United States v. Wilson ( 2021 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 39387
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Charles A. WILSON, III
Airman First Class (E-3), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 10 June 2021
________________________
Military Judge: Vance H. Spath.
Approved sentence: Dishonorable discharge, confinement for life without
the possibility of parole, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction
to E-1, and a reprimand. Sentence adjudged 22 February 2017 by GCM
convened at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia.
For Appellant: Captain Brian L. Mizer, USN; Lieutenant Colonel An-
thony D. Ortiz, USAF; Mark C. Bruegger, Esquire.
For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Kubler, USAF; Lieutenant
Colonel Matthew J. Neil, USAF; Major Morgan R. Christie, USAF; Ma-
jor Anne M. Delmare, USAF; Major Peter F. Kellett, USAF; Captain
Allison R. Barbo, USAF; Mary Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before JOHNSON, POSCH, and KEY, Appellate Military Judges.
Chief Judge JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the court, in which Sen-
ior Judge POSCH and Judge KEY joined. Senior Judge POSCH filed a
separate concurring opinion.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as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. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
JOHNSON, Chief Judge:
A general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members convicted
Appellant, contrary to his pleas, of one specification of premeditated murder in
violation of Article 118, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C.
§ 918, and one specification of intentionally causing the death of an unborn
child in violation of Article 119a, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 919a. 1 The court-martial
sentenced Appellant to a dishonorable discharge, confinement for life without
eligibility for parole, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction to the grade
of E-1, and a reprimand. The convening authority approved the adjudged sen-
tence.
Appellant raises 26 issues for our consideration on appeal: (1) whether Ap-
pellant’s convictions are legally and factually sufficient; (2) whether the mili-
tary judge was disqualified by his undisclosed application for employment with
the Executive Office of Immigration Review; (3) whether Appellant was sub-
jected to illegal pretrial punishment in violation of Article 13, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§ 813, when the Government placed him in maximum custody; (4) whether the
military judge erred by denying a defense challenge for cause against a court
member; (5) whether the military judge erred by excluding evidence of the vic-
tim’s “swinging” lifestyle; (6) whether the military judge erred by failing to re-
consider his ruling with respect to evidence of the victim’s “swinging lifestyle;”
(7) whether trial defense counsel were ineffective for failing to renew their re-
quest to admit evidence of the victim’s “swinging lifestyle;” (8) whether the
military judge erred by failing to suppress evidence from the search of Appel-
lant’s home; (9) whether the military judge erred by allowing the Government
to introduce evidence of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deficiency against
Appellant; (10) whether the military judge erred by admitting a post-mortem
paternity test indicating Appellant was the probable father of the victim’s un-
born child; (11) whether the military judge erred by failing to suppress a letter
allegedly sent by Appellant while he was in pretrial confinement; (12) whether
the military judge’s instructions on findings were erroneous; (13) whether the
Government’s sentencing argument was improper; (14) whether the confine-
ment order erroneously omits Appellant’s 1,271 days of confinement credit for
his pretrial confinement; (15) whether Appellant is entitled to sentence relief
for unreasonable post-trial delay; (16) whether the Government improperly in-
terfered with Appellant’s attorney-client relationships; (17) whether the Gov-
ernment improperly denied Appellant’s individual military defense counsel
1 Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the punitive articles of the UCMJ are to
the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2012 ed.), and all other references to
the UCMJ and Rules for Courts-Martial and Military Rules of Evidence are to the
Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.).
2
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
(IMDC) request; (18) whether the military judge erred by allowing the Govern-
ment to introduce improper evidence under Military Rule of Evidence 404(b);
(19) whether the military judge erred by allowing a hearsay statement by the
victim that she purchased a firearm for Appellant; (20) whether trial defense
counsel were ineffective for failing to request an expert in geology; (21) whether
the military judge erred by failing to grant a mistrial due to a government
discovery violation; (22) whether the Government improperly shifted the bur-
den of proof during findings argument; (23) whether the military judge erred
by failing to rule on the Defense’s motion to remove the mandatory minimum
sentence of confinement for life for violation of the Article 55, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§ 855, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishments; (24) whether the Gov-
ernment failed to provide Appellant the opportunity to respond to “new matter”
in the addendum to the staff judge advocate’s recommendation (SJAR) to the
convening authority; (25) whether the convening authority failed to meaning-
fully consider Appellant’s clemency submission; and (26) whether the cumula-
tive effect of errors in Appellant’s case denied him a fair trial. 2
We have carefully considered issues (14), (18), (23), (24), and (25), and we
find they warrant neither further discussion nor relief. See United States v.
Matias, 25 M.J. 356, 361 (C.M.A. 1987). As to the remaining issues, we find no
error that materially prejudiced Appellant’s substantial rights, and we affirm
the findings and sentence.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Appellant and TF
During the relevant periods of time, Appellant was stationed at Robins Air
Force Base, Georgia. The off-base house in Byron, Georgia, where he lived
alone was equipped with several security cameras that recorded the areas
around his home. In addition to being an active duty Airman, Appellant was
an active member and held a leadership position in the “Outcast” Motorcycle
Club. Appellant was unmarried and had a son by a prior relationship.
Around the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011, Appellant met TF at a party
held by motorcycle club members. TF attended the party with her cousin MB,
who was a member of a female motorcycle club. TF, who was unmarried, lived
with her single brother in a house in Dawson, Georgia, approximately 96 miles
from Appellant’s house. TF had recently completed nursing school and went to
2 We have slightly reordered the assignments of error in Appellant’s brief to this court.
Appellant personally asserts issues (1) and (17) through (25) pursuant to United States
v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982).
3
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
the party with MB to celebrate. After meeting at the party, Appellant and TF
began a sexual relationship.
On 9 November 2012, at Appellant’s request, TF bought a Walther P-22 .22
caliber handgun which she gave to Appellant.
TF became pregnant, and was expected to give birth in early September
2013. She was excited about the pregnancy and told various friends and rela-
tives that Appellant was the father. TF’s obstetrician testified at the trial that
TF’s pregnancy had no identified complications or risk factors.
On 23 April 2013, TF obtained an insurance policy from Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company (MetLife) with a benefit amount of $1 million that listed
Appellant as the sole beneficiary. In addition, TF made Appellant the benefi-
ciary of a $42,000.00 life insurance policy through her employer that went into
effect on 1 August 2013. Appellant falsely told TF that he had made her the
beneficiary of his Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provided
through the Air Force.
On 10 August 2013, TF’s friends and relatives held a baby shower for her
in Dawson. TF expected Appellant to attend, but he did not. Nevertheless, TF
continued plans to move into Appellant’s house after the child was born. On 23
August 2013, TF drove to Appellant house to bring baby-related items in prep-
aration for the move. She departed his house after approximately 30 minutes.
B. IV
IV was a civilian who lived in Warner Robins, Georgia, and member of a
female motorcycle club when she met Appellant in August 2010. IV and Appel-
lant began dating within a couple of months. Appellant’s motorcycle club, the
Outcasts, was an all-male club, and women were not permitted to join. How-
ever, as IV explained at trial, a woman could be associated with the Outcasts
through a male club member; such women “didn’t have full rights” and were
considered an “extension” of the male club member, and were referred to as
“property.” Being Outcast “property” involved a particular code of conduct,
which included inter alia performing tasks and following instructions from the
Outcast member without question, and not talking to outsiders about the club.
Being “property” of an Outcast member did not necessarily involve a ro-
mantic or sexual relationship, but IV was Appellant’s “property” as well as his
girlfriend. IV had Appellant’s “riding name,” or Outcast nickname, “BON3Z,”
tattooed on her body.
IV, who was unaware of Appellant’s relationship with TF, dated Appellant
“off and on” until approximately March 2013, when she began dating someone
else who was not affiliated with the Outcasts. However, she remained Appel-
4
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
lant’s “property” and continued to meet him and “do stuff” for him. On 26 Au-
gust 2013, Appellant asked IV in person to rent a car for him. He told her to
put it on her credit card and he would pay her in cash. Appellant subsequently
told her it was to be a one-day rental for in-state use. IV made a reservation
and went to the rental agency on the afternoon of 28 August 2013. While she
was there, Appellant called her to ask what was taking so long. IV rented a
black Ford Focus and did not note any damage on the car when she and an
employee inspected it.
In accordance with Appellant’s instructions, IV drove the rental car to pick
Appellant up on a street one block away from his residence. Appellant then
drove her back to the car rental agency to pick up IV’s car. IV got into her car
and departed. IV did not ask why Appellant wanted her to rent a car or why
she was to pick him up on the street a block away from his house.
C. TB
TB, another civilian woman, met Appellant in April 2012 at a motorcycle
club party. At that point she was already the “property” of another member of
the Outcasts. At trial, TB testified that she and Appellant were dating in late
August 2013, although they were having “complications.” At approximately
1855 on 28 August 2013, TB arrived at Appellant’s residence in her pickup
truck. TB testified that after she arrived she did some cleaning, took a bath,
prepared dinner, ate with Appellant, and then watched television with him in
his bedroom until she fell asleep around 2230. TB testified that she fell asleep
lying on Appellant’s chest.
TB testified that when she awoke to an alarm at 0515 the following day, 29
August 2013, Appellant was in the bed. At approximately 0545 they left the
house together. TB drove Appellant to where the rental car was parked, then
followed him to the rental car agency. After Appellant dropped off the car there,
TB and Appellant went to breakfast at a restaurant.
D. Death of TF
On the night of 28 August 2013, the night TB spent at Appellant’s house,
TF and her brother CF watched television at the home of their mother, AT,
who lived in a house neighboring theirs in Dawson. TF said she was tired and
returned to the house she shared with CF to go to bed. At approximately 2300,
CF also returned to their house, locking the door behind him. He checked on
TF, who was sleeping in her bedroom with the television on. CF then went to
his own room, where he watched television for approximately another hour
before going to sleep.
In the early morning hours of 29 August 2013, CF was awakened by a noise.
CF “jump[ed]” up and opened the door to his bedroom. Appellant stood in the
doorway of the bathroom across the hall approximately three feet away, facing
5
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
CF and looking directly at him. Appellant was wearing black jeans and a black
hooded sweatshirt. CF had never met Appellant before, but he immediately
recognized Appellant from pictures TF had showed him. TF had not said any-
thing to CF about Appellant coming to the house, and CF felt something was
wrong. CF asked Appellant why he was there. Appellant responded by asking
if CF was looking for TF, to which CF replied “yeah,” and asked again why
Appellant was there. Appellant went into the bathroom and closed the door
without saying anything further.
Alarmed, CF returned to his bedroom to get his .38 caliber handgun. As CF
reached for the weapon, he heard the bathroom door open and Appellant run
out of the house through the side door. CF grabbed his handgun, returned to
the hallway, and looked into TF’s bedroom, where he saw “blood from [her]
face.” CF loaded the handgun and then pursued Appellant outside, where Ap-
pellant was driving away in a car. CF fired at the car until his handgun was
empty, but the car drove off without stopping. A neighbor, DJ, happened to be
awake at the time; she heard three gunshots and a car speeding away.
After reloading his pistol in case Appellant returned, CF went to TF’s bed-
room again. He found her lying in blood and not breathing. CF called the police
and then went to the house of his mother, AT, who was also a nurse. AT later
testified that when CF woke her up, he was “very frantic.” CF told her that TF
had “blood coming out of her nose” and would not “wake up,” and that TF’s
boyfriend had been in the house and had done something to her. AT went to
TF’s house and found TF was bloody and not breathing.
Paramedics arrived at TF’s residence at 0331 on 29 August 2013. They de-
termined that TF was not breathing and had no pulse, and that nothing could
be done to save her life or that of the unborn child. The Terrell County coroner
pronounced TF dead at 0400 that morning. Later examination determined TF
had five gunshot wounds in the back of her head and one gunshot wound in
her back. TF’s death directly led to the death of the unborn child shortly there-
after due to lack of oxygen.
E. Investigation
WS, a deputy with the Terrell County Sheriff’s Office, was dispatched to
TF’s residence at 0318 and arrived shortly before the paramedics. He found CF
standing by the road at the end of the driveway. According to WS, CF was
“calm” as he told WS his sister was in a bedroom with “blood coming from her.”
WS called for paramedics and then went into the house, which he found “kind
of dark” with visibility of “[p]robably 10 to 12 feet.” After the paramedics found
TF had no vital signs, WS had everyone leave the house in order to secure the
scene. WS then spoke to CF, who disclosed that he had a handgun which he
6
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
surrendered at WS’s direction. CF told WS what had happened and identified
the intruder as his “sister’s boyfriend from Robins, his name is Charlie Wilson.”
The Sheriff’s Office contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI),
which assumed responsibility for the investigation. The first GBI agents ar-
rived at the residence at approximately 0600 on 29 August 2013. As the agents
processed the scene, they identified and gathered numerous items of evidence.
This evidence included, inter alia, .38 caliber shell casings from CF’s pistol both
inside and outside the house; .22 caliber shell casings in TF’s bedroom; a pillow
in TF’s bedroom that had multiple bullet holes in it; and TF’s cell phone. The
agents attempted to dust for fingerprints in TF’s bedroom and the bathroom,
but were not able to obtain any usable fingerprints inside the house.
Special Agent (SA) JS was present that morning and became the case agent
for the GBI investigation. SA JS spoke with several witnesses in the vicinity of
the residence, including the neighbor DJ, TF’s mother AT, and TF’s cousin MB.
However, SA JS delayed speaking with CF until he could interview him in a
“more controlled environment” at the local police department after gathering
additional background information, because CF was initially considered a “per-
son of interest” in relation to the homicide. When SA JS conducted the inter-
view, CF appeared “[d]istraught, upset, [and] very sad.” CF described what had
happened, including identifying Appellant by name and describing his cloth-
ing. 3 CF acknowledged owning a .22 caliber firearm, but it was a single-shot
rifle that the agents deemed unlikely to have fired the multiple gunshots that
killed TF. Nevertheless, the agents seized the rifle.
With the evidence pointing toward Appellant as the likely suspect, SA JS
coordinated with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) to iden-
tify Appellant’s residence and obtain a “no-knock” search warrant. The war-
rant was executed the same day by SA JS with three other GBI agents, several
AFOSI agents, and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Special Response
Team. The Special Response Team found Appellant with IV in an upstairs bed-
room and removed them from the house.
GBI agents collected numerous significant items of evidence from Appel-
lant’s residence, including inter alia: a round of .22 caliber ammunition under
a piece of furniture in the living room; the box for the Walther P-22 handgun
that TF had purchased for Appellant in November 2012, which contained a
3 CF later identified Appellant as the intruder from a photo lineup that included Ap-
pellant and five other individuals with a similar general appearance.
7
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
sealed “test fire cartridge;” 4 two pairs of black pants, a black hooded sweat-
shirt, a black t-shirt, and a pair of black boots; multiple cell phones; a copy of
TF’s MetLife life insurance policy designating Appellant the sole beneficiary;
a notice of deficiency from the IRS indicating Appellant owed the Government
$10,802.17 (IRS notice); Appellant’s surveillance cameras; and the baby items
TF had brought a few days earlier.
After Appellant was removed from the house, the GBI agents initially de-
tained him, but released him after a short interview. 5 SA JS also interviewed
IV, who told him about renting a car for Appellant the previous day. In the
early morning hours of 30 August 2013, SA JS went to the rental car agency
where he found a black Ford Focus matching the description given by IV. In-
specting the exterior of the vehicle, SA JS noted there appeared to be a bullet
ricochet mark on the driver’s side window and damage to the molding of the
driver’s side door, the two marks in “like a horizontal line going from the rear
to the front.” SA JS remained with the car until the rental agency employees
arrived later that morning, when SA JS was able to confirm this was the car
IV had rented. SA JS was also able to obtain security camera video recordings
from the rental agency that appeared to depict Appellant returning the black
Ford Focus on the morning of 29 August 2013.
In the meantime, after Appellant was released, he met IV at her house. IV
confronted Appellant regarding what she had learned from the police about the
death of TF, a pregnant woman she did not know. Appellant told IV “[i]t was
not [his] baby. F[**]k her.” Appellant also told IV that he was about to get
“kicked out” of the military, but he would be “straight” because “there was a
policy.”
On 30 August 2013, the GBI agents obtained an arrest warrant for Appel-
lant. Appellant was arrested the following day, 31 August 2013, driving south-
bound on an interstate highway approximately 80 miles south of Warner Rob-
ins, Georgia. Appellant was placed in pretrial confinement where he remained
until the conclusion of his court-martial.
As the investigation continued, the GBI agents learned that the day before
TF purchased the Walther P-22 at Appellant’s direction, Appellant bought a
Walther P-22 thread adapter. At trial, an expert witness in the field of firearms
4 At trial, SA JS gave the following explanation of a “test-fire cartridge”: “When you
buy a new handgun there will be, typically be a little sleeve like you see there, that
contains a shell casing that has been fired from the gun that was purchased and it can
be used for matching purposes.”
5 Appellant’s statements during this interview were subsequently suppressed by the
military judge and are not relevant to our analysis.
8
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
explained that the Walther P-22 is designed to accept a thread adapter that
allows a “suppressor,” also known as a “silencer,” to be attached to the barrel.
SA JS determined that the distance of one round trip from Appellant’s res-
idence to TF’s house in Dawson, coupled with two round trips between the car
rental agency and Appellant’s residence, would have totaled approximately
215 miles. He further determined that the black Ford Focus IV rented had been
driven approximately 217 miles from the time it was rented until its return.
SA JS tested how long it would take to drive between TF’s home and Ap-
pellant’s residence. One night, he departed TF’s home at 0300 and arrived at
Appellant’s residence at 0418, indicating a travel time of one hour and 18
minutes. 6
SA JS also reviewed the recordings from Appellant’s security cameras.
These depicted TB’s arrival at Appellant’s house on the evening of 28 August
2013, and Appellant and TB both departing the house at approximately 0545
on 29 August 2013. In the recordings, no one appeared to enter or exit the
house between those two points in time. However, SA JS determined that there
was a “blind spot” in the security cameras, whereby someone could enter or
exit through a particular ground floor window without appearing in the record-
ings. Moreover, the window was not covered by a screen, and it appeared a
table had been moved away from the interior of the window as if to provide
access to it.
GBI agents obtained phone records of text messages between Appellant
and TF. Notably, in the days leading up to TF’s death, Appellant inquired
about the daily routines of TF and her brother CF, including their sleeping
habits. Investigators also obtained text messages between Appellant and IV,
including the following exchange on 24 August 2013:
[Appellant:] Man I can’t let you go. I love you too f[**]king much
[Appellant:] I am willing to do whatever it takes
[IV:] You always say that and then you do it again. You told me
you can’t stop.
[Appellant:] Everything is about to change. I told you what’s
about to go down. You couldn’t stick around for that?
6 On another occasion, “[i]n the middle of the day,” SA JS drove from Appellant’s resi-
dence to TF’s home and back, with each leg taking approximately one hour and 45 or
50 minutes.
9
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
....
[Appellant:] Why don’t you move in wi[t]h me. Then we will be
together always[ 7]
GBI ballistics analysis revealed the six .22 caliber bullets recovered from
TF’s body had been fired from the same weapon. Examination of the four .22
caliber shell casings recovered from TF’s home revealed they matched the .22
caliber test-fire shell casing in the Walther P-22 box seized from Appellant’s
residence. In addition, investigators were able to positively eliminate CF’s .22
caliber rifle as having fired the fatal rounds.
Examination of the ricochet mark on the window and damaged window
molding from the rental car revealed traces “typical of a lead projectile.”
The GBI agents performed gunshot residue (GSR) analysis on the items of
clothing seized from Appellant’s house. This analysis detected a small number
of particles “associated” with GSR—specifically lead barium and lead anti-
mony—on the sweatshirt, shirt, and both pairs of pants seized from Appellant’s
residence. However, no blood was found on the clothing. Particles “character-
istic” of GSR were also found on a washcloth recovered from the floor of TF’s
bathroom. 8
GBI analysis of clothing fibers identified the presence of fibers matching
the sweatshirt, t-shirt, and both pairs of pants recovered from Appellant’s res-
idence both in the rental car and on the bedding in TF’s bedroom. In addition,
a single head hair matching Appellant was found on TF’s bedding.
Analysis of soil found on the boots seized from Appellant’s residence found
that soil was similar to the soil found in TF’s front yard. However, the soil was
also similar to the soil in a portion of Appellant’s backyard, although it was
dissimilar to the soil in Appellant’s front yard and part of the backyard.
Analysis of TF’s phone revealed that TF received calls at 0221 and 0222 on
29 August 2013, shortly before her death, and that both calls were answered.
The calls lasted 10 seconds and 2 minutes and 36 seconds, respectively, and
came from a number that had not been used to call TF’s phone before.
DNA analysis performed by the GBI determined a 99.9999 percent proba-
bility that Appellant was the father of the deceased unborn child.
7 Unless otherwise marked, texts quoted in the opinion are presented verbatim without
correction.
8 At trial, an expert in ballistics explained that particles “characteristic” of GSR contain
three elements—lead, barium, and antimony—whereas particles “associated” with
GSR contain some combination of two of those elements.
10
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
F. Court-Martial Proceedings
The charges and specifications that are the subject of the instant appeal
were referred for trial by a general court-martial on 9 October 2014. These
charges and specifications were originally referred together with several other
charges and specifications arising from other incidents in 2011, 2012, and 2013
which were unrelated to TF. The convening authority referred the case as cap-
ital. In the course of the extended pretrial motion practice, the Defense suc-
cessfully moved to sever the alleged offenses which were not related to the kill-
ing of TF. Ultimately, Appellant was tried by three courts-martial; the court-
martial presently under review was the last of the three, and the only capital
proceeding.
Appellant’s court-martial was conducted at the Houston County Court-
house in Perry, Georgia. The court-martial took place over an extended period
of time, beginning with Appellant’s arraignment on 22 October 2014 and con-
cluding with the announcement of the sentence on 22 February 2017. Several
factors contributed to the delays, including inter alia the replacement at one
point of all Appellant’s trial defense counsel, as well as the severance of the
charges and specifications into three separate courts-martial.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
1. Law
We review issues of legal and factual sufficiency de novo. United States v.
Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted). Our assess-
ment of legal and factual sufficiency is limited to the evidence produced at tri-
al. United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993) (citations 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) (citation omitted). “[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). As a result,
“[t]he standard for legal sufficiency involves a very low threshold to sustain a
conviction.” United States v. King, 78 M.J. 218, 221 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (alteration
in original) (citation omitted).
The test for factual sufficiency is “whether, after weighing the evidence in
the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed
the witnesses, [we are ourselves] convinced of the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a
11
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
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), aff’d, 77 M.J. 289 (C.A.A.F.
2018)).
In order to convict Appellant of the specification of premeditated murder in
violation of Article 118, UCMJ, as charged in this case, the Government was
required to prove: (1) that TF is dead; (2) that the death resulted from the act
or omission of Appellant; (3) that the killing was unlawful; and (4) that, at the
time of the killing, Appellant had a premeditated design to kill. See Manual
for Courts-Martial, United States (2012 ed.) (MCM), pt. IV, ¶ 43.b.(1). “Premed-
itated murder is murder committed after the formation of a specific intent to
kill someone and consideration of the act intended.” MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 43.c.(2)(a).
In order to convict Appellant of the specification of killing an unborn child
in violation of Article 119a, UCMJ, as charged in this case, the Government
was required to prove: (1) that Appellant engaged in the murder of TF; (2) that
TF was then pregnant; and (3) that Appellant thereby caused the death of TF’s
unborn child. MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 44a.b.(2).
2. Analysis
The Government introduced compelling evidence of Appellant’s guilt of
both specifications. The evidence clearly indicated TF, who was over eight
months pregnant at the time, died in her bedroom in the early morning hours
of 29 August 2013, as a result of being shot multiple times in the back of her
head with a .22 caliber firearm. There is no substantial question that her death
was unlawful and premeditated. Additionally, there is no substantial question
that TF’s otherwise healthy unborn child died as a result of TF’s killing.
The primary contested issue during the findings portion of the case was
whether it was Appellant who committed the killing. The Government adduced
a plethora of convincing evidence that it was. It is impractical and unnecessary
to thoroughly recount the evidence from over eight days of trial on the merits
and over 130 prosecution exhibits. However, below we summarize some of the
most significant evidence supporting the Government’s case.
a. CF’s Identification of Appellant
CF testified that after he was awakened by a noise, he unexpectedly dis-
covered Appellant in the hallway of the house he shared with TF, evidently
shortly after she had been shot. CF had never met Appellant before, but he
12
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
recognized Appellant from pictures TF had shown him. To be sure, CF’s testi-
mony was subject to challenge in certain respects. In addition to the fact CF
had not met Appellant before, the lighting in the hallway was evidently rela-
tively dim. Furthermore, CF had undergone brain surgery approximately a
year and a half earlier, and there was conflicting evidence as to the extent to
which this surgery would have affected CF’s perception and memory. On the
other hand, in the hours following the murder CF repeatedly stated that it was
Appellant he saw in the house; he later picked Appellant’s picture out of a six-
photograph lineup identification; and he testified unambiguously that it was
Appellant that he had seen.
b. Ballistics Evidence
Markings on the bullets recovered from TF’s body matched those on the
test round recovered from the Walther P-22 box seized from Appellant’s resi-
dence, indicating they had been fired from the same weapon. This evidence
clearly supported the inference that the handgun Appellant possessed was
used to kill TF. The Government also introduced evidence that, close in time
to when he had TF buy the handgun for him, Appellant purchased a thread
adapter that would enable a silencer to be attached to a Walther P-22. CF’s .22
rifle was excluded as the murder weapon.
c. Rental Car
Evidence linked Appellant to the rental car which had a similar general
description to the one in which CF saw the intruder flee. CF fired at it multiple
times. The car was undamaged when IV rented it at Appellant’s direction on
28 August 2013. However, after Appellant returned it the following day, the
driver’s window had a bullet ricochet mark and the molding was damaged.
SA JS determined the distance the rental car had been driven from the
time it was rented until it was returned was nearly the same and only slightly
greater than the driving distance of a round trip from Appellant’s house to TF’s
house added to two trips between Appellant’s house and the rental agency.
This evidence reinforced the inference that Appellant drove the rental car to
TF’s home in Dawson and back on the night of her murder.
d. Other Forensic Evidence
CF described the intruder as wearing black pants and a black hooded
sweatshirt. Similar clothing was recovered from Appellant’s residence. Foren-
sic analysis matched fibers from Appellant’s clothing with fibers recovered
from the rental car and from TF’s bedding following the murder. Additional
testing identified particles associated with gunshot residue on the clothing re-
covered from Appellant’s residence and from the washcloth recovered from the
floor of the bathroom of TF’s house, where the intruder had been.
13
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
e. Opportunity
SA JS determined it was possible to drive from TF’s house to Appellant’s
house in one hour and 18 minutes. In addition, there was a blind spot in the
security cameras at Appellant’s house, such that it was possible to exit and
enter through a first-floor window without being recorded. Therefore, even tak-
ing at face value TB’s testimony that Appellant was present at his residence
when she fell asleep at approximately 2230 on 28 August 2013 and awoke at
0515 on 29 August 2013, Appellant had adequate time to exit the house
through the window, drive to TF’s house, commit the murder at approximately
0300, drive home, and reenter the house before TB awoke.
f. Motive and Intent
At Appellant’s request, TF made him the sole beneficiary of the $1 million
MetLife life insurance policy. Appellant was also the beneficiary of a smaller
life insurance policy TF had through her employer. In contrast, Appellant lied
to TF that he had made her the beneficiary of his SGLI. In addition, Appellant
was in debt to the Government for $10,802.17.
