United States v. Jackson ( 2022 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 39955
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Mariano L. JACKSON
Staff Sergeant (E-5), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 23 May 2022
________________________
Military Judge: Thomas J. Alford.
Sentence: Sentence adjudged 9 March 2020 by GCM convened at the
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. Sentence entered by mili-
tary judge on 2 April 2020: Bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 3
years, reduction to E-1, and a reprimand.
For Appellant: Major Jenna M. Arroyo, USAF; Major Ryan S. Crnkovich,
USAF.
For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Matthew J. Neil, USAF; Major John
P. Patera, USAF; Mary Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before POSCH, RICHARDSON, and CADOTTE, Appellate Military
Judges.
Senior Judge POSCH delivered the opinion of the court, in which Judge
RICHARDSON joined. Judge CADOTTE filed a separate opinion dis-
senting in part and in the result.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as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. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
POSCH, Senior Judge:
After a contested trial in which Appellant testified in his own defense, a
general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members convicted Ap-
pellant, contrary to his pleas and testimony, of four specifications of assault
consummated by a battery upon AJ (his spouse),1 and three specifications of
assault consummated by a battery upon an intimate partner, KM, in violation
of Article 128, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 928.2 Ap-
pellant was also found guilty, contrary to his pleas, of two specifications of fail-
ure to obey a lawful general regulation by wrongfully failing to register two
privately owned firearms, a handgun and a rifle, that he kept in his on-base
residence, in violation of Article 92, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 892, Manual for Courts-
Martial, United States (2019 ed.) (2019 MCM).3 The members sentenced Ap-
pellant to a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for three years, reduction to
the grade of E-1, and a reprimand.4 The convening authority waived manda-
tory forfeitures for the benefit of Appellant’s son, but did not otherwise disturb
the adjudged sentence.
On appeal, Appellant raises 13 issues, 10 of which are assignments of error
raised through appellate counsel. Appellant asks whether: (1) his conviction
for assault consummated by a battery by grabbing KM’s neck and torso with
his arms, as charged in Specification 2 of Charge II, is legally and factually
insufficient; (2) his convictions for failure to obey a lawful general regulation
are legally and factually insufficient because the regulation at issue was not
1 AJ was a junior enlisted Airman during the charged timeframe and a noncommis-
sioned officer at trial.
2 The specifications that involve AJ had an aggregate charging window between 1 May
2016 and 31 May 2017, and thus Article 128, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 928, in the Manual
for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.), applies. The specifications that involve
KM allege conduct on 24 April 2019, and thus Article 128, UCMJ, in the Manual for
Courts-Martial, United States (2019 ed.) (2019 MCM), applies. See Exec. Order 13,825,
§§ 3 and 5, 83 Fed. Reg. at 9890 (8 Mar. 2018). To be clear, Appellant was not charged
with an offense in violation of Article 128b, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 928b (Domestic Vio-
lence) (2019 MCM). See National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, Pub.
L. No. 115-232, § 532. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to non-punitive UCMJ
provisions, Rules for Courts-Martial, and Military Rules of Evidence (Mil. R. Evid.) are
to those contained in the 2019 MCM.
3 Appellant was acquitted of three specifications of assault consummated by a battery,
two specifications of communicating a threat, and one specification of attempted mur-
der.
4 The military judge credited Appellant with 320 days served in pretrial confinement.
2
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
properly published and cannot qualify as a general regulation; (3) trial counsel
improperly cross-examined Appellant by referring to Appellant’s attendance at
a domestic violence treatment program and by asking him whether the mech-
anism of injury was consistent with the opinion of an expert witness called by
the Government; (4) in a related claim, trial defense counsel were constitution-
ally ineffective for failing to timely object to trial counsel’s improper cross-ex-
amination of Appellant;5 (5) the military judge’s failure to instruct the panel
that a guilty verdict must be unanimous was not harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt; (6) trial counsel’s sentencing argument was improper because it faulted
Appellant for failing to apologize, it appealed to what the “audience” would
think, and it asked the members to consider the “trauma” inflicted upon a non-
victim; (7) the military judge erred by instructing the members in sentencing
that they will not draw any adverse inference from the fact that Appellant
elected to make a statement that was not under oath after the military judge
specifically asked the Defense whether it wanted this instruction and the De-
fense replied it did not; (8) the convening authority erred by failing to take
complete action on the sentence; (9) the convening authority’s reprimand im-
properly commented on Appellant’s defense at trial and rights against self-in-
crimination, thereby rendering the reprimand inappropriately severe and in
violation of Appellant’s rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments6 and
Article 37, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 837; and (10) Appellant is entitled to relief for
violation of his right to timely post-trial processing.
In addition to these assignments of error, Appellant personally raises three
issues pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982). Ap-
pellant contends that (11) the military judge erred in denying the Defense’s
motions to compel discovery and subsequent motion for a lost-evidence instruc-
tion after the Government was asked to preserve certain evidence, but failed
to timely respond to the Defense’s discovery request; (12) the military judge
erred in allowing the Government to admit Appellant’s statements without
5 In Appellant’s 19 July 2021 opposition to the Government’s motion to compel affida-
vits or declarations from Appellant’s trial defense counsel on this issue, Appellant as-
serts that assignment of error (4) “has been expressly raised in the alternative and
would be rendered unripe or moot in its entirety” if the court resolves other assign-
ments of error in his favor. Appellant makes a similar claim in his brief. Considering
the jurisdiction conferred on the court by Article 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866, we are
not convinced that pleading an assignment of error in the alternative compels that we
may consider that claim if, and only if, another claim is found to be without merit.
6 U.S. CONST. amend. V, VI.
3
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
timely disclosure under Mil. R. Evid. 304(d) even after the military judge rec-
ognized the Government’s repeated failures to provide timely notice and dis-
covery to the Defense; and (13) the military judge erred in denying Appellant’s
motion to suppress statements made to law enforcement and evidence derived
therefrom because he invoked his right to counsel, and the military judge fur-
ther erred in denying Appellant’s motion to suppress evidence obtained in vio-
lation of Appellant’s rights under the Fourth Amendment.7 In addition to these
contentions, the court considers the issue of timely appellate review.
With respect to issues (5), (11), (12), and (13), the court considered Appel-
lant’s arguments and finds none of the issues warrants further discussion or
relief. See United States v. Matias, 25 M.J. 356, 361 (C.M.A. 1987). Specifically
in regard to arguments in issue (5) that are founded in constitutional guaran-
tees that are germane to trials by jury, the court finds the military judge did
not err. Id.; see also United States v. Tovarchavez, 78 M.J. 458, 465 (C.A.A.F.
2019) (“Lower courts should follow the case which directly controls, leaving to
[the United States Supreme] Court the prerogative of overruling its own deci-
sions.” (alterations in original omitted) (quoting Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S.
203, 237 (1997)).
The court finds Appellant’s convictions are legally and factually sufficient,
and no error materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant oc-
curred. We affirm the findings and sentence.
I. BACKGROUND
Appellant and AJ met at basic training in the summer of 2014. After re-
porting to units at different Air Force installations in the United States, they
married in November 2014, and their son was born in the summer of 2015. A
few months after the birth of their son, AJ was reassigned to the United States
Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she joined
Appellant. At the USAFA, the three lived together in a house on the installa-
tion.8 It was in this residence that evidence showed Appellant committed the
acts charged in the nine convictions under review.
A. Assault Consummated by a Battery upon AJ
AJ testified at Appellant’s trial. She and Appellant “had a good friendship”
in the first years of their marriage until it took a turn for the worse.
7 U.S. CONST. amend. IV.
8 During the relevant period, Appellant and AJ were assigned to units subordinate to
the 10th Air Base Wing, which reports to the United States Air Force Academy
(USAFA). In this opinion, “base,” “installation,” and the “USAFA” are synonymous.
4
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
On 10 May 2016, Appellant assaulted AJ in their living room by grabbing
her neck with his hands. She could not “remember the events leading up to the
actual incident” and denied being physically aggressive with Appellant on that
occasion or any other. She did “recall that he strangled [her].” Appellant “used
two hands” and “[i]t lasted maybe 15 seconds, [or] 20 seconds.” During the in-
cident, AJ could not breathe, she “was frozen in fear [and she] couldn’t fight
him off [because she] was too afraid.” After the incident, it hurt to touch or
move her neck. AJ took pictures of her injuries, copies of which were admitted
into evidence at trial. AJ took the pictures because she wanted “to capture the
red marks on [her] neck and on [her] chest.” At the time, she wanted to docu-
ment her injuries “because [she] kn[e]w [she] wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet.”
AJ did not leave Appellant because she “was still trying to work on [her] mar-
riage, [she] loved him, and [they] also had a son together.”
A year later, during an incident that began in their son’s bedroom, Appel-
lant again strangled AJ by grabbing her neck with his hands. The physical
confrontation started when Appellant grabbed AJ’s arm with his hand. AJ tes-
tified that in mid-May 2017 she and Appellant were in their son’s room and
she “was trying to tell [her son] goodnight, but for some reason, [Appellant]
was blocking [her], and it made [her] upset.” AJ called Appellant “a b[**]ch”
and that “sent him into a rage.” Appellant then “grabbed” AJ’s “right forearm
and drug [her] out of the room” into the hallway. He grabbed AJ’s arm with
such force that he “left some scars” that were still visible on her arm when she
recounted what happened in testimony given almost three years later.
In the hallway, Appellant shoved AJ into a “very small space” between a
washer and dryer where she barely fit and could not move freely. In doing so,
Appellant “pushed” on her “torso” and then “started to strangle [her] with both
of his hands” that he had “[a]round [her] neck.” As he strangled her, Appellant
was yelling, “Who’s the b[**]ch now?” AJ testified she could feel “a lot of pres-
sure on [her] neck and [her] face and [her] eyes” that lasted “[m]aybe 15 to 20
seconds.” The pressure “was very, very forceful[ and she] thought [she] was
going to die.” The squeezing of her neck “was very painful,” she “couldn’t
breathe,” and her “vision started blacking out.” Using her own words to de-
scribe the fear she felt at the time, she testified, “I was afraid. I really—I
thought I was going to die.” The incident ended when Appellant “just kind of
stopped and walked away” to another room in the house. AJ described the
strangulation as “way more forceful” than the assault a year earlier. Immedi-
ately after the incident, AJ locked herself in the bathroom and again took pic-
tures documenting her injuries, which were also admitted into evidence. Like
the strangulation incident by Appellant a year earlier, this incident also made
it painful to touch or move her neck.
5
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
In October 2018, AJ told Appellant that she did not want a relationship
anymore and that she planned to move out of their USAFA residence when she
finished Airman Leadership School. AJ hastened her departure when, “[i]n No-
vember of 2018, two days before Thanksgiving, [Appellant] kicked [AJ] out of
[their] home.” In time, AJ moved into an apartment off-base. She formally re-
ported the incidents when she sought counseling in mid-December 2018, which
led to an investigation by military law enforcement.9 She filed for divorce in
February 2019.
In April 2019, AJ answered a phone call from her first sergeant informing
her that Appellant had been apprehended and that she should come to the
USAFA to pick up her son. AJ went to Appellant’s residence and was greeted
by KM, a woman AJ had never met until “she answered the door.” KM ap-
peared to be “very upset[ and] she was crying.” KM “briefly told [AJ] what hap-
pened” that evening as she helped AJ gather and pack up her son’s things.
B. Assault Consummated by a Battery upon KM
KM also testified at Appellant’s trial. She explained their friendship began
when she responded to a picture she saw of Appellant’s son on a social media
application in the summer of 2018. In time, Appellant and KM began communi-
cating over the Internet. In November 2018, Appellant asked KM to move to
Colorado and live with him and his son. She agreed and did so with the inten-
tion “[j]ust to start a new life.”
KM testified about meeting Appellant for the first time in-person and mov-
ing into the USAFA house Appellant shared with his son. Appellant picked KM
up from the airport when her flight landed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
in November 2018. She testified, “It felt like I knew him my whole life.” They
spent time together enjoying activities such as hiking and bowling, and KM
found a job in Colorado Springs. Appellant’s son “didn’t live [with them] full
time,” but he “was there quite a lot.” Initially, “It was really good. [They] were
happy. It was like -- it was a thing [they]’d been doing for forever.” Although
KM and Appellant had arguments, she stated their differences were minor.
The relationship took a turn for the worse in early February 2019. KM an-
swered the door to their home and a process server called on Appellant to serve
him with divorce papers. It was at that moment when KM “found out for a fact”
that Appellant was still married. From that point forward, KM “didn’t trust
him at all,” and they argued “[e]very day.” Despite their differences, and KM
9 Subsequently, Appellant’s commander directed him to attend domestic violence treat-
ment sponsored by the installation’s Family Advocacy Program. Without objection,
trial counsel questioned Appellant about his participation in that program, which Ap-
pellant challenges in assignment of error (3).
6
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
wanting to leave Appellant at times, she cared about him and thought they
might make the relationship work.
On 24 April 2019, before the incident in question, Appellant and KM spent
the afternoon looking at apartments and houses off-base. In the evening, KM
prepared food for supper. Appellant’s son would not eat, so KM asked Appel-
lant to “get off of his game and his phone” to help with his son. In her words,
“It was like we didn’t exist.” Later in the living room, Appellant said he would
be leaving to go to a softball game with some people from work. KM inquired
if she and Appellant’s son were invited, and Appellant told her, “No, [be]cause
she only invited me.”10 A verbal altercation ensued because, as KM explained
at trial, “there was a time in the past where there was a lot of issues with
another female.” Appellant told her, “I’m done with you. I’m not doing this an-
ymore.” KM went into a different room to calm down and “just kind of let it
blow over.”
Later in the evening, Appellant told her, “It’s been a nice run,” which KM
understood to mean that their relationship was over. She told him, “If it’s done,
then don’t touch me,” and left the room. A few minutes later, Appellant sent
her a screenshot of the next flight back to her home. After more verbal alterca-
tions, KM sat on the floor in the living room and begged Appellant to talk to
her “because [she] didn’t understand at all” why he wanted her to go. When
she put her hand on Appellant’s leg, he told her, “Don’t do that because you
know what’s going to happen.” KM testified Appellant “kept telling [her] how
he was done with [her],” and they “were both saying hateful things.” At one
point, KM stood up, threw her eyeglasses across the room, and told Appellant,
“F[**]k you. I hate you.” She threw a squishy ball—a dog toy—at him, and
began to leave the room.
As KM left, she “could feel like somebody [was] coming behind [her].” She
turned around and Appellant “grabbed [her] by [her] sweater” and “walked
backward with [her]. [A]t one point, he also had a hand on [her] neck.” Appel-
lant grabbed her by the shoulders,11 “turned [her] around and had [her] against
the wall. And then he put [her] in like a chokehold.” Appellant “had one of his
arms around [her] neck and then the other one kind of like holding his arm.”
KM explained: “I was trying to get away from him. I was trying to put my
hands in between so that I could breathe because I couldn’t breathe.”
10 Appellant testified he thought it would be inappropriate to bring a girlfriend to an
official function while he was going through a divorce.
11 Appellant contests the evidentiary sufficiency of his conviction for grabbing KM “on
the neck and torso with his arms” (emphasis added) (Specification 2 of Charge II). This
opinion further discusses, infra, evidence that supports this conviction in more detail.
7
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Appellant “straddled” KM after she fell to the floor, and placed “both of his
hands around [her] neck.” KM was “begging” Appellant to stop while also “apol-
ogizing.” Appellant told her “[s]orry isn’t going to work this time” and that “he’d
risk everything.” At one point, Appellant also had “a hand on [her] mouth and
nose.” KM “was kicking [her] legs” and “trying to dig [her] hands in between
his hands and [her] neck.” She was also “hitting him” and “trying to grab
things” to “get away.” She “was trying to make as much noise as [she] could,”
including “trying to hit the window” by the front door, hoping a neighbor would
hear. KM could not breathe while Appellant strangled her. She also experi-
enced “hot flashes” and problems with both her hearing and vision. KM contin-
ued to struggle and “somehow” they “ended up on [their] sides.”
Appellant was behind KM with “his legs wrapped around” her. Appellant
told KM “nobody was going to help [her].” In that moment, KM “really thought
[she] was going to die.” She “thought that was it. All [she] could think about
was [her] family and how . . . they wouldn’t understand. [She] was scared.” She
also thought about Appellant’s son and “was really worried that he would wake
up and see what was going on.” In time, she “tried to stay as quiet as [she]
could because [she] . . . didn’t want that image in [the son’s] head of seeing his
dad doing something like that.” KM described “going out of it again” and did
not recall Appellant “getting off” her. KM testified her “neck was very, very
tender” in the days after the assault and it hurt to breathe, speak, and “any
movement . . . was very, very sore.”
After receiving a call about a domestic disturbance, military law enforce-
ment responded to Appellant’s USAFA residence. Appellant was taken into
custody and ordered into pretrial confinement. As noted above, when AJ
learned Appellant had been apprehended, she went to the residence where she
picked up her son and met KM. Photographs of KM’s injuries, and a report
prepared by a forensic nurse examiner that documented those injuries, were
admitted as evidence along with testimony from the nurse.
C. Failure to Obey a Lawful General Regulation
In March 2019, Appellant and KM left Colorado to visit his parents. Appel-
lant purchased a Glock handgun, which he brought back with him to Colorado.
As they were entering the USAFA, Appellant told KM he had to put the gun
under his seat because it was not registered with the installation.
Upon military law enforcement personnel responding to Appellant’s resi-
dence for the 24 April 2019 assault of KM, they learned Appellant kept the
handgun in an entertainment center in his living room and also owned an AR-
15 rifle that he kept disassembled in a box in a closet in the back of the house.
Evidence showed Appellant failed to register either the handgun or rifle with
the USAFA 10th Security Forces Squadron. Appellant was convicted of two
8
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
specifications of failing to obey a lawful general regulation by having unregis-
tered privately owned firearms stored in his on-base residence.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
Appellant challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of one conviction for
assault consummated by a battery upon KM, and his two convictions for failure
to obey a lawful general regulation. We consider both challenges in turn.
1. Law
A Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) may affirm only such findings of guilty
as it “finds correct in law and fact and determines, on the basis of the entire
record, should be approved.” Article 66(d)(1), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866(d)(1). Ar-
ticle 66(d)(1) “requires the Courts of Criminal Appeals to conduct a de novo
review of legal and factual sufficiency of the case.” United States v. Washing-
ton, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted) (interpreting Article
66(c), UCMJ, in a pre-2019 MCM). Our assessment is limited to the evidence
produced at trial. United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993) (cita-
tions omitted).
“The test for legal sufficiency is whether, after viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United
States v. Robinson, 77 M.J. 294, 297–98 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (quoting United States
v. Rosario, 76 M.J. 114, 117 (C.A.A.F. 2017)). “This familiar standard gives full
play to the responsibility of the trier of fact fairly to resolve conflicts in the
testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from basic
facts to ultimate facts.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). “[I]n
resolving questions of legal sufficiency, we are bound to draw every reasonable
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). To reach a de-
termination of legal sufficiency, there must be some competent evidence in the
record from which the trier of fact was entitled to find beyond a reasonable
doubt, the existence of every element of the offense charged. United States v.
Wilson, 6 M.J. 214, 215 (C.M.A. 1979).
When examining the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecu-
tion, “a rational factfinder[ ] could use his ‘experience with people and events
in weighing the probabilities’ to infer beyond a reasonable doubt” that an ele-
ment was proven. United States v. Long, 81 M.J. 362, 369 (C.A.A.F. 2021)
(quoting Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121, 140 (1954)). As a result, an
examination for legal sufficiency “involves a very low threshold to sustain a
9
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
conviction.” United States v. King, 78 M.J. 218, 221 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (citation
omitted), cert. denied, __ U.S. __, 139 S. Ct. 1641 (2019).
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 ourselves] convinced of the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.” United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 325 (C.M.A. 1987). “In
conducting this unique appellate role, we take ‘a fresh, impartial look at the
evidence,’ applying ‘neither a presumption of innocence nor a presumption of
guilt’ to ‘make [our] own independent determination 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).
2. Assault Consummated by a Battery upon KM by Unlawfully
Grabbing KM’s “Torso”
Appellant was convicted of three specifications of assault consummated by
a battery upon KM. As relevant to this appeal, in Specification 2 of Charge II,
the Government alleged Appellant unlawfully grabbed KM’s neck and torso in
violation of Article 128, UCMJ: “In that [Appellant] . . . did, at or near [the]
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, on or about 24 April 2019, unlaw-
fully grab [KM], the intimate partner of the accused, on her neck and torso
with his arms.”
For Appellant to be found guilty of this offense, the Government was re-
quired to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant did bodily harm to
KM with unlawful force or violence, and that he did so by grabbing her neck
and torso with his arms. See 2019 MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 77.b.(3)(c). “Bodily harm” is
defined as “an offensive touching of another, however slight.” 2019 MCM, pt.
IV, ¶ 77.c.(1)(a). “Unlawful force or violence” is demonstrated if an “accused
wrongfully caused the contact, in that no legally cognizable reason existed that
would excuse or justify the contact.” United States v. Bonner, 70 M.J. 1, 3
(C.A.A.F. 2011).
Appellant contends that KM’s testimony does not support a finding of guilty
to the words “and torso.” He asks the court to strike and dismiss these words
and reassess his sentence. The Government allows that KM did not testify Ap-
pellant grabbed her “torso” with his arms by using that word, but argues her
testimony and other evidence presented on the merits establish the legal and
factual sufficiency of the finding of guilty to the specification that includes
these words. In addition to evidence, the Government relies on the definition
of “torso” that Appellant relies on in his brief: “the human body apart from the
head, neck, arms, and legs: the human trunk.” See MERRIAM-WEBSTER, Torso,
10
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torso (last visited on 23 May 2022). Be-
cause both parties rely on the same dictionary, the court considers this defini-
tion for the purpose of analysis, but does not find it necessary to rely on the
meaning of a human “torso” from a dictionary or other source to reach a result.
On direct examination, KM testified Appellant “grabbed [her] by [her]
sweater . . . [a]nd somehow . . . he turned [her] around and had [her] against
the wall.” In doing so, he “walked backward with [her].” On cross-examination,
KM answered in the affirmative when trial defense counsel asked if Appellant
“grabbed you by the shoulders?” She further explained how Appellant grabbed
and “flipped [her] around[ ]before he put his arm around [her] neck.” Appel-
lant’s written statement to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was
also before the factfinder. In that statement he admitted to “placing [his] hand
on [KM’s] right shoulder.”
