prosecution evidence fit neatly into one or more of the “pigeon holes” created by R.C.M. 1001(b)(1)-(5), and that defense evidence need only meet the modest limitations of R.C.M. 1001(c).5 Thus, while dicta in our case law prohibit a defense witness from recommending against punitive discharge, we have also long recognized the importance and admissibility of a recommendation that the accused be returned to duty or to his unit. Aurich, 31 M.J. at 96. This is not to say that the defense presentation is unfettered. The drafters wisely included R.C.M. 1001(d) as a check on the expansive boundaries for defense evidence. If the defense uses its broader rule to raise matters that the Government was prohibited from raising by its narrower rule, the Government may, within the discretion of the military judge, present evidence to rebut those matters.
My point is that R.C.M. 1001(b) and 1001(c) are not congruent, but they are not necessarily in conflict. As in the case of any other evidence, recommendations for retention made by defense witnesses, when challenged at trial, must be evaluated in context by the military judge, who must then determine their admissibility, subject to review on appeal for abuse of discretion.
DEFENSE CONCESSION AND ABUSE OF DISCRETION
Were this a de novo review, I would apply the plain language of R.C.M. 1001(b)(5) and 1001(c) in the context of this Court’s applicable holdings and determine whether the military judge erred in excluding portions of the defense exhibits. This is not a de novo review, however, and we are examining the military judge’s ruling for an abuse of discretion. Like the court below,6 I am not prepared to abjure the significance of defense counsel’s concession to the military judge that either: (1) the defense was offering these exhibits for admission into evidence under R.C.M. 1001(b)(5); or (2) the language of R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D) could properly be applied to exclude defense evidence. If the defense, as the proponent of the evidence, conceded that the offered evidence was subject to a particular rule of evidence or procedure, that concession should weigh heavily when Appellant later complains that the military judge, in accepting that concession, abused his discretion.
Similarly, although the majority correctly notes that the military judge based his ruling on R.C.M. 1001(b)(5)(D), Griggs, 61 M.J. ___, ___ (11), the majority also appears to assume both that the defense was offering the letters under R.C.M. 1001(c)(1)(B) and that the rules of evidence had been relaxed as provided in R.C.M. 1001(c)(3) to permit admission of these unauthenticated and potentially unreliable letters.7
While I do not share the majority’s assumptions, I find it unnecessary to descend into the maelstrom, as I am willing, for purposes of further analysis, to assume without deciding that the military judge abused his discretion by excluding unredacted versions of Defense Exhibits B, C, D, E, F, and H.
PREJUDICE
Rather than relying on United States v. Boyd, 55 M.J. 217 (C.A.A.F. 2001), which examined sentencing instructions for prejudice and addressed no evidentiary issues, I would apply this Court’s logic from United States v. Saferite, 59 M.J. 270, 274-75 (C.A.A.F. 2004), in which we measured the effect of an evidentiary error in the sentencing case by assessing: (1) the probative value and weight of the evidence (including the “content and tone” of testimonial evidence); (2) the importance of the evidence in light of other sentencing considerations, including the military judge’s instructions; (3) the danger of unfair prejudice resulting from the evidentiary ruling; and (4) the sentence actually imposed, compared to the maximum and to the sentence the trial counsel argued for. In the context of these considerations, we then determined whether the sentence had been “substantially swayed by the error.”8
That said, I must take issue with the majority’s exclusion of two key points in reaching their determination of prejudice: the form of the letters and the crimes themselves.
We simply cannot reach a determination as to prejudice without considering the effect that the form of the letters and the redacted language may have had on the weight given the letters by a panel the military judge described as “a group of five really intelligent members.”9 Laid side by side, as they may well have been in the deliberation room, the letters in question are far too similar for the “five really intelligent members” to have failed to recognize them as largely the product of someone other than the signatories. Notwithstanding what may have been heartfelt words, the letters are obviously so similar that their weight would doubtless have been diminished by their glaringly mass-produced character. Failing to consider this deficiency, the majority assumes that the addition of further, obviously similar language would have had a favorable effect.
Appellant was convicted of using marijuana, two specifications of using ecstasy, and two specifications of distributing ecstasy. He faced a dishonorable discharge and a maximum period of confinement of forty-two years. The trial counsel argued for twelve months of confinement. Appellant received a bad-conduct discharge and confinement for 150 days.
Finding this to be a “close case,” the majority concludes that the absence of the redacted words from Defense Exhibits B, C, D, E, F, and H “substantially influenced” the sentence. Griggs, 61 M.J. at ___ (23-24).
I find this not to be a close case. Convicted of five drug offenses, Appellant received little more than one percent of the maximum permissible confinement and about forty percent of what the trial counsel argued for. He did not receive a dishonorable discharge. It is beyond the common experience of mankind to expect that the “five really intelligent members” would have been “substantially influenced” by the addition of the excluded language to adjudge an even more lenient sentence.
Finally, I view as unnecessary and ill-advised the majority’s elevation of Ohrt’s dicta that opinions regarding particular punishments should be disallowed because “[t]he question of appropriateness of punishment is one which must be decided by the court-martial; it cannot be usurped by a witness.” 28 M.J. at 305. I am not at all prepared to say that a military judge may properly exclude, for example: (1) the testimony of an accused’s mother that her son or daughter, facing life without parole, should not be “put away” irrevocably; or (2) the testimony of a young mother that the court should not take away the sole means of support for her and her children. Until we are squarely faced with those questions, and others like them, we would be wise to confine our holding to the issues at hand and leave the dicta of Ohrt right where it is.
1 Although occasionally and colloquially referred to as the “aggravation” case, I decline to use that term, because only R.C.M. 1001(b)(4) addresses aggravation evidence. R.C.M. 1001(b)(1)-(3) address evidence that shall or may be presented by the trial counsel and R.C.M. 1001(b)(5) covers evidence of rehabilitative potential, which may be mitigating, but is never aggravating. United States v. Aurich, 31 M.J. 95, 97 (C.M.A. 1990)(per curiam).
2 “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy 57 (3d ed. 2002).
3 United States v. Cherry, 31 M.J. 1, 5 (C.M.A. 1990)(citing Ohrt, 28 M.J. at 305).
5
“Historically the sentencing phase of the
court-martial has been the defense counsel’s show. The 1969
Manual for
Courts-Martial intentionally limited the trial counsel's role to the
presentation of narrowly specified matters in aggravation while the
defense
counsel had virtually unfettered opportunity to present matters in
extenuation
and mitigation.” Major Larry Gaydos, A
Prosecutorial Guide to Court-Martial Sentencing, 114 Mil. L. Rev. 1 (1986) (footnotes omitted).
6
7 A sub silentio relaxation carries with it the unarticulated danger that the rules could be relaxed to the same extent during prosecution rebuttal. R.C.M. 1001(d). Particularly in light of the nature of evidence here considered and the potential for rebuttal, military judges and counsel would be wise to ensure that the record reflects whether the rules of evidence have been relaxed.
8
Kotteakos v.
9 Responding to the Government argument that this evidence might confuse the members, the military judge said, “You are not going to confuse these court members. This is a group of five really intelligent members. They are not at all confused.”
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