TF drove to Appellant’s home less than one week before the murder to de-
liver baby items and supplies, in anticipation of moving in with him after their
daughter was born. However, the following day Appellant professed his love
for IV and urged her to move in with him, which suggested he did not expect
TF to be living with him.
The day before the murder, Appellant sent text messages to TF specifically
asking about her sleeping habits and those of her brother, CF. This information
would have been useful to make contact with TF on the night of the murder
without CF’s knowledge.
Rather than rent the car himself, Appellant directed his “property” IV to
rent it for him, knowing she would ask no questions. Rather than parking the
car at his residence, Appellant arranged to park it on the street where it would
not be recorded on his security cameras.
When Appellant spoke with IV after the murder, he displayed a remarkably
callous attitude toward the death of TF and her unborn child, saying “[i]t was
not [his] baby. F[**]k her.” He went on to indicate he was not concerned about
being “kicked out” of the Air Force because “there was a policy,” which could
easily be understood to refer to his status as TF’s life insurance beneficiary.
g. Debunking the Alibi Defense
The centerpiece of Appellant’s defense was TB’s testimony regarding his
supposed alibi—that she was with him at his residence throughout the night
of 28 August 2013 and early morning of 29 August 2013, and therefore he could
14
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
not have committed the murder. As stated above, even if one accepts this tes-
timony at face value, the Government proved it was possible for Appellant to
have departed, committed the murder, and returned while TB was asleep.
Although TB opined that she believed she would have awoken if Appellant
had left the bed, the Government effectively attacked TB’s credibility on mul-
tiple fronts. To begin with, she was an ex-girlfriend of Appellant’s who pur-
ported to be in a then-current dating relationship with him. TB was further
affiliated with the Outcasts, of whom Appellant was a leader, by virtue of being
the “property” of another Outcast member. On cross-examination, TB admitted
that when she was interviewed by the GBI agents she did not initially disclose
that she had helped Appellant return the rental car before going to breakfast
with him. The Government also introduced texts between Appellant and TB in
which TB agreed to help Appellant “handle” some unspecified “business” after
she got off work on 28 August 2013. Afterwards, TB withdrew a total of $500.00
in three separate transactions from a bank account owned by Appellant. When
questioned about these withdrawals at trial, TB claimed that this was a joint
account they had together; however, the Government introduced documentary
evidence indicating it was solely Appellant’s account. Regardless of whether
TB knew about Appellant’s specific plan to murder TF, a reasonable factfinder
could conclude Appellant paid TB to provide a false alibi for him.
h. Appellant’s Arguments
On appeal, Appellant draws our attention to five areas. First, he suggests
CF’s brain surgery, the fact that CF never met Appellant before, and CF’s pos-
sible resentment of Appellant’s prior treatment of his sister made his identifi-
cation of Appellant unreliable. We have considered these factors, but do not
find them persuasive. In conjunction with the abundance of other inculpatory
evidence, CF’s identification of Appellant was powerfully incriminating.
Second, Appellant calls attention to the fact that the car rental agency em-
ployees did not note the damage to the window and molding when the car was
initially returned and then sent the vehicle to a vendor for maintenance for
much of the day on 29 August 2013. Appellant further argues that, assuming
the damage was caused by a bullet, expert testimony introduced by the Gov-
ernment could not “conclusively connect” the damage to a bullet from CF’s gun.
We have considered these points. However, that the car happened to be dam-
aged by a bullet while in the custody of a vendor performing maintenance the
same day Appellant returned it, rather than being damaged by a bullet fired
by CF, would be a remarkable coincidence. We find the evidentiary implica-
tions of the damaged window to be significant.
15
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Third, Appellant suggests the single hair matching his that was found on
TF’s bedding was insignificant because it “could have gotten there in any num-
ber of different manners.” Although the hair somewhat corroborates the other
evidence, we have not significantly relied on this evidence in our analysis.
Fourth, Appellant argues the fibers found at the crime scene and in the
rental car that were consistent with his clothes were “fairly common” and could
have come from other people. We have considered this. However, in conjunction
with the rest of the evidence, we find the fiber evidence was significant.
Fifth, Appellant notes the murder weapon was never recovered, and Appel-
lant’s DNA was not found on the box recovered from his residence. We find
these points to be of very limited significance. Disposing of the murder weapon
in some location where it would not be found would have been an obvious move
for any perpetrator, including Appellant. Testimony regarding TF’s statements
about buying the handgun for Appellant, coupled with documentation of the
sale, Appellant’s purchase of the thread adapter, and the presence of the box
at his residence would lead a reasonable factfinder to believe he possessed the
Walther P-22. Indeed, its unexplained absence is itself suspicious. Whether or
not Appellant’s DNA was recovered from the box, the ballistics evidence match-
ing the fatal bullets to the test round in Appellant’s possession was powerfully
incriminating evidence.
i. Conclusion as to Legal and Factual Sufficiency
Drawing every reasonable inference from the evidence of record in favor of
the Government, we conclude the evidence was legally sufficient to support
Appellant’s convictions. See Robinson, 77 M.J. at 297–98. Additionally, having
weighed the evidence in the record of trial and having made allowances for not
having personally observed the witnesses, we are convinced of Appellant’s guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. See Turner, 25 M.J. at 325.
B. Apparent and Actual Bias of the Military Judge
1. Additional Background
Appellant was arraigned on 22 October 2014; the charges included capital
premeditated murder. Judge Spath, who at the time was the Chief Trial Judge
of the Air Force, presided at the arraignment and at every session of Appel-
lant’s court-martial. At the beginning of the arraignment, trial defense counsel
conducted voir dire of Judge Spath and inquired, among other topics, how
Judge Spath came to be detailed to Appellant’s court-martial. Judge Spath ex-
plained that he detailed himself to the case based primarily on his level of ex-
perience, including experience with capital litigation, and the relative unavail-
ability of the other most senior Air Force trial judges.
16
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
The next sessions of the court-martial consisted of motion hearings on 15–
16 December 2014. On 15 January 2015, the Defense moved to disqualify
Judge Spath, contending that his service as a judge in the Military Commis-
sions Trial Judiciary made him unavailable to serve as the military judge in
Appellant’s court-martial. After hearing argument on the motion at the next
court-martial session on 18 February 2015, Judge Spath orally denied the mo-
tion. Additional hearings in Appellant’s court-martial took place on 9–10
March 2015, 19 May 2015, and 21 September 2015.
On 19 November 2015, Judge Spath applied for a position as an immigra-
tion judge with the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) within the
Department of Justice (DOJ). Judge Spath’s application referred to his five
years of experience as a trial judge and 15 years of prosecution and defense
litigation experience. Although he did not mention Appellant’s case by name,
he stated that his judicial experience included presiding over capital murder
cases, and that he was “currently presiding” over two such cases. Elsewhere in
the application he alluded to his role as the presiding judge in Appellant’s case
by reference to the current capital murder trial of an Air Force member.
Additional sessions of Appellant’s court-martial occurred on 8–9 February
2016 and 14–15 September 2016. In September 2016, Judge Spath accepted a
conditional appointment as an immigration judge. The appointment was con-
ditioned on, inter alia, satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
After a final motions hearing on 10 December 2016, Appellant’s trial was
held between 9 January 2017 and 22 February 2017, when Appellant was sen-
tenced. At no time during the proceedings did Judge Spath bring his EOIR
application or conditional appointment to the attention of the parties.
On 20 March 2017, Judge Spath received a temporary appointment as an
immigration judge. Judge Spath negotiated his salary and start date in a series
of emails between late March 2017 and early July 2017. His appointment was
made permanent on 18 May 2018.
2. Law
“An accused has a constitutional right to an impartial judge.” United States
v. Butcher, 56 M.J. 87, 90 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (quoting United States v. Wright, 52
M.J. 136, 140 (C.A.A.F. 1999)). R.C.M. 902 governs disqualification of the mil-
itary judge. R.C.M. 902(b) sets forth specific circumstances in which a “military
judge shall [ ] disqualify himself or herself,” including when the military judge
“[i]s known . . . to have an interest, financial or otherwise, that could be sub-
stantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding.” R.C.M. 902(b)(5)(B). In
addition, R.C.M. 902(a) requires disqualification “in any proceeding in which
th[e] military judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” Disquali-
fication pursuant to R.C.M. 902(a) is determined by applying an objective
17
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
standard of “whether a reasonable person knowing all the circumstances would
conclude that the military judge’s impartiality might reasonably be ques-
tioned.” United States v. Sullivan, 74 M.J. 448, 453 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (citing Ha-
san v. Gross, 71 M.J. 416, 418 (C.A.A.F. 2012)). “‘[T]he test is whether, taken
as a whole in the context of this trial, a court-martial’s legality, fairness, and
impartiality were put into doubt’ by the military judge’s actions.” United States
v. Martinez, 70 M.J. 154, 157 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (quoting United States v. Burton,
52 M.J. 223, 226 (C.A.A.F. 2000)).
“There is a strong presumption that a judge is impartial, and a party seek-
ing to demonstrate bias must overcome a high hurdle . . . .” United States v.
Quintanilla, 56 M.J. 37, 44 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (citation omitted). “Although a mil-
itary judge is to ‘broadly construe’ the grounds for challenge, he should not
leave the case ‘unnecessarily.’” Sullivan, 74 M.J. at 454 (quoting R.C.M.
902(d)(1), Discussion). “Of course, ‘[a] . . . judge has as much obligation not to
. . . [disqualify] himself when there is no reason to do so as he does to . . . [dis-
qualify] himself when the converse is true.’” United States v. Kincheloe, 14 M.J.
40, 50 n.14 (C.M.A. 1982) (alterations and omissions in original) (citations
omitted).
When the issue of disqualification is raised for the first time on appeal, we
apply the plain error standard of review. Martinez, 70 M.J. at 157 (citation
omitted). “Plain error occurs when (1) there is error, (2) the error is plain or
obvious, and (3) the error results in material prejudice.” Id. (citation omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends Judge Spath’s pending application to the EOIR for a
position as an immigration judge disqualified him as the military judge in Ap-
pellant’s court-martial. 9 Appellant argues Judge Spath’s application gave him
a personal interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the
trial. See R.C.M. 902(b)(5)(B). In addition, Appellant contends the application
would cause a reasonable person to question Judge Spath’s impartiality. Ap-
pellant cites Judge Spath’s references to his experience in capital cases, includ-
ing Appellant’s case (albeit not by name), which he argues Judge Spath relied
on to compensate for his lack of experience in immigration law. He further cites
Judge Spath’s denial of numerous defense motions aimed at dismissing the
charges or preventing imposition of the death penalty. Appellant contends that
because Judge Spath was disqualified, this court should set aside the findings
and sentence.
9 On appeal, Appellant does not renew the claim in his pretrial motion that Judge
Spath’s service in the Military Commissions Trial Judiciary disqualified him in Appel-
lant’s court-martial.
18
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
This court considered a very similar argument related to Judge Spath in
United States v. Snyder, No. ACM 39470, 2020 CCA LEXIS 117, at *55–63
(A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 15 Apr. 2020) (unpub. op.), rev. den’d, 80 M.J. 399(C.A.A.F. 2020). In Snyder, the appellant had been convicted of sexual assault
by a general court-martial composed of officers where Judge Spath presided
over the trial. Id. at *1, *4. This court noted Judge Spath’s DOJ application
included the assertions that he had “tried over 100 sexual assault cases” and
“presided over close to 100 sexual assault trials.” Id. at *56. At the time of the
appellant’s trial, the terms of Judge Spath’s job offer and employment by the
DOJ were still pending. Id. at *57. As in the instant case, evidently Judge
Spath did not disclose his pending employment with the DOJ to the parties.
However, this court concluded that “[a]n objective observer knowing all of the
facts would not question Judge Spath’s impartiality, and there is no evidence
in the trial or appellate record that Judge Spath had an interest that could be
substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding.” Id. at *62. We reach
a similar conclusion in Appellant’s case.
Appellant relies heavily on the decision by the United States Court of Ap-
peals for the District of Columbia Circuit in In re Al-Nashiri, 921 F.3d 224(D.C. Cir. 2019). In his capacity as a member of the Military Commissions Trial
Judiciary, between July 2014 and February 2018, Judge Spath presided over
Al-Nashiri’s capital prosecution before a military commission. Id. at 227–31.
In Al-Nashiri, the court found Judge Spath’s application to the DOJ “cast an
intolerable cloud of partiality over his subsequent judicial conduct,” granted
the petition for a writ of mandamus, and vacated all orders Judge Spath had
issued after he submitted his employment application. Id. at 226, 237. How-
ever, Appellant’s case, like Snyder, is fundamentally different from Al-Nashiri
in a critical respect. The core problem in Al-Nashiri was that Judge Spath
sought employment with the DOJ when the DOJ was directly involved in the
ongoing Al-Nashiri prosecution—in other words, he was adjudicating a case
involving his prospective employer. See id. at 235. The court explained that one
of Al-Nashiri’s prosecutors was a detailed DOJ attorney, and that the Attorney
General himself “was a participant in Al-Nashiri’s case from start to finish.”
Id. at 236. Therefore, “the average, informed observer would consider [Judge]
Spath to have presided over a case in which his potential employer appeared.”
Id.In contrast, the DOJ was not a party or participant in Appellant’s court-
martial, as it was not in Snyder’s, and it had no discernible interest in the
outcome. See Snyder, unpub. op. at *60. Therefore, Judge Spath was not “chal-
lenge[d] . . . to treat the [DOJ] with neutral disinterest in his courtroom while
communicating significant personal interest in his job application,” as had
been the case with Al-Nashiri. Al-Nashiri, 921 F.3d at 236.
19
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Having distinguished Al-Nashiri, we consider whether Judge Spath was
disqualified in Appellant’s case under the applicable plain error standard. We
conclude Judge Spath’s application to the DOJ for employment as an immigra-
tion judge was not a disqualifying personal interest that could be substantially
affected by the outcome of the trial. The DOJ had no involvement or interest
in Appellant’s trial. It is true that Judge Spath cited his judicial experience,
including his experience in capital cases, in his application; however, nothing
he included in the application implied he would be biased with respect to the
outcome of Appellant’s trial. His application did not report the results of any
trial over which he presided or imply any bias. Regardless of the outcome of
Appellant’s trial and regardless of whether the death penalty remained a po-
tential sentence, it would remain true that he had presided over capital pro-
ceedings in Appellant’s case. The insubstantial connection between Appellant’s
trial and Judge Spath’s application was far too slight to overcome the “strong
presumption” of judicial impartiality. Quintanilla, 56 M.J. at 44.
Similarly, we are convinced that no objective, reasonable, fully informed
observer would believe Judge Spath’s impartiality in Appellant’s court-martial
might reasonably be questioned. Judge Spath’s application materials conveyed
relevant judicial and prosecution and defense litigation experience to a pro-
spective employer. Such an observer would not perceive any implied bias
against Appellant in particular or defendants in general. Moreover, such an
observer would recognize that the DOJ was not a participant in Appellant’s
court-martial and had no interest in the outcome.
Accordingly, we find no error, much less plain or obvious error, with respect
to Judge Spath’s alleged disqualification pursuant to R.C.M. 902(a) and R.C.M.
902(b)(5)(B).
C. Pretrial Confinement
1. Additional Background 10
Appellant was ultimately charged with a total of 17 specifications. 11 In ad-
dition to the allegation of the premeditated murder of TF and of intentionally
killing her unborn child, other alleged offenses included inter alia that Appel-
lant had pointed a loaded firearm at a different woman, struck her with his
hands and feet, dragged her by her hair, and threatened to kill her.
10 The following additional background information is drawn primarily upon the mili-
tary judge’s findings of fact, which we find to be supported by the record and not clearly
erroneous.
11 The military judge dismissed three of the specifications in February 2016.
20
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
On 18 February 2014, after Appellant was placed in pretrial confinement
but before he was arraigned, Appellant was transferred to the Naval Consoli-
dated Brig (Brig) located at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. 12 The “In-
itial Custody Classification” form completed following Appellant’s arrival rec-
ommended he be classified as a maximum security pretrial confinee due to “of-
fense severity, multiple pending charges [and] possible length of sentence.” The
Brig periodically reviewed Appellant’s classification status, but he remained a
maximum security confinee throughout his pretrial confinement. Based on the
point system the Brig used to determine security classifications and the num-
ber and nature of the offenses alleged against Appellant, there was essentially
no chance that Appellant’s status would be changed to medium custody.
Appellant was housed alone in a cell approximately 12 feet long and 6 feet
wide. He was able to speak with other confinees housed nearby by speaking
through a small opening in his door, as well as with confinement personnel. As
a maximum security confinee, Appellant was afforded one hour per day outside
his cell for recreation alone with access to a basketball court and television.
Appellant also exited his cell to shower and for a daily inspection. Whenever
Appellant was outside his cell, his hands were cuffed to his belt. Medium secu-
rity confinees were afforded considerably more freedom, including inter alia
being outside their cells between approximately 0530 and 2200 each day.
Appellant’s behavior in confinement was generally good. He occasionally
complained to confinement personnel about conditions in the Brig. In February
2015 confinement staff found an unauthorized razor blade in Appellant’s cell,
but this incident did not result in any disciplinary action.
Over time, at the direction of the Brig’s commanding officer, in recognition
of his “unique” status Appellant was afforded a number of additional privileges
beyond those normally afforded a maximum security pretrial confinee. He was
given an additional 30 minutes per day of recreation time. He was given a video
game system to use in his cell. He was allowed to visit the Brig’s library once
per week. Although Appellant’s request to attend religious services was denied,
he was allowed to receive visits from clergy.
On 15 January 2016, the Defense submitted a motion alleging the condi-
tions of Appellant’s confinement at the Brig violated Article 13, UCMJ. The
Defense asserted his custody level was “attributable entirely to the allegations
against him,” unsupported by any allegations of serious misconduct or escape
attempts while in custody. Essentially, the Defense asserted the conditions of
his confinement were more rigorous than necessary to ensure his presence at
12 Appellant was initially held in several civilian confinement facilities following his
arrest on 31 August 2013.
21
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
trial. The Defense requested the military judge “eliminate the conditions of
[Appellant]’s custody beyond those necessary to meet the purposes of Article
13[, UCMJ].” The Government opposed the motion.
On 9 February 2016, the military judge received additional evidence and
argument from counsel on the motion. The Defense called two witnesses, the
noncommissioned officer in charge of the Brig’s Special Quarters section and
the Brig’s commanding officer, Commander (CDR) JC.
The military judge denied the defense motion in a written ruling dated 25
February 2016. The military judge noted Article 13, UCMJ, prohibited two
things: the intentional imposition of pretrial punishment and confinement con-
ditions that are more rigorous than necessary to ensure Appellant’s presence
at trial. The military judge found no evidence of an intent to punish Appellant.
With regard to the necessity of the conditions, the military judge explained:
[T]he witnesses made clear that the nature of the charges were
the main, if not by far the, leading factor in keeping this accused
classified as a maximum security pretrial confinee. However,
there were other reasons; including a history of violence, protec-
tion of the staff, protection of the other prisoners, etc., that were
mentioned in the supporting documents and in the testimony.
Again, the Brig is clearly balancing its’ [sic] concern for security
with a demonstrated and true desire to make accommodations
for this accused.
The military judge further found the specific conditions of Appellant’s confine-
ment were not such that they would give rise to a presumption of an intent to
punish, or that the Brig’s security determinations were arbitrary or capricious.
After findings but before sentencing, the Defense sought additional confine-
ment credit for the alleged violation of Article 13, UCMJ. The military judge
declined to grant relief beyond the day-for-day credit for pretrial confinement
required by United States v. Allen, 17 M.J. 126, 128 (C.M.A. 1984).
2. Law
Whether an appellant is entitled to relief for a violation of Article 13,
UCMJ, is a mixed question of fact and law. United States v. Crawford, 62 M.J.
411, 414 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citations omitted). “[T]he military judge’s findings of
fact will not be overturned unless they are clearly erroneous.” United States v.
Fischer, 41 M.J. 415, 418 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (citation omitted). “Whether the facts
amount to a violation of Article 13, UCMJ, is a matter of law the court reviews
de novo.” Crawford, 62 M.J. at 414 (citation omitted). The appellant bears the
burden to demonstrate a violation of Article 13, UCMJ. Id. (citation omitted).
22
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
“Article 13, UCMJ, prohibits two things: (1) the imposition of punishment
prior to trial, and (2) conditions of arrest or pretrial confinement that are more
rigorous than necessary to ensure the accused’s presence for trial.” United
States v. King, 61 M.J. 225, 227 (C.A.A.F. 2005). “The first prohibition involves
. . . a purpose or intent to punish, determined by examining the intent of de-
tention officials or by examining the purposes served by the restriction or con-
dition, and whether such purposes are ‘reasonably related to a legitimate gov-
ernmental objective.’” Id. (quoting Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 539 (1979))
(additional citation omitted). “The second prohibition . . . prevents imposing
unduly rigorous circumstances during pretrial detention.” Id.Military appellate courts “are reluctant to second-guess the security deter-
minations of confinement officials.” Crawford, 62 M.J. at 414 (citing Bell, 441
U.S. at 540 n.23 (“[M]aintaining security and order and operating the institu-
tion in a manageable fashion . . . ‘are peculiarly within the province and pro-
fessional expertise of corrections officials, and, in the absence of substantial
evidence in the record to indicate that the officials have exaggerated their re-
sponse to these considerations, courts should ordinarily defer to their expert
judgment in such matters.’”) (quoting Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. 817, 827
(1974))) (additional citations omitted). Where the conditions of an appellant’s
“confinement relate to both ensuring his presence for trial and the security
needs of the confinement facility,” the appellant “bears the burden of showing
that the conditions were unreasonable or arbitrary in relation to both pur-
poses.” Id. (citations omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the Brig improperly based his security classification
solely on the charged offenses rather than “a reasonable evaluation of all the
facts and circumstances.” See Crawford, 62 M.J. at 416. He asserts the military
judge’s finding that the Brig also based its determination on safety and secu-
rity concerns to be “contradicted by the evidence” and erroneous. Appellant
notes there was no evidence of threats or substantial misbehavior on his part
during his confinement, and he discounts CDR JC’s testimony regarding safety
concerns by noting CDR JC acknowledged “the fundamental driving reason”
for Appellant’s classification was the severity of the charges.
In response, the Government acknowledges Appellant’s security classifica-
tion was “in large part” based on the severity of the charges; however, it con-
tends Appellant has failed to demonstrate the Brig’s classification was unrea-
sonable or arbitrary in the circumstances of Appellant’s case. The Government
compares Appellant’s case to the factors the United States Court of Appeals for
the Armed Forces (CAAF) cited in Crawford as supporting a maximum security
classification, including the seriousness of the charges, the potential for
lengthy confinement, the appellant’s prior threats and apparent ability to carry
23
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
out his threats, his apparent access to weapons, and his professed willingness
to resort to violent means. See id. at 416. The Government contends the “insti-
tutional objective” furthered by his classification was, in fact, safety and secu-
rity. In addition, the Government emphasizes that the actual conditions of Ap-
pellant’s confinement amounted to an “informal downgrade” from maximum
custody in light of the special accommodations provided due to his unique cir-
cumstances.
We conclude Appellant has failed to meet his burden to demonstrate a vio-
lation of Article 13, UCMJ. As an initial matter, we agree with the military
judge the evidence does not support any finding of an intent to punish. To the
contrary, as described above, the Brig provided Appellant several specific ac-
commodations to lessen the rigor of his maximum security classification.
We further conclude Appellant has failed to demonstrate the conditions of
his pretrial confinement were unreasonable or arbitrary in light of the Brig’s
legitimate interest in maintaining safety and security. Contrary to Appellant’s
argument, the military judge’s finding that the reasons for his classification
included a “history of violence” as well as “protection of the staff” and “protec-
tion of the other prisoners” was supported by CDR JC’s testimony and was not
clearly erroneous. The Brig was not obliged to ignore the logical inference that
substantial evidence supported the specific charges against Appellant, which
at the time of the Defense’s motion included—among others—premeditated
murder by firearm, intentionally killing an unborn child, other violent offenses,
and communicating a threat to kill. Appellant focuses on his behavior in con-
finement, but we agree with the Government that his history of threats and
violence prior to his confinement were relevant to his high-risk classification.
See id.In addition, the charged premeditated murder was eligible for the death
penalty, and on 9 October 2014 the convening authority had referred the
charges as a capital case. The Brig used the maximum imposable sentence as
one of the factors to determine security classification. The dire nature of Ap-
pellant’s legal peril was also a legitimate consideration in assessing the level
of risk involved in his pretrial confinement.
Furthermore, we note the actual conditions of Appellant’s confinement
were evidently less onerous than those the appellant endured in Crawford,
where the CAAF found no Article 13, UCMJ, violation. See id. at 416 (noting
the appellant “has not provided specific allegations he was treated differently
from other maximum security prisoners”). As described above, the Brig inten-
tionally provided Appellant more freedom and privileges than it normally af-
forded maximum security confinees.
24
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Accordingly, in light of the deference we afford confinement officials to de-
termine the security requirements of the facility, we conclude Appellant has
failed to demonstrate the conditions of his confinement violated Article 13,
UCMJ.
D. Military Judge’s Denial of Challenge for Cause
1. Additional Background
The convening authority selected Colonel (Col) SM as a potential court
member for Appellant’s court-martial. Like the other selectees, Col SM com-
pleted a written questionnaire approved by the military judge to aid in the
screening of prospective court members. With respect to the applicable burden
of proof, Col SM indicated that he understood that the burden was on the Pros-
ecution to “provide proof of wrongdoing;” that he agreed with the “beyond a
reasonable doubt” standard; that the accused was presumed “innocent until
proven guilty;” that the accused had the right to remain silent, which would
“not be held against” him; and that he did not believe an accused’s decision to
remain silent was an indication of guilt. However, in response to the question,
“do you believe a person accused of a crime should try to prove his or her inno-
cence,” Col SM indicated “yes,” and explained, “[i]f there is information that
could prove your innocence I would use it for that purpose.”
With respect to the death penalty, Col SM indicated, inter alia, that he
“somewhat supported” the death penalty, and that he was “ok with the death
penalty if the crime warrants the punishment.” In response to the question,
“What is your opinion of the death penalty as the only appropriate punishment
for a person who is found guilty of premeditated murder,” Col SM responded
“Probably the appropriate punishment, but maybe not the only punishment.”
Similarly, in response to the question, “Do you personally believe that death
(and not confinement for life either with or without the possibility of parole) is
the only appropriate punishment for a person who” intentionally killed another
human, intentionally killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child, inten-
tionally killed someone for monetary gain, or did “all of the above,” Col SM
indicated “no,” and explained, “I believe that’s probably the correct punish-
ment, but it may not be the only punishment.” (Underscore in original.)