A rational factfinder could conclude that, among Appellant’s acts on 24
April 2019, Appellant used his arms to grab the trunk of KM’s body—parts of
her body other than her head, neck, and limbs in line with the definition of
“torso” in the dictionary that both parties rely on in this appeal. The most di-
rect evidence for this conclusion is KM’s testimony that Appellant grabbed KM
by the shoulder. At the same time, a rational factfinder could conclude from
KM’s description of Appellant grabbing her by the sweater, walking her back-
ward, and flipping her around that the charged conduct was accomplished by
force Appellant applied to KM’s torso when he grabbed her with his hands.
A rational factfinder could reach these same conclusions without expert
testimony of the meaning of “torso” or special instruction from the military
judge. Not every word in a specification requires definition, even when the
word is essential to an element of the offense. See United States v. Bailey, 77
M.J. 11, 15 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (explaining the precept that commonly used words,
and words used in the vernacular, do not require judicial definition).
Appellant argues shoulders generally are not considered part of one’s
“torso,” but this claim is at variance with the definition of “shoulder” in the
same reference both parties rely on for the definition of “torso.” See MERRIAM-
WEBSTER, Shoulder, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoulder (last vis-
ited on 23 May 2022) (defining shoulder as the area at which “the arm is con-
nected with the trunk,” and shoulders as “the two shoulders and the upper part
of the back”). A rational factfinder could conclude Appellant grabbed KM by
the upper part of her back, and that the words “and torso” were proven beyond
a reasonable doubt, and thus, are not at variance with evidence Appellant ap-
plied force to the torso of KM’s body with his hands. Drawing all reasonable
inferences from testimony in favor of the Government, Barner, 56 M.J. at 134,
the evidence legally supports Appellant’s conviction for grabbing KM’s neck
11
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
and torso—parts of her body other than limbs—with his arms, and we are con-
vinced beyond a reasonable doubt of Appellant’s guilt as charged. The court
finds the words “and torso” legally and factually sufficient and we decline to
grant the requested relief.
3. Failure to Obey a Lawful General Regulation
Appellant was charged with failure to obey a lawful general regulation by
failing to register two firearms he kept in his on-base residence. One specifica-
tion alleged Appellant failed to register a handgun between 1 April 2019 and
25 April 2019. A second specification alleged Appellant failed to register a rifle
between 1 January 2019 and 25 April 2019.12 Evidence showed Appellant failed
to register these firearms with the USAFA security forces squadron.
Before trial, Appellant moved to dismiss the charge and its specifications.
He argued the regulation at issue, Air Force Instruction (AFI) 31-101, Inte-
grated Defense, ¶ 8.4.2.4.1.4 (6 Jul. 2017),13 was a controlled access publication,
and, therefore, Appellant did not have fair notice of what was required of him.
To this end, Appellant argued the AFI had not been properly published.14 Ap-
pellant’s written motion included a screenshot of an Air Force website (ePubs)
that serves as a repository for online publications. That website identified AFI
31-101 as a “restricted access” publication available from the Warehouse Man-
agement System (WMS) or the office of primary responsibility (OPR). The mil-
itary judge denied the motion, ruling that the issue of proper publication was
“an issue that can be litigated” at trial and a question of fact for the members
to decide.15 Appellant then contested the question of proper publication before
the members.
12 Specifications 1 (handgun) and 2 (rifle) of Additional Charge II.
13 This paragraph of the Air Force Instruction (AFI) reads in pertinent part, “Registra-
tion of POFs [Privately Owned Firearms] is mandatory when stored on the installa-
tion. This includes weapons stored in family/privatized housing where the [Air Force]
has legal jurisdiction (proprietary, concurrent or exclusive) and the armory.”
14 The AFI states that failure by military personnel to obey the provision in issue is a
violation of Article 92, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 892. Appellant does not challenge enforcea-
bility insofar as whether the provision is meant to be punitive. We find that it was.
15 During questioning of the USAFA publications manager, the military judge in-
structed the members that “[t]he opinion that this witness offered on whether a regu-
lation has been lawfully published is . . . a decision that you’re going to have to make.”
After the close of evidence, he instructed that general regulations are those “generally
applicable to an armed force and which are properly published by a military depart-
ment. ‘Publication’ occurs when a general regulation is received by the official reposi-
tory for such publications on base, such as the master publications library. Then, it is
available for reference by all base personnel.”
12
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
We assume for purposes of this appeal that this aspect of the military
judge’s ruling is correct in that the question whether AFI 31-101 had been
properly published is a question of fact for the members to decide. The court,
therefore, examines this question as it bears on legal and factual sufficiency of
the two convictions under review. See Washington, 57 M.J. at 399. We then
conclude by separately examining a closely related question of law: whether
the military judge abused his discretion by failing to rule that the punitive
provision of the AFI at issue could not be enforced against Appellant as a mat-
ter of due process of law.
For Appellant to be found guilty of the two offenses at issue, the Govern-
ment was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that: (1) there was in
effect a certain lawful general regulation, AFI 31-101; (2) Appellant had a duty
to obey it; and (3) Appellant failed to obey the regulation. See 2019 MCM, pt.
IV, ¶ 18.b.(1) (listing elements of Article 92, UCMJ). General regulations are
those “generally applicable to an armed force which are properly published by
the President or the Secretary of Defense, of Homeland Security, or of a mili-
tary department . . . .” 2019 MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 18.c.(1)(a). An accused’s knowledge
of a general regulation “need not be alleged or proved as knowledge is not an
element of this offense and a lack of knowledge does not constitute a defense.”
2019 MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 18.c.(d).
On appeal, Appellant renews his contention at trial that the Government
failed to prove that the regulation at issue was properly published with respect
to the first element of the charged offenses. In support of this claim, Appellant
argues that a general regulation must be available for reference by all instal-
lation personnel, and the restricted access caveat to AFI 31-101 does not qual-
ify. On this point, Appellant contends that “[t]he record establishes that AFI
31-101 was not available to all base personnel, least of all prior to or during
the charged timeframes; thus, it was not properly published.” For support, Ap-
pellant relies on the testimony of the USAFA Pass and Registration Center
(PRC) noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) who was called as a witness
in the Government’s findings case. The NCOIC testified on cross-examination
that he believed Airmen who were not security forces personnel would not nor-
mally have access to AFI 31-101. Appellant asks the court to set aside his con-
victions with respect to these offenses as well as his sentence.
The Government presented testimony at trial of the USAFA Publications
Manager, which refuted testimony given by the NCOIC. The Publications Man-
ager explained that ePubs is the official repository for Air Force instructions
and that restricted access publications are listed on ePubs with guidance how
to access such publications. She further explained that when trying to access
a particular restricted publication, a link generates a webpage that has an-
other “link that sends you to WMS, or it will give you an information icon where
13
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
you can contact the OPR for access to the publication.” She explained that doc-
uments on the WMS website are accessible by any personnel with a common
access card (CAC), but are not readily accessible to the general public.16 The
Publications Manager testified that AFI 31-101 is listed on ePubs and if some-
one is attempting to access the AFI, a link directs the user “to the page that
states you go to WMS if you have accessibility or to contact the OPR for access”
to AFI 31-101. Evidence showed military personnel can access AFI 31-101
through the ePubs link to WMS:
Q [Trial Counsel]. And through WMS, is it immediately – specif-
ically, AFI 31-101, is it immediately available to a military mem-
ber?
A [Witness]. Yes.
Q. Are there any special accounts that are required?
A. No.
Q. Any special permissions you need from the OPR?
A. No.
Q. Does the Air Force Academy, specifically, put any other spe-
cific restrictions on accessing AFI 31-101?
A. No, sir.
On cross-examination, the publications manager acknowledged she did not at-
tempt to access AFI 31-101 during the charged timeframes.
Next, the Government called a noncommissioned officer who was assigned
to the USAFA legal office as an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA) re-
servist. The IMA described how she recently accessed AFI 31-101 through the
ePubs website using her CAC and a government computer.17 Her testimony
16 The court judicially notes, as background, what would have been apparent to the
members and may be inferred from this testimony and other evidence: a common ac-
cess card (CAC) is “the ID [(identification)] card for uniformed Services personnel,”
which also “serves as a primary platform for the public key infrastructure authentica-
tion token in the unclassified environment used to access the Department[ of the Air
Force]’s computer networks and systems.” AFI 36-3026, Volume 2, Common Access
Card (CAC), ¶ 1.3 (17 May 2018). We are mindful that a Court of Criminal Appeals
may “take judicial notice of an undisputed fact . . . that is important to the resolution
of an appellate issue, [but] it cannot take judicial notice of facts necessary to establish
an element of the offense.” United States v. Paul, 73 M.J. 274, 280 (C.A.A.F. 2014).
17 Appellant points out that, “[d]uring discovery trial counsel expressly told the Defense
that while the Government was turning over a copy of AFI 31-101, it was doing so with
14
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
was consistent with the testimony of the Publications Manager and lent sup-
port to the conclusion that AFI 31-101 was properly published:
Q [Trial Counsel]. . . . [W]ere you able to view it?
A [Witness]. Yes, sir.
Q. How did you do that?
A. . . . I put [“]31-101[”] into the search bar, and I clicked on
“search” on the Air Force ePublishing website. It gave me a list
of publications. I clicked on AFI 31-101 and it brought me to a
restricted access page. On the restricted access page, there is a
link to the WMS site, WMS meaning Warehouse Management
System. I clicked on that. It brought me to another link, which I
then clicked on, and it brought me to the WMS homepage.
Through that, you actually do have to use your CAC -- your mil-
itary CAC card. You pick the certificate that you want, enter in
your PIN, you hit enter, and it brings you to a disclaimer page.
You click, “I agree,” and, then, it gets you to the WMS homepage.
From there, there is a keyword search bar that gives you direc-
tion as to how to enter your AFI, for instance, no spaces. I en-
tered [“]AFI 31-101,[”] and it brought me to a product page. On
the product page, it said, “AFI 31-101, new details.” I clicked on
“new details,” and it brought me to the product detail page,
which then told me that AFI 31-101 was available for instant
download.
Q. And did you download it?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you save it for later?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Could you print hard copies?
the ‘trust that a separate copy’ of this ‘controlled-access document’ would ‘not be pro-
vided to [Appellant].’” Appellant argues that trial counsel “clearly did not believe that
all base personnel were entitled to access AFI 31-101, least of [all] Appellant, the per-
son actually being charged with violating this AFI.” We find trial counsel’s misunder-
standing of the restricted access caveat and the obligation to discover and produce ev-
idence to assist Appellant in his defense has no bearing on the court’s determination
of legal and factual sufficiency of Appellant’s conviction. See United States v. Reed, 54
M.J. 37, 43–44 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (stating matters not introduced at trial are outside the
record and may not be considered for factual or legal sufficiency on appeal).
15
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
A. Yes, sir.
....
Q. Now we briefly talked about the fact that you are an IMA
paralegal here at the legal office.
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any special access to ePubs?
A. No, sir.
Q. Any kind of account that you set up?
A. No, sir.
Q. Any special permissions?
A. No, sir.
Q. When you went to [AFI] 31-101 through the WMS, did you
have to request anything from the OPR?
A. No, sir.
On cross-examination, the IMA acknowledged she did not attempt to access
AFI 31-101 during the charged timeframes.
The Government also introduced a “Weapon Registration Form,” which Ap-
pellant had signed on 26 February 2015, about four years before the beginning
of the earliest charged timeframe. Appellant signed the form the same day he
signed a lease agreement to occupy on-base housing.18 The exhibit informed
residents that “[a]ll firearms must be registered with the Neighborhood Man-
agement Office and in accordance with 10th Security Forces [Squadron] at the
[United States] Air Force Academy within three (3) days of occupancy or pro-
curement of firearms.” It continued, “Failure to adhere to this provision is a
material breach of the Lease Agreement.” The exhibit listed no firearms that
had been registered to Appellant.
The Government called a witness who was familiar with Appellant’s rec-
ords maintained at the housing office. The witness explained the Weapon Reg-
istration Form that Appellant had signed is the same form that “would have
been provided at move-in for anyone who has or will get weapons within their
homes.” The witness acknowledged the exhibit came from Appellant’s housing
office file. The witness explained that a form that lists firearms is not filed with
the housing office until the resident has already complied with the security
18 The Government also introduced evidence of signs posted at installation entry points
that generally warned of firearm restrictions on the installation.
16
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
forces squadron’s process for registering a firearm. In Appellant’s case, if he
had properly registered a weapon it would have been reflected on his Weapon
Registration Form on file with the housing office. In that regard, the witness
testified,
[T]he purpose of this form is to ensure that [residents] are in
accordance with the base policy as well. So, this form is returned
to us with the weapons information on it. The form that we cur-
rently are using does have a space for security forces to also
acknowledge that they have received the information from the
resident.
Direct evidence shows Appellant was well aware of firearm registration re-
quirements at the USAFA. In March 2019 he told KM he had to hide the Glock
handgun he had just purchased because it was not registered with the instal-
lation. During his testimony in findings, Appellant acknowledged he was
aware of his duty to register his firearms. He even “had the paperwork” to
complete the process. He acknowledged “it was a housing requirement to reg-
ister [a firearm] on base.” He confirmed “it was a base requirement to register
it,” explaining, “That’s the brief that you’re given once you obtain the house.”
In his own words, he “had a duty to register” personal firearms that he kept in
on-base housing, only he had not done so.
The court finds Appellant’s convictions legally and factually sufficient. In
this regard, a rational factfinder could conclude that AFI 31-101 was properly
published and that it was in effect during the relevant periods. We reach this
conclusion for the reasons that follow. First, the USAFA Publications Manager
explained that ePubs is the official repository for Air Force instructions. Sec-
ond, both the Publications Manager and the IMA testified that the AFI was
listed on ePubs. Third and significantly, the Publications Manager further ex-
plained that the AFI was accessible to all military personnel using CAC cre-
dentials. In this regard, the “restricted access” caveat excluded only those per-
sons from examining the AFI on ePubs who could not be charged under Article
92, UCMJ, with its violation.19 Fourth, a rational factfinder could infer from
19 Appellant asserts that not all persons have access to AFI 31-101, Integrated Defense,
(6 Jul. 2017), notably, for example, “military dependents, [and] certain contractors who
work full-time on base.” We find this point inapt because, under the express terms of
the AFI, only “military personnel” are subject to disciplinary action under Article 92,
UCMJ, for failure to obey the AFI’s punitive provisions, including the one at issue.
17
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
evidence in the record that an instruction dated 6 July 2017 was properly pub-
lished within the nearly two years preceding the earliest charged timeframe in
2019.20
As to this fourth point, when examining evidence in a light most favorable
to the Prosecution, we accept that “a rational factfinder[ ] could use his ‘expe-
rience with people and events in weighing the probabilities’ to infer beyond a
reasonable doubt” that an element was proven. Long, 81 M.J. at 369 (quoting
Holland, 348 U.S. at 140). At the same time, the regulation at issue “is entitled
to a presumption of regularity if it appears regular on its face.” United States
v. Ayers, 54 M.J. 85, 91 (C.A.A.F. 2000). A rational factfinder could find no
reason to question that AFI 31-101 was regular on its face, and could infer
beyond a reasonable doubt that it was a lawful general regulation that was
properly published and in effect during the relevant periods. See United States
v. Tolkach, 14 M.J. 239, 244 (C.M.A. 1982) (concluding that publication “occurs
when a general regulation is received by the official repository”). A rational
factfinder could also infer that once the AFI had been put into effect, it had not
been rescinded before or during the charged timeframes, and therefore, was
still in effect when Appellant failed to register his firearms.
Evidence of proper publication, moreover, is evident from the housing of-
fice’s implementation of the firearm registration provision. See id. at 242 (ob-
serving “there must be a point where there has been sufficient publication to
give rise to a presumption of knowledge”). Evidence of proper publication may
be inferred from the fact that the housing office required residents to comply
with firearm registration requirements “in accordance with 10th Security
Forces at the [United States] Air Force Academy,” as stipulated in the Weapon
Registration Form Appellant signed. In addition to written notice provided to
Appellant when he moved into base housing, testimony shows it was the hous-
ing office’s policy to brief residents that they must register their firearms with
USAFA security forces. Appellant’s own testimony indicates that he received
such a brief, and so it may be inferred that the responsibility he had to register
20 The military judge took judicial notice of AFI 31-101, explaining the members were
permitted to recognize and consider the instruction “without further proof.” However,
the military judge did not take judicial notice that the AFI was properly published.
The military judge also took judicial notice of a USAFA regulation, which stated that
ePubs is “the official repository for department, command, and field publications and
forms that are issued at the wing/base and above.” A general order is a proper subject
of judicial notice. See United States v. Wales, 31 M.J. 301, 309 (C.M.A. 1990); see also
United States v. Boyett, 42 M.J. 150, 153–54 (C.A.A.F. 1995) (stating it is appropriate
to take judicial notice of service regulations).
18
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
his firearms, of which he had actual knowledge, was predicated on the imple-
mentation of a properly published AFI 31-101, or antecedent, as opposed to
some other standard or source of duty independent of the regulation at issue.
To this end, the Weapon Registration Form and briefing Appellant received
conform to provisions in the lawful general regulation at issue. See AFI 31-101,
¶ 8.4.2.4.2.4 (authorizing installation commanders to require, as part of the
lease agreement, a signed acknowledgement of security instructions regarding
privately owned firearms by all persons assigned family quarters); see also
¶ 8.4.2.4.2 (“Installation Commanders shall ensure security instructions are
given widest dissemination, and procedures established to inform all personnel
assigned to or visiting the installation, of installation guidance on POFs [pri-
vately owned firearms].”).21 Importantly, the USAFA Publications Manager
testified the AFI was accessible to any military personnel with a CAC.22 Con-
sequently, we find direct and circumstantial evidence shows the specific provi-
sion at issue was accessible by all military personnel and therefore “available
for reference by all base personnel,” Tolkach, 14 M.J. at 244, and was known
by Appellant despite the restricted access caveat.
Appellant contends that the Government was required to prove he had a
CAC that “was in working order” with the requisite “certificates . . . to access
WMS [(Warehouse Management System)].” He also argues, “It makes no dif-
ference whether Appellant was subjectively aware of this AFI’s requirement to
register firearms.” We disagree with both points. The elements of the offense
do not require the Government to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appel-
lant had the means to access the AFI using his CAC. Rather, the Government’s
burden was to show that there was in effect a certain lawful general regulation.
This was shown most directly by the USAFA Publications Manager who ex-
plained that members could access the AFI using a CAC. It was also shown
circumstantially from other evidence including Appellant’s own testimony. In
this regard, evidence Appellant knew he had a duty to register his personal
firearms makes it more probable than not that AFI 31-101 was properly pub-
lished, that it was in effect during the charged timeframes, and that Appellant
had a duty to obey it. Drawing every reasonable inference from the testimony
in favor of the Government, Barner, 56 M.J. at 134, we find ample proof that
21 This and related guidance is now contained in Department of Defense Manual
5100.76, Physical Security of Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, & Explosives
(AA&E), para 8.c (20 Feb. 2020) (“Installation Commanders shall ensure security in-
structions are given widest dissemination, and procedures established to inform all
personnel assigned to or visiting the installation, of installation guidance on POFs.”).
22 In reference to AFI 31-101, trial counsel asked the witness, “So it’s accessible to any
member with a Common Access Card?” The witness replied, “Yes, sir.”
19
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
exceeds “some competent evidence,” Wilson, 6 M.J. at 215, to support Appel-
lant’s convictions for failing to obey a lawful general regulation beyond a rea-
sonable doubt. We are also convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of Appellant’s
guilt. Thus, we find both convictions legally and factually sufficient.
Lastly, we turn to examine whether the military judge abused his discre-
tion by failing to grant Appellant’s pretrial motion that the AFI provision at
issue could not be enforced against him as a matter of due process of law. The
question of enforceability appears to be similar to, and yet distinct from, the
question of legal sufficiency. See Tolkach, 14 M.J. at 240 (addressing whether
the general regulation in that case had been properly published so as to be
“valid and enforceable” and, if not, whether it “constitutes a denial of due pro-
cess” of law). To this end, in Tolkach, the court did not ask whether any rational
trier of fact could have found the regulation at issue was properly published,
and thus enforceable against that appellant. See, e.g., Robinson, 77 M.J. at
297–98 (stating standard for legal sufficiency). Rather, the court examined the
question of “proper publication” to determine if there was “a violation of con-
stitutional due process.” Tolkach, 14 M.J. at 241. The court did so without def-
erence to the factfinder and the “very low threshold to sustain a conviction”
when a court conducts its legal sufficiency review. King, 78 M.J. at 221 (stating
the standard for legal sufficiency review “impinges upon jury discretion only to
the extent necessary to guarantee the fundamental protection of due process
of law” (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319)).
For the reasons set forth in our analysis of legal and factual sufficiency, on
this record we find that AFI 31-101 was shown to be valid and enforceable and
thus binding upon Appellant as a matter of due process of law.23 Tolkach, 14
23 Our dissenting colleague finds it significant that the date of the Weapon Registration
Form, and the date Appellant signed the form, 26 February 2015, predate the issuance
of AFI 31-101 by over two years. We judicially note that the registration requirement
for privately owned firearms during the charged timeframe was in effect before 26
February 2015. See United States v. McCormick, No. ACM 38743, 2016 CCA LEXIS
384, at *2 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 23 Jun. 2016) (unpub. op.) (observing that “Air Force
Instruction (AFI) 31-101, Integrated Defense, ¶ 8.4.2.4.1.1 (2013), requires that pri-
vately-owned firearms stored on Air Force installations be registered with Security
Forces”). This tends to show that AFI 31-101 was properly published so as to be valid
and enforceable as a matter of due process of law, United States v. Tolkach, 14 M.J.
239, 240 (C.M.A. 1982), which as stated in our opinion, appears to be a different issue
than legal sufficiency of the evidence. Separate from the question of enforceability un-
der Tolkach, our assessment of the legal sufficiency of evidence upon which Appellant
was convicted is limited to the evidence produced at trial that was before the trier of
fact. See United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993).
20
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
M.J. at 241. We find the military judge did not abuse his discretion by denying
Appellant’s motion to dismiss. To reach this conclusion, we credit the testimony
of the USAFA Publications Manager that AFI 31-101 was accessible to any
member with a CAC over the testimony of the PRC NCOIC.24 Appellant’s con-
structive knowledge of the provision at issue, moreover, can be conclusively
presumed in line with his actual knowledge of what was required of him. Thus,
we conclude the military judge did not err in denying Appellant’s pretrial mo-
tion that claimed the AFI was not enforceable as a general regulation on the
bases that it was not properly published and Appellant was deprived of fair
notice. In view of this conclusion and our finding Appellant’s convictions legally
and factually sufficient, we decline to grant the relief he requests on appeal.25
B. Cross-Examination of Appellant
Appellant contends that trial counsel improperly cross-examined Appellant
when he testified in his own defense by confronting Appellant with the asser-
tion that he had attended a domestic violence treatment program. Appellant
argues this line of questioning elicited character evidence inadmissible under
Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(1). Appellant also contends that it was improper for trial
counsel to question Appellant about the mechanism of injury to KM, specifi-
cally whether his testimony was consistent with the opinion of an expert wit-
ness called by the Government in its case-in-chief. Appellant claims this line
of questioning elicited opinion testimony under Mil. R. Evid. 701 and 702 that
Appellant was not qualified to give. In a related claim, Appellant contends that
trial defense counsel were constitutionally ineffective for failing to object to
both lines of questioning. Appellant requests the court set aside his convictions
for Charge II and the seven specifications of assault consummated by a battery,
and to set aside the sentence.
24 “Unlike most intermediate appellate courts and [the Court of Appeals for the Armed
Forces (CAAF)], the Court of Criminal Appeals has factfinding powers.” United States
v. Cendejas, 62 M.J. 334, 342 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citing Article 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§ 866).
25 In reply to the Government’s answer, Appellant asserts that “the very act this re-
stricted access regulation proscribes is otherwise understood to be a fundamental right
and constitutional guarantee in other contexts.” For authority, Appellant cites McDon-
ald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S. 742, 780 (2010) (reiterating that the “central holding”
of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, 554
U.S. 570 (2008), is “that the Second Amendment protects a personal right to keep and
bear arms for lawful purposes, most notably for self-defense within the home”). We
find McDonald and Heller inapt as to the legal and factual sufficiency of the convictions
under review. Neither case recognizes a right to refrain from registering personal fire-
arms kept on a military installation in contravention to a military duty.
21
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
As discussed next, the court finds Appellant forfeited claims that trial coun-
sel’s questioning of Appellant was improper by failing to object at trial and that
Appellant has not met his burden to demonstrate plain error. The court like-
wise finds Appellant has failed to show that trial defense counsel were consti-
tutionally deficient by failing to object to trial counsel’s questions put to Appel-
lant on cross-examination.
1. Law
a. Character Evidence
“[A]n accused’s character generally is not in issue at trial.” United States v.
Trimper, 28 M.J. 460, 467 (C.M.A. 1989) (citing Mil. R. Evid. 404(a)(1)). How-
ever, an accused “may offer evidence of the accused’s pertinent trait and, if the
evidence is admitted, the prosecution may offer evidence to rebut it.” Mil. R.
Evid. 404(a)(2)(A). “[T]he legal function of rebuttal evidence[ ] ‘. . . is . . . to ex-
plain, repel, counteract or disprove the evidence introduced by the opposing
party.’” United States v. Saferite, 59 M.J. 270, 274 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (last omis-
sion in original) (quoting United States v. Banks, 36 M.J. 150, 166 (C.M.A.
1992) (additional citation omitted)). “The scope of rebuttal is defined by evi-
dence introduced by the other party.” Banks, 36 M.J. at 166. “Rebuttal evi-
dence, like all other evidence, may be excluded pursuant to [Mil. R. Evid.] 403
if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prej-
udice.” Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274.
Appellant cites Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(1), which prohibits evidence of a crime,
wrong, or other act “to prove a person’s character in order to show that on a
particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character.” On re-
quest by an accused, the rule requires trial counsel to give the defense “reason-
able notice of the general nature of any such evidence that the prosecution in-
tends to offer at trial.” Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2)(A). Notice is generally required
before trial, but may be given “during trial if the military judge, for good cause,
excuses lack of pre-trial notice.” Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(2)(B).
b. Plain Error Standard of Review
When an accused testifies in his own defense and the Defense fails to object
to questions on cross-examination, a claim of error will be forfeited in the ab-
sence of plain error. United States v. Ruiz, 54 M.J. 138, 143 (C.A.A.F. 2000). “A
timely and specific objection is required so that the [trial] court is notified of a
possible error, and so [that the military judge] has an opportunity to correct
the error and obviate the need for appeal.” United States v. Knapp, 73 M.J. 33,
36 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (citation omitted). Under plain error review, an appellant
“has the burden of establishing (1) error that is (2) clear or obvious and (3)
results in material prejudice to his substantial rights.” United States v. Lopez,
22
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
76 M.J. 151, 154 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (internal quotation marks and citations omit-
ted). “The plain-error doctrine ‘is to be used sparingly, solely in those circum-
stances in which a miscarriage of justice would otherwise result.’” Ruiz, 54 M.J.
at 143 (quoting United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 163 n.14 (1982)).
c. Effective Assistance of Counsel
The Sixth Amendment guarantees an accused the right to effective assis-
tance of counsel. United States v. Gilley, 56 M.J. 113, 124 (C.A.A.F. 2001). In
assessing the effectiveness of counsel, we apply the standard set forth in Strick-
land v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984), and begin with the presumption
of competence announced in United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 658 (1984).
Gilley, 56 M.J. at 124 (citing United States v. Grigoruk, 52 M.J. 312, 315
(C.A.A.F. 2000)).
Allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel are reviewed de novo. United
States v. Gooch, 69 M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (citing United States v.
Mazza, 67 M.J. 470, 474 (C.A.A.F. 2009)). “To prevail on an ineffective assis-
tance claim, the appellant bears the burden of proving that the performance of
defense counsel was deficient” and that this deficiency resulted in prejudice.
United States v. Captain, 75 M.J. 99, 103 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (citing Strickland,
466 U.S. at 698). Accordingly, we consider “(1) whether counsel’s performance
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) if so, whether, but
for the deficiency, the result would have been different.” United States v.
Gutierrez, 66 M.J. 329, 331 (C.A.A.F. 2008) (citations omitted).
When evaluating the performance of counsel, we employ a “strong pre-
sumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable pro-
fessional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. Because counsel are pre-
sumed competent, an appellant must rebut this presumption by showing spe-
cific errors that “were unreasonable under prevailing professional norms.”
United States v. Scott, 24 M.J. 186, 188 (C.M.A. 1987) (citation omitted). In
effect, this requires a “showing that counsel made errors so serious that coun-
sel was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth
Amendment.” United States v. Dewrell, 55 M.J. 131, 133 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (cita-
tions omitted). Failure to pursue a particular legal claim, however, is not nec-
essarily deficient conduct by counsel. “If that claim is not shown to have a rea-
sonable probability of being found meritorious as a matter of law and fact, the
failure to pursue it is not error and certainly not ineffective assistance of coun-
sel.” United States v. Terlep, 57 M.J. 344, 349 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
2. Cross-Examination on Domestic Violence Treatment
a. Appellant’s Testimony
At trial, Appellant testified in his own defense. His direct examination
opened with trial defense counsel eliciting blanket denials from Appellant as
23
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
to offenses of which AJ and KM were named as victims. Appellant answered
his attorney’s questions about whether he committed a particular act charged
in each of the seven assault consummated by a battery specifications with, “No,
sir. I did not.” By the end of direct examination, Appellant denied he had com-
mitted those offenses, again repeating, “No, sir. I did not,” each time trial de-
fense counsel asked him about charged conduct. Specifically with regard to
charged offenses against his spouse, AJ, in May 2017, Appellant denied grab-
bing her by the arm and dragging her out of their son’s bedroom, he denied
shoving her between the washer and dryer, and he denied grabbing her by the
neck with his hands and strangling her.
In response to other trial defense counsel questions on direct examination,
Appellant testified about efforts he made to improve communication in his
marriage. He explained his relationship with AJ “wasn’t what you call the
best,” and was more “like a roller coaster ride, up and down, up and down.” The
problems “got to a point where [Appellant] . . . began to look up resources in
regards to improving the marriage.” Trial defense counsel asked if Appellant
and AJ “h[ad] a conversation based on [his] research.” Appellant answered in
the affirmative, explaining his research led him to conclude that the solution
was “to improve communication.” In Appellant’s telling, the “tactic” he tried to
convey to AJ was for each of them “to lay out boundaries” and things that upset
them about the other. On further questioning, Appellant acknowledged he
“talked with [AJ] specifically about being called a b[**]ch,” explaining it was
disrespectful and “something that upsets [him].” The conversation took place
before the incident in May 2017 that began in their son’s bedroom.
In response to questions put to him by trial defense counsel, Appellant re-
layed that during that incident AJ had called him a “b[**]ch,” “like two or three
times,” and “[i]t kind of escalated each time.” Appellant acknowledged AJ was
“yelling” and “cussing” at him, so he “grabbed her by her shoulders and pushed
her out of the room.” He explained he “didn’t want [his] son to be witnessing
anything like that. We never try to -- well we always tried to keep stuff like
that out of his line of sight.” Once they were in the hallway by the washer and
dryer, Appellant told her, “Are you ‘F’-ing serious? We just had this conversa-
tion.” By conversation, Appellant acknowledged he was referring to the con-
versation where AJ got in his “face and call[ed] [him] a b[**]ch.”
On cross-examination, trial counsel sought to impeach Appellant by relat-
ing the assaults of both victims to Appellant’s inability to harness his anger.
Trial counsel began this line of inquiry by asserting that Appellant had “talked
about losing [his] temper before” and asked, “You have admitted . . . and
acknowledged that you have anger problems, right?” Appellant replied, “We’re
human. Everyone has an -- emotions.” Trial counsel then confronted Appellant
with what trial counsel said were recorded phone calls between Appellant and
24
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
KM in which they discussed that Appellant should attend anger management
counseling. Trial counsel asked Appellant to recall if he told KM that he agreed
it would be a “good idea” for him to attend such counseling. Appellant testified
he did not recall making that statement to KM.
Trial counsel again challenged Appellant’s testimony, this time confronting
him about his commitment to improving communication in his marriage as a
means to deescalate conflict as he had alluded to on direct examination. In this
regard, trial counsel sought to have Appellant admit that he attended a domes-
tic violence treatment program, but he quit the program before it was finished.
The following exchange includes the line of questioning that Appellant chal-
lenges for the first time on appeal:
Q [Trial Counsel]. [I]n the course of your marriage with [AJ] --
you did go to counseling for [anger management], right?
A [Appellant]. I went to mental health, yes, sir.
Q. No, anger counseling?
A. I went to mental health, sir.
Q. You were . . . sent to go to domestic violence treatment, right?
A. In regards to [AJ]’s allegations, yes, sir.
Q. Yeah. So you were sent to domestic violence treatment?
A. Yes, sir. Due to the allegations.
Q. This was prior to [KM] ever even coming in the picture, right?
A. That’s correct.
Q. Okay. And part of that treatment would be anger manage-
ment counseling, right?
A. I don’t recall the anger management portion, but I did see
mental health.
Q. I’m talking about the domestic violence treatment.
A. Well, sir, you also asked in regards to anger management and
mental health ----
Q. I understand that.
A. ---- so I agreed to the mental health.
Q. So I’ll -- let me narrow it for you. The domestic violence treat-
ment you went to, a portion of that is how to control your anger,
right?
25
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
A. Well in regards to that, from what I can remember, she was
just talking about how to improve couple relationships, I guess.
Q. Okay. And so the point of this treatment program is how to
repair your marriage, right?
A. I don’t fully recall. It’s been a while, sir.
Q. Okay. But, generally, you remember the gist of it?
A. The gist of it was just to kind of talk about marriage in gen-
eral.
Q. Okay. So that you would not be an abusive partner?
A. So there would be no kinds of acts of such between the couple.
Q. Okay. And you quit that program before it was finished, right?
A. I don’t recall.
(Emphasis added). Later in cross-examination, trial counsel again probed Ap-
pellant’s commitment to participating in counseling to improve his marriage.
Appellant acknowledged “looking up resources” on his own, and he did so “[t]o
improve the marriage.” This exchange followed:
Q [Trial Counsel]. Okay. But you quit the domestic violence pro-
gram, right?
A [Appellant]. I never quit.
Q. You never completed it?
A. I didn’t complete it, but neither did I quit.
After questioning by both counsel was complete, a panel member asked
“when did [Appellant] go to domestic violence counseling? What incident, if
any, triggered the counseling, and was it a self-referral or mandated?” Trial
defense counsel objected citing Mil. R. Evid. 402 and 403, explaining he did
“not believe that any further inquiry into [Appellant]’s counseling [wa]s rele-
vant.” Trial counsel took “no position on” the last two parts of the question, but
argued the first part was “relevant because the purpose of the cross[-examina-
tion], and what was elicited, was to impeach [Appellant] on the timeline he
gave as far as [Appellant] working on the marriage and being interested in
preserving the marriage and this type of thing.” The military judge sustained
the objection to the member’s question, citing Mil. R. Evid. 403 and the inad-
missibility of subsequent remedial measures under Mil. R. Evid. 407.
26
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
b. Trial Defense Counsel Responses to “Domestic Violence Treat-
ment”
As a result of Appellant’s claims that he received constitutionally ineffec-
tive assistance from trial defense counsel, the court ordered and received dec-
larations from both counsel.26 We have considered whether a post-trial eviden-
tiary hearing is required to resolve any factual disputes and are convinced such
a hearing is unnecessary. See United States v. Ginn, 47 M.J. 236, 248 (C.A.A.F.
1997); United States v. DuBay, 37 C.M.R. 411, 413 (C.M.A. 1967) (per curiam).
The lead trial defense counsel conducted the direct examination of Appel-
lant. He did not object to questions put to Appellant on cross-examination
about Appellant’s participation in “domestic violence treatment” as part of a
defense strategy to show that Appellant did not have anything to hide. The
lead counsel explained this approach “would contrast with the two victims, who
had been hiding things throughout.” Additionally, the lead counsel believed
members would consider such participation neither “strange” nor “unusual”
when an Airman is accused of domestic violence by a partner.27 The lead coun-
sel recalled the line of questioning “as being insignificant in how it came out at
trial.” He explained, “At the time, the . . . questioning did not seem very strong
or confident, and the [trial counsel] seemed to be grasping at something that
was not there.” Appellant “was also doing well on the stand, so the need to
object was not significant strategically.”
c. Analysis
Appellant claims evidence that Appellant was “treated” for domestic vio-
lence alerted the members, in violation of Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(1), that he “was
precisely the type of person who would commit the charged acts especially
given that he failed to complete his treatment.” For support, Appellant draws
the court’s attention to a member’s question after trial counsel’s line of inquiry
that sought details about Appellant going to domestic violence counseling. In
reply to the Government’s answer, Appellant makes the additional argument
26 On 22 July 2021 the court granted the Government’s motion to order trial defense
counsel to provide an affidavit or declaration to the court that was responsive to Ap-
pellant’s claim that trial defense counsel were constitutionally ineffective in their rep-
resentation of Appellant. Appellant moved the court for reconsideration of that order,
with a suggestion for en banc reconsideration, which the court denied on 10 August
2021. Appellant petitioned the CAAF for extraordinary relief in the nature of a writ of
prohibition or, in the alternative, a writ of mandamus, which was denied on 15 Sep-
tember 2021. United States v. Jackson, 82 M.J. 19 (C.A.A.F. 2021) (mem.).
27 The co-counsel shared this view, stating “[i]t came across in court as something Ap-
pellant was required to do just based simply on the fact that allegations had been
raised, not that they had been substantiated by any means.”
27
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
that there is no reference to any counseling or treatment in Appellant’s direct
examination. Appellant also asserts in reply that the “domestic violence treat-
ment” program that trial counsel referenced on cross-examination only “came
about after AJ made her allegations in December 2018 when they were already
separated,” and by that time, the “alleged charges involving AJ had already
occurred over 18 months beforehand . . . before [the marriage] was broken.”
We are not persuaded that Mil. R. Evid. 404(b)(1) is the correct rule to de-
cide this matter. Instead, we look to Mil. R. Evid. 404(a)(2)(A), which governs
situations where an accused offers evidence of his character. We also look to
the law of impeachment by contradiction. See, e.g., United States v. Sojfer, 47
M.J. 425, 427 (C.A.A.F. 1998). This method of impeachment “involves showing
the tribunal the contrary of a witnesses’ asserted fact, so as to raise an infer-
ence of a general defective trustworthiness.” United States v. Banker, 15 M.J.
207, 210 (C.M.A. 1983) (first citing 3A John H. Wigmore, Evidence § 1000
(Chadbourne rev. 1970); and then citing Charles T. McCormick, McCormick’s
Handbook of the Law of Evidence § 47 (E. Cleary 2d ed. 1972)).
The challenged line of questioning had its origin in responses Appellant
gave to trial defense counsel questions when he testified in his own defense.
Appellant explained how he took the initiative to find resources to improve
communication in his marriage. The implication of his testimony was that AJ
was verbally aggressive and behaved inappropriately in their son’s bedroom
and, at the same time, Appellant attempted to deescalate the situation by re-
moving AJ from the room. A logical inference from Appellant’s direct examina-
tion is that it was less probable he was the aggressor in the May 2017 incident
with AJ in their son’s bedroom because, mindful of the resources he took the
initiative to discover, Appellant was sensitive to avoiding a conflict escalation
in his marriage.
Appellant’s testimony about initiatives he said he took to avoid conflict with
AJ opened the door to challenge on cross-examination. The court reaches this
conclusion because Appellant’s testimony on direct examination could be rele-
vant only because of its tendency to show that he did not commit the charged
assaults against AJ that began in their son’s bedroom. Whether or not Appel-
lant understood it at the time, that testimony put what he believed to be a
pertinent character trait before the members, namely, that the factfinder
should believe he was not the type of person who would escalate conflict in a
relationship or engage in the conduct charged by the Government. See Mil. R.
Evid. 404(a)(2)(A) (accused may offer a “pertinent trait” as an exception to the
general rule that evidence of character is inadmissible).
As observed by our superior court’s predecessor, “[T]he price a defendant
must pay for attempting to prove his good name is to throw open the entire
28
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
subject which the law has kept closed for his benefit and to make himself vul-
nerable where the law otherwise shields him.” United States v. Tomchek, 4
M.J. 66, 71 (C.M.A. 1977) (internal quotation marks omitted) (citing Michelson
v. United States, 335 U.S. 469, 479 (1948)). An “accused who elects to testify is
subject to impeachment just like any other witness.” United States v. Stroh, 46
M.J. 643, 648 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 1997). Unlike other witnesses, an accused’s
testimony may be viewed with the clear purpose to raise reasonable doubt as
to guilt. In this regard, an accused assumes responsibility not only for the evi-
dence he introduces, but also for the reasonable inferences that may be drawn
from that evidence. See United States v. Shields, 20 M.J. 174, 176 (C.M.A.
1985); United States v. Strong, 17 M.J. 263, 266 (C.M.A. 1984). This court is
not inclined to take a dismissive approach to the efforts Appellant said he made
to improve communication in his marriage or discount the significance of those
efforts to his defense when they were laid before the trier of fact.
It follows that Appellant’s sincerity and commitment to constructive con-
flict resolution were grounds for rebuttal by trial counsel. Mil. R. Evid.
404(a)(2)(A) (“[A]ccused may offer evidence of the accused’s pertinent trait and,
if the evidence is admitted, the prosecution may offer evidence to rebut it.”);
see also Banks, 36 M.J. at 166 (“It is well settled that the function of rebuttal
evidence is to explain, repel, counteract or disprove the evidence introduced by
the opposing party.”). In this regard, the Government explains that evidence
Appellant had not completed a counseling program was proper rebuttal. As the
court understands the Government’s argument, the line of inquiry undermined
Appellant’s credibility because it tended to disprove a trait that Appellant felt
important enough to offer during his direct examination: it demonstrated Ap-
pellant was not so dedicated to avoiding conflict in his relationship with AJ
that he could not have been the aggressor in the May 2017 incident in their
son’s bedroom.
For reasons discussed next, the court is satisfied with this explanation and
finds the challenged line of questioning was not shown to be irrelevant, Mil. R.
Evid. 401 and 402, or unduly prejudicial, Mil. R. Evid. 403, under a plain error
standard of review. See Lopez, 76 M.J. at 154. Having determined both logical
relevance and an admissible purpose for the questions, the court is not per-
suaded that Mil. R. Evid. 404(b) applies in this context.28 See United States v.
28 We likewise reject Appellant’s claim of plain error in that trial counsel’s cross-exam-
ination of Appellant “amounted to character evidence which should only have been
allowed upon proper notice citing a legitimate, nonpropensity purpose” under Mil. R.
Evid. 404(b). Mil. R. Evid. 404(a) and impeachment by contradiction are the applicable
evidentiary rules to resolve the assignment of error, and not Mil. R. Evid. 404(b). We
find Appellant has not shown error in trial counsel’s failure to provide notice.
29
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Sullivan, 70 M.J. 110, 115 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (concluding “the right to cross-ex-
amine is the right to question where the proffer establishes a real and direct
nexus to a fact or issue at hand”).
Turning first to Mil. R. Evid. 401 and 402, we are not persuaded by Appel-
lant’s argument on appeal that there was minimal relevance that he had quit
or not completed the program, because he was living separate and apart from
AJ at the time. We are not convinced of this argument for two reasons.
First, irrespective of their separate living arrangements, evidence showed
Appellant was still married to AJ and they had shared physical custody of their
son. The trier of fact could conclude that Appellant had no less incentive to
benefit from constructive conflict resolution skills whether they were living to-
gether or apart. We reach this conclusion because evidence in the record
showed that Appellant was provoked in mid-May 2017 when he deliberately
blocked AJ from saying goodnight to their son. In Appellant’s telling, the pur-
pose of the program was “[s]o there would be no kinds of acts of such between
the couple.” Under the circumstances, we find no logical reason to suppose that
conflict would dissipate with regard to issues involving their son after their
living arrangements changed.
Second, at the time Appellant declined to participate in the program he was
in an intimate living arrangement with KM. The trier of fact could conclude
that Appellant had the same incentive to work on constructive conflict resolu-
tion techniques as he did when he quit the program because, again, he was
residing with an intimate partner with whom he shared a residence where his
young son also resided. For these reasons, Appellant’s argument does not per-
suade the court that the challenged line of questioning was logically unsound
under a plain error standard of review, or otherwise.
Appellant does not challenge legal relevance of the line of questioning un-
der Mil. R. Evid. 403 on appeal.29 See, e.g., United States v. Hamilton, 77 M.J.
579, 586 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2017) (observing “Mil. R. Evid. 403 addresses
‘legal relevance’ and provides that ‘evidence’ may be excluded notwithstanding
its logical relevance”). We address it nonetheless. Because there was no objec-
tion at trial, the court applies Mil. R. Evid. 403 for the first time. When as-
sessing prejudice in this context, we ask whether Appellant has shown it was
clear or obvious that the probative value of this line of inquiry was substan-
tially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to Appellant. Mil. R. Evid.
29 Appellant’s brief does not address Mil. R. Evid. 403 in relation to trial counsel’s line
of inquiry. Still, Appellant brings to the court’s attention that the military judge relied
on Mil. R. Evid. 403 to sustain Appellant’s objection to a member’s question that sought
details about Appellant attending domestic violence counseling. As noted earlier in
this opinion, Appellant cited Mil. R. Evid. 402 and 403 as bases for that objection.