Col SM was asked additional questions regarding the burden of proof and
death penalty during voir dire. With regard to the burden of proof, during
group voir dire Col SM agreed Appellant was innocent until proven guilty be-
yond a reasonable doubt, that the burden of proof rested solely on the Govern-
ment, and that the Defense had no obligation to present evidence or disprove
any element of the offenses. During individual voir dire, the senior trial counsel
asked Col SM about his questionnaire response that he would “use” infor-
25
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
mation that “could prove [his] innocence.” Col SM explained he thought he un-
derstood the burden of proof “completely” and could apply it, although he
thought “if [he were] accused of something and [he had] evidence that could
prove [his] innocence that [he] would want to do all [he] could to do that.” How-
ever, Col SM affirmed that if the Defense did not present any evidence, he
would not hold that against Appellant, and he would hold the Government to
its burden of proof.
With regard to the death penalty, Col SM indicated that he would “consider
all evidence presented by the defense in extenuation and mitigation if called
upon to do so.” When senior trial counsel asked Col SM about his responses on
the questionnaire, Col SM stated that for premeditated murder he did “feel
that [the death penalty] is probably the most appropriate punishment to give,”
but agreed “it’s not the only punishment and [he] could be open to considering
all of the options and the range of sentences in sentencing” and he had not
“prejudged what sentence must be imposed if the accused is found guilty.”
When trial defense counsel asked Col SM to elaborate further on his question-
naire responses, Col SM explained:
[W]hat I said earlier was invariably there are extenuating cir-
cumstances that usually would come up that would prevent [the
death penalty] from happening. So, that’s why I did not say it is
the only punishment because there may be some reason why
that that’s not the case. But in general, I would say my feelings
are for premeditated murder that that would be the appropriate
punishment, is my view.
Trial defense counsel then asked, “It’s fair to say that would be your starting
point for an appropriate punishment?” Col SM responded, “For premeditated
murder, yes.” The military judge subsequently attempted to further clarify Col
SM’s thoughts with regard to the death penalty, resulting in the following ex-
changes:
[Military Judge]: If what you are saying is, “I don’t care about
any of that other stuff, if you are convicted of premeditated mur-
der, this is the sentence. That other stuff just will not enter my
head. It’s an automatic.” That’s not a wrong view. It’s just that’s
an inelastic view of sentencing that makes it such that you are
not going to be a good court member.
However, if what you are saying is, “Look, that’s a pretty serious
offense, planning ahead of time to take somebody’s life with pre-
meditation. And so, as a general scenario, without knowing any
of the background, without knowing anything, just in a vacuum,
if I was sitting at home and someone said, [‘]What do you think
26
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
the appropriate punishment is for premeditated murder?[’] My
answer likely would be, [‘]I think the death penalty would be the
answer but I’m open to hearing more if I ever sat on a panel to
go through this evidence.[’]” Is that –
[Col SM]: That is exactly, I think, what I’m trying to say.
....
[Military Judge]: If I gave you an instruction that you had to
provide consideration for somebody’s upbringing and past as
part of his extenuation and mitigation, I don’t want to know
where it would fall on your list, alls [sic] I need to know is, if I
said you have to consider it, and then again, make a choice in
your mind one way or the other as to whether or not that helps
you in these decisions, are you going to follow my instruction and
consider it?
[Col SM]: Yes. As I mentioned, I think I could consider anything
that was asked of me to consider.
The Defense challenged Col SM for cause on two bases. First, the Defense
argued Col SM’s questionnaire response that an accused should try to prove
his innocence would lead to a presumption that, if the Defense did not present
evidence, there was no exculpatory evidence, resulting in a shifting of the bur-
den of proof. Second, the Defense argued Col SM should be removed because
his “starting position” was that the death penalty would be the appropriate
punishment for premeditated murder, which also effectively created an inap-
propriate burden for the Defense in sentencing. The Government opposed the
challenge against Col SM.
The military judge denied the challenge and explained his reasoning on the
record, relying on the CAAF’s decision in United States v. Akbar, 74 M.J. 364(C.A.A.F. 2015). The military judge emphasized he watched Col SM carefully
to determine whether Col SM would follow the instructions he was given. With
respect to shifting the burden of proof, the military judge found Col SM’s ex-
planation that, if he were accused, he would want to put on evidence of his
innocence was a “human, normal response to that question.” However, the mil-
itary judge found Col SM would follow the military judge’s instruction “about
what is beyond a reasonable doubt and what is the law.” With regard to the
death penalty, the military judge found Col SM “very engaging” when asked
“an open-ended question,” and paraphrased Col SM’s response as “I feel [the
death penalty] is probably the most appropriate punishment . . . but I am open
to considering an entire range. I believe I can give meaningful consideration
for everything.” With respect to public perception, the military judge com-
mented on “the members of the audience who sat in and watched the entire
27
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
exchange with him and watched his demeanor and watched his thoughtful an-
swers to the questions and his ability to give true, meaningful consideration to
what’s presented to him.” Taking into account the liberal grant mandate, the
military judge concluded by finding no actual bias or implied bias.
The Defense exercised its peremptory challenge on another court member.
Col SM served on the court-martial panel that convicted and sentenced Appel-
lant.
2. Law
“Courts generally recognize two forms of bias that subject a juror to a chal-
lenge for cause: actual bias and implied bias.” United States v. Hennis, 79 M.J.
370, 384 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (citation omitted), cert. denied, 141 S. Ct. 1052 (2021).
“Actual bias is personal bias which will not yield to the military judge’s instruc-
tions and the evidence presented at trial.” United States v. Nash, 71 M.J. 83,
88 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citation omitted). We review a military judge’s ruling on a
claim of actual bias for an abuse of discretion. Hennis, 79 M.J. at 384 (citation
omitted). Implied bias, in contrast, is measured by an objective standard,
whereby we “determine[ ] ‘whether the risk that the public will perceive that
the accused received something less than a court of fair, impartial members is
too high.’” United States v. Bagstad, 68 M.J. 460, 462 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citation
omitted). We assess implied bias based on the totality of the circumstances,
assuming the hypothetical “public” is familiar with the military justice system.
Id. (citations omitted). We review the military judge’s ruling on a claim of im-
plied bias “pursuant to a standard that is ‘less deferential than abuse of dis-
cretion, but more deferential than de novo review.’” United States v. Dockery,
76 M.J. 91, 96 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (quoting United States v. Peters, 74 M.J. 31, 33
(C.A.A.F. 2015)).
“A member shall be excused for cause whenever it appears that the member
. . . [s]hould not sit as a member in the interest of having the court-martial free
from substantial doubt as to legality, fairness, and impartiality.” R.C.M.
912(f)(1)(N). “The two purposes of R.C.M. 912(f)(1)(N) are to protect the actual
fairness of the court-martial and to bolster the appearance of fairness of the
military justice system in the eyes of the public.” United States v. Leonard, 63
M.J. 398, 402 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citation omitted). The CAAF “has repeatedly
emphasized the need for a military judge to follow a ‘liberal grant’ mandate in
ruling on challenges for cause.” Id. (citation omitted). In other words, “[t]he
military judge is . . . mandated to err on the side of granting a challenge.” Pe-
ters, 74 M.J. at 34. Appellate courts afford greater deference to a military
judge’s ruling on a challenge for implied bias where the military judge puts his
analysis on the record and provides a “clear signal” he applied the correct law.
United States v. Rogers, 75 M.J. 270, 273 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (citations omitted).
28
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
“An accused enjoys the right to an impartial and unbiased panel.” Nash, 71
M.J. at 88 (citation omitted). “Holding an inelastic attitude toward the appro-
priate punishment to adjudge if the accused is convicted is grounds for an ac-
tual bias challenge under R.C.M. 912(f)(1)(N).” Hennis, 79 M.J. at 385 (citation
omitted). “However, a mere predisposition to adjudge some punishment upon
conviction is not, standing alone, sufficient to disqualify a member. Rather, the
test is whether the member’s attitude is of such a nature that he will not yield
to the evidence presented and the judge’s instructions.” Id. (quoting United
States v. McGowan, 7 M.J. 205, 206 (C.M.A. 1979)).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends that, in light of the liberal grant mandate, the military
judge should have granted the Defense’s challenge for cause because Col SM
“articulated a disqualifying view regarding the burden of proof” and because
“the death penalty was his starting position” as a punishment for premeditated
murder. We address each contention in turn. However, as an initial matter, we
note the military judge explained his reasoning for denying the challenge on
the record and gave a clear signal he applied the correct law, to include refer-
ring to the CAAF’s then-recent decision in Akbar and expressly acknowledging
the liberal grant mandate. Accordingly, the military judge’s decision is entitled
to deference, albeit less deference than under the abuse of discretion standard.
Appellant’s argument with respect to the burden of proof is derived from
Col SM answering “yes” to the questionnaire inquiry as to whether he believed
an accused person “should try to prove his or her innocence,” with the expla-
nation, “[i]f there is information that could prove your innocence I would use it
for that purpose.” We agree with the military judge that this imagining of one-
self in the position of an accused person was a “human” and “normal” response
by a layperson to the question. Col SM also consistently explained that he un-
derstood the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt rested with the Gov-
ernment, and he would not hold it against Appellant if the Defense did not put
on evidence. We are not persuaded by Appellant’s efforts to portray Col SM’s
statements that he “thought” he could follow the military judge’s instructions
as equivocal. In light of Col SM’s consistent indications that he understood and
could apply the correct burden of proof, we do not find his initial reaction that
he would want to prove his innocence to be disqualifying.
Col SM’s statements regarding his views on the death penalty present a
closer question. Appellant’s characterization that Col SM’s “starting position”
was that death was the appropriate punishment for premeditated murder is a
fair summary of Col SM’s explanation of his views. However, the CAAF has
recently reiterated that a mere predisposition toward a particular punishment
is not necessarily disqualifying, if the member is able to follow the military
judge’s instructions and give meaningful consideration to all the evidence and
29
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
circumstances. See Hennis, 79 M.J. at 385. 13 Even in light of the liberal grant
mandate, a military judge is not required to remove a member who is likely to
favor a particular punishment, including the death penalty, because such an
attitude is not in itself disqualifying. “An inflexible member is disqualified; a
tough member is not.” United States v. Schlamer, 52 M.J. 80, 93 (C.A.A.F.
1999) (citation omitted).
Although in the abstract Col SM may have been predisposed to believe the
death penalty was an appropriate punishment for the offense of premeditated
murder, he also indicated he could follow the military judge’s instructions to
consider extenuating and mitigating circumstances and the full range of sen-
tencing alternatives, and indicated the death penalty was not necessarily the
only appropriate punishment. The military judge carefully assessed Col SM’s
responses and demeanor, and applied the correct law. Affording the military
judge’s determination the deference to which it is due, we conclude that his
finding of fact that Col SM would follow instructions was not clearly erroneous;
that the military judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the challenge
for actual bias; and that Col SM’s presence on the panel would not have caused
members of the public familiar with the military justice system to perceive the
court-martial as less than fair and impartial. See Hennis, 79 M.J. at 387.
E. Exclusion of Evidence of TF’s “Swinging Lifestyle”
1. Additional Background
In the course of the GBI investigation of TF’s death, SA JS spoke with TF’s
friend and co-worker, TS. Among other information, TS told SA JS that TF had
described participating in a “swinging lifestyle” with Appellant after TF and
Appellant began their relationship. Specifically, TF told TS that TF and Ap-
pellant would attend parties where they exchanged sexual partners with other
couples. According to TF, the husband in one such couple was a military mem-
ber. TF told TS that she stopped “swinging” after she learned she was preg-
nant. One of TF’s cousins provided similar information to investigators.
Before trial, the Government moved to exclude evidence that TF engaged
in “swinging” behavior. The Government contended this evidence had “no log-
ical nexus to any fact of consequence in [the] court-martial,” and was therefore
13 In Hennis, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) ad-
dressed denied challenges for cause against two members who agreed with the state-
ment, “life in prison is not really punishment for premeditated murder of children,”
during general voir dire. 79 M.J. at 385. In light of the members’ responses during
individual voir dire that they could consider other punishments besides death, as well
as the military judge’s determination that the members were not unalterably in favor
of the death penalty and a member of the public would not conclude they were biased,
the CAAF found no error. Id. at 386–87.
30
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
irrelevant. The Government argued the “only purpose” of such evidence would
be to distract the court members and tarnish the victim. The Defense opposed
the Government’s motion and proposed the evidence was relevant in three
ways: to show “the existence of others with potential motives to harm” TF; to
challenge the sufficiency of the investigation, because the GBI did not follow
up on this information; and to provide context to evidence the Government
sought to introduce of a conversation in which Appellant requested that TF
abort the pregnancy.
After receiving argument from counsel, in an oral ruling later followed up
in writing, the military judge granted the Government’s motion. He noted the
Defense’s rationale of giving context to the conversation about abortion was
moot because the military judge had excluded evidence of that conversation.
With regard to the other rationales, the military judge noted the Defense, as
the proponent of the evidence, had produced no information as to the identity
of any other individual purportedly involved in the “swinging” activities, leav-
ing “mere[ ] suppositions and assertions” as to who they might be. The military
judge found “the swinging evidence, as currently demonstrated to the court
[wa]s irrelevant.” He further found that any minimal relevance was “substan-
tially outweighed by the dangers of confusion of the issues and wasting time,”
and the evidence should therefore also be excluded under Mil. R. Evid. 403.
2. Law
“A military judge’s decisions to admit or exclude evidence are reviewed for
an abuse of discretion.” United States v. Eslinger, 70 M.J. 193, 197 (C.A.A.F.
2011) (citation omitted). “An abuse of discretion occurs when a military judge
either erroneously applies the law or clearly errs in making his or her findings
of fact.” United States v. Donaldson, 58 M.J. 477, 482 (C.A.A.F. 2003) (citing
United States v. Humpherys, 57 M.J. 83, 90 (C.A.A.F. 2002)). “The abuse of
discretion standard is a strict one, calling for more than a mere difference of
opinion. The challenged action must be ‘arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasona-
ble,’ or ‘clearly erroneous.’” United States v. McElhaney, 54 M.J. 120, 130
(C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting United States v. Miller, 46 M.J. 63, 65 (C.A.A.F. 1997);
United States v. Travers, 25 M.J. 61, 62 (C.M.A. 1987)).
“Evidence is relevant if: (a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less
probable than it would be without the evidence; and (b) the fact is of conse-
quence in determining the action.” Mil. R. Evid. 401. Relevant evidence is gen-
erally admissible, unless another provision of law provides otherwise; irrele-
vant evidence is not admissible. Mil. R. Evid. 402.
The military judge may exclude relevant evidence that is otherwise admis-
sible if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a countervailing dan-
ger, including inter alia unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or waste of
31
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
time. Mil. R. Evid. 403. “A military judge enjoys ‘wide discretion’ in applying
Mil. R. Evid. 403.” United States v. Harris, 46 M.J. 221, 225 (C.A.A.F. 1997)
(quoting United States v. Rust, 41 M.J. 472, 478 (C.A.A.F. 1995)). “When a mil-
itary judge conducts a proper balancing test under Mil. R. Evid. 403, the ruling
will not be overturned unless there is a ‘clear abuse of discretion.’” United
States v. Manns, 54 M.J. 164, 166 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting United States v.
Ruppel, 49 M.J. 247, 250 (C.A.A.F. 1998)).
Where a military judge commits an error regarding the admissibility of ev-
idence that is not of constitutional dimensions, we assess whether the error
substantially influenced the verdict in light of “(1) the strength of the Govern-
ment’s case, (2) the strength of the defense case, (3) the materiality of the evi-
dence in question, and (4) the quality of the evidence in question.” United
States v. McAllister, 64 M.J. 248, 250 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations omitted). How-
ever, if the military judge commits a constitutional error by depriving the ac-
cused of his right to present a defense, the test for prejudice is whether the
error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 251 (citations omitted).
A constitutional error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt when the error
did not contribute to the verdict. United States v. Chisum, 77 M.J. 176, 179
(C.A.A.F. 2018) (quoting Mitchell v. Esparza, 540 U.S. 12, 17–18 (2003)).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion by
excluding evidence of TF’s “swinging” activities for two reasons. First, he ar-
gues this evidence was relevant because it “refutes” the Government’s conten-
tion that Appellant was the only person with a motive to kill TF. For example,
Appellant suggests that the unnamed military member who TF reportedly told
TS about would have a motive to kill her to keep his sexual activities a secret,
or, having learned of TF’s pregnancy, to eliminate an unwanted child. Second,
Appellant contends the ruling prevented the Defense from fully confronting SA
JS and challenging the thoroughness of the GBI investigation.
We conclude the military judge did not abuse his discretion under either
theory. With respect to a motive to kill TF, we note again that no information
identifying a particular individual was presented to the military judge. More-
over, according to TS, TF said she stopped “swinging” once she knew she was
pregnant, months before TF was killed. In addition, there is no evidence TF
ever suggested that anyone other than Appellant was the father—which, as
the post-mortem DNA test indicated, was in fact the case. Relevance is a “low
threshold,” United States v. Roberts, 69 M.J. 23, 27 (C.A.A.F. 2010), but even
in the context of a capital prosecution the proffered evidence must have some
tendency beyond speculation to make a consequential fact more or less proba-
ble. Cf. United States v. Hennis, 79 M.J. 370, 380–82 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (finding
military judge did not err by preventing defense from calling three witnesses
32
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
in support of theory another individual committed charged offenses where that
theory was “just [a]ppellant’s speculation”). That TF participated in “swinging”
behavior, months before she was killed, without more, in the absence of infor-
mation that any of those unnamed partners were even aware of her pregnancy,
creates no logical inference that any of them—whether military or civilian—
would have a motive to murder TF. We find the military judge’s conclusion that
the evidence was irrelevant for this purpose was not arbitrary, fanciful, clearly
unreasonable, or clearly erroneous. See McElhaney, 54 M.J. at 130 (citations
omitted).
We find the military judge’s conclusion that the evidence was not relevant
to impeach SA JS or assail the investigation was similarly within the bounds
of his sound discretion. In his written ruling, the military judge summarized
some of the evidence that caused the GBI to quickly focus its investigation on
Appellant. In light of this evidence, it was reasonable for the GBI to do so ra-
ther than devote time and resources to attempt to track down an unknown
number of unidentified individuals who had no known credible motive to mur-
der TF. In short, in light of the other evidence in the case, the “swinging” evi-
dence would not have materially impeached SA JS as a witness or cast doubt
upon the investigation as a whole.
Furthermore, assuming arguendo the “swinging” evidence had some mini-
mal probative value, the military judge did not abuse his discretion by finding
that value was substantially outweighed by the dangers of confusing the issues
and wasting the court-martial’s time, and therefore should be excluded under
Mil. R. Evid. 403. The military judge’s balancing of these considerations is ar-
ticulated in his written ruling, albeit not extensively, and his determination is
therefore entitled to deference. “The overriding concern of [Mil. R. Evid.] 403
‘is that evidence will be used in a way that distorts rather than aids accurate
fact finding.’” United States v. Stephens, 67 M.J. 233, 236 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (quot-
ing 1 Stephen A. Saltzburg et al., Military Rules of Evidence Manual
§ 403.02[4], at 4–27 (6th ed. 2006)). In this case, the military judge had a legit-
imate concern that whatever minimal probative value the evidence had was
substantially overshadowed by the danger that “inject[ing] salacious conduct”
of the victim would, in addition to wasting time, diminish the court members’
sympathy and distort their perception of her.
Finally, even if we assume for purposes of argument that the military judge
erred in excluding this evidence, the error did not prejudice Appellant. The
parties disagree as to whether such an error would be of constitutional dimen-
sion, i.e., whether it would amount to interference with Appellant’s right to
present a defense. Cf. United States v. Stever, 603 F.3d 747, 756–57 (9th Cir.
2010) (identifying factors to evaluate whether erroneous exclusion of evidence
33
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
amounts to constitutional violation). However, even if we assume without de-
ciding the exclusion was a constitutional error, we find the error was harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt. The significance of Appellant’s speculations about
past “swinging” activities with unidentified partners is vanishingly small com-
pared to the weight of evidence incriminating Appellant that the Government
introduced at trial, discussed at greater length above in relation to the legal
and factual sufficiency of the evidence. For similar reasons, Appellant’s efforts
to impeach the adequacy of the investigation with this information would not
have affected the outcome of his court-martial.
F. Military Judge’s Failure to Reconsider Evidence of TF’s “Swinging
Lifestyle”
1. Additional Background
Assistant trial counsel’s opening statement to the court members included
the following:
Throughout the course of the investigation, the [GBI] inter-
viewed many people including Ms. [IV], the woman who rented
the car for the accused. After she was interviewed by the [GBI],
the accused came over to her house. She confronted him. She
asked, “What’s going on? Who is this woman that was mur-
dered?” The accused said it wasn’t his baby and she had a policy.
Members, during the search of the accused’s home on August
29th, 2013, authorities found [TF’s] one million dollar life insur-
ance policy in the desk drawer in his bedroom.
The Government’s opening statement was followed by the Defense’s open-
ing statement and the testimony of the Government’s first witness. After the
first witness’s testimony, the military judge noted that he and the counsel had
an R.C.M. 802 session at which the Defense indicated they believed the Gov-
ernment’s opening statement opened the door “to some evidence that I had kept
out, for lack of a better word, lifestyle choices that somebody might have made.”
Senior defense counsel identified assistant trial counsel’s statement that Ap-
pellant “went over to [IV’s] house and said words to the effect of, ‘It wasn’t my
baby,’ . . . .” as having opened the door. The military judge responded:
Yeah. Appreciate it. Here’s -- I know you know the issue. Open-
ing statements are statements. They’re not evidence. And so, if
the evidence doesn’t come out during the trial, you’re welcome to
comment on it in closing. If the evidence comes out during the
trial, you’re welcome to readdress but I am not going to rule on
the admissibility any different than I already have on evidence
34
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
at this point because I told the members that opening state-
ments are just that, what counsel think is going to come out dur-
ing the course of the testimony.
Senior defense counsel then raised a different issue, and there was no fur-
ther discussion of whether the Government’s opening statement had opened
the door to previously excluded evidence.
2. Law and Analysis
A military judge’s decision to exclude or admit evidence is reviewed for an
abuse of discretion. Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 197 (citation omitted).
Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion by ruling the
Government’s opening statement did not open the door to evidence the military
judge previously excluded regarding TF’s participation in “swinging” activities,
as discussed above. Specifically, Appellant contends the military judge errone-
ously believed an opening statement cannot open the door because it is not
evidence. He cites several decisions by federal circuit courts holding that the
defense’s assertions in its opening may open the door to evidence related to the
accused’s intent or evidence that bolsters the testimony of a prosecution wit-
ness, see United States v. Chavez, 229 F.3d 946, 952–53 (10th Cir. 2000); United
States v. Croft, 124 F.3d 1109, 1120 (9th Cir. 1997); United States v. Moore, 98
F.3d 347, 350 (8th Cir. 1996); United States v. Knowles, 66 F.3d 1146, 1161
(11th Cir. 1995); United States v. Smith, 778 F.2d 925, 928 (2d Cir. 1985); as
well as two decisions of the United States Court of Military Appeals implying
similar reasoning. See United States v. Houser, 36 M.J. 392, 400 (C.M.A. 1993);
United States v. Franklin, 35 M.J. 311, 317 (C.M.A. 1992).
In response, the Government contends the military judge did not “foreclose”
reconsideration of this issue, but merely deferred it until after presentation of
evidence. The Government contends this deferment was a reasonable exercise
of the military judge’s discretion because the issue was not yet ripe, and it did
not prejudice Appellant because the Defense could have requested reconsider-
ation again after the evidence of Appellant’s statement denying paternity came
out in the course of the trial, as it did through IV’s testimony.
Our superior court’s position on this point is difficult to discern precisely.
As Appellant notes, the general rule among the federal circuits appears to be
that opening statement may open the door to responsive evidence, at least in
some circumstances. See United States v. Turner, 39 M.J. 259, 266 (C.M.A.
1994) (Crawford, J., concurring) (citations omitted) (“All the circuits agree that
the opening statement opens the door.”). Houser and Franklin suggest the
same, although in each case the court noted the evidence the appellant com-
plained of on appeal was also admissible for another reason. See Houser, 36
35
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
M.J. at 400 (explaining the defense’s aggressive cross-examination of the vic-
tim as well as its opening raised questions of counterintuitive victim behavior);
Franklin, 35 M.J. at 317 (explaining premeditation was an element of the of-
fense as well as being raised as an issue in the defense’s opening statement).
However, the majority opinion in Turner, decided after Houser and Franklin,
pointedly noted that an opening statement is not evidence, and suggested the
proper way for counsel to address assertions in the opposition’s opening state-
ment that are not borne out by the evidence is to comment on them in closing
argument. Turner, 39 M.J. at 262–63. The Turner majority declined to hold
that a “passing comment” in the defense’s opening statement opened the door
to evidence regarding the accused’s invocation of his Fourth Amendment 14 and
Fifth Amendment 15 rights, instead finding any error was harmless. Id. at 262–
64. 16
Similar to the majority in Turner, we find we need not decide whether as-
sistant trial counsel’s passing reference to Appellant’s denial of paternity
opened the door to the previously excluded evidence. Assuming arguendo the
door was opened, we find any error by the military judge was harmless beyond
a reasonable doubt 17 for two reasons. The first reason is the one the Govern-
ment alludes to: the military judge’s decision did not prevent the Defense from
seeking reconsideration of the “swinging” evidence after IV testified to Appel-
lant’s denial of paternity, which she did. The military judge clearly indicated
the Defense could raise the issue at such a time. The second reason is one we
explained above in relation to the preceding issue: whatever slight relevance
the “swinging” evidence had, either in raising a possible motive for other per-
petrators, impugning the thoroughness of the investigation, or in providing
context to Appellant’s denial of paternity, was insignificant compared to the
weight of the evidence of Appellant’s guilt. Any error by the military judge in
14 U.S. CONST. amend. IV.
15 U.S. CONST. amend. V.
16 We also note that in every case cited by Appellant, the issue raised is whether the
defense’s opening statement opened the door to additional prosecution evidence. The
situation in the instant case appears to be anomalous in federal appellate case law.
There are several logical reasons why this would be so, including the order of presen-
tation of evidence and the burden of proof, among others. However, we discern no per-
suasive reason why different rules regarding the effect of opening statements should
apply to the prosecution and defense.
17 As in our analysis of the preceding issue, we assume without deciding that the con-
stitutional test of harmlessness beyond a reasonable doubt is the appropriate stand-
ard. See McAllister, 64 M.J. at 250 (citations omitted); Stever, 603 F.3d at 756–57.
36
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
this respect did not contribute to the verdict. See Chisum, 77 M.J. at 179 (cita-
tion omitted).
G. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Failure to Request Reconsidera-
tion of Ruling on “Swinging” Evidence
1. Law
The Sixth Amendment 18 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 in Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984), and begin with the presumption of com-
petent representation. See Gilley, 56 M.J. at 124 (citations omitted). We will
not second-guess reasonable strategic or tactical decisions by trial defense
counsel. United States v. Mazza, 67 M.J. 470, 475 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citation
omitted). We review allegations of ineffective assistance de novo. Akbar, 74
M.J. at 379 (citation omitted).