30
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
403; see generally Lopez, 76 M.J. at 154. In this regard, we are wary to find
clear legal error sua sponte in our application of a balancing test meant for the
trial judge’s discretionary exclusion of logically relevant evidence. This is be-
cause the plain error rule is invoked “sparingly” in exceptional circumstances
where it is necessary to avoid a “miscarriage of justice.” Frady, 456 U.S. at 163
n.14, quoted in Ruiz, 54 M.J. at 143.
Upon reviewing trial counsel’s cross-examination of Appellant, we cannot
say, even with benefit of hindsight, that it was clear or obvious error for the
military judge to allow trial counsel’s impeachment of Appellant. True, the
questioning could have had some prejudicial effect because it might suggest a
propensity for domestic violence. However, the testimony came on cross-exam-
ination and rebutted the Defense’s direct examination that was intended by
him to be exonerating. Under those circumstances, the factfinder could realize
the questioning was meant to challenge Appellant’s credibility and counter a
character trait which Appellant himself opened the door to by advancing the
trait on direct examination. Additionally, the weight of any prejudice under
Mil. R. Evid. 403 was somewhat diminished by the military judge’s instruction
after the close of evidence that “an accused can only be convicted based upon
the evidence before the court and not on evidence of a general criminal dispo-
sition.”
Thus, Appellant has not shown trial counsel’s line of questioning was either
logically or legally irrelevant under a plain error standard of review. We also
find that Appellant has likewise not rebutted the strong presumption that trial
defense counsel were not constitutionally deficient in failing to object as Appel-
lant contends that they were on appeal. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689; Scott,
24 M.J. at 188. Having failed to show clear or obvious error, Appellant likewise
fails in his burden to demonstrate an error “so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amend-
ment.” Dewrell, 55 M.J. at 133; see also United States v. Schmidt, 82 M.J. 68,
74 n.2 (C.A.A.F. 2022) (Sparks, J., announcing the judgment of the court) (“Ap-
pellant’s failure to show plain error is fatal to his ineffective assistance of coun-
sel claims.”).
Appellant’s failure to demonstrate clear or obvious error is “fatal to a plain
error claim.” United States v. Bungert, 62 M.J. 346, 348 (C.A.A.F. 2006). How-
ever, we would not grant relief even if the court were to assume for purposes
of analysis that Appellant has shown clear or obvious error or that trial defense
counsel were deficient by failing to object. In the context of claimed material
prejudice from improper testimony, “the appellant ‘must show a reasonable
probability that, but for the error, the outcome of the proceeding would have
been different.’” Lopez, 76 M.J. at 154 (quoting Molina-Martinez v. United
States, 136 S. Ct. 1338, 1343 (2016)). Appellant has not done so.
31
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
The court concludes that the challenged line of questioning was harmless
despite trial counsel’s use of the phrase “domestic violence treatment” when
confronting Appellant about his sincerity and commitment to constructive con-
flict resolution. Several factors lead us to this conclusion. We give some weight
to the views of trial defense counsel in their declarations, which reflect that
Appellant’s participation was a result of “[AJ]’s allegations,” and because he
was required to attend. Additionally, as noted above, the military judge in-
structed the members that “an accused can only be convicted based upon the
evidence before the court and not on evidence of a general criminal disposition.”
On this point, we find it instructive that if the members had considered Appel-
lant’s testimony as evidence of propensity to commit domestic violence, and
given it significant weight, such use would not explain the mixed findings. See
United States v. Short, 77 M.J. 148, 151 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (explaining mixed
findings “indicate the court members were capable of and did put aside the
inadmissible evidence, and Appellant suffered no prejudice”). The members ac-
quitted Appellant of attempting to murder KM, communicating two separate
threats to KM, two assaults consummated by a battery upon KM, and one as-
sault consummated by a battery upon AJ. As for the findings of guilty, we agree
with the Government about the strength of the evidence the members could
rely on to convict. In this regard, the testimony given by AJ and KM was cor-
roborated by pictures each victim took of their injuries almost immediately af-
ter they were inflicted.
Considering the totality of the findings evidence, the members readily could
have discounted Appellant’s repeated denials that any conduct on his part
could have caused injury to AJ or KM.30 The court finds Appellant has failed
to show prejudice from the claimed error under a plain error standard of re-
view, Lopez, 76 M.J. at 154, or that “but for the [claimed] deficiency, the result
would have been different” under the standard for constitutionally deficient
assistance of counsel. Gutierrez, 66 M.J. at 331. Rather, we are confident that
the members used the challenged line of inquiry to determine the weight they
should give to Appellant’s testimony on direct examination and that it was not
used to evaluate propensity to commit domestic violence as claimed.
30 The members were also aware Appellant admitted to lying to law enforcement. Trial
counsel asked Appellant, “So you have lied to law enforcement before, correct?” Appel-
lant responded, “In regards to my relations with [KM], yes, sir.” Trial counsel followed
with this question: “[B]esides your lie . . . regarding the relationship, you’re telling us
you’ve never lied to . . . any law enforcement?” Appellant answered, “I gave them the
best ability of my truth.”
32
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
3. Cross-Examination on Causes of KM’s Injuries
a. Testimony of Forensic Nurse Examiner
The Government presented testimony of the nurse who examined and
treated KM. Evidence showed the nurse conducted her examination within 24
hours of the acts charged in the three specifications alleging assaults consum-
mated by a battery upon KM. At trial, and without objection, the nurse was
recognized as an expert in the field of forensic nursing. The nurse also testified
as a fact witness with regard to her personal knowledge obtained from the ex-
amination she conducted of KM. During her testimony, she authenticated the
electronic record of the medical examination and referenced pictures of KM’s
injuries that were admitted into evidence at trial.
The nurse testified about injuries that the Government alleged were the
result of Appellant having grabbed KM’s neck and torso, strangled her, and
covered her nose and mouth. The nurse testified that KM had “reported a head-
ache, neck pain, and odynophagia, which is painful swallowing.” Pictures
showed petechiae on KM’s neck, which happens when “small blood vessels rup-
ture[e] under the skin” and, based on those pictures, she concurred that pete-
chiae were present. Another picture showed “a bruise or dried blood on the lip.”
The nurse found “two linear abrasions” on KM’s neck and a “subconjunctival
hemorrhage” in the right eye, all of which were documented during the exam.
She concluded the physical force necessary to cause the “abrasion” could “be a
scraping, it could be a grabbing, [and] it could be rubbing directly against some-
thing else.” In response to whether the abrasion was “consistent with a patient
who presents with a strangulation,” the nurse responded, “It could be con-
sistent with the history the patient gave.”
The nurse further acknowledged that a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a
burst capillary or blood vessel in the eye. She explained a subconjunctival hem-
orrhage is the result of a change in blood pressure: “[s]uch as it can be caused
by coughing, it can be caused by vomiting, [and] it can be caused by pressure
that’s in a strangulation. It can be caused by different things.” She determined
KM’s injury was “consistent” with strangulation.
On cross-examination, trial defense counsel developed testimony that KM
did not report other symptoms typically associated with strangulation such as
bleeding, loss of bowels or bladder control, coughing, or nausea. The Defense
also elicited testimony that established the nurse did not observe or document
petechiae at the time of the exam. The nurse acknowledged KM’s injuries could
have been caused by something other than strangulation.
b. Appellant’s Testimony
As noted above, Appellant testified in the defense case. He denied commit-
ting each of the offenses in which AJ and KM were named victims, asserting
33
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
he had not engaged in conduct charged by the Government. Likewise, he dis-
claimed any conduct on his part could have caused injury to AJ or KM. Appel-
lant explained in general terms that he once saw AJ come home with injuries.
He also acknowledged AJ previously had expressed a desire that he put his
hands around her neck when they were sexually intimate. Turning to the inci-
dent with KM, Appellant described how KM had become “enraged” and was
throwing things at him after he said that he was breaking up with her. He
explained she previously had engaged in similar aggressive behavior. He was
concerned she would harm him, his son, or herself when she stormed off to the
back of the house where he kept a firearm.31 For this reason, Appellant “bear
hugged” KM and tried “telling her to calm down and chill out.” With his arms
wrapped around her, KM “began to struggle, and in the midst of the struggle
[they] tripped over” an object on the floor and fell down. “[E]ven with the
fall . . . [Appellant] was able to maintain contact with [KM].” They eventually
separated and spent the rest of the evening in different rooms. Appellant spe-
cifically denied grabbing KM by the neck or covering her mouth and nose with
this hands.
On cross-examination, Appellant again denied he caused any injury to AJ
or KM. Without trial defense counsel objection, Appellant maintained those
denials when trial counsel confronted him with pictures, conclusions drawn
from expert testimony, and other evidence of specific injuries. Trial counsel
asked Appellant about his earlier testimony where he claimed that AJ wanted
him to strangle her during sex. Trial counsel asked, “Do you believe that’s
maybe a source of the injuries in those photos?” Appellant responded, “Accord-
ing to what an examiner[32] would say, yeah, they line up.” Later, he asked and
then answered his own question, “[D]o I think that me doing those actions dur-
ing sexual interactions [with AJ] caused those [injuries]? It’s a possibility.” Re-
garding the incident with KM, trial counsel confronted Appellant with his prior
statement to investigators. In that statement, Appellant described the same
31 Appellant testified KM became upset when he said he planned to attend a softball
game without her. The conflict escalated when KM “snatched [his] phone out of [his]
hand and threw it to the end of the couch” and “slammed” his laptop shut. KM also
threw his “slides” and his “son’s spiked ball.” On other occasions, KM had made com-
ments “that gave [Appellant] concerns that she was violent,” to include harming an ex-
boyfriend with a gun, knife, or car. The members were instructed on, and rejected, the
theory of self-defense.
32 Appellant was present during the testimony of the forensic nurse who, as described
earlier, was recognized by the court as an expert in forensic nursing. Trial counsel
asked the expert, “I may use the term forensic nurse examiner. Is that synonymous
with a forensic nurse?” (Emphasis added). The expert responded, “That is fine.”
34
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
bear hug as a “warm embrace.”33 Appellant denied any action other than a
“bear hug . . . to restrain her,” and his purpose was “[t]o prevent her from strik-
ing [him].”
The question and answer exchange that followed included trial counsel’s
line of inquiry about the cause of KM’s injuries, which Appellant challenges on
appeal. During this exchange, trial counsel sought to have Appellant explain
how KM’s injuries could have occurred based on his sworn testimony and his
description of events:
Q [Trial Counsel]. Okay. At what point in that interaction, do you
think she got the subconjunctival hemorrhage?
A [Appellant]. I don’t recall ever seeing that, sir.
Q. I know, but you now know that it exists?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. At what point do you think she got it?
A. Not during that point that I -- well, from listening from the
experts, it doesn’t sound like any of that could -- any of these kind
of things could’ve caused that, so ----
Q. Okay. So you admit, then, that your testimony isn’t really con-
sistent with her injuries?
A. No. It’s not consistent with her injuries.
Q. Okay. All right. So what do you think caused those petechiae
on her throat?
A. They can come from choking herself, strangulation, as the ex-
pert said.
....
Q. As you described this situation, what part of that do you think
could’ve caused those petechiae?
A. None at all.
Q. Okay. But you agree and you now know that she did have
them, right?
A. That’s correct.
33 Appellant testified he agreed to these words, which were suggested by the investi-
gator.
35
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Q. So your testimony and the way you’ve described the alterca-
tion, is not consistent with her injuries?
A. That’s correct.
(Emphasis added).
In response to Appellant’s assertion that he and KM both tripped, fell down
together, and were then laying “face-to-face” on their sides, trial counsel asked
“what part of that would’ve caused that pattern injury underneath her bra
strap?” (Emphasis added). Appellant answered “[i]n regards to what the expert
said, she said something in regards to her weight being on the ground . . . and
having an item pressed against her skin.” When asked what part of the inci-
dent, as described by him, could have caused that injury, Appellant answered
“I don’t think it could’ve caused it at all.” The trial counsel then questioned
Appellant about the “neck pain [KM] experienced afterwards, the difficulty
swallowing, the pain in her neck to move it, her headache, her difficulty talk-
ing.” Trial counsel asked Appellant, “[W]hat about that altercation, as you’ve
described it, could’ve caused those injuries, as you understand it?” Appellant
answered, “Not -- well my actions during that whole entire altercation could
not have caused any of those things.”
Trial counsel again drew Appellant’s attention to his testimony about the
incident with KM. Trial counsel asked, “[Y]ou acknowledge that the way you
described [the incident] is in no way consistent with the corroborating evidence
of medical injuries?” At this point, the Defense objected on the basis that Ap-
pellant “is not the qualified expert who can opine on consistencies [of injuries]
or anything like that.” The military judge sustained the objection and told trial
counsel to “move on.”
c. Trial Defense Counsel Responses to “Mechanism of Injury”
Because Appellant claims trial defense counsel provided deficient represen-
tation, the court ordered and received declarations from both trial defense
counsel to explain why the Defense did not object to the questioning of Appel-
lant regarding the “mechanism of injury.” We considered those declarations
and are again convinced a hearing is unnecessary to resolve any factual dis-
putes. See Ginn, 47 M.J. at 248; DuBay, 37 C.M.R. at 413.
The lead counsel gave four reasons why the Defense did not object to trial
counsel’s questioning of Appellant. First, “we knew that [Appellant]’s testi-
mony was going to conflict with the evidence that was already before the
36
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
panel.”34 Second, Appellant’s “testimony was consistent with the Defense’s
theme and theory—that [Appellant] did not cause the injuries, and that there
is reasonable doubt as to what caused them.” Third, the Defense “hoped that
[Appellant]’s candid responses throughout his testimony would boost his cred-
ibility.” “Fourth, it was clear that [Appellant] was not an expert. He was just a
Staff Sergeant who had seen the evidence admitted at trial and was trying his
best to answer a [trial counsel]’s questions.”35
The co-counsel declared, “At first, it did not come across as Appellant being
asked to give a medical diagnosis.” He elaborated that “Appellant had observed
the evidence at trial, including the [G]overnment’s expert testimony, and was
competent to offer lay opinions about how his testimony was consistent (or not)
with the [G]overnment’s evidence.” He continued: “However, when the [ ] trial
counsel later morphed this idea to become a medical credibility contest be-
tween Appellant and the [G]overnment experts (by infusing the word ‘medical’
and appearing to try to elicit an improper medical conclusion from Appellant),
[the Defense] successfully objected.”
d. Analysis
Appellant claims trial counsel should not have been permitted to cross-ex-
amine him in the manner that he did. Appellant makes the point in his brief
that once the Defense finally did object on the basis that Appellant was not a
“qualified expert who can opine on consistencies [of injuries] or anything like
that,” the military judge properly sustained the objection. Appellant contends
it was plain error and an abuse of discretion for the military judge not to stop
this line of questioning, sua sponte, at its inception, and the Defense was con-
stitutionally deficient in failing to object sooner than it did. Support in Appel-
lant’s brief relies on a military judge’s “independent gatekeeper responsibili-
ties” before allowing expert testimony. He cites to Mil. R. Evid. 701, 702, and
70336 for his stance that he “was simply unqualified to render any opinion as
to the mechanism of injury or whether his version of events was consistent
with medical evidence and/or testimony.”
34 The lead trial defense counsel elaborated, “[T]he Government had already put forth
significant evidence” that Appellant’s actions were causal: “both victims had testified
that [Appellant] had strangled them; both victims were intimate partners of [Appel-
lant]; both victims had photographs of their injuries; and a medical expert had testified
that the victims’ testimony and injuries were consistent.”
35 The lead trial defense counsel specified, “[T]he way I viewed [Appellant]’s testimony
as it came out during trial was an attempt to describe what he believed the Govern-
ment’s expert had testified to rather than offer expert opinions of his own.”
36 See Mil. R. Evid. 701, Opinion testimony by lay witnesses; 702, Testimony by expert
witnesses; 703, Bases of an expert’s opinion testimony.
37
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
The Government counters Appellant’s contentions, answering that “Appel-
lant had sufficient personal knowledge about KM’s injuries—and the [G]overn-
ment’s evidence—to offer lay opinions about how the injuries were consistent
(or not) with [Appellant’s] testimony” that he did not cause them. See Mil. R.
Evid. 701(a) (stating lay opinion “rationally based on the witness’ perception”
is allowed). In this regard, the Government explains that a lay witness like
Appellant, who had firsthand knowledge of the incident in question, need not
resort to “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge,” Mil. R. Evid.
701(c) and 702(b), to explain the source of KM’s injuries once he took the stance
that he bore no responsibility for causing them.
The Government distinguished Appellant’s trial with “a case in which a lay
witness [is] asked to opine about the cause of injuries that resulted from a back-
and-forth fight” where “forensic judgement[ ] exists within the realm of expert
opinion.” Here, in contrast to such a case, the Government explains Appellant’s
testimony that he challenges on appeal was “rationally based on [his] percep-
tion,” Mil. R. Evid. 701(a); “helpful to clearly understanding” his testimony;
and helpful “to determining a fact in issue,” Mil. R. Evid. 701(b), namely, to
test Appellant’s assertions that he did not cause KM’s injuries. (Alteration in
original). Citing United States v. Roberson, the Government argues that trial
counsel’s challenge of Appellant’s testimony was permissible under a plain er-
ror standard of review because “[n]o unique ability or specialized training is
required to form such opinions.” 65 M.J. 43, 47 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (concluding a
lay witness may testify about another’s emotional state so long as the opinion
“is based upon personal observation and is relevant”).
At the outset, we find it necessary to diverge from Appellant’s characteri-
zation that he was cross-examined on whether the “mechanism of injury was
consistent with that of the qualified expert opinion testimony the [G]overn-
ment elicited during its case in chief.” In our review of the record, the nurse
who was recognized as an expert in forensic nursing did not offer an opinion
that Appellant—as a mechanism—caused the injuries she examined, docu-
mented, treated, and testified about on direct examination. Rather, the nurse
testified KM’s injuries were consistent with particular types of conduct; for ex-
ample, she opined that KM’s injuries were consistent with “a patient who pre-
sents with a strangulation.” The nurse described the injuries in medically de-
scriptive terms and gave possible causes. Her opinion was more limited than
“mechanism of injury” would suggest, and did not in itself implicate Appellant
as the cause of KM’s injuries.
Second, and in the main, trial counsel did not elicit from Appellant that he
held an opinion inconsistent with the nurse’s expert opinion. Rather, trial coun-
sel twice asked Appellant to admit, without objection, that his testimony “isn’t
really consistent” (the first time trial counsel asked the question) and was “not
38
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
consistent” (the second time trial counsel asked the question) “with [KM’s] in-
juries.” (Emphasis added). The premise that Appellant was asked to give an
unqualified expert opinion on whether his testimony was contrary to the opin-
ion of the Government’s expert witness, is not this case. In context, this was
far and away not a battle of the experts, and Appellant was not put in the
position of fighting against the Government as an unqualified proxy for a de-
fense expert witness.
For this reason, we likewise reject the premise of Appellant’s assertion on
appeal that “[u]nlike the duly qualified experts who testified during the Gov-
ernment’s case in chief, Appellant did not possess the requisite qualifications
or training to offer medically-based opinion testimony.” In this regard, we
agree with the Government that trial counsel’s unobjected-to questions did not
elicit such an opinion from Appellant, much less one only an expert was quali-
fied to give.37 The nurse gave a medical description and an explanation of KM’s
injuries that was founded in anatomy and, to an extent, physiology, but evi-
dence of those injuries was already before the factfinder through KM’s testi-
mony and photographs. It was not clear or obvious error for trial counsel to
avoid lay jargon by repeating descriptive terms such as “subconjunctival hem-
orrhage” and “petechiae on her throat,” in questions he put to Appellant, and
doing so did not render Appellant’s answers the equivalent of a “medically-
based opinion” or an expert opinion as claimed.
The court finds the challenged line of questioning was neither irrelevant,
Mil. R. Evid. 401 and 402, nor unduly prejudicial or confusing, Mil. R. Evid.
403. We further find Appellant understood the questions posed to him. For
these reasons, the court again finds no clear or obvious error under a plain
error standard of review such that the military judge abused his discretion in
failing to sua sponte stop trial counsel’s line of inquiry. See Lopez, 76 M.J. at
154. We also find that Appellant has not rebutted the strong presumption that
trial defense counsel was not constitutionally deficient under the Sixth Amend-
ment for failing to object as Appellant contends on appeal. See Strickland, 466
U.S. at 689; Scott, 24 M.J. at 188; see also Schmidt, 82 M.J. at 74 n.2 (Sparks,
37 Although not raised as a separate assignment of error, Appellant claims on appeal
that the military judge erred by allowing trial counsel to argue that Appellant’s testi-
mony was not credible by including the following statement attributed to Appellant in
a slide trial counsel used in closing argument: “My version could not have caused the
hemorrhage, petechiae, pattern bruises on back . . . my version is inconsistent with
medical signs[.]” At trial, the Defense objected to this slide on the basis that Appellant
was “not an expert in nursing” and thus “incapable of opining on any kind of medical
diagnoses.” We find no merit to this issue because trial counsel did not seek an expert
opinion from Appellant or elicit testimony that Appellant was not qualified to give.
39
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
J., announcing the judgment of the Court) (“Appellant’s failure to show plain
error is fatal to his ineffective assistance of counsel claims.”).
Finally, to the extent Appellant’s assignment of error asserts that a party
cannot challenge a witness by probing whether that witness’ testimony may be
inconsistent with descriptions of injuries from other testimony, evidence, or
sources, we hold that such questions are not error, plain or otherwise, when
the relevance and foundation for such probing has already been established.
Such questioning is often fundamental to principles of confrontation and the
truth-seeking function of trial itself, as they were here.
C. Trial Counsel’s Sentencing Argument
Appellant contends that trial counsel’s sentencing argument was improper
and asks the court to set aside the sentence. Appellant claims trial counsel
improperly (1) argued Appellant failed to apologize to the victims; (2) appealed
to what the “audience” would think; and (3) asked the members to consider
“trauma” Appellant inflicted on his non-victim son. The Defense did not object
at any point during argument. We address each contention in turn and con-
clude that trial counsel’s argument was not plainly improper.
During sentencing argument, “[t]rial counsel may . . . refer to the sentenc-
ing considerations set forth in R.C.M. 1002(f).” R.C.M. 1001(h). These consid-
erations include “the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history
and characteristics of the accused.” R.C.M. 1002(f)(1). They also include the
“impact of the offense on . . .” the “social, psychological, or medical well-being
of any victim of the offense,” R.C.M. 1002(f)(2)(A), and on “the mission, disci-
pline, or efficiency of the command of the accused and any victim of the of-
fense.” R.C.M. 1002(f)(2)(B). In addition to these considerations, trial counsel
may refer to the need for the sentence to: “(A) reflect the seriousness of the
offense; (B) promote respect for the law; (C) provide just punishment for the
offense; (D) promote adequate deterrence of misconduct; (E) protect others
from further crimes by the accused; [and,] (F) rehabilitate the accused . . . .”
R.C.M. 1001(h); R.C.M. 1002(f)(3).
Claims of prosecutorial misconduct and improper argument are reviewed
de novo. United States v. Marsh, 70 M.J. 101, 104 (C.A.A.F. 2011). Appellant
has forfeited the right to challenge trial counsel’s sentencing argument on ap-
peal because there was not an objection at trial and, as such, we review the
propriety of trial counsel’s remarks for plain error. R.C.M. 1001(h); United
States v. Voorhees, 79 M.J. 5, 9 (C.A.A.F. 2019), cert. denied, Voorhees v. United
States, 140 U.S. 2566 (2020). Plain error occurs when “(1) there was an error,
(2) it was plain or obvious; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial
right.” United States v. Erickson, 65 M.J. 221, 223 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations
omitted). “As all three prongs must be satisfied in order to find plain error, the
40
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
failure to establish any one of the prongs is fatal to a plain error claim.”
Bungert, 62 M.J. at 348.
“When arguing for what is perceived to be an appropriate sentence, the trial
counsel is at liberty to strike hard, but not foul, blows.” United States v Baer,
53 M.J. 235, 237 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (citations omitted). Additionally, “it is im-
proper for counsel to seek unduly to inflame the passions or prejudices of the
court members.” United States v. Clifton, 15 M.J. 26, 30 (C.M.A. 1983) (cita-
tions omitted). However, “the argument by a trial counsel must be viewed
within the context of the entire court-martial.” Baer, 53 M.J. at 238. “The focus
of our inquiry should not be on words in isolation, but on the argument as
viewed in context.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).
Not every improper comment by the prosecution rises to a constitutional
violation. United States v. Webb, 38 M.J. 62, 65 (C.M.A. 1993). Instead, we
evaluate the comment in the context of the overall record and the facts of the
case. Id. In determining prejudice, we consider whether “‘trial counsel’s com-
ments, taken as a whole, were so damaging that we cannot be confident’ that
[the appellant] was sentenced ‘on the basis of the evidence alone.’” Erickson,
65 M.J. at 224 (quoting United States v. Fletcher, 62 M.J. 175, 184 (C.A.A.F.
2005)). Where the weight of the evidence amply supports the sentence imposed,
we can be confident an appellant was sentenced on the basis of the evidence
alone. United States v. Halpin, 71 M.J. 477, 480 (C.A.A.F. 2013).
1. Trial Counsel’s Comment on Failure to “Offer an Apology”
Appellant contends that trial counsel improperly argued for a sentence
based on Appellant’s failure to apologize to AJ and KM, the victims named in
the seven assault consummated by a battery specifications.
a. Background
As noted above, Appellant testified in his own defense, which opened with
trial defense counsel eliciting blanket denials from Appellant as to every alle-
gation involving AJ and KM. Appellant answered pointed questions about
whether he did a particular act with, “No, sir. I did not.” By the end of his direct
examination, Appellant denied committing each assault consummated by a
battery, repeating, “No, sir. I did not,” every time trial defense counsel asked
about a particular charged act.38
38 At the same time Appellant denied the charged acts against KM, Appellant testified
he chased KM when she headed to the back of the house where he kept a firearm. Out
of concern she would access a weapon in the home and use it to harm herself or his
son, he “grabbed her by her right shoulder and spun her around.” At one point, “It
looked like she was going for a swing, but [Appellant] kind of grabbed her by her hoodie
and pulled her in and bear hugged her” in defense.
41
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
i) Victim Unsworn Statements
Before Appellant presented his sentencing case, AJ and KM both delivered
unsworn statements, each directing the better part of her comments at Appel-
lant. AJ began her unsworn statement by telling Appellant, “These actions are
yours. You have caused so much hurt.” She expressed hope that Appellant
could comprehend what he had done and one day “accept responsibility.” She
expressed concern that “without punishment, without consequences,” Appel-
lant “will continue to believe that [he] can get away with this and that it is
okay to abuse others.” AJ then spoke to the members, explaining she was “for-
ever changed because of [Appellant’s] abuse. The damage that [Appellant]
caused [her] still lingers.” She explained the “psychological scars remain” and
how she “struggled with crushing depression” and “suffered panic attacks.” At
times, she “couldn’t eat, [she] couldn’t sleep, and for a while, [she] couldn’t feel.
[She] was numb to everything. [She] was not the [noncommissioned officer] or
Airman [she] could have been.” She concluded by telling the members,
I realize how fortunate I am to have escaped with my life. In
deciding on the appropriate sentence, I ask you to consider the
seriousness of his offenses and the impact I have described. In
this moment, at this time, I stand before you and ask you to do
what I cannot; hold him accountable. Thank you.
KM told Appellant how “everything changed after [he] strangled [her].” She
detailed for the members how Appellant’s crimes affected her relationships,
and led her to drink “so much to ease the pain, to feel happy even for just a
minute.” KM told Appellant she forgave him, and “refuse[d] to be angry with
[him] any longer.” She asserted Appellant “take[s] everything as a joke,” and
told him, “I hope you finally see the severity of your actions. I hope today
changes you.” She concluded by telling Appellant,
There was nothing that I did to deserve this, and I have to re-
mind myself every day that I’m valuable, and I will get through
this. As for you, while I do believe in forgiveness, I hope you are
punished. You have impacted my life on a fundamental level,
and I hope the sentence crafted for you does the same.
ii) Appellant’s Unsworn Statements
Appellant made the relationship with his son the focal point of his sentenc-
ing case. This conclusion is supported by Appellant’s brief wherein he allows
that “a significant focus of Appellant’s sentencing case was the strong, caring
relationship he shared with his son.” Appellant exercised his right to make an
42
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
unsworn statement and did so not only verbally, but also in a signed written
statement.39
In his written unsworn statement, Appellant did not reference his miscon-
duct regarding AJ or KM. He “apologize[d] to the Court, [his] unit, and the Air
Force for even being at this court-martial.” He “regret[ed] the actions that led
to this point, [he] ha[d] learned from them, and they will never be repeated.”
Appellant explained that he felt like he “failed [his] son and [him]self,” owing
to the time he spent in pretrial confinement. He told the members he had
“missed a substantial amount of time with [his] son and would like to return
to his [son’s] life and watch him grow.” He concluded that statement noting he
had “been deprived [of] the most important thing in the world to [him]—[his]
son.” He “ask[ed] that [the members] please consider hi[s son] in determining
[his] sentence as well.” He explained, “My son needs me, and I need him. Please
temper your sentence with a sense of mercy in my case. Thank you.”
Appellant made no mention of his behavior, much less matters in extenua-
tion, in responses he gave to trial defense counsel questions during his oral
unsworn statement. Appellant talked about life with his parents and brother,
and traveling with his father. He explained how he made the decision to enlist
in the Air Force, and talked about garnering recognition as the top junior en-
listed Airman at the USAFA 10th Air Base Wing for the first quarter of 2018.
Appellant talked about family pictures with his parents and his son, and pic-
tures of Appellant at a community service project that he participated in dur-
ing Airman Leadership School. Trial defense counsel commented, “So we’ve
heard a lot about your son,” and asked Appellant what it was like when his son
was born. Appellant explained he was a young Airman and used most of his
accrued leave to be with AJ during delivery.40 Appellant explained he was dev-
astated by not being able to spend time with his son for the 10–11 months he
spent in pretrial confinement. Appellant concluded by thanking the members
“for playing a part of [his] court-martial” and asked them to “take into consid-
eration a father who just wants to be a part of his son’s life.”
39 Without objection, Appellant’s written statement was marked as a defense exhibit
and published to the members to review at the end of the defense presentencing case
and during the members’ deliberation on sentence.
40 Appellant and AJ were assigned to different installations when their son was born.
43
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
iii) Trial Counsel’s Argument
Trial counsel began sentencing argument by identifying the convictions for
assault consummated by a battery, and asserting Appellant lied to the mem-
bers when he testified in findings.41 She suggested Appellant failed to express
remorse or apologize to his victims when he presented his unsworn statements.
Trial counsel then summarized the facts from the Government’s view of the
evidence:
Assault, strangulation, taking the stand and under oath, trivial-
izing. Who does that? Who treats another human being like that,
let alone someone you’re supposed to love, someone that loves
you? That tells you all you need to know about the accused; that
he’s an abuser, that he doesn’t care about anybody, but himself.
And clearly, he thinks so little of his crimes that instead of, in
his own words, being the man, taking ownership of that fact, he
chooses to lie to you about it.
You just heard from his parents, from the accused himself. He
gets up here -- don’t feel guilty about an appropriate sentence.
That’s still the same person who viciously assaulted and stran-
gled [AJ] and [KM]. Those were his crimes, those were his
choices, he put himself here. That’s who he is; not when he’s
standing in court in front of the people who are about to decide
his fate.
Additionally, that was a perfect opportunity for him to express
remorse and offer an apology to [KM] and [AJ]. No remorse, no
emotion. That’s why you should sentence the accused to forfeit
all his pay and allowances, to be reduced to the rank of E-1, to
be confined for eight years, and to be dishonorably discharged
from the United States Air Force.
(Emphasis added). Next, trial counsel asked a rhetorical question, which she
answered at once and throughout the remainder of her argument:
Now, how do you get to that sentence? How do we know that that
is an appropriate sentence so the accused will be acutely aware
of the consequences of his actions, a sentence that will both deter
the accused, and anyone here who hears about his crimes, from
41 The military judge instructed the members they may consider the question of
whether Appellant testified falsely in the findings portion of the court-martial as it
may bear on the likelihood that Appellant can be rehabilitated. See United States v.
Jenkins, 54 M.J. 12, 19 (C.A.A.F. 2000); United States v. Warren, 13 M.J. 278, 279
(C.M.A. 1982). We find the instruction was not an abuse of discretion.
44
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
even thinking about doing this to someone else, and find some
small amount of justice for [AJ] and [KM]?
You do that by considering the facts, what happened, that you
have heard from the witness stand this past week, from really
understanding the lasting impacts for [AJ] and [KM], and by en-
suring the sentence is severe enough to serve as an effective de-
terrent.
(Emphasis added). In the seven and a half pages of the record that capture the
rest of trial counsel’s argument, she explained the facts of the case that touched
on various principles of sentencing to justify the Government’s recommended
sentence.
b. Analysis
Before addressing this claim for relief, the court addresses a related point
that we determine is founded on a reading of trial counsel’s argument that is
different from our own. Appellant asserts that the sole justification for trial
counsel’s sentence recommendation was Appellant’s failure to apologize. Ap-
pellant explains trial counsel argued that Appellant’s unsworn statements
were “a perfect opportunity for him to express remorse and offer an apology to
[KM] and [AJ]. No remorse, no emotion,” and then she proceeded to explain
“[t]hat’s why” her recommended sentence was appropriate. (Emphasis added).
In Appellant’s telling, trial counsel “explicitly argued that the very reason
[members] should adjudge her recommended punishment is precisely because
Appellant did not apologize.” Appellant continues, “Given that Appellant pled
not guilty to all charges, the way in which she phrased this argument infringed
upon his constitutional and statutory rights against self-incrimination.”
As a threshold matter, the court departs from this understanding of the
record. In our reading of the remarks that precede and follow the words,
“[t]hat’s why,” the court is not convinced that the sole justification for trial
counsel’s sentence recommendation was Appellant’s failure to apologize. Baer,
53 M.J. at 238 (observing “it is improper to ‘surgically carve’ out a portion of
the argument with no regard to its context”). Appellant reads the subordinat-
ing conjunction “[t]hat’s why” to connect only the substance of one statement
before the conjunction with the recommendation that followed. But this read-
ing ignores the first word of the statement preceding the conjunction, which
reads in its entirety, “Additionally, that was a perfect opportunity for him to
express remorse and offer an apology to [KM] and [AJ]. No remorse, no emo-
tion.” (Emphasis added).
“Additionally” is a conjunctive adverb that connects the totality of trial
counsel’s opening argument with her sentence recommendation. In those open-
ing remarks, trial counsel argued that Appellant mistreated his victims and
45
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
then lied when he testified. Trial counsel then summarized evidence in the case
that showed Appellant “viciously assaulted and strangled” his spouse and an
intimate partner, and reminded the members that Appellant was more than
the Airman who was “standing in court in front of the people who are about to
decide his fate.” She supported her sentence recommendation throughout the
rest of her argument. She did so with a transition that immediately follows her
sentence recommendation: “Now, how do you get to that sentence?” Conse-
quently, reading the words “[t]hat’s why” in context leads to a very different
understanding than the one asserted by Appellant. Thus, the court does not
need to decide whether a sentence recommendation wholly predicated on an
Appellant’s failure to apologize is improper under a plain error standard of
review. In our view, this is not that case.
We then consider whether the contention that trial counsel’s single refer-
ence to Appellant’s lack of apology was improper in the context of the entire
trial and sentencing. Here, Appellant twice waived his constitutional right to
remain silent. He gave sworn testimony in findings that he did not commit the
acts charged. As was his right, he twice delivered unsworn statements during
sentencing that lacked any meaningful acknowledgment of the victims or mat-
ters in extenuation regarding his convictions. However, the manner by which
one chooses to exercise a right may have consequences that are revealed to be
adverse, even if unintended at the time that right is exercised.
The court finds it was not plain error for trial counsel to argue for a sen-
tence which considered that Appellant failed to express remorse or offer an
apology to AJ or KM. The court is not persuaded Appellant was sentenced for
a constitutionally protected decision. We reach this conclusion because trial
counsel did not expressly comment on Appellant’s right to trial or right to re-
main silent. Cf. United States v. Stephens, 67 M.J. 233, 235–36 (C.A.A.F. 2009)
(distinguishing cases in which the trial counsel “explicitly commented on the
fact that the appellant’s invocation of his constitutional right to trial forced the
victim to endure the rigors of cross-examination and relive the experience of
being attacked”).
We can analogize to the general principle that once an accused waives his
right to remain silent, “[h]e cannot reasonably claim that the Fifth Amendment
gives him . . . immunity from cross-examination on the matters he has himself
put in dispute.” United States v. Brown, 356 U.S. 148, 155–56 (1958). Appellant
had “no right to set forth to the [members] all the facts which tend in his favor
without laying himself open to a cross-examination upon those facts.” Id. at
155 (quoting Fitzpatrick v. United States, 178 U.S. 304, 315 (1900)). The court
finds this principle reaches a trial counsel’s sentencing argument. Relevant
too, in United States v. Paxton, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Armed Forces (CAAF) held that during sentencing argument a trial counsel
46
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
may not comment upon an accused’s exercise of his or her constitutionally pro-
tected rights to not testify or to plead not guilty. 64 M.J. 484, 486 (C.A.A.F.
2007). The CAAF re-affirmed that “an accused’s refusal to admit guilt after
findings may be an appropriate factor for the member[s’] consideration in their
sentencing deliberation on rehabilitation potential but only if a proper founda-
tion has been laid.” Id. at 487 (citing United States v. Edwards, 35 M.J. 351,
355 (C.M.A. 1992)). The CAAF explained that a proper foundation exists when
“an accused has either testified or has made an unsworn statement and has
either expressed no remorse or his expression of remorse can be arguably con-
strued as being shallow, artificial, or contrived.” Edwards, 35 M.J. at 355.
Here, Appellant established the requisite foundation when he testified in
findings, and then exercised the right of allocution in the sentencing portion of
his court-martial. Applying Paxton and Edwards, the absence of any remorse
shown by Appellant was a legitimate comment on Appellant’s rehabilitative
potential. See R.C.M. 1001(h); R.C.M. 1002(f)(3)(F); see also United States v.
Garren, 53 M.J. 142, 144 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (concluding “trial counsel’s sentenc-
ing argument that appellant did not accept responsibility was wholly fair and
accurate under the circumstances of this case and did not constitute improper
comment on appellant’s right to plead not guilty”). The court finds no merit to
the contention that the language trial counsel used in argument infringed upon
Appellant’s constitutional or statutory rights against self-incrimination. Thus,
Appellant has not demonstrated it was improper for trial counsel to argue that
Appellant expressed no remorse or that he failed to apologize to AJ or KM.
2. Claim that Trial Counsel Improperly Appealed to What Others
Would Think
Appellant contends that trial counsel improperly “argued for a sentence
based not upon what the evidence demonstrated, but based upon what others
in the ‘unit,’ the ‘courtroom,’ and the ‘audience’ would think.” To resolve this
assignment of error, the court examines two facets: (1) whether trial counsel
did not argue the evidence in the case; and (2) whether trial counsel argued for
a sentence predicated on what others would think.
a. Background
As noted above, trial counsel began her argument with an assertion that
Appellant lied when he testified in findings. She also asserted Appellant failed
to express remorse or apologize to his victims when he delivered his unsworn
statements. Both comments have support in the record. Trial counsel sug-
gested a recommended sentence and asked, “Now, how do you get to that sen-
tence?” Before answering her own question, trial counsel remarked that “an
appropriate sentence” is one that would cause the accused to “be acutely aware
of the consequences of his actions, a sentence that will both deter the accused,
47
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
and anyone here who hears about his crimes, from even thinking about doing
this to someone else, and find some small amount of justice for [AJ] and [KM].”
Trial counsel’s next statement answered her rhetorical question, “You do that
by considering the facts . . . that you have heard from the witness stand this
past week, from really understanding the lasting impacts for [AJ] and [KM],
and by ensuring the sentence is severe enough to serve as an effective deter-
rent.”
Trial counsel again focused on evidence in the case when she discussed her
confinement recommendation. She asked the members not to forget “the excru-
ciating details of what the accused has done to these two ladies.” She reminded
them that “we’re talking about the accused putting his hands around [AJ’s and
KM’s] throats, looking at them in the eye, to the point they can’t breathe, they
feel pressure building up in their face and in their eyes, and the accused [is]
watching the life drain out of them.” She told the members to “[j]ust think
about the shamelessness it must have taken for him to attack his wife, [AJ].”
She reminded the members that Appellant had “strangl[ed KM], scaring her
to the point where she won’t even talk to him about it. And in April, [he]
straddl[ed] her and, again, putting her through it all over again, strangling her
nearly to death.”42 Trial counsel then argued an inference from this evidence,
which she asserted showed “patterns” of “escalating behavior.” In her telling,
“Clearly the accused has a need to control women. He calls the shots, he’s a
man, he’s going to run his house the way ‘he’ wants to, and nobody’s going to
tell him no, or they’re gonna pay a price. That’s who he is.”
Trial counsel commented on evidence of Appellant’s convictions for failing
to register his personal firearms, various letters of reprimand, and perfor-
mance reports that she argued showed a failure to meet standards. She ex-
plained, “You can’t trust him to obey orders, you can’t trust him to treat his
family with dignity and respect, and you can’t trust him to learn anything from
this court-martial with any less than eight years confinement.”
42 Later in argument, trial counsel invited the members to “[t]hink back to [KM’s] tes-
timony.” Referencing that testimony, trial counsel argued,
She explained to you how she was begging the accused to just talk to
her, because she was just trying to understand what she did to deserve
this, as she’s wheezing, tapping against the window hoping anybody
will hear her, wondering how her family won’t understand what hap-
pened to her. Being viciously assaulted by someone you love just be-
cause you want them to hear you, to listen to you, to validate you, this
should not be a part of the human experience. Think about what that
would do to someone.
48
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Trial counsel addressed general and special deterrence as part of her argu-
ment. She asserted, “[A]lmost inherent in the phrase, ‘appropriate punish-
ment,’ is that [the member’s] sentence must send the right message to the ac-
cused and to all the Air Force, that committing crimes of this magnitude will
come with severe punishment.” She continued, arguing “an effective deterrent”
requires the members to tailor “the amount of confinement . . . not only to the
facts of this case and the impact on the victims, it must be tailored to the ac-
cused himself.” She gave the example,
If the accused walks out of prison thinking, “Well, that wasn’t so
bad,” then it’s just not enough. If the accused finishes his con-
finement thinking anything other than, “I will never do that
again,” then it’s just not enough. It has to hurt. It has to teach
him a lesson he’ll never forget, and it has to be long enough for
him to understand that.
After explaining why eight years of confinement was required for Appellant
to “understand” his crimes and “teach him a lesson he’ll never forget,” trial
counsel argued that the principle of deterrence
applies to the rest of the Air Force as well. Nobody in his unit,
nobody here today in the courtroom can walk away thinking the
punishment didn’t quite measure up. The amount of confinement
[the members] give the accused has to be striking. If [the mem-
bers] were surprised to hear the [G]overnment’s recommenda-
tion was eight years, good, that’s the feeling of deterrence. The
accused should feel that same feeling when he comes back in
here and after [the members’] deliberations, [when the mem-
bers] announce a severe and lengthy sentence. If you boil down
deterrence to the most basic level, it does come down to fear; fear
that if he was ever to stoop so low again, to debase himself to the
point that he would put hands on a woman, that he would be
severely punished and legitimately face substantial time.
(Emphasis added).
At the conclusion of argument, trial counsel again referred to Appellant’s
testimony, arguing he “trivialized” the “emotional tug-of-war, the brutaliza-
tion, [and] the dehumanization [AJ and KM] experienced” at his hands. She
argued Appellant also “trivialized” what he had done “by looking at [the mem-
bers] and telling [the members] that [AJ and KM] were just making it up.”
Trial counsel ended the argument by asking the members to
[t]hink of other Airmen that might come upon similar situations.
Make sure you send a message to both the accused and to anyone
who learns about this case, that there are no circumstances, no
49
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
reason whatsoever, that domestic violence is ever okay. The au-
dience here today has to know that [the members] acted decisively
and have sent a clear message through an appropriate sentence.
(Emphasis added).
b. Analysis
We begin with Appellant’s contention that trial counsel’s deterrence argu-
ment was not predicated on evidence. In our review of the record, this assertion
is not supported, and we are not convinced that trial counsel’s sentencing ar-
gument was improper for arguing facts not in evidence as claimed.
Next, the court considers Appellant’s allegation that trial counsel improp-
erly argued for a sentence predicated on what others would think. For support,
Appellant relies on United States v. Norwood, 81 M.J. 12 (C.A.A.F. 2021). In
that case, the trial counsel asked the members, without objection, to think
about what would happen “when you all return to your normal du-
ties . . . . [A]nd someone asks you . . . . ‘Wow, what did [Appellant] get for that?’