We utilize the following three-part test to determine whether the presump-
tion of competence has been overcome: (1) are appellant’s allegations true, and
if so, “is there a reasonable explanation for counsel’s actions;” (2) if the allega-
tions are true, did defense counsel’s level of advocacy “fall measurably below
the performance . . . [ordinarily expected] of fallible lawyers;” and (3) if defense
counsel were ineffective, is there “a reasonable probability that, absent the er-
rors,” there would have been a different result? United States v. Gooch, 69 M.J.
353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (alteration and omission in original) (quoting United
States v. Polk, 32 M.J. 150, 153 (C.M.A. 1991)). The burden is on the appellant
to demonstrate both deficient performance and prejudice. United States v.
Datavs, 71 M.J. 420, 424 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citation omitted).
2. Additional Background and Analysis
After the military judge ruled the Government’s opening statement had not
opened the door to the previously excluded evidence of TF’s “swinging” behav-
ior as described above, the Defense did not again request reconsideration after
the Government introduced evidence. Appellant now contends his trial defense
counsel were ineffective for failing to do so. Appellant argues the Government
opened the door during its case-in-chief in at least two ways: by eliciting IV’s
testimony regarding Appellant’s statement denying paternity of TF’s unborn
child, and by introducing evidence that human hairs were found in TF’s bed
that were not attributable to TF or Appellant. Appellant avers trial defense
counsel’s failure deprived the Defense of evidence someone other than Appel-
lant may have had a motive to murder TF.
18 U.S. CONST. amend. VI.
37
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
At the Government’s request, this court ordered and received sworn decla-
rations from Appellant’s three trial defense counsel responsive to Appellant’s
claims of ineffective assistance. 19 The three declarations were generally con-
sistent as to why the Defense did not again seek reconsideration of the “swing-
ing” evidence, and offered multiple explanations. First, trial defense counsel
believed they had adequately preserved the issue of the “swinging” evidence
for appellate review through their initial motion in limine. Second, they did
not believe any of the evidence adduced would have caused the military judge
to change his ruling.
Third, while the Defense initially sought to preserve the ability to introduce
the “swinging” evidence, trial defense counsel had always viewed the evidence
as a dangerous double-edged sword and were skeptical the evidence would ul-
timately be helpful. Although it might have reinforced the idea that someone
else with an intimate relationship with TF might have had a motive to commit
the murder, it also posed significant risks for the Defense. By challenging the
sufficiency of the investigation, the Defense risked SA JS recounting all of the
evidence that caused the GBI to focus its investigation on Appellant. This in-
cluded the risk that the Defense would itself open the door to otherwise inad-
missible evidence, including SA JS’s knowledge of other offenses Appellant had
allegedly previously committed which were initially charged together with the
murder of TF and killing of her unborn child, as well as evidence Appellant
had requested TF have an abortion. 20 In addition, evidence that Appellant had
involved TF in “swinging” activities—“pressured” her to do so, according to
some potential witnesses—tended to reinforce the Government’s portrayal that
Appellant cynically manipulated TF “for his own gain and amusement,” and
would hurt rather than help his case by making the life insurance scheme ap-
pear more plausible. Similarly, trial defense counsel were concerned that the
19 In United States v. Jessie, the CAAF explained the general rule that the Courts of
Criminal Appeals (CCAs) “may not consider anything outside of the ‘entire record’
when reviewing a sentence under Article 66(c), UCMJ[, 10 U.S.C. § 866(c)].” 79 M.J.
437, 441 (C.A.A.F. 2020) (quoting United States v. Fagnan, 30 C.M.R. 192 (C.M.A.
1961)) (additional citation omitted). However, the CAAF recognized that “some [of its]
precedents have allowed the CCAs to supplement the record when deciding issues that
are raised by materials in the record,” specifically with affidavits or hearings ordered
pursuant to United States v. DuBay, 37 C.M.R. 411 (C.M.A. 1967) (per curiam). Jessie,
79 M.J. at 442. In Jessie, the CAAF declined to disturb this line of precedent. Id. at
444. Accordingly, we understand Jessie to permit our review of the trial defense coun-
sel declarations. See id. at 442 (citation omitted) (noting the CAAF has allowed the
CCAs “to accept affidavits or order a DuBay hearing when necessary for resolving
claims of ineffective assistance of trial defense counsel”).
20 In separate trials held prior to the instant court-martial, Appellant had been acquit-
ted of most of these alleged offenses.
38
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
“swinging” evidence would further tarnish Appellant in the eyes of the court
members and hurt the Defense during sentencing. Finally, trial defense coun-
sel were concerned that at least some of the court members would react to the
evidence in a similar manner to the military judge—“believing it was an un-
derhanded attempt to smear the murder victim.”
We conclude Appellant has failed to demonstrate either deficient perfor-
mance or prejudice. Although not all of trial defense counsel’s specific ration-
ales for not re-requesting reconsideration are equally convincing, in general we
agree the concern that the “swinging” evidence would do more harm than good
for the Defense was reasonable. We recognize that securing the ability to pre-
sent “swinging” evidence through reconsideration of the initial exclusion would
not obligate the Defense to actually introduce such evidence. However, the lack
of practical value to the Defense reasonably explains the decision not to seek
further reconsideration. Relatedly, from the perspective of trial defense coun-
sel at the time, the value of the exclusion of the evidence as an appellate issue
may have outweighed the net value of introducing such evidence at trial. As
explained above, Appellant has not prevailed on that issue at this court; but
we evaluate trial defense counsel’s decisions based upon their reasonableness
at the time rather than their ultimate success. See Akbar, 74 M.J. at 379 (cita-
tion omitted).
We emphasize again how tenuous the logical link is between an unidenti-
fied “swinging” partner from several months before TF’s death to a credible
motive to commit the murder. Our analysis of trial defense counsel’s perfor-
mance must take into consideration the feebleness of the inference upon which
Appellant’s argument relies.
Finally, for the reasons stated in our analysis of the preceding issues, even
if trial defense counsel’s performance had fallen measurably below the stand-
ard of performance, Appellant was not prejudiced by the failure to again re-
quest reconsideration. Whatever minimal value the “swinging” evidence had
for the Defense’s case would not have affected the outcome in light of the over-
powering weight of the evidence of Appellant’s guilt presented by the Govern-
ment. Accordingly, Appellant cannot prevail on this ineffective assistance
claim.
H. Motion to Suppress Search of Appellant’s Home
1. Additional Background
At 1840 on 29 August 2013, the lead GBI investigator, SA JS, signed an
affidavit requesting a “no-knock” search warrant for Appellant’s residence. The
affidavit described the investigative steps SA JS had taken since he arrived at
the crime scene at approximately 0630 that morning, including inter alia in-
terviewing CF and several other witnesses. Among other information, SA JS
39
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
related that TF had been shot and killed on her bed in the residence she shared
with CF; that CF had seen Appellant dressed in dark clothing in the house
around the time of TF’s death, recognizing him from the many digital photos
TF had shown CF; that the neighbor, DJ, had heard three gunshots and a car
speeding away; that TF’s friend and cousin, MC, said Appellant did not want
the baby; and that SA JS had learned from Special Agent AA of the AFOSI
that the Air Force was aware of two prior alleged criminal incidents involving
Appellant, including an incident in which Appellant allegedly fired a weapon
at an ex-girlfriend. SA JS requested authorization to search Appellant’s resi-
dence for: firearms; computers, cellular telephones, and related electronic de-
vices and equipment and the data within them; receipts and other “documents
of evidentiary value;” portable “Global Positioning Satellite devices;” dark
clothing; and a car and two motorcycles believed to belong to Appellant.
At 1915 on 29 August 2013, a Superior Court of Houston County judge is-
sued a “no-knock” search warrant for the described property. SA JS and other
law enforcement agents executed the warrant at 2115 on 29 August 2013. As
a result of the search, the GBI seized numerous items of apparent evidentiary
value.
The Defense moved to suppress the evidence seized pursuant to the 29 Au-
gust 2013 search warrant. The Defense alleged numerous omissions, inaccura-
cies, and misleading statements in SA JS’s affidavit. It contended the only ac-
tual evidence tending to indicate Appellant committed the crime was CF’s iden-
tification, which was insufficient to support probable cause because CF had
never met Appellant before, because of the “well-established unreliability of
eyewitness identifications,” and because of the particular circumstances under
which this identification was made. The Defense further argued that “virtually
nothing” in the affidavit tended to establish evidence of the crime would actu-
ally be found in Appellant’s home, and that the warrant was overbroad. Fi-
nally, the Defense argued that the good faith exception would not apply be-
cause SA JS knew his affidavit was “bare bones” and “filled with irrelevancies
and misleading and incomplete assertions.” The Government opposed the mo-
tion to suppress, contending there was probable cause for the warrant and
that, in the alternative, the good faith exception would apply.
The military judge received evidence and heard argument on the suppres-
sion motion. Notably, the Government called SA JS to testify. On cross-exam-
ination, SA JS admitted he unintentionally included two inaccurate state-
ments in his affidavit. First, the affidavit stated Appellant “may have in his
possession a shotgun, AR-15 [rifle], and a 9 mm Berretta [pistol].” However,
when SA JS later reviewed his notes he realized Special Agent AA had actually
informed him those weapons had previously been confiscated. Second, the af-
fidavit stated Appellant had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for the prior
40
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
shooting incident and received a year of probation. SA JS testified it was later
clarified to him that Appellant had not pleaded guilty, but had entered a pre-
trial diversion program.
The military judge denied the motion to suppress in a written ruling. The
military judge found SA JS’s testimony was credible, and that the two errors
SA JS acknowledged in the affidavit were unintentional. The military judge
found the judge had probable cause to issue the search warrant. He cited, inter
alia, CF’s identification of Appellant and description of the clothes Appellant
was wearing; CF’s description of the car Appellant drove; evidence of electronic
communications between Appellant and the victim, TF; witness descriptions of
the romantic relationship between Appellant and TF; and SA JS’s identifica-
tion of “at least a partial motive,” specifically evidence that Appellant did not
want the unborn child of which he was the identified father. The military judge
further explained the evidence indicated Appellant had the opportunity to re-
turn to his residence after the crime to change clothes before reporting for duty
later in the day. Viewing the evidence “in a commonsense manner” and giving
the issuing judge appropriate deference, the military judge found the judge’s
decision to issue the warrant “was well within reason.” Finally, the military
judge indicated that had he found probable cause lacking, he nevertheless
would have denied the motion based on the good faith exception.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s ruling on a motion to suppress for an abuse of
discretion, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing
party. United States v. Eppes, 77 M.J. 339, 344 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (citations omit-
ted). A military judge abuses his discretion when: (1) his findings of fact are
clearly erroneous; (2) he applies incorrect legal principles; or (3) his “applica-
tion of the correct legal principles to the facts is clearly unreasonable.” United
States v. Ellis, 68 M.J. 341, 344 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citing United States v. Mackie,
66 M.J. 198, 199 (C.A.A.F. 2008)). “The abuse of discretion standard is a strict
one, calling for more than a mere difference of opinion. The challenged action
must be arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous.” United
States v. Solomon, 72 M.J. 176, 179 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (citation omitted).
The Fourth Amendment provides:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, pa-
pers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated; and no Warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particu-
larly describing the place to be searched and the persons or
things to be seized.
41
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
U.S. CONST. amend. IV. The Military Rules of Evidence effectuate the Fourth
Amendment with respect to courts-martial. Under Mil. R. Evid. 315(f)(1), a
search authorization “must be based upon probable cause.” Probable cause ex-
ists “when there is a reasonable belief that the person, property, or evidence
sought is located in the place . . . to be searched.” Mil. R. Evid. 315(f)(2). “Prob-
able cause requires more than bare suspicion, but something less than a pre-
ponderance of the evidence.” United States v. Leedy, 65 M.J. 208, 213 (C.A.A.F.
2007). The burden of proof rests with the Government to demonstrate evidence
was lawfully seized or that the good faith exception applies. Mil. R. Evid.
315(e)(1).
“Reasonable minds frequently may differ on the question whether a partic-
ular affidavit establishes probable cause, and we have thus concluded that the
preference for warrants is most appropriately effectuated by according great
deference to a magistrate’s determination.” United States v. Leon, 468 U.S.
897, 914 (1984) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Accordingly,
searches conducted pursuant to a warrant or authorization based on probable
cause are presumptively reasonable. United States v. Hoffmann, 75 M.J. 120,
123–24 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (citation omitted). We assess whether “the authorizing
official had a ‘substantial basis’ for finding probable cause.” Id. at 125 (citation
omitted). “A substantial basis exists ‘when, based on the totality of the circum-
stances, a common-sense judgment would lead to the conclusion that there is
a fair probability that evidence of a crime will be found at the identified loca-
tion.’” United States v. Nieto, 76 M.J. 101, 105 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (quoting United
States v. Rogers, 67 M.J. 162, 165 (C.A.A.F. 2009)). “[W]here a magistrate had
a substantial basis to find probable cause, a military judge would not abuse his
discretion in denying a motion to suppress.” Leedy, 65 M.J. at 213. “Close calls
will be resolved in favor of sustaining the magistrate’s decision.” United States
v. Monroe, 52 M.J. 326, 331 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (citation omitted).
When the magistrate is presented with inaccurate information in support
of a request for a warrant or search authorization, we will sever that infor-
mation and determine whether the remaining information supports a finding
of probable cause. United States v. Cowgill, 68 M.J. 388, 391 (C.A.A.F. 2010)
(citing United States v. Gallo, 55 M.J. 418, 421 (C.A.A.F. 2001)) (additional
citation omitted). Similarly, when information is omitted with an intent to mis-
lead the magistrate or with reckless disregard for the truth, we assess whether
the hypothetical inclusion of the omitted material would prevent a finding of
probable cause. United States v. Mason, 59 M.J. 416, 422 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (ci-
tation omitted).
One exception to the ordinary rule of exclusion is the so-called “good faith”
exception under which evidence obtained as a result of an unlawful search or
seizure need not be suppressed if it was obtained pursuant to the good faith
42
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
execution of a search authorization. Mil. R. Evid. 311(c)(3) sets forth three re-
quirements for this exception:
(1) the search or seizure executed was based on an authorization
issued by a competent authority;
(2) “the individual issuing the authorization . . . had a substan-
tial basis for determining the existence of probable cause;” and
(3) the person seeking and executing the authorization “reason-
ably and with good faith relied on the issuance of the authoriza-
tion.”
The second requirement is met if the person executing the search “had an ob-
jectively reasonable belief that the magistrate had a ‘substantial basis’ for de-
termining the existence of probable cause.” United States v. Perkins, 78 M.J.
381, 387 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (quoting United States v. Carter, 54 M.J. 414, 422
(C.A.A.F. 2001)).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant essentially reiterates two general arguments the De-
fense made in its motion. First, he asserts SA JS’s affidavit was “riddled with
misrepresentations” and did not support a finding of probable cause. Second,
he asserts the affidavit failed to establish a nexus between TF’s murder and
the presence of evidence at Appellant’s residence. We find neither argument
persuasive and briefly address each.
a. Alleged “Deliberate or Reckless Falsehoods and Omissions”
Appellant asserts SA JS omitted evidence that diminished the reliability of
CF’s identification of Appellant. He cites SA JS’s motion testimony that the
first deputy on the scene, WS, briefed him that CF had provided “differing sto-
ries” regarding the identity of who killed TF. However, after this abbreviated
initial transfer of information, SA JS interviewed CF himself later in the day
after gathering additional information, and CF unequivocally identified Appel-
lant. We are not persuaded SA JS’s failure to include his initial, possibly gar-
bled, exchange with WS in the affidavit as evincing an intent to mislead or
reckless disregard for the truth. Appellant also criticizes SA JS for not “suffi-
ciently detail[ing]” the fact that CF had not previously met Appellant in per-
son. However, the affidavit described how CF recognized Appellant from pho-
tos and that to CF’s knowledge Appellant had never been to CF’s and TF’s
residence before, which implied CF had not seen Appellant before and was not
misleading. Appellant further notes SA JS did not mention brain surgery that
CF had undergone approximately a year and a half earlier, but we are not per-
suaded that omission was reckless given CF’s evident ability to see and recog-
nize Appellant, to communicate, and to answer questions when interviewed.
43
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Appellant also contends SA JS’s affidavit misrepresented the nature of Ap-
pellant’s relationship with TF by exaggerating its apparent volatility, with ref-
erences to demands that she abort the pregnancy, alleged threats Appellant
made to TF, and Appellant’s alleged history of violence toward an ex-girlfriend.
Appellant contends SA JS had uncovered no evidence Appellant had previously
been violent toward TF and failed to include that TF was planning to move in
with Appellant. We find these omissions only marginally relevant to the ques-
tion of probable cause, and their omission was neither reckless nor misleading.
Appellant asserts the affidavit’s erroneous statement that Appellant may
have access to a shotgun, rifle, and 9 mm pistol was indisputably significant in
light of TF’s death by shooting and the prior allegation that Appellant had shot
at an ex-girlfriend, and was “a major factor in the issuance of the warrant.”
The military judge found this error was unintentional, and that conclusion is
not clearly erroneous. Where an affidavit contains errors, we sever that infor-
mation and assess whether the remaining information supports a finding of
probable cause. In this case, excising SA JS’s error with respect to Appellant’s
potential access to specific firearms, as well as his admitted error regarding
Appellant’s pretrial diversion as opposed to a misdemeanor conviction, we find
the remaining information amply supports a finding of probable cause. Even if
we also assume arguendo that the omitted information Appellant complains of
as described above was included, regardless of our finding the omissions were
neither intentionally nor recklessly misleading, the issuing judge would still
have had a substantial basis to find probable cause.
b. Allegedly Deficient Nexus
Appellant contends SA JS’s affidavit contained no indication that Appel-
lant either came from or returned to his residence on the night of the murder.
Appellant asserts the affidavit relied only on a “generalized profile” of how a
person might behave and a “hope” that evidence would be discovered at Appel-
lant’s residence. We are not persuaded. In general, a common sense approach
to reviewing the affidavit would provide a substantial basis to believe evidence
relevant to the crime would be discovered at Appellant’s residence, given not
only CF’s identification but also Appellant’s long-term romantic involvement
with TF, as well as Appellant’s presumed need to prepare to carry out the
crime, to return home to change clothes, to park his vehicle, and to generally
carry on with his life, among other considerations.
Appellant contends there was no probable cause, at that point, to believe
Appellant owned or had access to a .22 caliber firearm such as the one used to
kill TF. However, there was probable cause to believe that TF was killed with
a .22 caliber firearm and that Appellant was the assailant. Appellant contends
there was no evidence Appellant still possessed the murder weapon or that it
44
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
was at his residence. Although probable cause requires more than bare suspi-
cion, it does not require proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the evi-
dence will be present. The possibility that Appellant hid or disposed of the
murder weapon in some unknown location did not render his residence an un-
reasonable place to look for it. Again, we find the issuing judge had a substan-
tial basis to find probable cause.
With respect to Appellant’s vehicles, he contends CF’s failure to identify
the color of the car Appellant fled in “fatally undercut[ ] any nexus between
[Appellant]’s vehicle and the crime scene.” We disagree. CF described Appel-
lant driving away in a four-door sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Cruze. Appellant
was believed to own a vehicle of the same general type—a compact four-door
sedan. Given Appellant’s presumed need to return to his residence, and the
fact that he was seen fleeing the murder scene in a vehicle of the same general
type as the one he owned, the affidavit provided a more than sufficient nexus
to search for Appellant’s vehicle.
The link between Appellant’s two motorcycles and the crime is less obvious.
However, the inclusion of the motorcycles in the warrant did not materially
advance the investigation or impact Appellant’s trial. Accordingly, there was
no evidence from the motorcycles to suppress, and assuming arguendo the mil-
itary judge abused his discretion by finding probable cause existed with respect
to the motorcycles, the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See
United States v. Mott, 72 M.J. 319, 332 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (citation omitted) (“Con-
stitutional errors are reviewed for harmlessness beyond a reasonable doubt.”).
Appellant’s remaining nexus arguments with regard to digital devices, re-
ceipts, clothing, and other evidence included in the warrant are unconvincing
and require no specific analysis.
c. Conclusion with Regard to Denial of the Motion to Suppress
As described above, we find the issuing judge generally had a substantial
basis to find probable cause existed for the warrant; assuming arguendo the
absence of a nexus to the motorcycles, their inclusion was harmless. Accord-
ingly, the military judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the motion.
Assuming arguendo the military judge erred with respect to the existence of
probable cause, we further find SA JS relied in good faith on a facially valid
warrant issued by a competent authority, and that suppression would not be
warranted. See Perkins, 78 M.J. at 387.
45
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
I. Admission of IRS Deficiency Notice
1. Additional Background
During the 29 August 2013 search of Appellant’s residence, agents found
the IRS notice of deficiency dated 10 June 2013 that Appellant owed the Gov-
ernment $10,802.17 in the same room where they found Appellant’s copy of
TF’s MetLife insurance policy designating Appellant the sole beneficiary.
On 25 January 2016, the Defense filed a pretrial motion in limine to pre-
clude the Government from offering evidence of the IRS notice. The Defense
argued the IRS deficiency was a “routine affair” that did not represent the kind
of dire or exigent circumstance that would overcome the general inadmissibil-
ity of evidence of impecuniosity as proof of motive. See generally United States
v. Johnson, 62 M.J. 31 (C.A.A.F. 2005). The Government opposed the motion,
arguing that the IRS deficiency was admissible as proof of motive, and to sup-
port the specific aggravating factor of monetary gain with regard to the death
penalty. After receiving oral argument on the motion, the military judge
granted the Defense’s motion in limine “[a]t this point.”
On 18 November 2016, the Government submitted a motion for reconsider-
ation, which the Defense opposed. The military judge heard additional oral ar-
gument on 10 December 2016; on 2 January 2017 he advised the parties that
he declined to reconsider his initial ruling.
At trial, the Government called SA JC, a GBI agent who took numerous
photographs during the search of Appellant’s residence. The Government of-
fered a number of photographs through SA JC, but it did not offer any photo-
graphs of the IRS notice during its direct examination. During cross-examina-
tion, the Defense offered through SA JC four photographs comprising Defense
Exhibit C, which depicted a desk in Appellant’s bedroom. Trial defense counsel
cross-examined SA JC regarding the photographs to the effect that the MetLife
insurance policy was found in a bottom file drawer, potentially underneath a
number of other documents, in a location marked by a GBI evidence marker
labeled “V.”
When trial defense counsel completed her cross-examination, trial counsel
requested a hearing pursuant to Article 39(a), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 839(a). Trial
counsel argued the Defense had opened the door to admitting evidence of the
IRS notice. Trial counsel explained that the photograph depicting an evidence
marker labeled “V” also depicted evidence marker “W,” which marked the lo-
cation where the IRS notice was found, opened and uncovered, on top of the
desk. Trial counsel explained:
[T]he concern here is that defense is making the suggestion that
the life insurance policy was in the bottom of the drawer and
wasn’t important to [Appellant]. And then they put in a photo
46
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
that has both the life insurance policy and the IRS deficiency,
that’s clearly laying on the top of his desk drawer, in the amount
of $10,000.00 -- approximately $10,000.00 which I would assume
it is important to [Appellant]. So, we believe this opens the door
to the IRS deficiency if they’re insinuating that the life insurance
is not important to him and that they put in the photograph of.
Senior trial defense counsel objected that the same rationales for excluding the
IRS notice still existed, that the situation remained analogous to Johnson, and
the door had not been opened.
After a short recess, the military judge overruled the Defense’s objection
and advised he would let the Government “put on information about where the
IRS debt notice was found.” Senior trial defense counsel further argued it ap-
peared the IRS notice might have been moved from its original location before
the photograph with evidence marker “W” was taken. In response, the military
judge asked SA JC if she remembered where the IRS notice was found. SA JC
responded that she “could not say with 100 percent certainty” where it was
originally found, but “for the most part when [she] took the pictures, it was
where they found it.” The military judge maintained his ruling, agreeing with
trial counsel that evidence regarding the original location of the IRS notice
went to its weight rather than admissibility.
On redirect examination, SA JC testified that evidence marker “W” in De-
fense Exhibit C marked the location of a treasury deficiency in the amount of
approximately $10,000.00.
The military judge instructed the court members on the use of evidence of
the IRS deficiency in findings as follows: “You may consider evidence the ac-
cused may have been in debt to the IRS for the limited purpose of its tendency,
if any, to demonstrate motive of the accused to commit the alleged offenses and
to rebut the issue of alibi raised by the accused.”
The Government referred to the IRS deficiency multiple times during its
closing argument on findings and twice during its sentencing argument.
2. Law
“A military judge’s decisions to admit or exclude evidence are reviewed for
an abuse of discretion.” Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 197 (citation omitted).
“The mere lack of money, without more, as proof of motive, has little ten-
dency to prove that a person committed a crime.” Johnson, 62 M.J. at 34. “How-
ever, where the moving party can demonstrate a specific relevant link to the
offense in question, financial evidence may be relevant to establish motive.” Id.
at 35.
47
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
“The context in which evidence is offered is often determinative of its ad-
missibility.” United States v. Saferite, 59 M.J. 270, 274 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
“[W]here a party opens the door, principles of fairness warrant the opportunity
for the opposing party to respond, provided the response is fair and is predi-
cated on a proper testimonial foundation.” Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 198 (citation
omitted). “[T]he legal function of rebuttal evidence . . . ‘is . . . to explain, repel,
counteract or disprove the evidence introduced by the opposing party.’” Saf-
erite, 59 M.J. at 274 (quoting United States v. Banks, 36 M.J. 150, 166 (C.M.A.
1992)). “The scope of rebuttal is defined by evidence introduced by the other
party.” Banks, 36 M.J. at 166 (citations omitted).
“Rebuttal evidence, 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 prejudice.” Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274 (citation omitted). “When
a military judge conducts a proper balancing test under Mil. R. Evid. 403, the
ruling will not be overturned unless there is a ‘clear abuse of discretion.’”
Manns, 54 M.J. at 166 (quoting Ruppel, 49 M.J. at 250). However, we afford
“military judges less deference if they fail to articulate their balancing analysis
on the record, and no deference if they fail to conduct the Rule 403 balancing.”
Id. (citation omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant identifies three “significant problems” with the military judge’s
decision to permit the Government to introduce testimony regarding the IRS
notice in response to the Defense’s introduction of Defense Exhibit C. First,
Appellant contends the Defense did not open any doors, but was responding to
potentially misleading evidence offered by the Government. Second, Appellant
contends evidence of the IRS notice did not actually rebut the Defense’s evi-
dence regarding the location of the insurance policy. Third, Appellant asserts
the military judge’s weight-versus-admissibility analysis was flawed because
the Government could not offer “definitive evidence” the notice was actually
found on top of the desk, where it was photographed.
Before we address Appellant’s arguments, we address the Government’s
initial argument in response: that we should uphold the admission of the IRS
notice because the military judge should have admitted it in the first instance
as evidence of Appellant’s motive. The Government cites the CAAF’s decision
in United States v. Perkins for the principle that an appellate court may uphold
a trial judge’s ruling based upon a theory not relied upon at trial. 78 M.J. 381,
386 n.8 (C.A.A.F. 2019). We do not question the validity of the principle; how-
ever, the Government’s reliance on it here is inapt. The military judge twice
rejected this very theory advanced by the Government in response to the De-
fense’s motion in limine. Essentially, the Government invites us to find the
military judge abused his discretion in his initial ruling; we decline to do so.