Do you really want your answer to be ‘nothing at all’?” Id. at 19 (alterations in
original). Under a plain error standard of review, the CAAF set aside the sen-
tence, finding the trial counsel had “pressured the members to consider how
their fellow service-members would judge them and the sentence they ad-
judged instead of the evidence at hand.” Id. at 21. The CAAF reasoned, “Argu-
ing an inflammatory hypothetical scenario with no basis in evidence amounts
to improper argument that we have repeatedly, and quite recently, con-
demned.” Id. (citing Voorhees, 79 M.J. at 14–15). The CAAF reminded practi-
tioners that “[t]rial counsel may properly ask for a severe sentence, but [they]
cannot threaten the court members with the specter of contempt or ostracism
if they reject [their] request.” Id. (alterations in original) (quoting United States
v. Wood, 40 C.M.R. 3, 9 (C.M.A. 1969)).
To a degree, Appellant fittingly analogizes Norwood, explaining, “As in
Norwood, trial counsel argued for a sentence . . . based upon what others in the
‘unit,’ the ‘courtroom,’ and the ‘audience’ would think.” However, in our view,
the analogy only goes so far. Unlike Norwood, the remarks here cannot be un-
derstood to pressure or threaten the members with contempt or ostracism from
others if they reached a sentence that was less than trial counsel’s recom-
mended eight years’ confinement. At no point did trial counsel suggest that
others would judge them unfavorably if they imposed, or did not impose, a cer-
tain sentence. Trial counsel frequently referenced evidence in the case, ex-
plaining the aggravating circumstances of Appellant’s convictions to justify her
sentence recommendation.
We decline to extend Norwood to remarks aimed at specific or general de-
terrence that are founded in the record and devoid of pressure or threats. In
50
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
argument, trial counsel is permitted to refer to the need for the sentence to:
“(A) reflect the seriousness of the offense; (B) promote respect for the law; (C)
provide just punishment for the offense; (D) promote adequate deterrence of
misconduct; (E) protect others from further crimes by the accused; [and] (F)
rehabilitate the accused . . . .” R.C.M. 1001(h); R.C.M. 1002(f)(3). It is clear that
trial counsel’s remarks were an appropriate comment on these six considera-
tions, and did not “invite the court members to rely on deterrence to the exclu-
sion of other factors.” United States v. Lania, 9 M.J. 100, 104 (C.M.A. 1980);
see also United States v. Thompson, 9 M.J. 166, 166 (C.M.A. 1980) (inviting
members to “[c]onsider deterrence of other individuals under the like circum-
stances” when fashioning a sentence was not improper). Appellant has not
demonstrated trial counsel’s argument, in context, was clear or obvious error
under a plain error standard of review. See Erickson, 65 M.J. at 223.
3. Claim that Trial Counsel Improperly Argued Trauma Inflicted
on Appellant’s Son
Appellant contends that trial counsel improperly argued for the members
to consider “trauma” he inflicted on his non-victim son.
a. Background
Trial counsel argued for a sentence that would take into consideration “the
impacts and the effects the accused’s crimes have had, and will continue to
have, on [AJ] and [KM].” She then argued for the members to “[t]hink again
about [AJ] and [her son]. In addition to all the trauma they experienced in the
moment of those attacks, the accused has forever broken up a family. You can’t
blame [AJ] for leaving in November. Good for her, recognizing that she de-
serves better.” (Emphasis added).
b. Analysis
Appellant argues his son was not a named victim to any specification nor
was there evidence that Appellant harmed his son. The Government answers,
conceding Appellant’s son was not a named victim, but explaining it does not
follow that his son was not affected by Appellant’s crimes against his mother,
AJ. The Government points out that Appellant’s son “no doubt observed the
beginning of the incident” in his bedroom in May 2017. At the same time, the
Government concedes “it is unclear whether [the son] witnessed (or heard) the
violent assault that took place outside his door in the hallway.” For support
the Government explains that AJ and Appellant both testified how the incident
began with an argument in their son’s bedroom. After AJ called Appellant a
“b[**]ch,” he went into “a rage” and dragged her out of the room by the right
forearm with enough force to leave marks that were still visible at trial. Appel-
lant described the beginning of the incident as a “back and forth like two little
kids.”
51
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Trial counsel’s remarks would be improper if she argued facts not in evi-
dence. Baer, 53 M.J. at 237 (explaining trial counsel may argue “the evidence
of record” and “all reasonable inferences”). Even if trial counsel had license to
argue the inference that Appellant’s son witnessed the start of the incident in
his bedroom, it is not reasonable to conclude that the son experienced “all the
trauma” from Appellant’s “attacks,” unlike his mother who did. Cf. Fletcher, 62
M.J. at 180 (trial counsel cannot argue irrelevant matters such as personal
opinions and facts not in evidence). On the other hand, the comment could be
understood to suggest that the members impute at least some trauma to the
son. It is not unreasonable to infer some amount of trauma to a child of tender
years who is in the presence of violence committed on a parent, close relative,
or caregiver.
We find trial counsel’s reference to Appellant’s son was not plainly off-lim-
its or as improper as Appellant claims. Appellant’s brief acknowledges “a sig-
nificant focus of Appellant’s sentencing case was the strong, caring relation-
ship he shared with his son.” As a whole, Appellant portrayed himself as a
devoted father to the exclusion of any acknowledgement of his behavior in the
presence of his son. It was not improper for trial counsel to paint a contrast in
his relationship with his son, as depicted by Appellant, by pointing out that he
initiated the attacks against AJ in the son’s bedroom and while his son was
present. The members were certain to recall AJ’s testimony that the violence
began after Appellant blocked her from saying goodnight to their son. During
sentencing argument, trial counsel is permitted to argue “the nature and cir-
cumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the accused.”
R.C.M. 1001(h); R.C.M. 1002(f)(1). We agree with the Government that it was
fair rebuttal for trial counsel to argue the adverse impact of Appellant’s of-
fenses on family, and by extension, his son.43 We decline to find clear or obvious
error under a plain error standard of review.
Even if we assume that part of trial counsel’s argument was improper, it
was just one statement in the context of the overall record, Webb, 38 M.J. at
65, and was hardly a reference trial counsel focused on. After trial counsel
made the comment, she did not revisit the issue again. The members were well
aware Appellant had not committed an offense against his son. The lack of
defense objection is some measure of the minimal prejudicial impact of the re-
mark. See Gilley, 56 M.J. at 123. We are confident that even without an objec-
43 The Defense similarly argued the impact of lengthy confinement on Appellant’s re-
lationship with his son. Trial defense counsel explained, “Boys need their dads, now
more than ever. . . . You saw the tears in [Appellant’s] mom’s eyes as she’s thinking
about the plight of her son, what’s going to happen to [Appellant], thinking about the
plight of her grandson.”
52
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
tion, the members put the argument of impact to Appellant’s son in the appro-
priate context of evidence that was presented, and that Appellant was sen-
tenced on the basis of the evidence alone—not trial counsel’s assigning of an
unspecified impact to the son that belonged to AJ.
Taken as a whole, the court finds trial counsel’s argument, even if error,
was not so damaging that the court cannot be confident Appellant was sen-
tenced on evidence alone. Erickson, 65 M.J. at 224. Appellant was not preju-
diced by trial counsel’s remark, and thus we find no error under a plain error
standard of review, much less material error to a substantial right.
D. Sentencing Instruction
Appellant claims the military judge erred by instructing the members in
sentencing that they will not draw any adverse inference from Appellant’s elec-
tion to make statements that were not under oath. The military judge asked
the Defense whether it wanted this instruction and the Defense replied it did
not. Appellant asks the court to set aside his sentence. We decline to do so.
1. Background
In a session held outside the presence of members under Article 39(a),
UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 839(a), the military judge had a preliminary discussion
about sentencing instructions with counsel for both parties. The military judge
asked the Defense whether it “wish[ed] an instruction regarding the fact that
the accused did not testify under oath in sentencing?” Trial defense counsel
replied in the negative, and the military judge agreed he would “take that out”
and then recessed court.
When court was back on the record, the military judge asked both counsel
if they had received his draft instructions and, after confirming they were re-
ceived, he asked if there were “[a]ny objections?” Both counsel answered in the
negative, with trial defense counsel replying, “No, Your Honor, no objection.”
The military judge proceeded to advise the members on the law that governed
their deliberation and voting on a sentence. As regards Appellant’s allocution
in sentencing, the members were advised they “will not draw any adverse in-
ference from the fact that the accused has elected to make a statement which
is not under oath.” He further advised that “[a]n unsworn statement is an au-
thorized means for an accused to bring information to the attention of the
Court, and must be given appropriate consideration.”44
44 As part of his instruction on the unsworn statements given by Appellant and two
victims, the military judge further explained that
53
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
At the conclusion of these instructions, the military judge asked counsel for
both parties if there were “[a]ny objections to those instructions up to this
point?” Trial defense counsel responded, “No, Your Honor.” After arguments
by counsel, the military judge gave further instructions to the members and
asked whether “counsel object to the instructions given or request any addi-
tional instructions?” Both counsel answered, “No, Your Honor.”
2. Law and Analysis
Although the omission of the requested instruction was apparently due to
the military judge’s oversight—and the absence of a defense objection was the
product of a similar oversight on trial defense counsel’s part (unless counsel
changed their minds)—Appellant had ample opportunity to review and object
to the instructions. To begin with, the court cannot reliably determine the con-
tent of the draft instructions that were delivered to the parties for review be-
fore coming back on the record. Nonetheless, trial defense counsel twice stated
that the Defense did not object to the instructions as given on the record, which
included the disputed instruction at issue on appeal. Appellant affirmatively
waived appellate review of the disputed instruction by neither objecting to the
instruction as given nor requesting additional instructions after having been
prompted by the military judge as to whether there were any objections or any
desire for additional instructions. At separate times, Appellant twice conceded
to the instructions before the members began their deliberations. See, e.g.,
United States v. Wall, 349 F.3d 18, 24 (1st Cir. 2003) (“[C]ounsel twice con-
firmed upon inquiry from the judge that he had ‘no objection and no additional
requests.’ Having directly bypassed an offered opportunity to challenge and
perhaps modify the instructions, appellant waived any right to object to them
on appeal.”), quoted in United States v. Davis, 79 M.J. 329, 331 (C.A.A.F. 2020).
Because trial defense counsel affirmatively declined to object to the final
instructions and offered no additional instructions, Appellant expressly and
unequivocally acquiesced to the instructions that were given, and the decisions
of counsel thus constitute waiver. See United States v. Rich, 79 M.J. 472, 476–
[a] person making an unsworn statement can’t be cross-examined by
the prosecution or the defense, or interrogated by court members or
me. However, evidence may be offered to rebut those statements of fact
contained in unsworn statements. Again, the weight and significance
to be attached to an unsworn statement rests within the sound discre-
tion of each court member. You may consider that the statement is not
under oath, its inherent probability or improbability, whether it’s sup-
ported or contradicted by evidence in the case, as well as any other
matter that might have a bearing upon its credibility. In weighing an
unsworn statement, you are expected to use your common sense, your
knowledge of human nature, and the ways of the world.
54
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
77 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (finding waiver of findings instruction where the appellant
specifically discussed a potential instruction but failed to request it). To be
clear, Appellant did not just fail to object to the disputed instruction, which
would trigger plain error review; Appellant waived appellate review on this
issue. See, e.g., United States v. Blanks, 77 M.J. 239, 241 (C.A.A.F. 2018).
The court finds no compelling reason to pierce Appellant’s waiver. See
United States v. Hardy, 77 M.J. 438, 442–43 (C.A.A.F. 2018); see also United
States v. Chin, 75 M.J. 220, 223 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (addressing this court’s Article
66, UCMJ, responsibility to “assess the entire record to determine whether to
leave an accused’s waiver intact, or to correct the error”). We reach this con-
clusion because the military judge did not plainly err despite Appellant’s argu-
ment to the contrary that he did. We consider Appellant’s reliance on United
States v. Forbes, in which the CAAF held that a military judge commits error
by instructing members over defense objection to disregard the accused’s si-
lence when the accused does not testify in the defense findings case. 61 M.J.
354, 359 (C.A.A.F. 2005). We also consider Appellant’s reliance on Mil. R. Evid.
301(f)(3), which states,
When the accused does not testify at trial, defense counsel may
request that the members of the court be instructed to disregard
that fact and not to draw any adverse inference from it. Defense
counsel may request that the members not be so instructed. De-
fense counsel’s election will be binding upon the military judge
except that the military judge may give the instruction when the
instruction is necessary in the interests of justice.
(Emphasis added).
Appellant argues the plain text of Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) uses the word
“trial” and does not distinguish between findings or sentencing portions of a
court-martial. In reply to the Government’s answer, Appellant likewise argues
“nothing within the text of Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) indicates it is limited to find-
ings.” It follows, Appellant contends, his election to not have the disputed in-
struction given in sentencing was just as binding upon the military judge as it
would have been if Appellant had made the election in the findings portion of
his court-martial. We disagree with Appellant’s understanding of the scope of
the rule.
Appellant’s reliance on Forbes and Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) is inapt. Unlike
Forbes, the disputed instruction here was in the sentencing portion of the
court-martial. At the same time, the word “trial” where it appears in Mil. R.
Evid. 301(f)(3) is not synonymous with “court-martial.” Appellant’s trial con-
cluded when findings were announced: “the line of demarcation that separates
the ‘trial’ stage of a court-martial and the ‘after trial’ stage of a court-martial
55
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
is the moment of time ‘before findings and sentence.’ . . . Thus, as soon as the
finder of fact announces a guilty verdict . . . the trial has ended . . . .” United
States v. Turner, 79 M.J. 401, 405 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (quoting United States v.
Watkins, 21 M.J. 208, 209 (C.M.A. 1986)). For this reason, Mil. R. Evid.
301(f)(3) applies in the findings stage of courts-martial, but not in sentencing.
In this regard, the plain text of the rule leads to a different result than one
Appellant urges the court to reach.
Both the holding in Forbes and Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) have their genesis in
the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Lakeside v. Oregon, 435 U.S.
333 (1978). See Forbes, 61 M.J. at 356 (citing Manual for Courts-Martial,
United States (2002 ed.), App. 22, Analysis of the Military Rules of Evidence,
at A22–7). In Lakeside, the Supreme Court held “that the giving of such an
instruction over the defendant’s objection does not violate the privilege against
compulsory self-incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amend-
ments.” Id. at 340–41. Nonetheless, the Court also stated “[i]t may be wise for
a trial judge not to give such a cautionary instruction over a defendant’s objec-
tion.” Id. at 340. The provisions in Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) were the result.45
Although the rule “reflects the President’s authority to grant members of the
armed forces rights more protective than those required by the Constitution,”
Forbes, 61 M.J. at 356, it had no more application to the sentencing portion of
Appellant’s court-martial than the holdings of Lakeside and Forbes.
We find piercing waiver inappropriate, moreover, because Appellant has
not shown prejudice, much less a presumption of prejudice. But cf. Forbes, 61
M.J. at 359 (presuming prejudice results when military judge errors by in-
structing members over defense objection to disregard the accused’s silence
when the accused does not testify in the defense findings case). The military
judge’s sentencing instruction was a correct statement of the law. Importantly,
the members were instructed, without objection, that the unsworn statements
Appellant gave were “an authorized means for an accused to bring information
to the attention of the Court, and must be given appropriate consideration.”
See United States v. Breese, 11 M.J. 17, 23 (C.M.A. 1981) (holding instructions
“provided the court members with correct and sufficient guidance needed in
considering the appellant’s unsworn statement”).
Even if the disputed instruction had not been given, the members were al-
ready aware Appellant’s testimony during sentencing was not under oath be-
cause it was in direct contrast to the findings portion of the court-martial
where he did testify under oath. Appellant contends that he was prejudiced
45 Mil. R. Evid. 301(f)(3) was enumerated “301(g)” in the Manual for Courts-Martial,
United States (2002 ed.), and is identical in all respects. See, e.g., Forbes, 61 M.J. at
356.
56
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
because members “were specifically alerted to Appellant’s lack of sworn sen-
tencing testimony.” However, the court finds no plainer forewarning to the
factfinder that his sentencing allocution was not under oath than the label Ap-
pellant chose for his written unsworn statement. In capital letters, Appellant
conveyed that the statements in that document constituted the “Unsworn
Statement of SSgt Mariano L. Jackson for the Honorable Court.”
Under the circumstances, we find comparison with the presumption of prej-
udice in Forbes is inapt, and relief is not warranted. We find no merit to this
issue.
E. Convening Authority’s Decision on Action
Appellant urges the court to remand his case to the Chief Trial Judge of the
Air Force to resolve a substantial issue with the convening authority’s failure
to take action on the sentence. We are not persuaded relief is warranted and
decline to do so.
1. Background
Appellant was sentenced to a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for three
years, reduction to the grade of E-1, and a reprimand. In the convening author-
ity’s 2 April 2020 Decision on Action memorandum, he noted that he had not
previously granted any deferment of forfeitures. At the same time, the conven-
ing authority granted Appellant’s request to waive automatic forfeitures for
the benefit of Appellant’s dependent child, and specified the language of the
reprimand. The convening authority took no further action on Appellant’s sen-
tence by, for example, indicating that he approved any portion of Appellant’s
sentence. Appellant did not object to the convening authority’s decision before
submitting his assignments of error to the court. See R.C.M. 1104(b).
2. Law and Analysis
Appellant was found guilty of misconduct he committed between 1 May
2016 and 25 April 2019. Because Appellant was convicted of at least one spec-
ification involving an offense before 1 January 2019, the convening authority
was required to approve, disapprove, commute, or suspend the sentence of the
court-martial in whole or in part. United States v. Brubaker-Escobar, 81 M.J.
471, 472 (C.A.A.F. 2021) (per curiam); see also Article 60, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§ 860 (Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.) (2016 MCM).
However, the convening authority did not take one of these four actions on
each component of the adjudged sentence. It follows, then, that the convening
authority made a procedural error when he failed to act on the sentence. Bru-
baker-Escobar, 81 M.J. at 474–75 (holding that the convening authority erred
by taking “no action”). In line with Article 59(a), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 859(a),
“procedural errors are ‘test[ed] for material prejudice to a substantial right to
57
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
determine whether relief is warranted.’” Id. at 475 (alteration in original)
(quoting United States v. Alexander, 61 M.J. 266, 269 (C.A.A.F. 2005)).
Appellant and the Government are in agreement that the court reviews the
convening authority’s decision under a plain error standard of review, which
we accept for purposes of this appeal. Under plain error review an appellant
must demonstrate: (1) there was error; (2) the error was plain or obvious; and
(3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial right. United States v. Scalo,
60 M.J. 435, 436 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (reviewing appellant’s failure in his clemency
submission to the convening authority to comment on omission in a staff judge
advocate’s recommendation).
The court examined the convening authority’s Decision on Action memo-
randum and, testing for material prejudice, finds relief is not warranted. To
begin with, the convening authority was powerless to grant clemency on the
adjudged findings, Article 60(c)(3)(A), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 860(c)(3)(A) (2016
MCM). As to sentence, the convening authority was not authorized to disap-
prove, commute, or suspend the adjudged confinement or bad-conduct dis-
charge. See Article 60(c)(4)(A), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 860(c)(4)(A) (2016 MCM)
(“[T]he convening authority . . . may not disapprove, commute, or suspend in
whole or in part an adjudged sentence of confinement for more than six months
or a sentence of . . . [a] bad[-]conduct discharge.”). Nonetheless, the convening
authority had the power to disapprove, commute, or suspend, in whole or in
part, the reprimand and reduction in grade. See Articles 60(c)(2), (c)(4), UCMJ,
10 U.S.C. §§ 860(c)(2), (c)(4) (2016 MCM). The words of the reprimand are spec-
ified in the memorandum, so we are confident the convening authority in-
tended to approve it despite the procedural error.
Turning then to the reduction in grade from E-5 to E-1, the court again
tests for material prejudice and finds none. Trial defense counsel submitted
clemency matters on behalf of Appellant, asking the convening authority to
waive automatic forfeitures for the benefit of Appellant’s son. Appellant did
not seek modification of the reduction in grade. The convening authority could
have modified this sentence component, but it is speculative to conclude such
relief would have been granted, much less in the absence of a specific request.
The convening authority rebuked Appellant in the reprimand, observing his
“actions . . . cost [him his] position as a professional noncommissioned officer of
integrity and character in the United States Air Force.” (Emphasis added).
Such an action lends support to the conclusion that the convening authority
did not intend to disturb the adjudged reduction in grade. Also, Appellant
makes no argument on appeal that he was prejudiced by the convening author-
ity’s failure to either approve, disapprove, commute, or suspend the grade re-
duction in whole or in part. Considering the totality of the circumstances, we
58
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
find no material prejudice to Appellant’s substantial rights owing to the proce-
dural error.46
F. Convening Authority’s Reprimand of Appellant
Appellant contends that the language in the convening authority’s repri-
mand included improper comments on Appellant’s defense at trial and rights
against self-incrimination. Appellant claims that the language renders the rep-
rimand inappropriately severe and violates Appellant’s rights under the Fifth
and Sixth Amendments and Article 37, UCMJ.47 As a remedy, Appellant re-
quests the court set aside the reprimand. The court finds relief is not war-
ranted on this issue.
1. Background
The members sentenced Appellant on 9 March 2020 and imposed a sen-
tence that included a reprimand. On 2 April 2020, the convening authority is-
sued that reprimand in his Decision on Action memorandum. In that memo-
randum, the convening authority censured Appellant for downplaying the in-
juries he caused AJ and KM and failing to take responsibility for his actions:
You have been made aware countless times over the course of
your career that domestic violence is both abhorrent and illegal.
The fact that you strangled two women you supposedly loved is
so cowardly and reprehensible that I struggle to find words pow-
erful enough for a rebuke. This is made even more difficult be-
cause you physically assaulted your loved ones just steps away
from your child! Given the tearful statements these women
made during your sentencing hearing, it is clear that the damage
you inflicted upon them is irreparable. That you had the audac-
ity to downplay their obvious physical and emotional harm is not
only repugnant, it demonstrates that you feel neither shame nor
46 Two judges of the panel find the convening authority’s intent can be gleaned from
the words in the Decision on Action memorandum and the Air Force guidance in effect
when the convening authority made his decision not to disturb the sentence. “[A] deci-
sion to take no action is tantamount to granting no relief.” AFI 51-201, Administration
of Military Justice, ¶ 13.17.1. (18 Jan. 2019). To be sure, the convening authority fol-
lowed that instruction to his detriment by failing to take action on each component of
the sentence. Even so, the memorandum unmistakably conveys an intention to grant
no sentencing relief to Appellant despite the procedural error.
47 All references to Article 37, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 837, or its subparagraphs, are to the
version in effect to allegations of unlawful command influence committed on, or after,
20 December 2019 with enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2020, Pub. L. No. 116–92, § 532 (2019).
59
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
regret over your actions. Accordingly, you are hereby repri-
manded!
As a noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force, you
are expected to maintain a standard of professional and personal
behavior that is beyond reproach. Every action you take should
serve as a model to your peers, subordinates, and fellow [A]ir-
men. Instead, your actions jeopardized the physical and mental
health of your family, and cost you your position as a profes-
sional noncommissioned officer of integrity and character in the
United States Air Force. Although you have inexplicably failed
to take responsibility for your actions thus far, I trust your time
in confinement will give you ample opportunity to reflect on your
conduct and adjust your behavior to comport with that expected
of each member of our society. I can only hope that your confine-
ment will also bring your loved ones comfort, knowing that some
measure of justice has been served.
(Emphasis added).
Trial defense counsel received a copy of the convening authority’s decision
memorandum the same day it was issued. Trial defense counsel did not file a
post-trial motion alleging that the convening authority erred in the language
of the reprimand. Instead, Appellant alleges error for the first time on appeal.
a. Appellant’s Testimony
As noted above, Appellant testified during the defense case-in-chief. He was
resolute in denying that he had committed many of the offenses under review.
He asserted he had not engaged in the charged conduct underlying the assaults
consummated by battery upon AJ or KM. He likewise disclaimed any actions
on his part could have caused their injuries. On cross-examination, Appellant
maintained his denials when trial counsel confronted him with pictures, expert
testimony, and other evidence of specific injuries.
As relevant to Appellant’s claim of error in the language of the reprimand,
trial counsel and Appellant engaged in a colloquy about testimony given by AJ
and KM. After establishing that Appellant was present when AJ and KM tes-
tified, trial counsel directed Appellant to recall each victim’s sworn testimony:
Q [Trial counsel]. You saw the emotion on [KM]’s face, right?
A [Appellant]. During portions of her story, yes, sir.
Q. You saw the emotion that your wife [AJ] showed when she
was talking about that laundry room incident?
A. I didn’t see any emotion.
60
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Q. You didn’t see her wiping away tears?
A. No, sir.
Q. Okay. But your testimony now today is that everything they
said is made up?
A. Portions of it, yes, sir.
Q. Namely, the allegations that make you a criminal?
A. Certain things, yes, sir.
....
Q. So . . . [KM] is making up the strangulation?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. She’s making up being choked on the floor while she’s smack-
ing the door, hoping your neighbors will hear?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. She’s making up the sound that she made when she was trying
to breathe?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Okay. All of that’s made up? . . . From both February and
April?
A. Yes, sir.
(Emphasis added).
b. Trial Defense Counsel’s Sentencing Argument
During sentencing argument, like during Appellant’s findings testimony,
trial defense counsel maintained that AJ and KM had exaggerated their inju-
ries when they testified. Trial defense counsel similarly challenged the veracity
of the unsworn statements each woman presented in sentencing. In this re-
gard, counsel told the members, “I’m going to talk about some things and, ba-
sically, distill it down to what did [AJ] actually do . . . .”
Before making a case that AJ and KM had been untruthful, trial defense
counsel explained their injuries did not warrant lengthy confinement. Specifi-
cally as regards the Government’s sentencing argument, Appellant’s counsel
argued their injuries were not so serious as to warrant the eight years of con-
finement that trial counsel recommended.
Trial defense counsel challenged this recommendation, explaining that
“[n]ot all offenses are created equal.” He argued “[t]here’s a spectrum, right,
61
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
from the non-offense to something very minor, to the most egregious, most hei-
nous acts that you can even imagine on the other end.” In this regard, counsel
began at the upper end of that spectrum, reminding the members of expert
testimony they heard about “the things [that the experts have] seen in stran-
gulation cases,” such as “deaths,” “broken necks,” and “broken discs.”
Trial defense counsel sought to convince the members that, “[f]rankly
speaking, what we have in this case is on the other end” of the spectrum. He
advocated that AJ’s and KM’s injuries were “minor,” even “superficial.” The
injuries, counsel maintained, did not merit lengthy confinement or separating
Appellant from his son for eight years. In this regard, he explained,
And I’m not belittling, or downplaying, or trivializing this at all,
and I hope that it’s not coming across that way, members, but
we have to be real about what this case entailed. It entailed some
assaults that involved strangulation. What were the injuries
here, the physical injuries? With [AJ], it was redness that the
nurse said would dissipate immediately, no medical intervention
necessary that was testified about. With [KM], the injuries were
superficial. They were minor, they went away after a couple of
days. You heard testimony about that CAT[48] scan . . . they do
that to look inside the structure of the neck to see if there was
any internal damage, and there wasn’t. They have soreness that
lasted a few days, and that was it. Not strangling nearly to
death, as trial counsel said; not life draining out of them, as trial
counsel said; not torture that trial counsel said. Let’s be precise
in our language, members. Let’s be precise about what we’re
talking about here. Serious, absolutely, but not over here on that
spectrum warranting eight years of his life, eight years without
his son.
(Emphasis added).
Trial defense counsel then challenged the veracity of the testimony AJ and
KM gave at trial, and the impacts they described in their unsworn statements
given in sentencing. Appellant’s counsel reminded the members they had
“heard about impacts” to both women in those statements, and told the mem-
bers to contrast those claims with the testimony they heard in the findings
portion of the court-martial:
But think about the testimony that you’ve heard in this case
about lasting impacts on them. I mean, I’m sure none of us would
48 Computed axial tomography (CAT).
62
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
ever want to go through that -- go through what they did. Abso-
lutely, it should be considered, but as far as lasting impacts go,
both of these women continued to want to be with him.
On this point, trial defense counsel attacked AJ’s credibility, stating she
“stuck with [Appellant], and she wanted to make it better.” He argued her true
motive in staying was a “join[-]spouse assignment [with Appellant] in Ger-
many,” and not to work on their marriage as she said in her testimony. At the
same time, Appellant’s counsel implied that the victim impact AJ described
was not credible because, among other reasons, AJ shared custody with Appel-
lant and trusted him with the care of their son. Twice, Appellant’s counsel
asked rhetorically, “Is that consistent with what [AJ]’s telling you here?” The
clear implication of trial defense counsel’s argument is that evidence AJ gave,
which could be interpreted as “lasting impacts,” was false because she would
not have trusted Appellant to be around their son if it were true.
In regard to KM, trial defense counsel argued,
There’s been no evidence of counseling or long-term emotional
issues in her case. I’m talking about [KM]. You heard that even
while [Appellant] was in pretrial confinement, they were talking
on the phone and having discussions. She loved him. And, again,
no discussion of counseling or long-term emotional issues.
Appellant’s counsel concluded this part of the argument by stating, “So,
members, I’m not downplaying what happened, absolutely not, but you have to
be real about what this case is and what it deserves.” (Emphasis added).
2. Law
A reprimand is among the punishments that a court-martial may adjudge
as an authorized sentence. R.C.M. 1003(b)(1). “A court-martial shall not specify
the terms or wording of a reprimand.” Id. If imposed, the reprimand “shall be
issued, in writing, by the convening authority.” Id. “A reprimand adjudged by
a court-martial is a punitive censure.” Id. Discussion.
Appellant and Government are again in agreement that the court reviews
the convening authority’s decision under a plain error standard of review,
which we accept for purposes of this appeal. Under plain error review an ap-
pellant must demonstrate: (1) there was error; (2) the error was plain or obvi-
ous; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial right. Scalo, 60 M.J.
at 436. If a military appellate court finds prejudicial error, it may set aside
inapt language in a reprimand. See United States v. Hawes, 51 M.J. 258, 261
(C.A.A.F. 1999) (setting aside words that reference a conviction which was dis-
missed on appeal).
63
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
3. Analysis
a. Convening Authority’s Reprimand of Appellant
The convening authority censured Appellant for having “the audacity to
downplay” the injuries he caused AJ and KM and that he “failed to take re-
sponsibility” for his actions. In the convening authority’s view, Appellant felt
“neither shame nor regret” for his assaults consummated by a battery upon
either woman.
Appellant argues the reprimand’s language improperly denounced him for
exercising rights afforded him under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. In Ap-
pellant’s telling, the convening authority “reprimanded Appellant for putting
on a defense and maintaining his constitutional and statutory rights against
self-incrimination after having pled not guilty.” In Appellant’s view, the repri-
mand conveys that the convening authority “would hold it against any member
under his authority [at the USAFA] if they invoked their constitutional right
to plead not guilty” and “and put on a defense.” Appellant continues,
In so doing, the [convening authority] did not fault [him] for ly-
ing under oath or even insinuate that he did so;[49] [the conven-
ing authority] took [him] (and by extension his defense counsel)
to task for merely putting on a defense which sought to counter
and mitigate the charges brought by the Government—precisely
the defense function.
Appellant draws a parallel between trial defense counsel’s sentencing ar-
gument and the words in the reprimand. During argument, trial defense coun-
sel twice professed he was not “downplaying” Appellant’s conduct, which very
closely resembled the convening authority’s language censuring Appellant for
having the audacity “to downplay” the physical and emotional harm he caused
AJ and KM. Appellant claims, “By taking aim at the very nature of the defense
[he] put on, [the] reprimand inherently admonished [his] defense counsel as
well.”
The Government counters that Appellant is not entitled to relief under the
plain error standard of review. In the Government’s view, the reprimand ad-
dresses Appellant’s failure to apologize to his victims or express remorse in his
unsworn statements. In this regard, the inference that Appellant felt “neither
shame nor regret” for his conduct is a reasonable one. Further, in the Govern-
49 Appellant suggests, “Had the [convening authority] styled his reprimand in a man-
ner consistent with a mendacity instruction, this would be a different situation.” Not-
ing that a mendacity instruction was given to the members, Appellant observes the
convening authority, nonetheless, “never alleged that Appellant lied under oath.”
64
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
ment’s view, the convening authority’s observation that Appellant “inexplica-
bly failed to take responsibility” for his “actions thus far” was likewise directed
at Appellant’s failure to apologize to his victims in his unsworn statements.
Assuming the reprimand could be read to address Appellant’s statements
in findings, rather than sentencing, the Government argues that the repri-
mand was still appropriate. Appellant testified in his own defense and denied
engaging in the charged conduct. The Government explains that “[t]he mem-
bers clearly did not believe Appellant as they convicted him on offenses involv-
ing both AJ and KM. The military judge also delivered a mendacity instruction
based on the lies Appellant admitted to on the stand.” Accordingly, it was not
clear or obvious error for the convening authority to comment on Appellant’s
efforts to “downplay” the allegations by denying that they even occurred. In
the Government’s view, “Appellant’s false denial of his culpability in these vi-
olent crimes” warrants the reprimand’s language that Appellant challenges for
the first time on appeal.
Under the circumstances here, the court finds the challenged language was
within the discretion of a convening authority and not improper. We note that
the reprimand stopped short of stating any of the things Appellant finds con-
cerning. Importantly, it did not expressly censure Appellant or trial defense
counsel for exercising a right or decision guaranteed to Appellant by the Con-
stitution or the UCMJ. The convening authority did not impermissibly com-
ment on Appellant’s right to confront the witnesses against him at trial or his
right to remain silent and force the Government to meet its evidentiary bur-
dens. Cf. Stephens, 67 M.J. at 235–36 (distinguishing cases in which trial coun-
sel “explicitly commented” on an appellant’s invocation of a constitutional
right).
Earlier in this decision the court observed that “an accused’s refusal to ad-
mit guilt after findings may be an appropriate factor for the member[s’] con-
sideration in their sentencing deliberation on rehabilitation potential but only
if a proper foundation has been laid.” Paxton, 64 M.J. at 487 (citing Edwards,
35 M.J. at 355). The court finds this principle, or one like it, reaches a conven-
ing authority’s reprimand when the accused has either testified or made an
unsworn statement that serves as a foundation for fair censure. Just as trial
counsel is permitted to argue “the nature and circumstances of the offense and
the history and characteristics of the accused,” see R.C.M. 1002(f)(1); R.C.M.
1001(h), such matters are a proper subject for a reprimand. At the same time,
we find a censure may be examined for appropriateness by evaluation of the
same principles the members are permitted to observe in sentencing. In this
regard, a reprimand aimed to reflect the seriousness of an offense, promote
respect for the law, provide a just punishment, promote adequate deterrence
65
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
of misconduct, protect others from further crimes by the accused, and to reha-
bilitate the accused is generally not in error. See R.C.M. 1002(f)(3)(A)–(F).
Here, we again find Appellant established the requisite foundation when
he testified in findings and then exercised the right of allocution in sentencing.
Applying Paxton, Edwards, and considerations listed in R.C.M. 1001(h), Ap-
pellant has not shown under a plain error standard of review that the conven-
ing authority’s language used in the reprimand was error. Appellant claims it
was improper for the convening authority to look to trial defense counsel’s sen-
tencing argument, but Appellant’s testimony and unsworn statements lend in-
dependent factual support to the language that Appellant objects to in the rep-
rimand. Appellant has not demonstrated he is entitled to relief on this issue
and we decline to provide any relief.
b. Claimed Unlawful Command Influence, Article 37, UCMJ
Among Appellant’s claims of error, he asserts that the language of the rep-
rimand renders his sentence inappropriately severe because the specific words
violate Article 37, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 837. Appellant directs the court to look
no further than trial defense counsel’s sentencing argument to find that the
reprimand was “necessarily imputed” to trial defense counsel even if it was not
specifically directed at them.
An appellate court reviews allegations of unlawful command influence
(UCI) de novo. See United States v. Barry, 78 M.J. 70, 77 (C.A.A.F. 2018);
United States v. Salyer, 72 M.J. 415, 423–24 (C.A.A.F. 2013). “Two types of
unlawful command influence can arise in the military justice system: actual
unlawful command influence and the appearance of unlawful command influ-
ence.” United States v. Boyce, 76 M.J. 242, 247 (C.A.A.F. 2017). Actual UCI “is
an improper manipulation of the criminal justice process which negatively af-
fects the fair handling and/or disposition of a case.” Id. In order to demonstrate
actual UCI, the appellant “must show: (1) facts, which if true, constitute un-
lawful command influence; (2) that the proceedings were unfair; and (3) that
the unlawful command influence was the cause of the unfairness.” Salyer, 72
M.J. at 423 (citing United States v. Richter, 51 M.J. 213, 224 (C.A.A.F. 1999)).
“[T]he initial burden of showing potential unlawful command influence is low,
but is more than mere allegation or speculation.” Id.Once an issue of unlawful command influence is raised by some
evidence, the burden shifts to the government to rebut an alle-
gation of unlawful command influence by persuading the Court
beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) the predicate facts do not ex-
ist; (2) the facts do not constitute unlawful command influence;
or (3) the unlawful command influence did not affect the findings
or sentence.
66
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Id.If the Government fails to rebut an appellant’s factual showing, it may still
prevail against a claim of apparent UCI if it proves
beyond a reasonable doubt that the unlawful command influence
did not place “an intolerable strain” upon the public’s perception
of the military justice system and that “an objective, disinter-
ested observer, fully informed of all the facts and circumstances,
would [not] harbor a significant doubt about the fairness of the
proceeding.”
Boyce, 76 M.J. at 249–50 (alteration in original) (quoting Salyer, 72 M.J. at
423).
Appellant’s claim of unlawful command influence is premised on an insin-
uation that some of the convening authority’s words in the reprimand were
directed at Appellant’s trial defense counsel. He argues, “While the [convening
authority] did not specifically direct [the] reprimand language to [trial] defense
counsel, the fact that [the convening authority] reprimanded [him] for mar-
shalling a defense (i.e., placing the allegations in perspective), is necessarily
imputed” to trial defense counsel. The court understands Appellant’s claim to
be that the convening authority reprimanded Appellant as a proxy for trial
defense counsel; and, by doing so, the convening authority violated Article
37(a), UCMJ, which, prohibits a convening authority from reprimanding coun-
sel with respect to their official duties in the conduct of a court-martial pro-
ceeding. See 10 U.S.C. § 837(a); see also R.C.M. 104(a)(1).
The court finds this argument is without merit. First, the court can deter-
mine that the reprimand was directed at Appellant and not counsel from its
language. Second, we can determine from the context of the record that the
language the convening authority used to censure Appellant has independent
support in Appellant’s own testimony and unsworn statements, as discussed
earlier in this opinion. Third, it is little more than speculation that the conven-
ing authority was holding counsel accountable for the “exercise of . . . his func-
tions in the conduct of the proceeding,” Article 37(a)(1), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§ 837(a)(1), as claimed, and not Appellant’s sworn and unsworn statements in
which he minimized the conduct underlying his convictions while he simulta-
neously denied that any action on his part caused injury to the victims. Finally,
67
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Appellant makes no claim that he was materially prejudiced by the repri-
mand’s language as required by Article 37(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 837(c).50 In-
stead, Appellant claims that the language is inappropriate. In this regard, Ap-
pellant emphasizes in his reply brief that his “overarching claim is one of sen-
tence appropriateness, which is reviewed de novo,” and not material prejudice
to a substantial right.
We find Appellant has not demonstrated some evidence of facts, which if
true, would constitute UCI. Salyer, 72 M.J. at 423; cf. Ginn, 47 M.J. at 248
(holding that an appellant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim “may be re-
jected on [the] basis” that his declaration “consists . . . of speculative or conclu-
sory observations”). We find no evidence of “an improper manipulation of the
criminal justice process which negatively affect[ed] the fair handling and/or
disposition of [Appellant’s] case.” Boyce, 76 M.J. at 247 (citing United States v.
Allen, 33 M.J. 209, 212 (C.M.A. 1991)).
For these reasons the court is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that
the facts as presented do not support an actual or apparent violation of Article
37(a), UCMJ, because those facts do not constitute UCI. Salyer, 72 M.J. at 423.
We are also certain beyond a reasonable doubt that a fully informed, objective,
disinterested observer would not harbor any significant doubt about the fair-
ness of the proceeding. Id. We conclude that the reprimand is not an inappro-
priately severe penalty as claimed, Article 66(d)(1), UCMJ, and that relief is
not warranted on this issue.
G. Timeliness of Post-Trial Processing and Appellate Review
The court considers two issues that relate to Appellant’s right to a timely
post-trial proceeding. First, Appellant asks this court to reassess the adjudged
sentence because of the Government’s 176-day delay in docketing Appellant’s
case with the court. Appellant emphasizes he is entitled to a presumption of
unreasonable delay because the record was docketed 26 days after the 150-day
standard that this court established in United States v. Livak, 80 M.J. 631 (A.F.
Ct. Crim. App. 2020). Appellant does not contend that this delay rose to the
level of a due process violation, but does request relief pursuant to United
States v. Tardif, 57 M.J. 219 (C.A.A.F. 2002). The court, nonetheless, assesses
both grounds for relief. Second, although not raised by Appellant, the court
considers the issue of timely appellate review. We are not persuaded Appellant
is entitled to relief for post-trial delay, including delay during the appellate
review of his case.
50 “No finding or sentence of a court-martial may be held incorrect on the ground of a
violation of [Article 37, UCMJ,] unless the violation materially prejudices the substan-
tial rights of the accused.” Article 37(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 837(c).
68
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
1. Law
Whether an appellant has been deprived of his due process right to speedy
post-trial and appellate review, and whether constitutional error is harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt, are questions of law reviewed de novo. United
States v. Arriaga, 70 M.J. 51, 56 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (citing United States v.
Moreno, 63 M.J. 129, 135 (C.A.A.F. 2006)). In Moreno, the CAAF’s holding
quantified the threshold for a presumptive due process violation that it meas-
ured in days and months when any of the following occur: (1) the convening
authority takes action more than 120 days after completion of trial; (2) the
record of trial is docketed by the service CCA more than 30 days after the con-
vening authority’s action; or (3) a CCA completes appellate review and renders
its decision more than 18 months after the case is docketed with the court.
Moreno, 63 M.J. at 142.
As Appellant’s case was processed under new procedural rules, this court
applies Livak’s 150-day aggregate standard threshold. 80 M.J. at 633. In Livak,
we deduced this aggregate standard from standards announced by our superior
court in Moreno. Id. We quantified the threshold for a presumptive due process
violation when a record of trial is untimely docketed with the court under the
new rules. Id. We determined such delay is presumptively unreasonable when
docketing occurs more than 150 calendar days after sentencing. Id. (finding a
“150-day threshold appropriately protects an appellant’s due process right to
timely post-trial and appellate review and is consistent with our superior
court’s holding in Moreno”).
When a case does not meet this standard, the delay is presumptively un-
reasonable and it triggers an analysis of the four non-exclusive 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 the right to timely
review and appeal; and (4) prejudice.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135. These factors
are used to assess whether an appellant’s due process right to timely post-trial
and appellate review has been violated. Id.; but see United States v. Anderson,
82 M.J. 82, 90 (C.A.A.F. 2022) (Maggs, J., concurring) (“In the light of the new
guidance from [the Supreme Court], courts in other jurisdictions have recog-
nized that they may have to reexamine how they apply the Barker factors in
analyzing claims that post-conviction delay has violated due process.”).51
51 Appellant’s case raises at least one other question about the suitability of applying
standards articulated in United States v. Moreno, 63 M.J. 129 (C.A.A.F. 2006), to this
case, founded as they are on our superior court’s analogy to the pretrial speedy trial
context in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972). In Barker, the Supreme Court
observed, if not cautioned, that “the length of delay that will provoke” a full inquiry “is
69
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
Moreno identified three types of prejudice arising from post-trial processing
delay: (1) oppressive incarceration; (2) anxiety and concern; and (3) impair-
ment of a convicted person’s grounds for appeal and ability to present a defense
at a rehearing. 63 M.J at 138–39.
“We analyze each factor and make a determination as to whether that fac-
tor favors the Government or the appellant.” Id. at 136. Then, we “balance our
analysis of the factors to determine whether . . . a due process violation” oc-
curred. Id. “[C]ourts must still engage in a difficult and sensitive balancing
process.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 534. “No single factor is required for finding a due
process violation and the absence of a given factor will not prevent such a find-
ing.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 136. However, where an appellant has not shown prej-
udice 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 in-
tegrity of the military justice system.” United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353,
362 (C.A.A.F. 2006).
In the absence of a due process violation, a CCA has a responsibility under
Article 66, UCMJ, “to grant relief for excessive post-trial delay without a show-
ing of ‘actual prejudice’ within the meaning of Article 59(a)[, UCMJ,] if it deems
relief appropriate under the circumstances.” Tardif, 57 M.J. at 224 (citation
omitted). To determine if Tardif relief is warranted, we consider the factors
announced in United States v. Gay, 74 M.J. 736 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2015),
aff’d, 75 M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F. 2016). Those factors include how long the delay
exceeded standards, the reasons for the delay, whether the Government acted
with bad faith or gross indifference, evidence of institutional neglect, harm to
the appellant or to the institution, whether relief is consistent with the goals
of both justice and good order and discipline, and whether this court can pro-
vide meaningful relief. Id. at 744.