48
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
See United States v. Parker, 62 M.J. 459, 464 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citation omitted)
(“When a party does not appeal a ruling, the ruling of the lower court normally
becomes the law of the case.”).
However, we are not persuaded by Appellant’s arguments either, and we
find the military judge did not abuse his discretion. Appellant’s first argument
is that the Defense was merely responding to the Government’s “potentially
misleading evidence” that the MetLife insurance policy was found in Appel-
lant’s desk drawer, which might imply it was an important document to him.
Appellant contends the Defense was counteracting this implication through
evidence that the policy may have been “buried” underneath a pile of other
documents, implying it was not important to him. However, this argument
tends to confirm the Government’s argument, and the military judge’s under-
standing, that the purpose of Defense Exhibit C and related cross-examination
of SA JC was in fact to downplay Appellant’s financial motive to commit the
offenses. In addition, the relevant question is not whether the Defense was
responding to the Government’s evidence, but whether the evidence introduced
by the Defense invited a fair response from the Government. The Defense’s
own exhibit, offered to show the insurance policy had been buried and was pre-
sumably unimportant, also depicted where the IRS notice was found, open and
in a prominent spot atop the desk, implying through similar reasoning that the
notice was significant to Appellant. This purpose elevated the relevance of the
IRS notice beyond mere impecuniosity.
Appellant’s second argument is that the IRS notice was not proper rebuttal,
because whether he thought the notice was important does not rebut the point
the Defense sought to make—challenging the Government’s implication that
finding the insurance policy in Appellant’s desk drawer meant the policy was
important to him. We find the military judge did not plainly err in finding it
was rebuttal. The Defense had attacked the significance of Appellant’s mone-
tary motive to commit the offenses. The Government responded with evidence
tending to indicate Appellant did have a significant monetary motive. Moreo-
ver, the Government’s rebuttal employed a logical corollary of the Defense’s
own rationale: if being buried under other papers in a desk drawer suggested
a document was not important or of current significance, being prominently
displayed atop the desk suggested the document was important or of current
significance. Furthermore, there was a logical connection between the IRS no-
tice and the insurance policy that served to rebut the Defense’s implication
that the insurance policy was not significant; evidence that Appellant was
presently concerned about his sizeable IRS debt made his potential access to
the proceeds of a $1 million life insurance policy more significant.
With regard to Appellant’s third argument, we are not persuaded the mili-
tary judge erred in concluding the possibility the IRS notice had been moved
49
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
went to its weight rather than its admissibility. First, the Government was not
required to “definitively” prove the notice had not been moved. Second, we do
not agree “the Government was unable to provide any evidence” Appellant
placed the IRS notice in the location where it was photographed. As SA JC told
the military judge and testified, although she could not be “100 percent” cer-
tain, in general items were marked and photographed where they were found
during the search.
Finally, we note the military judge did not state that he had performed a
balancing test pursuant to Mil. R. Evid. 403 before deciding to permit the Gov-
ernment to introduce evidence of the IRS notice. Accordingly, we perform our
own balancing de novo. See Manns, 54 M.J. at 166. We conclude the evidence
was properly admitted in light of Mil. R. Evid. 403. The evidence was relevant
to counteract the Defense’s attack on Appellant’s monetary motive to commit
the offenses. Its introduction required only a few simple questions to SA JC
during her redirect examination, with the aid of Defense Exhibit C. The evi-
dence addressed theories and themes—specifically Appellant’s motives—that
were already directly in issue in the case. Accordingly, we find the dangers of
unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the members, undue delay,
and cumulativeness were minimal, and did not substantially outweigh the pro-
bative value. See Mil. R. Evid. 403.
J. Admission of Post-Mortem Paternity Test
1. Additional Background
Before trial, the Defense moved to exclude evidence of the post-mortem
DNA analysis that indicated Appellant was the father of the unborn child to a
99.9999 percent degree of certainty. The Defense argued the evidence was ir-
relevant, and therefore inadmissible under Mil. R. Evid. 401 and Mil. R. Evid.
402. The Defense anticipated the Government might propose one of Appellant’s
motives in killing TF was to eliminate an unwanted child; however, the De-
fense reasoned that a post-mortem test indicated nothing as to whether Appel-
lant knew at the time of death that he was the father. In other words, “[Appel-
lant’s] knowledge or belief in the paternity of the baby is not made more or less
probable by any result of the test.” Alternatively, the Defense contended the
evidence should be excluded under Mil. R. Evid. 403 because any probative
value was substantially outweighed by the danger of confusion and unfair prej-
udice, because the DNA evidence: (1) would mislead the members into thinking
Appellant knew he was the father, and thereby confuse the issue of motive;
and (2) would cause the members to punish Appellant more severely “for kill-
ing his own biological child rather than focusing on the actual evidence of his
awareness of paternity.”
50
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
The Government opposed the defense motion. The Government’s written
response largely focused on the scientific reliability of the DNA testing, but
suggested there were “several reasons” why the evidence could be relevant,
including inter alia “the theory that [Appellant] committed the crime because
he did not want to father the child.”
After receiving argument on the motion, the military judge held the evi-
dence was admissible. He explained, “[t]he fact that the accused is the father
of the child is relevant in a criminal case involving the murder of the mother
and unborn child.” The military judge opined the Defense’s position that the
DNA test “had no relation to the crime” because it was “post-crime,” “simply
makes no sense.” He found the DNA test was relevant to corroborate other
evidence Appellant knew TF was pregnant and that the child was his. With
regard to Mil. R. Evid. 403, the military judge found the evidence was not con-
fusing or needlessly cumulative; rather, it was “directly related to the named
victim, evidence of intent in the case, and evidence of motive in the case.” Ac-
cordingly, at trial the Government introduced testimony regarding the results
of the DNA testing and the likelihood of Appellant’s paternity.
2. Law
We review a military judge’s decision to admit or exclude evidence for an
abuse of discretion. United States v. Bowen, 76 M.J. 83, 87 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (ci-
tation omitted). “An abuse of discretion occurs when a military judge either
erroneously applies the law or clearly errs in making his or her findings of
fact.” Donaldson, 58 M.J. at 482 (citing Humpherys, 57 M.J. at 90). “The abuse
of discretion standard is a strict one, calling for more than a mere difference of
opinion. The challenged action must be ‘arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasona-
ble,’ or ‘clearly erroneous.’” McElhaney, 54 M.J. at 130 (quoting Miller, 46 M.J.
at 65; Travers, 25 M.J. at 62).
“The relevance standard is a low threshold.” United States v. White, 69 M.J.
236, 239 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citation omitted). “Evidence is relevant if: (a) it has
any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the
evidence; and (b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action.” Mil. R.
Evid. 401. Relevant evidence is generally admissible, unless otherwise pro-
vided by the Constitution, statute, Military Rules of Evidence, or the Manual
for Courts-Martial. Mil. R. Evid. 402.
The military judge may exclude relevant evidence that is otherwise admis-
sible if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a countervailing dan-
ger, including inter alia unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or needless
presentation of cumulative evidence. Mil. R. Evid. 403. “A military judge enjoys
‘wide discretion’ in applying Mil. R. Evid. 403.” Harris, 46 M.J. at 225 (quoting
Rust, 41 M.J. at 478). “Where a military judge properly conducts the balancing
51
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
test under Mil. R. Evid. 403, we will not overturn his decision unless there is a
clear abuse of discretion.” Ruppel, 49 M.J. at 251 (citation omitted).
3. Analysis
We conclude the military judge did not abuse his discretion in admitting
the DNA evidence of Appellant’s paternity. We agree with the military judge
that the test results were relevant regardless of the fact that the test was per-
formed after the offenses. The relevance does not hinge on Appellant’s
knowledge of the test results; rather, the relevance is that confirmation Appel-
lant was actually the father corroborated other evidence indicating Appellant
believed he was the father, and that TF held him out to be the father, before
TF was killed. Evidence of Appellant’s belief that he was the father in turn
supported the Government’s theories regarding Appellant’s intent and mo-
tives—for example, “to dispose of the daughter he did not want,” as trial coun-
sel subsequently argued. Accordingly, we find the probative value of the test
results with respect to Appellant’s intent and motives was sufficient to meet
the low threshold for relevancy.
We further find the military judge did not abuse his wide discretion in ap-
plying Mil. R. Evid. 403. The evidence, which the Defense did not contest on
scientific grounds, was concise and clear in its implications. The Defense re-
mained free to argue Appellant did not have scientific proof of his paternity
before the deaths occurred. We are not persuaded the risks of confusion, unfair
prejudice, or any other countervailing concern substantially outweighed the
probative value of the evidence.
K. Admission of Appellant’s Letter from Jail to TB
1. Additional Background
a. The Letter and its Suppression
After his arrest on 31 August 2013, Appellant was confined in the Tift
County Jail. While confined in isolation there, between 31 August 2013 and 14
September 2014 Appellant wrote a number of letters to his friends and family
members which he mailed through the prison mail system. The jail’s inmate
handbook advised inmates that “[m]ail correspondence of a general nature”
was subject to being opened, inspected, and read for material that might be
threatening to the safety or security of the facility. However, during his time
in the isolation section of the jail, Appellant did not have access to the paper
or electronic copy of the handbook.
Beginning on or about 5 September 2013, a jail employee made and re-
tained copies of Appellant’s letters before resealing the letters and mailing
them. This was not the jail’s typical procedure. One such letter that was copied
52
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
was from Appellant to TB, Appellant’s alibi witness who testified she slept at
Appellant’s house the night TF was killed. The letter stated in part:
Last thing before I respond to your letters. I need to know some-
thing about what you told the police, but they read my letters.
So when answering just say, “to answer your question, Yes I did”
or “No I didn’t.” Did you tell the police where the rental car was
parked?? (And if they question you again don’t talk to them at
all) (Tear the last paragraph off this letter and burn or flush it)
The record is unclear as to whether TB received the original letter.
Before trial, the Defense moved to suppress all letters seized by jail officials
when Appellant was in pretrial confinement. On 29 October 2015, the military
judge granted the motion to suppress. He explained the Government had failed
to meet its burden of proof, and that the “wholesale photocopying of an inmate’s
mail in contravention of the jail’s written policy, in reliance on a single indi-
vidual . . . implementing the wide-ranging search, without demonstrated au-
thority, or a regulation or rule allowing him to do so, [wa]s arbitrary,” and
therefore an illegal search and seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
b. The Letter’s Introduction as Rebuttal Evidence
At trial, the Defense’s cross-examination of several Government witnesses
led the military judge to admit the portion of Appellant’s suppressed letter to
TB as rebuttal evidence. Trial defense counsel’s questions tended to suggest a
possible innocent use for the rental car; that Appellant was not concerned
about being associated with the car; that the car might have been damaged
after it was returned; and that TB had not attempted to conceal from investi-
gators her knowledge of Appellant returning the car. The cross-examinations
are summarized below.
The Government called IV who testified, inter alia, about renting a car at
Appellant’s request on 28 August 2013. On cross-examination, IV testified that
she knew the Outcast Motorcycle Club had a clubhouse in Atlanta, Georgia,
which was two hours away from Warner Robins.
The Government also called AW, the branch manager for the rental agency
where IV rented the car. On cross-examination, AW acknowledged that the
rental agency employees did not initially notice the ricochet mark on the win-
dow or damage to the molding when the car was returned the morning of 29
August 2013. She also acknowledged the agency had security cameras that
were in plain view and not hidden; the apparent implication was that Appel-
lant would have seen them and known he was being recorded when he returned
the car, yet did so anyway.
53
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
The Government also called TB, who testified Appellant was with her when
she fell asleep at his residence on the night of 28 August 2013, and he was
there when she awoke the following morning at 0515. TB testified that she got
out of bed at approximately 0540 and departed with Appellant, who she
dropped off at the rental car which was parked down a side street. TB testified
she did not know what the rental car was for. After Appellant returned the
rental car, TB picked him up and they went to breakfast together. In response
to questioning by trial defense counsel on cross-examination, TB testified to
her belief that Appellant did not leave the bed after TB fell asleep on the night
of 28 August 2013, based on her usual sleeping habits with him. In addition,
TB testified that she told a GBI agent about helping Appellant return the
rental car during her initial GBI interview. On re-direct, senior trial counsel
had TB clarify that she did not initially mention the rental car when she was
questioned about what she did that morning. On further cross-examination,
TB clarified that she told the agent about returning the rental car when he
specifically asked her whether she took Appellant anywhere before they went
to breakfast.
After TB, the Government called JM, Appellant’s neighbor. JM testified
that in the early morning of the day that the police searched Appellant’s house,
he remembered seeing a small, four-door sedan parked on the street close to
JM’s driveway. On cross-examination, senior trial defense counsel attacked an
asserted discrepancy between JM’s testimony as to where he saw the car, and
where he had previously told investigators he saw the car. The apparent im-
plication was that JM’s testimony—suggesting Appellant wanted to keep the
rental car away from his house—was unreliable.
After JM’s testimony, the Government asserted to the military judge that
the Defense had opened the door to the portion of Appellant’s letter to TB
quoted above. Senior trial counsel cited the cross-examinations of IV, AW, TB,
and JM as, in varying ways, raising the inference that Appellant was not trying
to conceal the rental car and it might have been used for an innocent purpose.
Quoting United States v. Haney, senior trial counsel argued Appellant “may
not use his constitutional rights as a ‘shield’ to ‘prevent the Government from
contradicting the untruths and reasonable inferences that the fact finders
could logically draw from the defense cross-examination.’” 64 M.J. 101, 116
(C.A.A.F. 2006) (quoting Gilley, 56 M.J. at 125 (Crawford, C.J., concurring in
part)). In response, trial defense counsel argued the Defense had not opened
the door, that the Government had raised these matters, and that the timing
of the letter—approximately one month after TB was interviewed by the GBI—
made it irrelevant.
54
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
The military judge allowed the Government to introduce the portion of the
letter. He agreed with the Government that the letter “shows something ne-
farious about the rental car.” The military judge explained:
[H]ere I have a paragraph from a letter that absolutely provides
some light as to what’s going on with that rental car. And you
can’t benefit from it. And the cross-examination of [TB] that you
did, the cross-examination of [AW], and the discussion of this
Atlanta clubhouse, I think we all know what that’s for. Maybe
it’s 98 miles to the Atlanta clubhouse and back as well. I have no
idea. I assume we’re going to see some evidence on it. I don’t
know. But I know those inferences are out there and the govern-
ment gets to rebut them.
The relevant portion of the letter was admitted as Prosecution Exhibit 121,
which senior trial counsel additionally read to the court members. The military
judge later instructed the court members: “You may consider evidence found
in Prosecution Exhibit 121 for the limited purpose of its tendency, if any, to
show consciousness of guilt on behalf of the accused, and to rebut the issue of
alibi raised by the accused.”
2. Law
“A military judge’s decisions to admit or exclude evidence are reviewed for
an abuse of discretion.” Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 197 (citation omitted).
“The context in which evidence is offered is often determinative of its ad-
missibility.” Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274. “[W]here a party opens the door, princi-
ples of fairness warrant the opportunity for the opposing party to respond, pro-
vided the response is fair and is predicated on a proper testimonial foundation.”
Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 198 (citation omitted). “[T]he legal function of rebuttal ev-
idence . . . ‘is . . . to explain, repel, counteract or disprove the evidence intro-
duced by the opposing party.’” Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274 (quoting Banks, 36 M.J.
at 166). “The scope of rebuttal is defined by evidence introduced by the other
party.” Banks, 36 M.J. at 166 (citations omitted).
“Rebuttal evidence, 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 prejudice.” Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274 (citation omitted). “When
a military judge conducts a proper balancing test under Mil. R. Evid. 403, the
ruling will not be overturned unless there is a ‘clear abuse of discretion.’”
Manns, 54 M.J. at 166 (quoting Ruppel, 49 M.J. at 250). However, we afford
“military judges less deference if they fail to articulate their balancing analysis
on the record, and no deference if they fail to conduct the Rule 403 balancing.”
Id. (citation omitted).
55
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant essentially reiterates trial defense counsel’s argu-
ment that the Defense did not open the door because the Government “already
put into play” the matters it asserted the Defense introduced. In response, the
Government argues the Defense’s cross-examination did open the door to pre-
viously inadmissible evidence. The Government cites several precedents from
our superior court to the effect that the defense may open the door to otherwise
inadmissible evidence, and that an accused may not use his constitutional
rights to prevent the Government from contradicting untruths. See Eslinger,
70 M.J. at 198; Gilley, 56 M.J. at 120; United States v. Trimper, 28 M.J. 460,
466–67 (C.M.A. 1989).
However, the parties have not specifically addressed the application of the
exclusionary rule to evidence suppressed for violation of the Fourth Amend-
ment where such evidence subsequently becomes relevant to rebut evidence
adduced through defense cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. Simi-
larly, neither the parties nor the military judge addressed this aspect at trial.
The military judge appears to have assumed that evidence suppressed for vio-
lation of the accused’s constitutional rights is on an equal footing with other
previously excluded evidence in terms of its availability for rebuttal. We are
not so sure.
None of the cases the Government relies on involved the use of evidence
initially suppressed for violation of the Fourth Amendment to rebut general
cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. See Eslinger, 70 M.J. at 196–98
(involving opinion testimony in sentencing); Gilley, 56 M.J. at 120–22 (involv-
ing references to appellant’s request for counsel); Trimper, 28 M.J. at 466–67
(involving use of privately obtained urinalysis result to impeach accused’s tes-
timony that he had never used cocaine). Our review of the pertinent law has
not disclosed such precedent either.
Other authority suggests that evidence derived from constitutionally in-
firm search and seizure is not available for such purposes. For example, similar
to the holding in Trimper, Mil. R. Evid. 311(c) provides that “[e]vidence that
was obtained as a result of an unlawful search or seizure may be used to im-
peach by contradiction the in-court testimony of the accused.” The provision of
such a specific exception for the use of illegally obtained evidence implies such
evidence is not generally available to rebut or impeach defense evidence. Fur-
thermore, in James v. Illinois the United States Supreme Court explained that
its precedents permitted the use of evidence obtained in violation of a defend-
ant’s Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights to impeach the defendant’s own tes-
timony, but declined to extend the exception to the impeachment of other de-
fense witnesses. 493 U.S. 307, 311–14 (1990) (citing United States v. Havens,
446 U.S. 620 (1980); Harris v. New York, 401 U.S. 222 (1971); Oregon v. Hass,
56
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
420 U.S. 714 (1975); Walder v. United States, 347 U.S. 62 (1954)). In this case,
the military judge did not admit the excerpt of Appellant’s suppressed letter to
TB to impeach the testimony of Appellant or any other defense witness, but
merely to rebut the inferences created by trial defense counsel’s cross-exami-
nation of the Government’s own witnesses. Accordingly, for purposes of our
analysis we assume without deciding the military judge erred.
However, we find Appellant is not entitled to relief because any error was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See Mott, 72 M.J. at 332 (citation omit-
ted). It is true that the excerpt of the letter was relevant to counteract the
cross-examination testimony related to the rental car that the Defense elicited,
and that trial counsel referred to this evidence in one portion of his argument
on findings. However, the letter merely reinforced the significance of the rental
car which was already apparent from other evidence, notwithstanding the
cross-examination. Appellant rented the car through IV, for no apparent rea-
son other than to avoid association with it. He parked it away from his house,
where it would not be seen by witnesses or on his security cameras. The De-
fense’s primary theory was alibi based on TB’s testimony that Appellant spent
the night of the murder at his own house, but this left no innocent explanation
for how the car was driven 217 miles before it was returned—the passing ref-
erence to the Atlanta clubhouse was the feeblest of gestures in that direction.
Moreover, after the car was returned the GBI found a ricochet mark on the
window consistent with a .38 caliber round, as fired from CF’s pistol.
Furthermore, the rental car was not even the most compelling evidence of
Appellant’s guilt. CF saw Appellant flee the scene of the murder. Ballistics ev-
idence indicated the fatal bullets were fired from the Walther P-22 Appellant
possessed. Coupled with all of the other incriminating forensic and other evi-
dence, and the thorough undermining of TB’s alibi testimony, the evidence of
Appellant’s guilt was overwhelming. “‘[T]he weight of the evidence supporting
the conviction[s][ ]’. . . may so clearly favor the government that the appellant
cannot demonstrate prejudice.” United States v. Sewell, 76 M.J. 14, 18
(C.A.A.F. 2017) (second alteration in original) (quoting United States v.
Fletcher, 62 M.J. 175, 184 (C.A.A.F. 2005)) (additional citation omitted). This
is such a case. Accordingly, we find Appellant is not entitled to relief.
L. Findings Instructions
1. Law
Where an appellant properly preserves his objections, we review the ade-
quacy of the military judge’s instructions de novo. United States v. Dearing, 63
M.J. 478, 482 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citations omitted). “[A] military judge has wide
discretion in choosing the instructions to give but has a duty to provide an
57
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
accurate, complete, and intelligible statement of the law.” United States v. Be-
henna, 71 M.J. 228, 232 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citations omitted). The test for preju-
dice for a nonconstitutional error in findings instructions is whether the error
had a “substantial influence” on the findings. United States v. Gibson, 58 M.J.
1, 7 (C.A.A.F. 2003).
“[T]he military judge . . . is required to tailor the instructions to the partic-
ular facts and issues in a case.” United States v. Baker, 57 M.J. 330, 333
(C.A.A.F. 2002) (citations omitted). Absent evidence to the contrary, we pre-
sume the court members followed the military judge’s instructions. United
States v. Stewart, 71 M.J. 38, 42 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citation omitted).
2. Additional Background and Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge’s instructions to the court members
were erroneous in five respects. The Defense preserved its objections to these
instructions by raising them to the military judge at trial. We address each
contention in turn.
a. Instruction Regarding Alibi Defense
The military judge instructed the court members as follows with regard to
Appellant’s alibi defense:
The evidence may have raised the defense of alibi in relation to
the offenses of premeditated murder and the intentional killing
of an unborn child and the lesser included offense.
“Alibi” means the accused could not have committed the offenses
charged or any lesser included offense because the accused was
at another place when the offenses occurred. Alibi is a complete
defense to the offenses that are charged. You should consider all
evidence that you believe is relevant on the issue of alibi.
The burden is on the prosecution to establish the guilt of the ac-
cused. If you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt the ac-
cused was present at the time and place of the alleged offense,
the defense of alibi does not exist.
(Emphasis added.)
The military judge deviated slightly from the standard alibi instruction
from the Military Judges’ Benchbook, Dept. of the Army Pamphlet 27-9 at 1018
(10 Sep. 2014) (Benchbook), which begins: “The evidence has raised the defense
of alibi . . . .” (Emphasis added). Appellant contends this modification was er-
roneous because it tacitly indicated the military judge doubted the testimony
of TB, Appellant’s alibi witness. Appellant further contends this was an error
of constitutional magnitude because it “diluted” his right to have the court
58
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
members fully consider his alibi defense, and the error was not harmless be-
yond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Brooks, 25 M.J. 175, 180 (C.M.A.
1987) (finding failure to give alibi instruction was an error of constitutional
magnitude).
We disagree. As an initial matter, the instant case is not comparable to
Brooks, where the military judge erroneously failed to give an alibi instruction
where that defense was raised by the evidence. Id. at 179–80. In Appellant’s
case, the military judge did explain the alibi defense and instructed the mem-
bers to consider whether it applied in light of the evidence before them. This
was not interference with Appellant’s right to present a defense equivalent to
the constitutional error that occurred in Brooks.
Turning to Appellant’s specific objection, we find no error in the military
judge’s instruction that the evidence “may have raised” the defense of alibi.
The Benchbook instructions are not mandatory, and “the military judge . . . is
required to tailor the instructions to the particular facts and issues in a case.”
Baker, 57 M.J. at 333 (citations omitted). As given, the instruction accurately
characterized the evidence. There was no direct evidence that Appellant was
at his residence at the time of the murder. Even if one takes TB’s testimony as
to when she fell asleep and when she awoke at face value, the evidence indi-
cated Appellant would have had time to travel from his home to TF’s residence,
kill TF, and return all while TB was asleep, notwithstanding TB’s opinion that
she would have awoken if Appellant had left the bed. Moreover, the court mem-
bers did not have the standard Benchbook instruction with which to compare
the military judge’s instruction, and from which to infer the military judge’s
opinion of TB’s credibility.
Appellant does not assert the military judge’s explanation of the alibi de-
fense was substantively erroneous. The military judge appropriately oriented
the court members to the possible existence of an alibi defense and directed the
court members to consider the evidence in that light. He thereby discharged
his responsibility to provide an accurate, complete, and intelligible explanation
of the applicable law. Behenna, 71 M.J. at 232 (citation omitted). Furthermore,
even if we assume arguendo the military judge should have instructed the
members that the evidence “has raised” rather than “may have raised” the alibi
defense, the deviation had no substantial influence on the findings. Court
members are presumed to follow the military judge’s instructions, and the alibi
instructions given would have led the court members to consider whether the
evidence indicated Appellant was not present when TF was killed.
b. Instruction Regarding Accomplice Testimony
The military judge instructed the court members as follows with regard to
the testimony of accomplices:
59
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
A witness is an accomplice if he or she was criminally involved
in an offense with which the accused is charged. The purpose of
this advice is to call to your attention to a factor specifically af-
fecting [TB]’s testimony, that is, a motive to falsify her testimony
in whole or in part, because of an obvious self-interest under the
circumstances.
For example, an accomplice may be motivated to falsify testi-
mony in whole or in part because of his own self-interest in
avoiding future prosecution. In deciding the believability of [TB],
you should consider all the evidence you believe is relevant on
this issue.
Whether [TB], who testified as a witness in this case, was an
accomplice is a question for you to decide. If [TB] shared the
criminal intent or purpose of the accused, if any, or aided, en-
couraged, or in any other way criminally associated or involved
herself with the offense with which the accused is charged, she
would be an accomplice.
As I indicated previously, it is your function to determine the
credibility of all the witnesses, and the weight, if any, you will
accord the testimony of each witness. Although you should con-
sider the testimony of an accomplice with caution, you may con-
vict the accused based solely upon the testimony of an accom-
plice, as long as that testimony was not self-contradictory, un-
certain, or improbable.
Appellant notes the military judge provided the standard accomplice in-
struction from the Benchbook without significant modification. See Benchbook
at 1096. However, Appellant contends the standard instruction was confusing
and inadequate under the circumstances of this case. Appellant contends the
instruction that an accused may be convicted based solely on the testimony of
an accomplice, where TB—although called by the Government—was actually
Appellant’s alibi witness, implied either that TB provided incriminating evi-
dence, or that the members should convict Appellant if they disbelieved TB, or
both. According to Appellant, under any of these scenarios the military judge’s
instruction was erroneous and substantially prejudicial.
Although we agree the final paragraph of the instruction was somewhat
awkward under the circumstances of this case, we find no error. Appellant does
not allege, and we do not find, that anything in the instruction was an inaccu-
rate statement of law. Additionally, in light of the military judge’s unchal-
lenged instructions on the elements of the offenses and repeated admonitions
60
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
that the burden of proof rested with the Government, we find no cause for con-
cern that the accomplice instruction would cause the members to weigh the
evidence erroneously. To the extent the final portion of the instruction was not
particularly applicable in Appellant’s case, we presume the court members
would have simply not applied it, rather than applied it erroneously and con-
trary to the military judge’s other instructions. See Stewart, 71 M.J. at 42 (ci-
tation omitted).
c. Instruction Regarding Evidence of IRS Deficiency
As explained above in our analysis of Appellant’s specific assignment of er-
ror, the military judge admitted evidence of Appellant’s notice of deficiency
from the IRS in the amount of $10,802.17 as rebuttal to the photographs in
Defense Exhibit C. The military judge provided the following instruction with
regard to the IRS deficiency notice:
You may consider evidence the accused may have been in debt
to the IRS for the limited purpose of its tendency, if any, to
demonstrate motive of the accused to commit the alleged of-
fenses and to rebut the issue of alibi raised by the accused.
Appellant contends this instruction was erroneous because the deficiency
evidence was not admitted to rebut the issue of alibi. Because court members
are presumed to follow the military judge’s instructions, Appellant contends
he was prejudiced because the instruction led the court members to consider
the evidence for an improper purpose. In response, the Government argues the
instruction was not erroneous because the conditional language “may consider”
and “if any” did not require the members to use the evidence to rebut the alibi
defense. The Government further argues that the deficiency was evidence of
Appellant’s financial motive to commit the murder, and therefore relevant un-
der the low standard of Mil. R. Evid. 401 to rebut the alibi defense because of
its tendency to indicate Appellant did commit the offense.
It is difficult to assess whether the military judge’s instruction was errone-
ous because the military judge did not clearly explain at the time for what pur-
pose he was admitting the IRS deficiency evidence. Rebuttal evidence serves
to “explain, repel, counteract or disprove” evidence introduced by the opposing
party. Saferite, 59 M.J. at 274 (citation omitted). As the Government argues,
the IRS deficiency has some very general tendency to counteract or disprove
the alibi defense by demonstrating a motive for Appellant to commit the mur-
der, and thereby making it more likely Appellant did so. However, this is ar-
guably true of every piece of relevant and material inculpatory evidence. Trial
counsel’s argument that Defense Exhibit C had opened the door did not men-
tion the alibi defense and instead focused on the Defense’s effort to minimize
the evidence of Appellant’s financial motive. If the military judge admitted the
61
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
deficiency evidence solely as rebuttal evidence related to motive, then Appel-
lant’s argument has some force. However, the military judge, having found the
Defense opened the door to the deficiency evidence by putting in visual evi-
dence of the deficiency notice itself, might have concluded the deficiency was
relevant and useable for other purposes as well. His decision to instruct the
court members that they could consider the evidence for its tendency, if any, to
rebut the alibi defense—over the Defense’s objection—suggests that he did so.
Accordingly, for the purpose of analysis, we assume without holding that
the military judge erred and resolve the issue on the question of prejudice. As-
suming the instruction was erroneous, it had no substantial effect on the find-
ings. Evidence of the IRS deficiency notice was properly before the members in
any event as evidence of Appellant’s financial motive. In light of the abundance
of incriminating evidence placing Appellant at the scene of TF’s murder, cou-
pled with the significant flaws in TB’s credibility and other weaknesses in Ap-
pellant’s alibi defense, addressed in more detail above in relation to legal and
factual sufficiency, the incremental effect of the military judge permitting the
court members to consider the IRS deficiency for its tendency to rebut Appel-
lant’s alibi, if any, was negligible.
d. Instruction Regarding Appellant’s Letter from Jail to TB
As described above, the military judge initially excluded the letter Appel-
lant wrote to TB from confinement in September 2013, but subsequently found
the Defense had opened the door to admission of a portion of it. The military
judge provided the following instruction with regard to the letter:
You may consider evidence found in Prosecution Exhibit 121,
that’s the letter from September of 2013. You may consider evi-
dence found in Prosecution Exhibit 121 for the limited purpose
of its tendency, if any, to show consciousness of guilt on behalf
of the accused, and to rebut the issue of alibi raised by the ac-
cused.
Appellant contends the portion of the instruction that invites the members
to consider how the letter rebuts Appellant’s alibi defense is erroneous. He as-
serts that even if one assumes the letter amounts to evidence of his conscious-
ness of guilt, without more, it does not impeach TB’s credibility or, by exten-
sion, Appellant’s alibi defense. However, in our consideration of the admission
of the letter as rebuttal evidence, supra, we explained that any error in its
admission was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. For similar reasons, we
find the military judge’s instruction regarding the letter was also harmless be-
yond a reasonable doubt. See Mott, 72 M.J. at 332 (citation omitted).
62
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
e. Instruction Regarding the Motorcycle Club and “Property”
The military judge provided the following instruction with regard to evi-
dence of the Outcast Motorcycle Club:
You may consider evidence related to the issue of the Outcast
Motorcycle Club to include the description of and definition of
property for the limited purpose of its tendency, if any, to show
the accused’s opportunity, the accused’s plan and to rebut the
issue of alibi raised by the accused and to rebut the testimony of
[TB].
Although Appellant concedes that TB’s credibility in general was “certainly
a factor” for the court members to consider, he contends this instruction was
erroneous because “it did not actually rebut any of [TB’s] testimony.” Again,
we disagree.
Rebuttal evidence is evidence that “explain[s], repel[s], counteract[s] or dis-
prove[s] the evidence introduced by the opposing party.” Saferite, 59 M.J. at
274 (citation omitted). The evidence was not required to literally contradict
TB’s testimony in order to rebut it. Evidence of Appellant’s and TB’s mutual
affiliation with Outcast, and of TB’s status as “property” of an Outcast mem-
ber, were relevant to illustrate her potential bias and thereby counteract and
rebut her alibi testimony.
M. Trial Counsel’s Sentencing Argument
1. Additional Background
After the members returned a verdict of guilty, including a unanimous ver-
dict as to premeditated murder, the military judge permitted counsel for each
side to give an opening statement with respect to sentencing. During the Gov-
ernment’s opening statement, senior trial counsel explained the four “deci-
sional points” or “gates” the Government must pass in order for the court mem-
bers to impose the death penalty: a unanimous vote that Appellant was guilty
of premeditated murder; a unanimous vote that the Government had demon-
strated a qualifying aggravating factor beyond a reasonable doubt; a unani-
mous vote that the extenuating and mitigating factors are substantially out-
weighed by the aggravating circumstances; and a unanimous vote to impose
the death penalty.
The Defense’s sentencing case was short. Trial defense counsel introduced
approximately 30 documents related to Appellant’s duty performance and mil-
itary and civilian educational achievements, three letters to Appellant from his
son, ten pages of photographs, a one-page unsworn “Personal Statement”
signed by Appellant, and an approximately 20-minute Defense-produced video
63
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
containing portions of interviews with Appellant, members of Appellant’s im-
mediate family including his son, and former educators of Appellant, as well
as portions of several recorded phone conversations between Appellant and his
son during Appellant’s pretrial confinement. The Defense did not call any wit-
nesses or introduce any character letters. Appellant’s personal statement pri-
marily focused on his relationship with his son. Appellant’s written personal
statement and video-recorded interview did not acknowledge his guilt of the
offenses, express any remorse, apologize to TF’s family or friends, or mention
TF or her unborn child.
After the presentation of evidence and other sentencing matters, counsel
for both parties delivered sentencing arguments. Senior trial counsel’s argu-
ment included the following statements:
We talked yesterday about the four gates. Gate One has already
been met in the unanimous verdict for premeditated murder.
Gate Two, unanimous vote for the existence of the aggravating
factor beyond a reasonable doubt. Members, I submit to you
again that this should be easy for you. The aggravating factor in
this case is that the murder was committed for the purpose of
getting money or a thing of value. And ask yourselves this, has
any other reason for this murder been presented to you? Was
there any other purpose to that act that morning?
Senior trial counsel then discussed the $1 million MetLife insurance policy,
the notice of deficiency from the IRS, and Appellant’s statement to IV on the
day of the murder that there was “a policy.”
Senior trial counsel then proceeded to address the “third gate.” He ad-
dressed potential mitigating and extenuating factors identified in the military
judge’s instructions and argued why they should not sway the members’ deci-
sion. With regard to the duration of Appellant’s pretrial confinement, senior
trial counsel argued:
And what is it you’ve not been presented with? Any evidence
that that 1,264 days has had any impact on him. No evidence
that he’s been rehabilitated during that time. That he’s entered
into any programs there. That he’s done anything while in con-
finement to change his behavior or change his outlook and mind-
set on the world. Nothing.
Senior trial counsel then addressed the Defense’s sentencing evidence:
And you do have before you, the military judge will instruct you
to consider the Defense Exhibits in this case. . . . The defense
presented to you yesterday a 20 minute mitigation case. And
you’re allowed to consider that to ultimately determine how
64
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
much weight to give that. And really, does that provide much
mitigation? I would submit to you that that case is more aggra-
vating than it is mitigating. It’s more aggravating than it is mit-
igating.
Because it shows you that there is no excuse for these actions.
There is nothing. There is nothing in his background. There is
nothing in his life that would explain this. That would give you
some reason to say, “Okay, we can latch on to that. This is why
he committed this evil act. This is why he strayed.” But he grew
up in a loving family.
That [sic] also didn’t present in that mitigation package any let-
ters, any sentencing letters from anyone. Now, [Appellant], in
his video, talked about being part of an All Star team. These
were the best individuals on this team. Where are the letters
from anyone on that team that talks about that performance?
You were presented with nothing.
The Defense did not object to any of these statements at the time they were
made. However, the military judge sustained a defense objection later in the
argument when senior trial counsel implied a death sentence might not ever
be carried out.
As the Government’s argument continued, one of the court members be-
came ill, and as a result the military judge put the court-martial in recess for
two days. During the recess the Defense moved to remove the death penalty as
a possible sentence due to prosecutorial misconduct during senior trial coun-
sel’s sentencing argument. Specifically, the Defense contended senior trial
counsel “improperly argu[ed] a lack of evidence from the [D]efense” with regard
to facts the Government was required to prove to satisfy the second and third
“gates;” conveyed the false impression that Appellant could have participated
in rehabilitative programs during his pretrial confinement; improperly argued
the mitigating factors could actually be weighed as aggravating factors; and
“us[ed] common sense as a pretext to introduce constitutionally impermissible
inferences that a sentence of death would be delayed if it was ever carried out.”
The Defense argued that instructions were an insufficient remedy, and that
removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment was an appropriate
remedy because the errors “all relate[ ] to findings that are only relevant to
determine if death is a possible punishment.” In the alternative, the Defense
requested the military judge declare a mistrial. In response, the Government
argued senior trial counsel correctly described the capital sentencing proce-
dure, made fair comments on the evidence, and did not attempt to shift the
Government’s burden.
65
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
When the court-martial resumed, the military judge discussed the defense
motion with counsel. The military judge denied the Defense’s request to re-
move the death penalty or to declare a mistrial. However, before senior trial
counsel resumed his sentencing argument, the military judge provided the fol-
lowing additional instructions to the court members:
[I]f you look at that second gate, the existence of an aggravating
factor, the burden for that is on the prosecution to prove that
beyond a reasonable doubt, like you heard before when you were
deliberating before on findings. Same standard. I’ll instruct you
on it again. They have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
the aggravating factor exists. And that is on them.
If you go down to that next gate, you got the mitigating factors,
it’s extenuating [sic] and mitigation are substantially out-
weighed by the aggravating circumstances, to include the aggra-
vating factors. So, if you get through the aggravating factor and
you’re down into that third step, you’re going to get a list of ex-
tenuation of mitigation. And you’re seeing that list as the prose-
cutor goes through their argument. You’re going to get a list of
things that you must consider as extenuating and mitigating.
However, the weight that you give each of those is within your
discretion. You have to consider it but, again, you’re going to
have to figure out the weight because you’re going to go through
this, if you get to this third gate, this balancing of aggravating
circumstances and extenuation and mitigating factors. So, it’s
entirely appropriate for the prosecution to talk to you about it
and discuss with you why they don’t believe it’s worth significant
weight, but ultimately the weight you give these circumstances
is within your discretion.
[ ] But you do have to consider them.
2. Law
Improper argument is a question of law that we review de novo. United
States v. Pabelona, 76 M.J. 9, 11 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (quoting United States v. Frey,
73 M.J. 245, 248 (C.A.A.F. 2014)). The “test for improper argument is whether
the argument was erroneous and whether the argument materially prejudiced
the appellant’s substantial rights.” Id. (quoting Frey, 73 M.J. at 248). When
there is no objection at trial, we review the propriety of trial counsel’s argu-
ment for plain error. United States v. Halpin, 71 M.J. 477, 479 (C.A.A.F. 2013)
(citation omitted). To prevail under a plain error analysis, the appellant must
66
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
show “(1) there was an error; (2) it was plain or obvious; and (3) the error ma-
terially prejudiced a substantial right.” United States v. Erickson, 65 M.J. 221,
223 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations omitted).
“Improper argument is one facet of prosecutorial misconduct.” Sewell, 76
M.J. at 18 (citation omitted). “Prosecutorial misconduct occurs when trial coun-
sel ‘overstep[s] the bounds of that propriety and fairness which should charac-
terize the conduct of such an officer in the prosecution of a criminal offense.’”
United States v. Hornback, 73 M.J. 155, 159 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (alteration in orig-
inal) (quoting Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179). “[T]rial counsel may ‘argue the evi-
dence of record, as well as all reasonable inferences fairly derived from such
evidence.’” Halpin, 71 M.J. at 479 (quoting United States v. Baer, 53 M.J. 235,
237 (C.A.A.F. 2000)). “A prosecutorial comment must be examined in light of
its context within the entire court-martial.” United States v. Carter, 61 M.J.
30, 33 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (citation omitted).
We need not determine whether a trial counsel’s comments were in fact
improper if we determine that the error, if any, did not materially prejudice
the appellant’s substantial rights. See Halpin, 71 M.J. at 479–80. “[I]n the con-
text of an allegedly improper sentencing argument, we consider whether ‘trial
counsel’s comments, taken as a whole, were so damaging that we cannot be
confident’ that [the appellant] was sentenced ‘on the basis of the evidence
alone.’” Id. at 480 (alteration in original) (quoting Erickson, 65 M.J. at 224)
(internal quotation marks omitted).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant contends this court should set aside his sentence be-
cause senior trial counsel’s argument “exceeded the bounds of fair comment in
several ways.” Appellant specifically cites three aspects of the Government’s
argument: that the Defense failed to provide a motive for TF’s murder other
than that Appellant did it to obtain money or something of value; that the De-
fense failed to introduce any witness statements in support of Appellant; and
the “false impression” that Appellant had access to rehabilitative programs
during his pretrial confinement. In response, the Government contends senior
trial counsel’s arguments were fair comments on the evidence that did not im-
properly shift the burden, and in the alternative that these comments did not
materially prejudice Appellant.
We find it unnecessary to affirmatively determine whether any of senior
trial counsel’s statements that Appellant cites were in fact improper, and in-
stead resolve the assignment of error on the absence of prejudice. However, we
do find it appropriate to sound a note of caution. To an extent, we agree with
the Government that the substance of senior trial counsel’s remarks were com-
ments on the state of the evidence. However, his decision to repeatedly frame
67
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
his rhetorical questions as whether the court members had been “presented”
with evidence of one type or another was a step into dangerous territory. The
implication was that the Defense was permitted to, yet failed to produce such
evidence. Appellant notes this court has previously (and descriptively) warned:
“Whenever trial counsel chooses to argue that an accused has not ‘shown’ the
sentencing authority something, counsel treads backwards into a mine field in
over-sized galoshes while wearing a blindfold.” United States v. Feddersen, No.
ACM 39072, 2017 CCA LEXIS 567, at *9 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 21 Aug. 2017)
(unpub. op.). Caution is particularly appropriate in the context of a capital sen-
tencing proceeding, where the Government bears special burdens of proof.
Nevertheless, assuming arguendo senior trial counsel erred, we find Appel-
lant was not prejudiced by the errors. Several factors lead to this conclusion.
First, we find the severity of the alleged misconduct was low. See Halpin,
71 M.J. at 480 (citing Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 184). The statements Appellant cites
were brief comments in a sentencing argument that lasted over an hour. In
general, senior trial counsel correctly articulated the applicable capital sen-
tencing procedures and the Government’s burden of proof.
Second, the military judge gave additional instructions in the midst of the
Government’s argument to ensure the court members were not confused about
the Government’s burden or the sentencing procedures. See id. (citing Fletcher,
62 M.J. at 184).
Third, the alleged errors primarily related to whether the Government had
met the requirements for the imposition of the death penalty, and the court-
martial did not sentence Appellant to death. The Defense’s motion at trial
acknowledged as much in seeking, as a primary remedy, to have the death
penalty removed as a sentencing option.
Fourth, the court members’ sentencing options were limited. If the court
members did not impose the death penalty, Appellant faced a mandatory min-
imum term of confinement for life; the only other confinement option was con-
finement for life without the possibility of parole. We are entirely confident the
alleged errors played no role in the imposition of Appellant’s dishonorable dis-
charge, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and reprimand, nor
in the imposition of confinement for life without, rather than with, the possi-
bility of parole.
Fifth, the Defense’s sentencing case was comparatively weak, and the Gov-
ernment’s sentencing case was comparatively strong, including testimony from
several friends and relatives of the victim. The preeminent question during
sentencing was whether or not the court members would impose the death pen-
alty. They did not.
68
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Accordingly, we are confident Appellant was sentenced on the basis of the
evidence alone, and that senior trial counsel’s allegedly improper comments
did not affect the outcome of the sentencing proceeding.
N. Post-Trial Delay
1. Additional Background 21
Appellant was sentenced on 22 February 2017. The court reporters com-
pleted transcribing the proceedings on 30 May 2017, and the wing legal office
received the military judge’s authentication of the record on 23 June 2017. The
wing legal office completed assembling the eight copies of the record on 25 Sep-
tember 2017, and the convening authority’s legal office received its copy two
days later. The record consists of 44 volumes, including 4,317 pages of tran-
script and a total of 681 Prosecution, Defense, and Appellate Exhibits compris-
ing several thousand pages in addition to numerous discs of recordings and
digital information. The convening authority’s staff judge advocate (SJA)
signed the SJAR on 8 November 2017 after members of the SJA’s staff re-
viewed the entire record and identified more than 20 corrections. The record
was served on Appellant on 15 November 2017. The Defense submitted clem-
ency matters on 25 November 2017, including 114 assertions of legal error; one
of the alleged errors was violation of Appellant’s right to speedy post-trial re-
view. The SJA signed the SJAR addendum on 19 December 2017, 22 and the
convening authority took action on 20 December 2017, 301 days after sentenc-
ing.
The record was docketed with this court on 10 January 2018, 21 days after
action. Thereafter, the Defense requested and was granted 20 enlargements of
time (EOTs) in which to file Appellant’s assignments of error. Appellant was
initially represented by Captain (CAPT) Mizer, who continued his representa-
tion despite being involuntarily mobilized in May 2018 to serve as defense
21 This additional background is based in part on information contained in the record
of trial, including a memorandum attached to the SJAR signed by the wing staff judge
advocate (SJA) which details the progress of the post-trial process until delivery of the
record to the convening authority’s SJA. In addition, we have considered a sworn dec-
laration from Captain TS, a member of the convening authority’s SJA’s staff, which
was submitted by the Government and describes the post-trial process after the record
was received by the convening authority’s SJA. We understand that we are permitted
to consider matters from outside the record of trial when necessary to resolve issues
raised by materials in the record of trial. See Jessie, 79 M.J. at 442–44.
22 With respect to post-trial delay, the SJA opined that the time taken to assemble,
ship, and review the record was reasonable given the size of the record of trial.
69
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
counsel for military commissions. CAPT Mizer was joined in November 2018
by Major (later Mr.) Bruegger. Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Ortiz also served as
an appellate defense counsel for Appellant between 16 May 2019 and 30 Sep-
tember 2019. CAPT Mizer withdrew as Appellant’s counsel in February 2020
after he was mobilized a second time, and ultimately Mr. Bruegger alone filed
Appellant’s assignments of error on 1 June 2020. 23 The Government filed its
answer brief on 31 July 2020 after this court granted it one 30-day EOT. The
Defense filed Appellant’s reply brief on 18 August 2020.
2. Law
“We review de novo claims that an appellant has been denied the due pro-
cess right to a speedy post-trial review and appeal.” United States v. Moreno,
63 M.J. 129, 135 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (citations omitted). In Moreno, the CAAF es-
tablished a presumption of facially unreasonable delay where the convening
authority does not take action within 120 days of sentencing, where the record
of trial is not docketed with the Court of Criminal Appeals within 30 days of
the convening authority’s action, and where the court does not issue its deci-
sion within 18 months of docketing. Id. at 142. Where there is such a facially
unreasonable delay, we consider the four non-exclusive factors identified in
Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972), to assess whether Appellant’s due
process right to timely post-trial and appellate review has been violated: “(1)
the length of the delay; (2) the reasons for the delay; (3) the appellant’s asser-
tion of the right to timely review and appeal; and (4) prejudice.” Moreno, 63
M.J. at 135 (citing United States v. Jones, 61 M.J. 80, 83 (C.A.A.F. 2005);
Toohey v. United States, 60 M.J. 100, 102 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (per curiam)). “No
single factor is required for finding a due process violation and the absence of
a given factor will not prevent such a finding.” Id. at 136 (citing Barker, 407
U.S. at 533).
However, where there is no qualifying prejudice from the delay, there is no
due process violation unless the delay is so egregious as to “adversely affect the
public’s perception of the fairness and integrity of the military justice system.”
United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2006). In Moreno, the CAAF
identified three interests protected by an appellant’s due process right to
timely post-trial review: (1) preventing oppressive incarceration; (2) minimiz-
ing anxiety and concern; and (3) avoiding impairment of the appellant’s
grounds for appeal and ability to present a defense at a rehearing. 63 M.J. at
138–39 (citations omitted).
23 The history of Appellant’s representation on appeal is addressed in more detail in
relation to the next assignment of error, infra.
70
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
3. Analysis
Two periods of delay were facially unreasonable under Moreno: the delay
between sentencing and action, and the delay between docketing and the issu-
ance of this court’s opinion. Accordingly, we consider each period of delay in
light of the Barker factors.
a. Sentence to Action Delay
i) Length of Delay
The 301 days that elapsed between sentencing and action substantially ex-
ceeded Moreno’s 120-day threshold for a facially unreasonable post-trial delay.
We find this factor favors Appellant.
ii) Reasons for Delay
We find the reasons for the delay favor the Government. The record of this
capital murder trial is unusually large, as described above. Moreover, although
the court reporters began transcribing the preliminary motions hearings well
in advance of the trial, the bulk of the transcript was from the approximately
six-week period between 9 January 2017 and 22 February 2017 when the trial
occurred. The Government involved multiple court reporters in transcribing
the proceedings in order to speed the process. Under the circumstances, we
find completion of the transcript by 30 May 2017 and receiving the military
judge’s authentication by 23 June 2017 were not unreasonable. Similarly, we
find the time taken to accurately create and assemble eight copies of the 44-
volume, 681-exhibit record was not unreasonable.
Nor do we find the processing of the case at the office of the convening au-
thority’s SJA to be unreasonably dilatory. In most cases, 42 days to review the
record and prepare and sign the SJAR would be unreasonable. However, the
size of the record in this case warranted a significant amount of time for re-
view. Similarly, 24 days to prepare the SJAR addendum after receiving clem-
ency matters was not unreasonable given that the SJA responded to 114 al-
leged legal errors, albeit in cursory fashion for the vast majority of them.
In short, although the delay was facially unreasonable, the unusual size
and complexity of the record justified the time taken to thoroughly and accu-
rately process the case.
iii) Demand for Speedy Post-Trial Review
Appellant, through counsel, asserted his right to speedy post-trial review
on the record immediately after the sentence was announced. The Defense re-
asserted Appellant’s right to speedy post-trial review in his clemency submis-
sion. Accordingly the Government concedes, and we find, this factor favors Ap-
pellant.
71
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
iv) Prejudice
We do not find Appellant suffered prejudice to any of the three interests
the CAAF identified in Moreno as a result of the delay between sentencing and
action. Where, as in this case, the appellant has not prevailed on the substan-
tive grounds of his appeal, there is no oppressive incarceration. Id. at 139. Sim-
ilarly, where Appellant’s substantive appeal fails, his ability to present a de-
fense at a rehearing is not impaired. See id. at 140. Moreover, we cannot per-
ceive, and Appellant does not articulate, how the substantive grounds for his
appeal have been impaired.
With respect to anxiety and concern, the CAAF has explained “the appro-
priate test for the military justice system is to require an appellant to show
particularized anxiety or concern that is distinguishable from the normal anx-
iety experienced by prisoners awaiting an appellate decision.” Id. at 140. Ap-
pellant cites the fact that CAPT Mizer ultimately withdrew from representing
Appellant due to being involuntarily mobilized a second time, after Appellant
approved numerous EOTs in order to retain CAPT Mizer as his lead counsel.
We are not persuaded. First, as we discuss in more detail below in relation to
the next assignment of error, an appellant before a Court of Criminal Appeals
does not have the right to select his detailed appellate counsel. See 10 U.S.C.
§ 870; compare 10 U.S.C. § 838(b)(3)(B); see also United States v. Patterson, 46
C.M.R. 157, 161–62 (C.M.A. 1973); United States v. Jennings, 42 M.J. 764, 766
(C.G. Ct. Crim. App. 1995) (“[A]ppellate defense counsel is detailed by the
Judge Advocate General, or his designee, pursuant to Article 70, UCMJ and
the appellant has no right to request a particular individual to represent
him.”). In other words, during the period of post-trial delay Appellant had no
entitlement to have CAPT Mizer detailed to represent him on appeal, and no
right to request him if he was not. Second, CAPT Mizer’s ultimate unavailabil-
ity was not caused by, and did not exist during, the post-trial delay preceding
the convening authority’s action, but occurred due to subsequent events. Ac-
cordingly, we are not persuaded Appellant’s anxiety and concern during the
post-trial process was distinguishable from that of other appellants serving
confinement pursuant to their adjudged sentences.
v) Conclusion with Regard to Sentence to Action Delay
Having weighed the applicable factors, we find the 301-day delay between
sentencing and action was not a violation of Appellant’s due process rights. In
the absence of prejudice cognizable under Moreno, under the circumstances we
find the delay was not so egregious as to “adversely affect the public’s percep-
tion of the fairness and integrity of the military justice system.” Toohey, 63
M.J. at 362. Moreover, assuming arguendo that Appellant’s later anxiety and
concern regarding CAPT Mizer is attributable to the post-trial delay, and
weighing that factor in Appellant’s favor, we would still find no due process
72
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
violation because the reasons for the delay is the decisive factor in this case.
The delay, although facially unreasonable, was justified by the size and com-
plexity of the record, and the need to address Appellant’s multitude of alleged
legal errors. Where the Government’s actions are not actually unreasonable,
under the particular circumstances of this case, in the absence of oppressive
incarceration or prejudice to Appellant’s ability to defend himself at a retrial
or on appeal, we do not find a violation of his constitutional rights.