2. Timeliness of Post-Trial Processing
necessarily dependent upon the peculiar circumstances of the case.” Barker, 407 U.S.
at 530–31. To illustrate this point, the Supreme Court explained “the delay that can
be tolerated for an ordinary street crime is considerably less than for a serious, complex
conspiracy charge.” Id. at 531. It must be remembered that Appellant defended against
the charge of attempted murder. Though Appellant was acquitted of that charge, even
so the unusually lengthy record of trial and the extent to which other issues were liti-
gated on appeal should generate considerable uncertainty whether the fixed Moreno
standards are “reasonable period[s] consistent with constitutional standards,” id. at
523, under the particular circumstances of this case and others like it. Nonetheless,
we dutifully abide by our superior court’s Moreno holding.
70
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
We determine relief is not warranted for untimely post-trial processing.
Applying the first two Barker factors, we find the length of the delay counts
just slightly in Appellant’s favor. The 26-day delay beyond the 150-day stand-
ard is presumptively unreasonable, see Livak, 80 M.J. at 633, but hardly ex-
cessive. Cf. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 133, 144 (setting aside the findings and sen-
tence, in part, because 208 days elapsed between sentencing and authentica-
tion of the record, 490 days later the convening authority took action, and 76
days later the case was docketed with the CCA). The reasons for the delay
count in Appellant’s favor. Between adjournment and docketing, the Govern-
ment compiled a 14-volume record of trial that included a 2,218 page tran-
script.52 Cf. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 133 (involving a 746-page record of trial). The
delay was due, in part, because the court reporter was transcribing another
case for two months before preparing the record of Appellant’s court-martial.
Applying the third and fourth Barker factors, trial defense counsel did request
speedy post-trial processing on behalf of Appellant in the clemency submission
to the convening authority on 18 March 2020, which weighs in favor of Appel-
lant. However, Appellant fails to articulate any prejudice, which weighs signif-
icantly in favor of the Government. The Barker factors favor the Government
overall, and for this reason relief is not warranted.
Nevertheless, recognizing the court’s authority under Article 66(d)(1),
UCMJ, we considered whether relief for post-trial delay is appropriate in this
case even without a due process violation. See Tardif, 57 M.J. at 225 (“Appel-
late relief under Article 66[ ] should be viewed as the last recourse to vindicate,
where appropriate, an appellant’s right to timely post-trial processing and ap-
pellate review.”). At the outset, we reject Appellant’s invitation for the court to
consider alleged “Government[ ] discovery violations and other matters which
led to a pretrial delay of Appellant’s case.” (Emphasis added). Appellant cites
no authority for considering pretrial delay in a Tardif analysis and we find
none.53 Applying the Gay factors, the court finds the length and reasons for the
delay are reasonable. In this regard, the court finds no bad faith or gross indif-
ference in the reasons for the delay, much less evidence of institutional neglect.
There is no evidence of personal or institutional harm as a result of the 26-day
52 Five and a half volumes of the record, which comprise 1,691 pages of transcript,
involve trial and sentencing proceedings that took place between 2 and 9 March 2020.
53 To be sure, both Tardif and Moreno analogized pretrial speedy trial considerations
and applied them in the context of claims of post-trial delay. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135;
Tardif, 57 M.J. at 222. However, it does not follow that relief for claims of pretrial
delay are cognizable under Tardif or Moreno. If principles of waiver and fairness were
the court’s guide, it would seem most appropriate that an appellant first litigate such
claims before arraignment to develop the record. In most cases, an appellant’s first
opportunity to litigate claims of post-trial delay is on appeal.
71
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
delay, and Appellant makes no showing that granting sentencing relief under
the circumstances would be consistent with the goals of both justice and good
order and discipline. The Gay factors favor the Government overall, and for
this reason Tardif relief is not warranted.
3. Timeliness of Appellate Review
Appellant’s case was docketed with the court on 1 September 2020. The
overall delay in failing to render this decision by 1 March 2022, less than three
months after the 18-month Moreno standard, is facially unreasonable. See
Moreno, 63 M.J. at 142 (determining a presumption of unreasonable delay ex-
ists when a CCA issues its decision more than 18 months after the case is dock-
eted with the court). However, we determine there has been no violation of
Appellant’s right to due process and a speedy appellate review.
Analyzing the Barker factors, we find the delay is not excessively long. Af-
ter docketing, the court granted nine enlargements of time—eight for Appel-
lant and one for the Government—for appellate counsel to prepare briefs in
support of the claimed errors and the answer.54 The amount of time required
by Appellant’s military defense counsel to effectively and professionally review
the trial proceedings and assert assignments of error and issues on Appellant’s
behalf was understandably much more than would be required in a typical case
with many fewer assignments of error. Likewise, the Government reasonably
required more time to fully analyze and effectively and professionally respond
to Appellant’s brief. Cf. United States v. Moreno, No. 200100715, 2004 CCA
LEXIS 118, at *1–2 (N.M. Ct. Crim. App. 13 May 2004) (unpub. op.) (reviewing
“appellant’s four summary assignments of error, and the Government’s re-
sponse”), rev’d, 63 M.J. at 137, 144 (setting aside the findings and sentence, in
part, because the longest delay in the case, 925 days, was the period of time
after docketing but before briefing was complete).
Among the reasons for the delay, in this case, is the length of time it took
for Appellant to file his initial assignment of errors brief on 12 July 2021, and
the Government to file its answer on 7 September 2021. Appellant filed a reply
on 16 September 2021. When considering the amount of time that elapsed after
briefing was complete, the CAAF “will apply a more flexible review of this pe-
riod, recognizing that it involves the exercise of the Court of Criminal Appeal’s
judicial decision-making authority.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 137. In Moreno, our
superior court observed that “a period of slightly over six months is not an un-
reasonable time for review by the Court of Criminal Appeals.” Id. at 138; but
54 In opposition to Appellant’s eighth motion for enlargement of time, the Government
argued that, if granted, the 330-day delay “practically ensures” the court will not be
able to comply with the CAAF’s “appellate processing standards.”
72
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
see Anderson, 2022 CAAF LEXIS 149, at *5 (“The delay highlighted by [a]ppel-
lant resulted from the actions of the court reporter and the military judge and
therefore was entirely under the Government’s control.”). Relevant too, on 3
August 2021, the court granted Appellant’s 29 July 2021 motion for leave to
file a supplemental assignment of error brief with regard to issue (8).55 Addi-
tionally, one of Appellant’s assignments of error required the court, on 22 July
2021, to order affidavits or declarations from trial defense counsel for evaluat-
ing whether he received constitutionally ineffective assistance from trial de-
fense counsel. The next day, Appellant moved the court for reconsideration of
that order, with a suggestion for en banc reconsideration, which the court de-
nied on 10 August 2021.
Another reason for the delay is the extent to which the trial results were
challenged on appeal, one indication of which is evidenced by the court allow-
ing both parties to exceed page limits in appellate pleadings.56 Another indica-
tion is that the 14-volume record of trial includes 2,218 pages of transcript.
Many of the issues the court considered required the claimed errors to be de-
termined in the factual context of several lengthy parts of the record of trial.
Although none of the issues Appellant identified are especially complex, a
lengthy decision was the result. Nonetheless, the court is cognizant that Ap-
pellant is entitled to be tried and sentenced by “a military justice system that
not only is fair, but that also is perceived to be fair by members of the armed
forces and the public.” United States v. Norfleet, 53 M.J. 262, 268 (C.A.A.F.
2000). In the judgment of the court, a comprehensive decision is necessary to
ensure Appellant received a fair trial that is also perceived to be fair, especially
considering the large number of issues raised on appeal.
Turning to the raised issues, the court addressed and explained its ra-
tionale for 9 of Appellant’s 13 assignments of error in a written decision. Sev-
eral assignments of error required the court to address more than one legal or
factual question such that this court was required to resolve substantially more
issues than may be apparent from the number of errors that were identified.
Appellant requested speedy appellate review of his case on 19 July 2021 after
the Government submitted a motion for enlargement of time and motion to
compel affidavits or declarations from trial defense counsel. Appellant again
55 The Government responded to the supplemental assignment of error in its 7 Sep-
tember 2021 answer.
56 The pleadings comprised 285 total pages. Appellant’s military appellate defense
counsel filed an 83-page brief in support of ten assignments of error, and a separate
15-page appendix in support of three issues Appellant personally raised pursuant to
United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982). The Government answered in a
125-page pleading, and Appellant rejoined in a 56-page reply. Additionally, Appellant
filed a six-page brief in support of a supplemental assignment of error.
73
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
requested speedy appellate review on 1 March 2022. However, Appellant has
not pointed to any prejudice resulting from the presumptively unreasonable
delay, and we find none.
Finding no Barker prejudice, the court finds the delay is not so egregious
that it adversely affects the public’s perception of the fairness and integrity of
the military justice system. See Toohey, 63 M.J. at 362. We determine Appel-
lant is not due relief even in the absence of a due process violation. See Tardif,
57 M.J. at 223–24. Applying the factors articulated in Gay, 74 M.J. at 744, the
court finds appellate delay justified and relief unwarranted.
III. CONCLUSION
The findings and sentence entered by the military judge are correct in law
and fact, and no error materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appel-
lant occurred. Articles 59(a) and 66(d)(1), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(d)(1).
Accordingly, the findings and the sentence are AFFIRMED.
CADOTTE, Judge (dissenting in part and in the result):
I respectfully disagree with my colleagues in the majority that the evidence
is legally and factually sufficient to convict Appellant of assault consummated
by a battery for grabbing KM’s “torso” as alleged in Specification 2 of Charge
II. See United States v. King, 78 M.J. 218, 221 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (stating the test
for legal sufficiency is whether, after drawing all inferences in favor to the
prosecution, a reasonable factfinder could have found all the essential ele-
ments of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt); United States v. Turner, 25
M.J. 324, 325 (C.M.A. 1987) (stating 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 ourselves] convinced of
the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt”). I also disagree the evidence
is legally and factually sufficient to convict Appellant of the two specifications
for violating a lawful general regulation as alleged in Specifications 1 and 2 of
Additional Charge II.
A. Unlawfully Grabbing KM’s “Torso”
KM testified Appellant “grabbed [her] by [her] sweater . . . [a]nd some-
how . . . he turned [her] around and had [her] against the wall.” In doing so, he
“walked backward with [her].” In her testimony, KM also agreed Appellant
grabbed her by the shoulders. When Appellant testified, he admitted to grab-
bing KM by the shoulder which was consistent with his prior written state-
ment. Based on the evidence at trial, I have no doubt Appellant grabbed KM
74
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
by the shoulder. However, to determine legal and factual sufficiency, the sali-
ent issue is whether the “shoulder” is part of the “torso.” Unlike my colleagues,
after reviewing the record, I am left unconvinced a rational trier of fact could
have found that Appellant grabbed KM’s torso. United States v. Gutierrez, 73
M.J. 172, 175 (C.A.A.F. 2014). Applying the standard for legal sufficiency, the
evidence fails to meet the “very low threshold to sustain [the] conviction” as to
grabbing the torso. King, 78 M.J. at 221. Likewise, after “weighing the evidence
in the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed
the witnesses,” I am not convinced of the Appellant’s “guilt beyond a reasona-
ble doubt.” Turner, 25 M.J. at 325.
The majority opinion focuses on definitions for “torso” and “shoulder,”
which I have also considered. The “torso” consists of: “the human body apart
from the head, neck, arms, and legs: the human trunk.” See Merriam-Webster,
Torso, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torso (last visited on 23 May
2022). Considering this definition, “torso” equates to “the human trunk.” The
definition of “shoulder,” in the same reference, is: “the laterally projecting part
of the human body formed of the bones and joints with their covering tissue by
which the arm is connected with the trunk.” Merriam-Webster, Shoulder,
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoulder (last visited on 23 May 2022).
When viewed together, I find that a rational factfinder, viewing the evidence
in the light most favorable to the Prosecution, could not have concluded the
“shoulder” is part of the “torso.” Rather, the “shoulder” is separate and distinct
from the “torso.” In essence, the “shoulder” is the part of the body by which the
arm connects to the “torso,” not part of the “torso” itself. Considering these
definitions and the evidence at trial, a rational factfinder could have reached
the conclusion Appellant grabbed KM by one shoulder, or both shoulders. How-
ever, the evidence fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant
grabbed the “torso.” Likewise, after reviewing the record, I am left unconvinced
that the evidence proves Appellant “grabbed” KM’s torso.
I would except out the words “and torso” from Specification 2 of Charge II
and affirm the finding of guilty as modified—that is, Appellant grabbed KM on
her neck with his arms.
B. Failure to Obey a Lawful General Regulation
Appellant argues his two convictions for failing to obey Air Force Instruc-
tion (AFI) 31-101, Integrated Defense, ¶ 8.4.2.4.1.4 (6 Jul. 2017)—by not regis-
tering two different firearms that he maintained in his on-base home—are not
legally or factually sufficient. Each specification alleges a failure to obey a gen-
eral regulation in violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice
(UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 892, Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2019 ed.)
75
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
(2019 MCM).1 The first element of this offense required the Government to
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that AFI 31-101 was a lawful general regula-
tion in effect during the charged time—1 January 2019 to 25 April 20192 and
1 April 2019 to 25 April 2019.3 See 2019 MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 18.b.(1) (listing ele-
ments of Article 92(1), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 892(1)).
1. Proper Publication of a General Regulation
General regulations are those regulations “generally applicable to an
armed force which are properly published by the President or the Secretary of
Defense, of Homeland Security, or of a military department . . . .” 2019 MCM,
pt. IV, ¶ 18.c.(1)(a) (emphasis added). “[K]nowledge in fact of a general order
emanating from a Department, or territorial, theater, or similar area com-
mand, is irrelevant, for the reason that it is conclusively presumed.” United
States v. Arnovits, 13 C.M.R. 94, 95 (C.M.A. 1953). “In a prosecution for a vio-
lation of Article 92, [UCMJ,] knowledge of a ‘general order’ need not be alleged
or proved.” United States v. Tinker, 27 C.M.R. 366, 367 (C.M.A. 1959) (citations
omitted). For there to be presumption of knowledge of a general regulation,
“some form of proper publication is necessary before such knowledge is pre-
sumed or there will be a violation of constitutional due process.” United States
v. Tolkach, 14 M.J. 239, 241 (C.M.A. 1982) (citation omitted). The Tolkach de-
cision considered the following definition of “publish”:
To make public; to circulate; to make known to people in general.
To issue; to put into circulation. To utter, to present (e.g. a forged
instrument) for payment. To declare or assert, directly or indi-
rectly, by words or actions, that a forged instrument is genuine.
An advising of the public or making known of something to the
public for a purpose.
Id. at 242.
Tolkach held “‘publication’ in the sense of the Manual for Courts-Martial
occurs when a general regulation is received by the official repository for such
publications on a base, such as the master publications library. Then it is avail-
able for reference by all base personnel.” Id. at 244. Appellant argues AFI 31-
101 was not “properly published” to constitute a lawful general regulation. I
agree. Viewing the evidence presented at trial, in the light most favorable to
the Prosecution, a reasonable factfinder could not have found that AFI 31-101
1 All references to the UCMJ are to those contained in the Manual for Courts-Martial,
United States (2019 ed.).
2 Specification 2 of Additional Charge II.
3 Specification 1 of Additional Charge II.
76
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
was properly published. King, 78 M.J. at 221. Unlike my colleagues, I conclude
that AFI 31-101 was not “properly published” in a manner to be enforceable as
a lawful general regulation in accordance with Article 92(1), UCMJ.
2. AFI 31-101 Releasability Statement
The evidence presented at trial included portions of AFI 31-101 which had
the following releasability statement on the first page: “Access to this publica-
tion is restricted.[4] This publication is FOUO [For Official Use Only]; requests
for accessibility must be approved by the OPR [Office of Primary Responsibil-
ity].” The organization assigned responsibility for AFI 31-101 was the Depart-
ment of the Air Force, Integrated Defense, Law and Order and MWD5 Policy
Division (AF/A4SP) which was designated as the OPR. During the charged
timeframe,6 electronic posting of restricted access unclassified publications
was governed by AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, ¶ 11.3.2 (1
Dec. 2015), which states:
Controlled Unclassified Information [CUI]. CUI electronic pub-
lications may be made available for downloading on AFDPO’s
[Air Force Departmental Publishing Office] WMS [Warehouse
Management System] or other approved locally managed web
site. The WMS web site can restrict access to CAC [common ac-
cess card] holders or further restrict by CAC holders identified
on an OPR provided access list. Contact local security profes-
sional to help make accessibility/releasability determinations.
I conclude AFI 31-301, on its face, does not support a finding that it was
published in a manner to constitute a lawful general regulation under Article
92(1), UCMJ. The instruction specifically states accessibility must be approved
by the OPR without explanation as to which individuals or groups had access
or would be eligible to gain approval for access. As a result, AFI 31-101 cannot
be understood to be “available for reference by all base personnel.” Tolkach, 14
M.J. at 244. When considering AFI 31-101’s releasability statement along with
AFI 33-360, AFI 31-101 could have been accessible to as many as all CAC hold-
ers, or as limited to only a select few CAC holders across the entire Air Force.
Determination of who had access was left entirely at the discretion of the OPR
and there was no evidence presented at trial identifying who had access to the
4 Air Force Instruction (AFI) 31-101, Integrated Defense, ¶ 8.4.2.4.1.4 (6 Jul. 2017) was
admitted into evidence with pages 3–161 and 166–314 redacted in their entirety.
5 I understand MWD to be an acronym for military working dog.
6 References to the charged time-frame encompass the combined time period for Spec-
ifications 1 and 2 of Additional Charge II—1 January 2019 to 25 April 2019.
77
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
instruction at the time of—or leading up to—Appellant’s offenses. From read-
ing AFI 31-301 and after reviewing the record of trial, I conclude no rational
factfinder could determine which individuals or groups had access to the in-
struction.
3. Testimony on Accessibility of AFI 31-101
The Government also called three witnesses who testified to the accessibil-
ity of AFI 31-101 in an attempt to prove the instruction was properly published.
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Pass and Registration Center
noncommissioned officer in charge testified that he had access to AFI 31-101
as a security forces member, but he believed that a “regular [A]irman” would
not normally have access to such regulations. Then, the USAFA Publications
Manager testified that the “official repository” for publications is the “EPub-
lishing [ePubs]” website and she explained that restricted access publications
are “listed on ePubs.” However, the content of restricted access publications is
not “readily accessible” to the public on ePubs. She explained that to view a
restricted access publication—such as AFI 31-101—a military member can use
their CAC through the WMS portal to request access to the restricted instruc-
tion. Finally, an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA) reservist paralegal
assigned to the USAFA legal office testified she was able to download AFI 31-
101 using her CAC through the WMS portal. Significantly, the Publications
Manager and USAFA IMA paralegal both acknowledged that they did not at-
tempt to access AFI 31-101 on or about the charged timeframe, and the Gov-
ernment presented no evidence as to who, if anyone, could access it during the
charged window of 1 January 2019 to 25 April 2019.7 I differ from my col-
leagues as I do not find it permissible to infer that AFI 31-101 was accessible
to all military CAC holders during the charged timeframe based upon testi-
mony that it was accessible outside the charged window. Accessibility to AFI
31-101 was at the discretion of the OPR and there is no way to determine how
accessibility may or may not have changed with the passage of time based on
evidence presented at trial.
4. Weapon Registration Form
The Government also introduced into evidence a “Weapon Registration
Form,” prepared by Forest City Residential Management Inc, (FCRM) and
used by the USAFA privatized housing office where Appellant resided. The
form advised residents that “[t]he possession of personal firearms, govern-
ment-owned arms and ammunition will be in accordance with the laws of the
State of Colorado and any local laws or ordinances.” It further stated “[a]ll fire-
arms must be registered with the Neighborhood Management Office and in
7 Encompassing Specifications 1 and 2 of Additional Charge II.
78
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
accordance with [the policies of the] 10th Security Forces [Squadron] at the Air
Force Academy within three (3) days of occupancy or procurement of firearms.”
Significantly, nowhere on the form is AFI 31-101 mentioned, or was there any
mention of the registration requirement being a “general regulation.” The form
only states, “Failure to adhere to this provision is a material breach of the
Lease Agreement.” Appellant signed this form on 26 February 2015. At the
time he signed this form, Appellant did not state he owned any firearms. I find
it telling that the date of the base housing “Weapon Registration Form,” in-
cluded as part of FCRM’s 2013 Community Handbook, and the date Appellant
signed the form, 26 February 2015, both predate the issuance of AFI 31-101 by
over two years.8 Therefore, I disagree with the majority that “[e]vidence of
proper publication may be inferred from the fact that the housing office re-
quired residents to comply with firearm registration requirements.” The
FCRM “Weapon Registration Form” is unpersuasive as evidence of AFI 31-
101’s proper publication because the form predates the instruction, does not
reference the instruction, and only warns that a failure to register firearms is
a material breach of the lease agreement.
5. Conclusion
Unlike my colleagues in the majority, I find that a rational factfinder, based
on the evidence at trial, could not infer from the evidence in the record that
AFI 31-101 was properly published. Just as “a commander cannot sign a regu-
lation, put it in his desk drawer, and then expect his subordinates to be pre-
sumed to have knowledge of it,” a regulation cannot have its access restricted
and impute knowledge of it onto Airmen. Tolkach, 14 M.J. at 242. In order for
knowledge to be imputed, members of the command to which the regulation
applies must be afforded the opportunity to actually read the regulation in
question. It is not enough to show that it was accessible after the charged
8 I agree with my esteemed colleagues that based upon United States v. McCormick,
No. ACM 38743, 2016 CCA LEXIS 384, at *2 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 23 Jun. 2016) (un-
pub. op.), Air Force Instruction (AFI) 31-101, Integrated Defense, ¶ 8.4.2.4.1.1 (2013),
required privately-owned firearms stored on Air Force installations to be registered
with security forces. However, I find consideration of the 2013 version of AFI 31-101
insufficient for showing that the regulation in effect at the time of the offenses in issue
was legally enforceable as a lawful general regulation under Article 92, UCMJ. The
full text of the prior version of AFI 31-101 is not before us, as it was not admitted as
evidence during the court-martial and therefore is not part of the record. I also find it
noteworthy that McCormick did not involve a violation of a general regulation, as Ap-
pellant was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to comply with the AFI 31-101
firearm registration requirement that existed at that time. McCormick, 2016 CCA
LEXIS 384, at *1 (unpub. op).
79
United States v. Jackson, No. ACM 39955
timeframe, rather it must be shown it was properly published prior to the vio-
lation. For the reasons stated above I would find both convictions for violation
of Article 92, UCMJ, legally and factually insufficient.
FOR THE COURT
CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court
80