Furthermore, recognizing our authority under Article 66(c), UCMJ, 10
U.S.C. § 866(c), we have also considered whether relief for excessive post-trial
delay is appropriate in this case even in the absence of a due process violation.
See United States v. Tardif, 57 M.J. 219, 225 (C.A.A.F. 2002). After considering
the factors enumerated in United States v. Gay, 74 M.J. 736, 742 (A.F. Ct.
Crim. App. 2015), aff’d, 75 M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F. 2016), we conclude no such relief
is warranted.
b. Appellate Delay
i) Length of Delay
The approximately 41 months that elapsed between docketing and issuance
of this court’s opinion substantially exceeded Moreno’s 18-month standard for
facially unreasonable delay. We find the length of the delay favors Appellant.
ii) Reasons for Delay
The reasons for the delay strongly favor the Government. The vast majority
of the delay is attributable to the 20 EOTs this court granted at the Defense’s
request, often over the Government’s objection. Appellant contends these EOTs
were driven by CAPT Mizer’s unavailability due to his involuntary mobiliza-
tion, and therefore responsibility for the delay should be attributed to the party
responsible for CAPT Mizer’s unavailability—the Government. We disagree.
Appellant was not entitled to select or even request a specific detailed ap-
pellate defense counsel. We do not discount the significance of the attorney-
client relationship once it is formed. However, whether the Government im-
properly interfered with Appellant’s attorney-client relationships is a separate
issue which we consider below; for reasons we explain there, we conclude in
this case there was good cause for CAPT Mizer’s withdrawal from representa-
tion and no indication of a Government purpose to sever that relationship.
With respect to the delay, with Appellant’s concurrence the Defense sought to
delay filing his assignments of error, and this court consistently granted the
EOTs in order to accommodate the Defense. Appellant complains he “will never
receive the benefit of his bargain,” but we are not aware of any “bargain”—only
a desire that CAPT Mizer would eventually be available to work on his appeal.
73
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
The period of delay that is attributable to the Government was justified.
The Government received one 30-day EOT in which to file its 239-page answer
brief. This was entirely reasonable given the size and complexity of the record
and the number of issues Appellant has raised. We note that six different gov-
ernment appellate counsel have signed the Government’s answer brief, sug-
gesting the Government dedicated considerable effort to prepare its brief as
expeditiously as possible.
In addition, the length of time attributable to this court’s review is also
reasonable. We have already commented on the extraordinary size of the rec-
ord. In addition, Appellant has raised 26 distinct issues which we have care-
fully considered. This court is releasing its opinion approximately 12 months
after receiving Appellant’s assignments of error and 10 months after receiving
the Government’s answer. Under the circumstances, the court has not unrea-
sonably delayed its review of the case.
iii) Demand for Speedy Appellate Review
Because Appellant repeatedly invoked his right to speedy post-trial pro-
cessing, we find this factor weighs in his favor. However, its significance with
respect to the delay in appellate review is greatly diminished by the Defense’s
20 motions for EOT specifically requesting delay.
iv) Prejudice
As noted above, because Appellant has not prevailed on his appeal, he has
suffered no oppressive incarceration or prejudice to his ability to defend him-
self at a rehearing, nor do we perceive any impairment to the substantive
grounds for his appeal. With regard to particularized anxiety or concern, such
concern is not attributable to the delays which the Defense itself requested,
but to the unavailability of CAPT Mizer to prepare his case, which is a distinct
matter. We do not find particularized anxiety or concern related to the periods
of delay after June 2020, at which point CAPT Mizer had already withdrawn,
which are attributable to the Government and to the court.
v) Conclusion with Regard to Appellate Delay
Having weighed the applicable factors, we find the approximately 41-
month delay between docketing and issuance of the court’s opinion did not vi-
olate Appellant’s due process rights. Under the circumstances, the most deci-
sive factor is the reason for the delay, specifically the 20 Defense-requested
EOTs which delayed the filing of Appellant’s assignments of error until 1 June
2020. Although we find no cognizable prejudice, even if we assume arguendo
Appellant experienced some particularized anxiety and concern from the delay
regarding CAPT Mizer’s unavailability to work on his appeal, we would still
find no due process violation.
74
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
In addition, we have considered whether relief for excessive post-trial delay
is appropriate in the absence of a due process violation; we conclude it is not.
See Tardif, 57 M.J. at 225; Gay, 74 M.J. at 742.
O. Interference with Appellant’s Attorney-Client Relationships
1. Additional Background
Appellant’s record of trial was docketed with this court on 10 January 2018.
As noted above, the record of trial consisted of 44 volumes, including 4,317
pages of transcript and a total of 681 prosecution, defense, and appellate ex-
hibits.
Prior to his trial, Appellant requested CAPT Mizer be appointed as his trial
defense counsel based upon CAPT Mizer’s experience with capital litigation.
CAPT Mizer was a civilian Air Force attorney assigned to the Appellate De-
fense Division, as well as a reserve judge advocate in the United States Navy. 24
This request, however, was denied, and Appellant was represented at trial by
other detailed military defense counsel.
On appeal, Appellant was initially represented by CAPT Mizer. Over gov-
ernment opposition, this court granted the Defense’s first motion for a 60-day
enlargement of time (EOT) in which to file Appellant’s assignments of error
until 9 May 2018. On 9 May 2018, CAPT Mizer submitted a second motion for
EOT, this time requesting an enlargement of 180 days. CAPT Mizer explained
that on 30 March 2018 the Secretary of Defense had approved CAPT Mizer’s
involuntary activation for a period of two years beginning 14 May 2018 in order
to serve as defense counsel to the Chief Defense Counsel for Military Commis-
sions in the case of United States v. Al-Nashiri. CAPT Mizer indicated he be-
lieved he might still be able to complete his review of Appellant’s case by the
summer of 2019, as he had originally anticipated. The Government opposed
the EOT. In accordance with Rule 23.3(m)(3) of this court’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure, this court granted an enlargement of 30 days until 8 June 2018.
A.F. CT. CRIM. APP. R. 23(m)(3) (amended 19 May 2017).
CAPT Mizer submitted six more 30-day motions for EOT, which this court
granted, extending the Defense’s filing deadline until 6 December 2018. Over
the course of three status conferences held during that period, CAPT Mizer
indicated that United States v. Al-Nashiri was his first priority and, other than
communicating with Appellant, he had made minimal progress in reviewing
Appellant’s record.
24 For consistency and clarity, throughout the opinion we refer to CAPT Mizer using
his Navy grade.
75
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
In November 2018, Major (Maj) Bruegger was assigned as an additional
appellate defense counsel for Appellant. Maj Bruegger submitted the Defense’s
ninth motion for EOT, which indicated that CAPT Mizer would remain on the
case and “still project[ed] to complete briefing on this case by summer of 2019
depending on his litigation of other assigned matters.” However, CAPT Mizer
was actively involved in Al-Nashiri and continued to prepare briefs for other
Air Force appellants as well. The court granted the EOT until 5 January 2019
over the Government’s opposition. This was followed by tenth and eleventh
motions for EOT, which this court also granted.
On 4 February 2019, the Defense moved to “dismiss this case without prej-
udice” on the grounds of actual and apparent bias of the military judge. 25 The
Government opposed the motion. This court denied the motion without preju-
dice to Appellant’s ability to raise the issue in his assignments of error; this
court also denied a subsequent motion to reconsider its ruling.
A motion for a twelfth EOT on 27 February 2019 resulted in another status
conference. The Defense reported CAPT Mizer’s work at the military commis-
sions had expanded beyond Al-Nashiri, a development which could result in
delays beyond the previously anticipated summer 2019 completion date; nev-
ertheless, Appellant wanted to retain CAPT Mizer as counsel and agreed to
the delay. In addition, by this point Maj Bruegger had separated from the Air
Force, but he remained assigned to the Appellate Defense Division (JAJA) as
a civilian Air Force attorney and continued to represent Appellant. Like CAPT
Mizer, now-Mr. Bruegger continued to work on other cases; he estimated he
would complete his review of Appellant’s record in May 2019. This court
granted the twelfth EOT, as well as the Defense’s thirteenth EOT requested
the following month. By that time, Mr. Bruegger reported he had reviewed 750
pages of the 4,317-page transcript.
On 5 April 2019, citing this court’s “broad powers” to “ensure the timely
progress of cases reviewed under Article 66[, UCMJ],” United States v. Roach,
66 M.J. 410, 418 (C.A.A.F. 2008) (citation omitted), in light of appellate defense
counsel’s limited progress in reviewing the record, this court ordered counsel
for both parties to show good cause as to why this court should not request The
Judge Advocate General (TJAG) to direct the assignment of additional or sub-
stitute appellate defense counsel. In response, the Government requested this
court inform Appellant of his rights to counsel, determine whether Appellant
desired to continue to be represented by CAPT Mizer and/or Mr. Bruegger, and
then request TJAG assign additional or substitute counsel in accordance with
Appellant’s wishes. The Defense responded that Appellant was aware of the
25 The basis for this motion was substantially the same as for Appellant’s assignment
of error relating to the military judge’s alleged bias, addressed supra.
76
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
delays and wanted to continue to be represented by CAPT Mizer and Mr.
Bruegger, and opposed the appointment of substitute or additional appellate
defense counsel. On 3 May 2019, this court issued an order requesting TJAG
appoint additional counsel to represent Appellant.
The Government subsequently informed the court that Lt Col Ortiz had
been detailed as an additional appellate defense counsel for Appellant on 16
May 2019. 26 Lt Col Ortiz was a reserve Air Force judge advocate previously
assigned to JAJA on extended Military Personnel Appropriation (MPA) active
duty orders which were scheduled to end on 30 September 2019. Lt Col Ortiz
filed a written notice of appearance on behalf of Appellant on 1 July 2019. How-
ever, like CAPT Mizer and Mr. Bruegger, Lt Col Ortiz was also assigned to
other cases which, in addition to other roles within JAJA, consumed the lion’s
share of his time and attention.
At the Defense’s request, this court granted motions for a fifteenth, six-
teenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth EOT after more status conferences and
over government opposition. At status conferences, appellate defense counsel
related that CAPT Mizer’s activation was scheduled to end in early March
2020. The Defense affirmed Appellant wanted CAPT Mizer to continue to rep-
resent him, agreed to the requested EOTs, and understood the EOT requests
would extend into 2020. The Defense anticipated it might be able to submit
Appellant’s assignments of error in April 2020.
JAJA requested to have Lt Col Ortiz’s MPA orders extended beyond 30 Sep-
tember 2019, but they were not. On 19 September 2019, the Defense submitted
to this court a petition for extraordinary relief in the nature of a writ of prohi-
bition, essentially seeking to have this court require the Government to extend
Lt Col Ortiz’s MPA orders. This court denied the petition on 4 October 2019.
In re Wilson, Misc. Dkt. No. 2019-05, 2019 CCA LEXIS 390 (A.F. Ct. Crim.
App. 4 Oct. 2019) (order). 27 At the time Lt Col Ortiz’s active duty orders ended
on 30 September 2019 he had read approximately 1,500 pages of the 4,317-
page transcript.
On 1 October 2019, this court granted a nineteenth EOT until 30 April 2020
and stated further EOT requests would “not be granted absent extraordinary
circumstances.” In addition, this court ordered the Defense to provide the court
with monthly written updates on each appellate defense counsel’s progress in
reviewing the record. As of the 4 December 2019 update, Mr. Bruegger had
26 Evidently, Lt Col Ortiz had been detailed by the chief of JAJA.
27 The CAAF denied Appellant’s writ-appeal petition on this matter on 22 November
2019. Wilson v. JAG of the Air Force, 79 M.J. 322 (C.A.A.F. 2019).
77
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
reviewed the entire record of trial. However, as of 6 January 2020, CAPT Mizer
had still not completed his review of the transcript.
On 21 February 2020, CAPT Mizer moved to withdraw as Appellant’s coun-
sel. CAPT Mizer explained that although he had expected to be demobilized
and return to duty at JAJA in early March 2020, the military judge in Al-
Nashiri had denied CAPT Mizer’s motion to withdraw as counsel in that case
over the defendant’s objection. Thereafter, the United States Navy ordered
CAPT Mizer’s indefinite recall to active duty and required him to report to the
Military Commissions Defense Organization on 2 March 2020. CAPT Mizer
“respectfully submit[ted] that his indefinite recall to active duty constitute[d]
good cause to sever his attorney-client relationship with the Appellant,” in
spite of Appellant’s opposition. The Government also requested this court
grant the motion to withdraw. This court granted the motion on 17 March
2020.
On 23 April 2020, Mr. Bruegger moved for a twentieth EOT, citing in part
obstacles in communicating with Appellant due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This court granted the EOT, and Mr. Bruegger ultimately filed Appellant’s 26
assignments of error on 1 June 2020, signing the brief as Appellant’s sole ap-
pellate defense counsel.
2. Law
“We review issues affecting the severance of an attorney-client relationship
de novo.” United States v. Barnes, 63 M.J. 563, 565 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2006)
(citation omitted).
“The attorney-client relationship may be broken over defense objection
when there is ‘good cause’ to sever it. . . . Such determinations are necessarily
fact specific.” Id. (citations omitted). “Although separation from active duty
normally terminates representation, highly contextual circumstances may
warrant an exception from this general guidance in a particular case.” United
States v. Hutchins, 69 M.J. 282, 290–91 (C.A.A.F. 2011).
Sixth Amendment rights to counsel are strictly trial rights; “[t]he Sixth
Amendment does not include any right to appeal.” Martinez v. Court of Ap-
peals, 528 U.S. 152, 160 (2000). The right to appeal in criminal cases “is purely
a creature of statute.” Id. (quoting Abney v. United States, 431 U.S. 651, 656
(1977)). An appellant before a Court of Criminal Appeals has the right to be
represented by detailed counsel, but does not have the right to select his de-
tailed appellate counsel. See 10 U.S.C. § 870; compare 10 U.S.C. § 838(b)(3)(B)
(providing that an accused may be represented at a general or special court-
martial “by military counsel of his own selection if that counsel is reasonably
available”); see also Jennings, 42 M.J. at 766.
78
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the Government improperly severed his attorney-client
relationships with both Lt Col Ortiz and CAPT Mizer, and thereby prejudi-
cially infringed his right to appellate counsel. We address each contention in
turn. As an initial matter, we note the question is not whether the Government
improperly interfered with Appellant’s choice of counsel; Appellant had no en-
forceable right to request a specific detailed counsel under Article 70, UCMJ.
The question is whether there was good cause for the termination of two of
Appellant’s existing attorney-client relationships, an inquiry which is neces-
sarily fact-specific.
a. Lt Col Ortiz
Appellant contends the Government improperly terminated his attorney-
client relationship with Lt Col Ortiz when it failed to extend his active duty
MPA orders. He cites United States v. Spriggs for the principle that “[a]lthough
there may be a ‘financial, logistical, [or] . . . administrative burden’ associated
with providing representation by the military counsel with whom an accused
has formed an attorney-client relationship, ‘it is the duty and obligation of the
Government to shoulder that burden where possible.’” 52 M.J. 235, 240
(C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting United States v. Eason, 45 C.M.R. 109, 114 (C.M.A.
1972)). Appellant argues the Government shirked its obligation to maintain
his relationship with Lt Col Ortiz because it could have continued his active
duty status, but it simply chose to allocate the limited pool of MPA days to
other priorities.
We are not persuaded. The point of departure for our analysis is that “sep-
aration from active duty normally terminates representation . . . .” Hutchins,
69 M.J. at 290–91. Spriggs does not hold to the contrary. The context for the
CAAF’s quotation of Eason in Spriggs was not the trial defense counsel’s sep-
aration from active duty, but the transfer of the appellant and the proceedings
from Vietnam, where the attorney-client relationship was formed, to the
United States, which caused the defense counsel to be absent from the trial.
Eason, 45 C.M.R. at 109–11. In contrast, the instant case does not involve the
relatively routine “[s]light expense or inconvenience” of traveling a military
defense counsel from one location to another to participate in a trial. Id. at 114.
Appellant contends The Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps was required
to reprioritize its MPA allocations and, in effect, its missions in order to enable
Lt Col Ortiz’s continued participation as a third detailed appellate defense
counsel, which is a different matter entirely.
Moreover, through no apparent fault of his own, Lt Col Ortiz was always a
problematic choice as an additional counsel for Appellant. At the time of his
detailing, it was known his MPA orders lasted only until 30 September 2019,
79
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
and that there was no guarantee they would be extended. Moreover, Lt Col
Ortiz already had a number of other clients whose appeals he continued to
prepare after he was detailed to Appellant’s case. Given the size of the record
and the minimal progress CAPT Mizer and Mr. Bruegger had been able to
make, it was obvious Appellant’s assignments of error would not be prepared
before Lt Col Ortiz’s MPA orders expired. As events transpired, Lt Col Ortiz
read only 1,500 pages of transcript in the four-and-a-half months he was de-
tailed to Appellant’s case, for an estimated average of less than 20 pages per
duty day. Whatever considerations led JAJA to detail Lt Col Ortiz, rather than
any of several active duty appellate defense counsel, to Appellant’s case, we
are not inclined to require that decision to wag the proverbial dog of JAG
Corps-wide MPA allocations.
Other considerations in this fact-specific inquiry weigh against Appellant’s
argument. Appellant does not allege, and we find no indication, that Lt Col
Ortiz’s orders were not extended for the purpose of interfering with Appellant’s
attorney-client relationship. Moreover, after Lt Col Ortiz’s MPA orders ex-
pired, Appellant continued to be represented by two experienced appellate de-
fense counsel whose representation of Appellant substantially antedated
Lt Col Ortiz’s involvement. In addition, we note that before Lt Col Ortiz was
detailed, Appellant through CAPT Mizer and Mr. Bruegger opposed the ap-
pointment of any additional counsel to represent Appellant. In light of the lim-
ited progress Lt Col Ortiz had made in Appellant’s case, his departure after 30
September 2019 did not materially prejudice the preparation of the appeal.
Accordingly, we find the expiration of Lt Col Ortiz’s MPA orders on 30 Sep-
tember 2019 constituted good cause for the termination of his attorney-client
relationship with Appellant.
b. CAPT Mizer
Appellant contends the Government “actively removed” CAPT Mizer as Ap-
pellant’s counsel without good cause by mobilizing him to participate as de-
fense counsel in the Military Commissions, most notably the defense of Al-
Nashiri. Appellant concedes “the Government’s interest in prosecuting an al-
leged terrorist is significant,” but contends that protecting his right to chal-
lenge his convictions and sentence is also significant. Appellant argues CAPT
Mizer’s role was particularly important because he was the lead appellate de-
fense counsel, and the only counsel with capital murder litigation experience.
Ultimately, CAPT Mizer himself moved to withdraw from the case, citing
his reactivation for active duty in March 2020 as good cause for the motion.
However, we recognize this motion, opposed by Appellant himself, was driven
by decisions the Government made that rendered CAPT Mizer’s continued par-
80
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
ticipation impractical. Accordingly, we have assessed whether good cause ex-
isted for the involuntary termination of the attorney-client relationship. Hav-
ing again made a fact-specific inquiry of the circumstances, we conclude there
was good cause.
We note that the Government’s activation of CAPT Mizer in May 2018 and
again in March 2020 was due to the specific requirement for CAPT Mizer’s
participation as defense counsel in Al-Nashiri. CAPT Mizer had previously es-
tablished an attorney-client relationship with Al-Nashiri. On 17 November
2017, the military judge in Al-Nashiri 28 denied a defense motion to abate the
proceedings in that case, but refused to sever CAPT Mizer’s attorney-client re-
lationship with the accused and ordered the Government to provide “weekly
updates on the status of the Convening Authority’s efforts to recall [CAPT]
Mizer to serve as learned counsel in this case.” CAPT Mizer’s activation was
evidently necessary in order to continue the prosecution of Al-Nashiri in ac-
cordance with the military judge’s order. Similarly, as CAPT Mizer related in
his 21 February 2020 motion to withdraw, the military judge in Al-Nashiri
denied CAPT Mizer’s motion to withdraw as counsel in that case over the ac-
cused’s objection. Furthermore, the military judge indicated the commission
would “favorably consider any request to cancel pending sessions so long as
CAPT Mizer’s participation is foreclosed by the failure of the Department of
Defense to definitively resolve his continuing military status.” Again, CAPT
Mizer’s specific participation and activation were evidently necessary in order
to continue the case.
In contrast to CAPT Mizer’s role as learned counsel in the capital prosecu-
tion of Al-Nashiri, learned appellate counsel was not uniquely required in Ap-
pellant’s case. Article 70, UCMJ, entitled Appellant to competent representa-
tion by a qualified counsel, and he received that from Mr. Bruegger. Appellant
was not entitled to retain CAPT Mizer where good cause existed to terminate
CAPT Mizer’s representation. Good cause may have existed to terminate that
representation upon CAPT Mizer’s initial activation beginning in May 2018.
We recognize CAPT Mizer endeavored to continue representing Appellant and
a number of his other JAJA clients during his activation. This court accommo-
dated that effort and Appellant’s desire to retain CAPT Mizer’s representation
by granting many extensions of time, often after holding status conferences
and usually over the Government’s objection. CAPT Mizer initially hoped to be
able to file Appellant’s assignments of error in the summer of 2019 notwith-
standing his activation; later, he estimated he could do it by the end of April
2020 after he returned to JAJA in early March 2020. Ultimately, in light of his
28 At the time, the military judge in Al-Nashiri was the same military judge who pre-
sided at Appellant’s court-martial.
81
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
reactivation, it became apparent that CAPT Mizer simply could not effectively
serve as Appellant’s counsel. It is notable that, so far as the record discloses,
in approximately two years as Appellant’s counsel, CAPT Mizer never com-
pleted reviewing the trial transcript, much less the entire record.
Appellant contends he was prejudiced by the extraordinary delay in this
court’s review of his case, which he attributes to the Government’s interference
with his representation by CAPT Mizer. Appellant’s entitlement to relief for
post-trial and appellate delay is a separate issue addressed above; the causes
and effects of the delay are appropriately considered there. However, Appellant
further contends that as a result of the Government’s actions, at the time his
brief was filed he was represented by only one counsel. Yet one counsel is all
Appellant is entitled to. More importantly, we note Mr. Bruegger was added to
the defense team in November 2018, and had more than 18 months to thor-
oughly familiarize himself with Appellant’s case before filing the assignments
of error on 1 June 2020. This court has granted an extraordinary number of
EOTs in order to ensure the Defense had adequate time to prepare the appeal.
Appellant’s brief is robust and well-prepared, as the length of this opinion at-
tests, and includes ten issues Appellant personally asserts pursuant to United
States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982). Moreover, Appellant has not
indicated any issue or matter that his counsel lacked the time to adequately
prepare in the assignments of error and the reply to the Government’s answer.
Accordingly, we find that CAPT Mizer’s reactivation for active duty in
March 2020 to serve as defense counsel in Al-Nashiri constituted good cause
for his withdrawal from Appellant’s case.
P. Appellant’s IMDC Request for Mr. BM
1. Additional Background
On 3 November 2016, Appellant requested that CAPT Mizer be appointed
as his trial defense counsel. The request cited CAPT Mizer’s experience as ap-
pellate defense counsel in three capital courts-martial, and as detailed military
defense counsel in two capital military commissions prosecutions. Appellant’s
request acknowledged that at the time of the request CAPT Mizer was an Air
Force civilian attorney assigned to JAJA, and therefore his appointment as an
IMDC was specifically prohibited by R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D). 29 However, Appel-
lant’s request expressed the hope that the convening authority would find the
29 At the time, as described in relation to Appellant’s assignment of error regarding
interference with his appellate representation, supra, CAPT Mizer was also a reserve
judge advocate in the United States Navy.
82
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Eighth Amendment barred application of this rule in the context of a capital
prosecution. 30 The convening authority denied the request on 16 November
2016, citing R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D).
On 18 November 2016, the Defense submitted a motion requesting the mil-
itary judge require CAPT Mizer’s appointment as Appellant’s trial defense
counsel. The Defense contended R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D) was “void” because it con-
flicted with Article 38, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 838, and “violate[d] a capital ac-
cused’s rights to counsel in violation of the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amend-
ments.” However, the Defense acknowledged the CAAF had previously rejected
claims that learned counsel were required in military capital cases, and that
the military judge had denied a separate prior motion for the appointment of
learned counsel. 31 The Government opposed the motion.
The military judge denied the defense motion in a written ruling dated 20
December 2016. The military judge found the convening authority did not
abuse his discretion in denying the IMDC request. The military judge further
found no support for the Defense’s claim that R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D) conflicted
with Article 38, UCMJ, and found the rule was consistent with the statute.
2. Law
“We will examine the denial of the requested counsel and its review for an
abuse of discretion.” United States v. Anderson, 36 M.J. 963, 973 (A.F.C.M.R.
1993), aff’d, 39 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1994) (citing United States v. Quinones, 50
C.M.R. 476, 480 (C.M.A. 1975)) (additional citations omitted). 32
30 See United States v. Loving, 62 M.J. 235, 236 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (“‘Death is different’ is
a fundamental principle of Eighth Amendment law.”) (citing Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S.
584, 605–06 (2002); United States v. Curtis, 32 M.J. 252, 255 (C.M.A. 1991)).
31 See Akbar, 74 M.J. at 399 (citing United States v. Gray, 51 M.J. 1, 54 (C.A.A.F. 1999);
United States v. Curtis, 44 M.J. 106, 127 (C.A.A.F. 1996); United States v. Loving, 41
M.J. 213, 300 (C.A.A.F. 1994)).
32 Appellant cites Spriggs for the proposition that “[t]he ruling of a military judge on
an IMC request . . . is a mixed question of fact and law,” which appellate courts review
de novo and for clear error, respectively. 52 M.J. at 244. However, in Spriggs the CAAF
did not purport to overrule its recent decision in United States v. Calhoun where the
CAAF stated that it “review[ed] decisions pertaining to requests for counsel for abuse
of discretion.” 49 M.J. 485, 487 (C.A.A.F. 1998) (citing Anderson, 36 M.J. at 973). We
further note that Spriggs specifically involved a factual issue as to whether an attor-
ney-client relationship had been formed, and that our review has disclosed no subse-
quent decision of the CAAF or this court that reviewed a military judge’s ruling on an
IMDC request as a mixed question of law and fact. Cf. United States v. Richards, No.
ACM 38346, 2016 CCA LEXIS 285, at *172 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2 May 2016) (unpub.
83
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Article 38(b), UCMJ, provides that an accused at a general or special court-
martial has the right to be represented by civilian counsel provided by the ac-
cused, by detailed military counsel, or “by military counsel of his own selection
if that counsel is reasonably available (as determined under regulations pre-
scribed under paragraph (7)).” 10 U.S.C. §§ 838(b)(1), (2), (3)(A), (3)(B). Article
38(b)(7) provides, in pertinent part:
The Secretary concerned shall, by regulation, define “reasonably
available” for the purpose of paragraph (3)(B) and establish pro-
cedures for determining whether the military counsel selected
by an accused under that paragraph is reasonably available. . . .
To the maximum extent practicable, such regulations shall es-
tablish uniform policies among the armed forces while recogniz-
ing the differences in the circumstances and needs of the various
armed forces. . . .
10 U.S.C. § 838(b)(7).
R.C.M. 506(b)(1) also requires the “Secretary concerned” to define “reason-
ably available” for purposes of an accused’s request to be represented by a par-
ticular military counsel. However, the rule goes on to state that certain cate-
gories of individuals “are not reasonably available to serve as individual mili-
tary counsel because of the nature of their duties or positions,” to include ap-
pellate defense counsel and appellate government counsel. R.C.M. 506(b)(1),
(b)(1)(D).
Air Force Instruction (AFI) 51-201, Administration of Military Justice (6
Jun. 2013, as amended by AFGM 2016-01, 3 Aug. 2016), provided at ¶ 5.4.3
that a requested counsel is “‘reasonably available’ if not considered unavailable
by the terms of the [Manual for Courts-Martial] or this instruction, and the
appropriate approval authority determines the requested counsel can perform
the duties of IMDC without unreasonable expense or detriment to the United
States and without unreasonable delay in the proceedings.”
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant essentially relies upon the same arguments he made
at trial. He asks this court to find his request for CAPT Mizer was improperly
denied and to set aside the findings and sentence. We decline to do so.
op.), aff’d, 76 M.J. 365 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (“We examine the denial of requested counsel
and the military judge’s review of such denial for an abuse of discretion.”) (citing An-
derson, 36 M.J. at 973)). We conclude our application of an abuse of discretion standard
is consistent with the weight of authority.
84
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
We find no abuse of discretion by the convening authority or the military
judge. The plain terms of R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D) mandated denial of the IMDC
request. We find the military judge did not abuse his discretion in concluding
the promulgation of R.C.M. 506(b)(1)(D) was not an unlawful exercise of the
President’s rule-making authority. See 10 U.S.C. § 836; United States v. Wil-
son, 76 M.J. 4, 6 (C.A.A.F. 2017). The rule is not in conflict with the statute; in
fact, R.C.M. 506(b)(1) echoes the statutory requirement that the service Secre-
taries define the term “reasonably available.” The Secretary of the Air Force
has done so in part by adopting the standards of the Manual for Courts-Mar-
tial, including the categorical exclusions set forth in R.C.M. 506. Appellant has
cited no decision by the CAAF, this court, or any other court finding the cate-
gorical exclusions in R.C.M. 506(b)(1) to be invalid, and we have found none.
With regard to Appellant’s contention that the Constitution requires a dif-
ferent analysis in capital cases, the military judge noted and the Defense con-
ceded the CAAF has held a capital accused does not have a right to learned
counsel. See Akbar, 74 M.J. at 399 (citations omitted). Accordingly, it was rea-
sonable for the military judge to conclude there was no constitutional impera-
tive to override the plain language of R.C.M. 506 to secure CAPT Mizer’s par-
ticipation in Appellant’s trial. Therefore, we deny the requested relief.
Q. TF’s Hearsay Statement Regarding Her Purchase of a Firearm for
Appellant
1. Additional Background
In the course of the investigation of TF’s death, investigators spoke with
TF’s coworker and friend, TS. TS told investigators about a conversation dur-
ing which TF said Appellant had asked TF to buy a gun for Appellant. TF ex-
plained to TS that Appellant needed the weapon for protection because the
police had confiscated his other firearms after an incident in the summer of
2012. TF told TS that TF and Appellant had gone to a pawn shop and TF
bought a handgun with cash Appellant had given her. TS recalled TF had com-
mented on how easy it was to buy the gun.
Before trial, the Defense moved to exclude these statements as inadmissi-
ble hearsay. The Government initially countered that these statements were
admissible as a statement offered against the party who wrongfully caused the
declarant’s unavailability under Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(6), and under the residual
hearsay exception, Mil. R. Evid. 807. However, in a hearing on the motion, trial
counsel additionally argued the statements were admissible as statements by
an unavailable declarant that were against the declarant’s interests under Mil.
R. Evid. 804(b)(3). Trial counsel noted that in order to purchase the weapon,
TF had been required to sign an ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Rec-
85
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
ord, that warned her (1) that she could not buy the firearm if she was “acquir-
ing the firearm(s) on behalf of another person” and was not the “actual buyer;”
(2) that falsely claiming she was the “actual buyer” was “punishable as a felony
under Federal law;” and (3) that making a false oral or written statement “with
respect to this transaction” was also “punishable as a felony under federal
law.” 33 TF “certified” that she understood that such false claims were federal
crimes by signing below these warnings. In response, at the motion hearing
trial defense counsel noted TS’s additional statement that TF told TS that two
or three weeks later, after an argument, TF asked Appellant to give the gun
back to her; Appellant refused, and TF told him to “just keep” it. Trial defense
counsel argued this indicated TF believed she had a possessory interest in the
gun, and had believed she was being truthful when she indicated she was the
“actual buyer.”
The military judge ruled these statements by TF to TS were admissible. In
a written ruling, he explained TF was unavailable because she was dead, and
the statements were against her penal interests. In regard to the latter, the
military judge found the ATF Form 4473 “particularly relevant.” 34 The military
judge additionally found that if the statements were not statements against
interest admissible under Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(3), they would be admissible un-
der the Mil. R. Evid. 807 residual hearsay exception in light of various circum-
stantial guarantees of trustworthiness and corroborating evidence.
At trial, TS testified regarding this conversation with TF. Similar to her
statement to investigators, TS testified TF told her Appellant asked her to buy
the gun with money he gave her because he needed it for protection because
“[t]he cops took his guns.” TS did not recall the exact date, but it was before TF
was known to be pregnant. TS testified that when she heard this, she warned
TF “to be careful because you got your career and he could do something with
that gun and mess you up.” In response, TF said, “Yeah, you know but,” and
changed the subject.
33 Investigators had obtained a copy of the form TF signed and the Government intro-
duced it at trial as a prosecution exhibit.
34 The military judge also found the “corroborating circumstances clearly indicated the
circumstances indicated the trustworthiness of the statement,” citing United States v.
Benton, 57 M.J. 24, 30 (C.A.A.F. 2002). However, this additional requirement applies
only when a hearsay statement “tend[ing] to expose the declarant to criminal liability
. . . is offered to exculpate the accused,” as was the situation in Benton but not in the
instant case. Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(3)(B) (emphasis added); see Benton, 57 M.J. at 30.
The military judge’s finding of additional indicia of trustworthiness, although unnec-
essary for admissibility under Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(3)(A), does not, of course, vitiate the
admissibility of the statements.
86
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
2. Law
The military judge’s decision to admit or exclude hearsay evidence is re-
viewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Hyder, 47 M.J. 46, 48
(C.A.A.F. 1997) (citation omitted).
A statement against the declarant’s interest is an exception to the general
prohibition on the admissibility of hearsay evidence, where:
a reasonable person in the declarant’s position would have made
[the statement] only if the person believed it to be true because,
when made, it was so contrary to the declarant’s proprietary or
pecuniary interest or had so great a tendency to invalidate the
declarant’s claim against someone else or to expose the declarant
to civil or criminal liability.
Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(3)(A); see also Mil. R. Evid. 801, 802. This exception “is
founded on the commonsense notion that reasonable people, even reasonable
people who are not especially honest, tend not to make self-inculpatory state-
ments unless they believe them to be true.” Williamson v. United States, 512
U.S. 594, 599 (1994). “The criterion . . . [is] whether the declarant would him-
self have perceived at the time that his statement was against his penal inter-
est.” United States v. Greer, 33 M.J. 426, 430 (C.M.A. 1991) (citations omitted).
“[W]hether a statement is self-inculpatory or not can only be determined by
viewing it in context.” Williamson, 512 U.S. at 603.
Mil. R. Evid. 807 provides that a hearsay statement not otherwise admis-
sible under Mil. R. Evid. 803 or Mil. R. Evid. 804 may nevertheless be admis-
sible if the statement: (1) “has equivalent circumstantial guarantees of trust-
worthiness;” (2) “is offered as evidence of a material fact;” (3) “is more probative
on the point for which it is offered than any other evidence that the proponent
can obtain through reasonable efforts;” and (4) admission “will best serve the
purposes of these rules and the interests of justice.”
3. Analysis
We find the military judge did not abuse his discretion in admitting TS’s
testimony regarding TF’s statements about buying a handgun for Appellant.
The military judge could reasonably find the predicates for application of Mil.
R. Evid. 804(b)(3)(A) existed. First, the deceased declarant, TF, was obviously
unavailable at the time of trial. Second, viewed in context, the military judge
could reasonably conclude TF knew the statements were against her penal in-
terest. When TF made the statements to TS, she had been presented and
signed a form warning her that buying a firearm for another person and falsely
representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearm were federal offenses.
Yet, as she told TS, she bought the handgun at Appellant’s request, with money
he provided, to give to him because he needed it for “protection.” Accordingly,
87
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
the military judge’s ruling was not “arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable,
or clearly erroneous.” McElhaney, 54 M.J. at 130 (internal quotation marks
and citations omitted).
Assuming for purposes of argument that TF’s statements about purchasing
the gun for Appellant were not qualifying statements against interest, we find
the military judge’s determination that the statements would be admissible
under Mil. R. Evid. 807 was also not an abuse of discretion. There were abun-
dant circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness that TF had purchased a
gun for Appellant, including inter alia evidence that police had seized Appel-
lant’s firearms in the summer of 2012; the signed ATF Form 4473 dated 9 No-
vember 2012; and the recovery from Appellant’s residence of the box in which
the gun was sold. Evidence of how Appellant came into possession of the pre-
sumed murder weapon was evidence of a material fact. No equivalent evidence
was reasonably available to the Government, in light of the fact that TF was
deceased. Finally, we perceive no reason why admitting the statements would
not serve the purposes of the Military Rules of Evidence and the interests of
justice. See Mil. R. Evid. 807.
R. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Failure to Request Expert in Ge-
ology
1. Additional Background
During the investigation, the GBI collected a soil sample from the boots
seized at Appellant’s residence and sent the sample to the United States Army
Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) for comparison with a soil sam-
ple from TF’s residence. On 25 July 2014, 2 September 2014, and 1 October
2014, the Defense requested that the convening authority appoint a confiden-
tial expert consultant in the field of forensic geology. On 17 November 2014,
the convening authority denied the request.
On 2 December 2014, the Defense submitted a motion to the military judge
to compel the appointment of an expert forensic geologist. As of that date, the
Defense had not received or been informed of the results of the soil analysis.
The Government opposed the motion on 11 December 2014. The Government
explained USACIL had generated two reports which “provided no conclusive
evidence in support of the charges or exculpatory evidence for [Appellant].” The
Government averred that as of 11 December 2014, the Defense had been pro-
vided the results of the soil sample analysis. The Government explained that
it did not intend to present any evidence related to soil analyses, and therefore
the Defense could not demonstrate the requested expert was necessary.
The military judge received brief oral argument on the motion on 15 De-
cember 2014. The Government reiterated that it did not intend to introduce
evidence of soil analysis. The Defense maintained its request for the expert
88
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
consultant, contending that interviewing the analyst who performed the test-
ing on a non-confidential basis was not an adequate substitute. On 16 Decem-
ber 2014, the military judge denied the motion to compel in an oral ruling that
he subsequently reduced to writing. He explained that other investigative sup-
port provided to the Defense, coupled with access to the geologist who had per-
formed the analysis, were adequate at that point in time. However, he stated
the Defense could renew its motion if it felt the geologist was not providing
“fair” answers, or if the Defense found it needed an expert to testify at trial.
The original trial defense counsel were replaced by three different military
counsel, Lt Col CG, Lt Col SK, and Maj CS. The question of a confidential de-
fense expert in geology resurfaced at a hearing on 10 January 2017, after the
Defense had learned the Government had changed its position and now in-
tended to put on evidence regarding the soil testing. The military judge noted
the Defense had not renewed its request for an expert geologist. The military
judge advised trial defense counsel, “if you believe you need expert assistance,
probably not too late to start working through that. I would suggest talking to
Dr. [KM, the Government’s expert witness,] and seeing if you could get there
with or without her. And then let me know, okay?” Trial defense counsel did
not renew the Defense’s motion to compel the production of a confidential ex-
pert in geology.
At trial, Dr. KM testified regarding the results of the soil analysis. She ex-
plained that soil from the crime scene could not be excluded as the source of
the soil removed from the boots seized from Appellant’s residence. She further
testified that the soil from the boots was excluded from originating in the front
yard of Appellant’s residence, but could not be excluded as having originated
in Appellant’s back yard. On cross-examination, Dr. KM acknowledged she did
not know how common the color of soil removed from the boots was in that
region of Georgia, or in the state of Georgia as a whole, or in the United States.
At the Government’s request, this court ordered and received sworn decla-
rations from Lt Col CG, Lt Col SK, and Maj CS, Appellant’s trial defense coun-
sel. The declarations were generally consistent; all three counsel agreed that
after interviewing Dr. KM, they believed the Government’s soil analysis evi-
dence was weak, and the Defense did not require expert assistance in order to
address it. Lt Col CG further noted the Defense “had numerous experts, i.e.,
firearms, gunshot residue ‘GSR’ analysis, trace fiber analysis, neuro-science,
eyewitness identification, DNA, investigator, mitigation specialist, social his-
torian, etc. . . . An additional expert on the team would have diverted our at-
tention, out of proportion to the limited probative value of the geology evi-
dence.”
89
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
2. Law
We review allegations of ineffective assistance de novo. Akbar, 74 M.J. at
379 (citation omitted). However, “our scrutiny of a trial defense counsel’s per-
formance is ‘highly deferential,’ and we make ‘every effort . . . to eliminate the
distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the circumstances of counsel’s
challenged conduct, and to evaluate conduct from counsel’s perspective at the
time.” Id. (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689). We utilize the following three-
part test to determine whether the presumption of competence has been over-
come: (1) are appellant’s allegations true, and if so, “is there a reasonable ex-
planation for counsel’s actions;” (2) if the allegations are true, did defense coun-
sel’s level of advocacy “fall measurably below the performance . . . [ordinarily
expected] of fallible lawyers;” and (3) if defense counsel was ineffective, is there
“a reasonable probability that, absent the errors,” there would have been a dif-
ferent result? Gooch, 69 M.J. at 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (alteration and omission
in original) (quoting Polk, 32 M.J. at 153). The burden is on the appellant to
demonstrate both deficient performance and prejudice. Datavs, 71 M.J. at 424(citation omitted).
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant faults his trial defense counsel for failing to renew
the defense motion to compel production of a confidential forensic geologist af-
ter learning the Government did intend to introduce the soil analysis results.
Appellant contends that because of this failure, the Defense was unable to
“challenge the science” behind the soil testing. As a result, he contends, the
Government was able to present “unrefuted evidence” that the soil sample from
the boots were a “potential match” to soil from the crime scene.
We conclude Appellant has failed to meet his burden to demonstrate either
deficient performance or prejudice. Although it is true that trial defense coun-
sel failed to renew the motion to compel production of a confidential expert
geologist, there is a reasonable explanation. Specifically, we agree with trial
defense counsel’s assessment that the Government’s soil evidence was weak,
which echoed the Government’s own initial assessment that the testing was
“inconclusive.” Nor were the limitations of this evidence difficult to grasp or
explain. Trial defense counsel’s cross-examination of Dr. KM with respect to
soil analysis was concise but effective in identifying its limited significance.
Accordingly, we find it was reasonable and well within the standard of perfor-
mance to be expected of defense counsel to forego requesting such an expert,
particularly in light of the numerous other experts and specialists assigned to
assist the Defense on more complex and impactful matters.
90
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
In addition, we conclude that, in multiple respects, Appellant has failed to
demonstrate prejudice. Appellant suggests the Government was able to pre-
sent the soil analysis because the Defense did not have its own expert; yet he
fails to explain how such an expert would have enabled the Defense to “chal-
lenge the science” or otherwise prevent the evidence from being introduced ex-
actly as it was. In addition, on its own terms, the evidence was not very per-
suasive with regard to Appellant’s guilt. Dr. KM could testify only that the soil
from the boots could not be excluded as having come from TF’s residence; but
it also could not be excluded as having originated in Appellant’s own back yard,
or presumably from many other locations across the region, state, or country.
Furthermore, juxtaposed with all of the inculpatory evidence in the case, in-
cluding inter alia eyewitness testimony, the rental car, ballistics evidence, GSR
analysis, fiber analysis, a wealth of circumstantial evidence, motive, and op-
portunity, the significance of the soil analysis becomes vanishingly small.
Thus, Appellant has not shown the appointment of a forensic geologist would
have materially affected the evidence introduced at trial, or that the preclusion
of the Government’s soil analysis evidence would have led to a reasonable prob-
ability of a more favorable result.
S. Denial of Motion for Mistrial Due to Discovery Violation
1. Additional Background
At trial, the Government called CJ, a GBI employee who testified as an
expert in firearms and tool mark examination and identification. CJ testified
regarding several aspects of the investigation related to firearms, including her
examination of the apparent bullet ricochet mark on the rental car window. CJ
testified that according to her measurements the mark was consistent with
having been made by a bullet fired from CF’s .38 caliber pistol.
During his cross-examination of CJ, trial defense counsel indicated he had
several slides created from CJ’s report on the car window that he intended to
use as a demonstrative aid. Trial counsel had not previously seen these slides
and requested an Article 39(a), UCMJ, session, which the military judge
granted. During that session, trial defense counsel attempted to pre-admit the
slides as a defense exhibit. However, CJ’s responses revealed the Defense had
not received the final version of the report which included the data upon which
CJ had based her analysis.
CJ testified that although the measurements she made supported her anal-
ysis, she initially recorded the wrong data in the report. She explained that she
later annotated her report with the corrected data. However, when the GBI
provided the report to the Government for disclosure to the Defense in discov-
ery, a GBI employee mistakenly provided the non-annotated version of the re-
port. As a result, the version of the report the Defense received contained data
91
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
that appeared to contradict CJ’s conclusions. Trial defense counsel intended to
confront CJ with this data during its cross-examination, and the Defense did
not question CJ about the apparent discrepancy during its pretrial interviews
with CJ. Consequently, counsel for both parties and the military judge learned
of the apparent discovery violation for the first time after CJ’s cross-examina-
tion had begun.
The Defense moved for a mistrial. Senior trial defense counsel argued the
Defense had relied on the non-annotated report, which had affected the De-
fense’s opening statement and how the Defense had cross-examined govern-
ment witnesses who testified before CJ. After the military judge received ar-
gument and discussed the situation with counsel, he recessed the court-martial
early for the day in order for the parties to prepare written briefs on the De-
fense’s mistrial motion.
The military judge received and reviewed the parties’ briefs overnight and
marked them as appellate exhibits when the court-martial resumed in the
morning. The Government put on additional testimony from CJ as well as the
GBI crime laboratory manager, who explained how a report could be mistak-
enly printed without annotations. The military judge also received additional
argument from counsel. The Defense maintained that a mistrial was the only
appropriate remedy for the discovery violation. The Government acknowledged
the annotated report should have been provided, but argued the appropriate
remedy was additional time for the Defense to prepare and to adjust its case.
The military judge denied the Defense’s mistrial motion in an oral ruling
he subsequently supplemented in writing. The military judge noted that both
parties agreed there had been a discovery violation. However, the military
judge found that the erroneously withheld information correcting the report
was not constitutionally required, because it was neither substantively excul-
patory nor impeachment of CJ’s testimony, but rather corroborating evidence
of Appellant’s guilt. See United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 674–76 (1985).
The military judge further found the Defense had demonstrated “minimal to
non-existent” prejudice. The military judge explained the Defense’s primary
theory was alibi rather than focusing on forensic evidence. He observed that
references to the window in the Defense’s opening were “minimal” and non-
specific, and were not contradicted by the evidence. He further noted that alt-
hough the Government had introduced much forensic evidence before CJ’s tes-
timony, none of it related to the apparent bullet mark on the rental car window.
The Defense would still be able to point out that CJ initially made an error in
her report, albeit one that was discovered during a peer review process. The
Defense would still be able to argue alibi and to argue that human errors are
possible in forensic testing. The military judge found the Defense was in the
same position it was in before CJ’s cross-examination; the Defense merely had
92
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
to settle for a less-dramatic impeachment of CJ’s testimony than it had hoped
for. The military judge concluded that a mistrial was not warranted, and that
the Defense did not consider any other remedy—such as a continuance or re-
calling witnesses—to be helpful.
2. Law
“A military judge has discretion to ‘declare a mistrial when such action is
manifestly necessary in the interest of justice because of circumstances arising
during the proceedings which cast substantial doubt upon the fairness of the
proceedings.’” United States v. Coleman, 72 M.J. 184, 186 (C.A.A.F. 2013)
(quoting R.C.M. 915(a)). Mistrial is “‘a drastic remedy’ which should be used
only when necessary ‘to prevent a miscarriage of justice.’” United States v. Har-
ris, 51 M.J. 191, 196 (C.A.A.F. 1999) (quoting United States v. Garces, 32 M.J.
345, 349 (C.M.A. 1991)). “Because of the extraordinary nature of a mistrial,
military judges should explore the option of taking other remedial action, such
as giving curative instructions.” United States v. Ashby, 68 M.J. 108, 122
(C.A.A.F. 2009) (citations omitted). “We will not reverse a military judge’s de-
termination on a mistrial absent clear evidence of an abuse of discretion.” Id.(citation omitted).
“[T]he suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused
upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt
or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.”
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963). The United States Supreme Court
has extended Brady, clarifying “that the duty to disclose such evidence is ap-
plicable even though there has been no request by the accused . . . and that the
duty encompasses impeachment evidence as well as exculpatory evidence.”
Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 280 (1999) (citations omitted); see United
States v. Claxton, 76 M.J. 356, 359 (C.A.A.F. 2017).
“A military accused also has the right to obtain favorable evidence under
Article 46, UCMJ . . . as implemented by R.C.M. 701–703.” Coleman, 72 M.J.
at 186–87 (footnotes omitted). Article 46, UCMJ, and these implementing rules
provide a military accused statutory discovery rights greater than those af-
forded by the United States Constitution. See id. at 187 (citing United States
v. Roberts, 59 M.J. 323, 327 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (additional citation omitted). With
respect to discovery, R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A) requires the Government, upon de-
fense request, to permit the inspection of, inter alia, any documents “within
the possession, custody, or control of military authorities, and which are mate-
rial to the preparation of the defense . . . .”
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge abused his discretion in denying the
Defense’s mistrial motion. Citing United States v. Eshalomi, 23 M.J. 12, 28
93
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
(C.M.A. 1986), Appellant contends the nondisclosure gave the Defense a false
impression that the Government’s evidence was incorrect, which distorted its
preparation of the case and “cast a cloud of unfairness over the proceedings.”
Appellant also contends the military judge erroneously found the Defense
failed to show how the nondisclosure had impacted its case. Furthermore, as-
suming arguendo that declaration of a mistrial was not necessary, Appellant
contends the military judge erroneously believed that he could not fashion al-
ternative remedies, such as striking CJ’s testimony, because the Defense did
not request it.
We do not find “clear evidence” the military judge abused his discretion by
denying the mistrial motion. Ashby, 68 M.J. at 122. We agree with the military
judge and parties that the nondisclosure of the annotated report was an error.
However, the significance of the nondisclosure must be understood in context.
The erroneous nondisclosure was of annotations to a single page of one report.
There is no allegation or evidence of bad faith on the Government’s part. We
agree with the military judge that the undisclosed information, although ma-
terial to the preparation of the defense, was not Brady material because it was
neither exculpatory nor impeaching; it was additional inculpatory evidence
that supported CJ’s testimony.
The Defense made a strategic decision not to explore the apparent discrep-
ancy with CJ before trial. The Defense had its own expert consultant and ac-
cess to the damaged window. Rather than investigate the apparent discrep-
ancy between the data in the report and CJ’s conclusions, trial defense counsel
made the “strategically defensible” decision—in the military judge’s words—to
wait until CJ’s cross-examination in hopes of dramatically impeaching her con-
clusions. However, the Defense was never entitled to a dramatic in-trial im-
peachment, because the reality was CJ’s measurements and analysis were not
incorrect; she had simply made a clerical error in creating the report, which
was identified during the GBI crime laboratory’s peer review process. The De-
fense arrived at that understanding later than they would have had the anno-
tated report been properly disclosed, but the military judge did not abuse his
discretion in concluding the Defense was in substantially the same position it
would have been had the discovery error not occurred. The Defense could still
impeach the reliability of CJ’s testimony to a lesser degree by exposing the
error she made in preparing her report, but the dramatic moment trial defense
counsel evidently hoped for was never to be in any event.
Moreover, we agree with the military judge that the significance of CJ’s
measurements of the apparent ricochet mark on the car window must be
viewed in the context of the entire trial. Even discounting CJ’s testimony re-
garding the window entirely would not undo the other powerful ballistics evi-
dence, CF’s identification of Appellant, the evidence of Appellant’s motive, and
94
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
other incriminating evidence, as well as the Government’s effective impeach-
ment of the Defense’s sole alibi witness, TB. In light of the total volume of the
evidence and scope of the trial, the military judge did not clearly abuse his
discretion in finding the nondisclosure of these annotations from one page of
one report manifestly required a mistrial to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
Instead, the military judge offered the Defense other remedies, including
additional time to prepare its case, and to have the Government recall prior
witnesses for additional cross-examination. Trial defense counsel declined
these offers and did not request any alternative remedies. Specifically with re-
spect to the Defense’s opening statement, trial defense counsel made a brief
passing reference that the members should pay attention to evidence about the
mark on the car window without referring to CJ directly or indirectly. The mil-
itary judge did not abuse his discretion in concluding this comment did not
require an instruction or other alternative corrective action, and the Defense
did not request any. We are not persuaded that the military judge abused his
discretion by not taking alternative corrective actions the Defense either af-
firmatively rejected or did not request.
T. Trial Counsel’s Findings Argument
1. Additional Background
During the Defense’s opening statement, the area defense counsel told the
court members: “I would like to talk with you about the defense’s case which is
very simple. It is that [Appellant] had an alibi. . . .”
Trial counsel’s closing argument on findings included the following com-
ments regarding the Defense’s alibi witness, TB:
We called her to the stand knowing very well she was the only
alibi witness of the accused. . . .
....
Now, members, in opening statement, defense said this case was
simple. And again, defense has no burden. The burden is always
with the government. But they said this case is simple, that [Ap-
pellant] had an alibi. That he was in Byron, Georgia all night
long and the government could not prove [Appellant] was in
Dawson, Georgia. The only evidence that you have that the ac-
cused was in Byron, Georgia is the property girl, [TB].
....
This case is simple. Pretty straight forward. There’s a whole lot
of evidence. And 41 witnesses later it’s clear. But what’s not
95
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
clear and what it’s not, what this case is not, is it’s not [Appel-
lant] having an alibi. [Appellant] was at [TF’s residence] at three
a.m. for about 38 minutes. To do the deed. To get her out of his
life.
During rebuttal argument, trial counsel made the following statements:
There’s no proof about the rental car. That he didn’t take it some-
where else. That that rental car didn’t go somewhere -- what ev-
idence do you have before you in this case that that rental car
went anywhere else? None.
....
And his alibi witness. His alibi witness. He’s asking his alibi wit-
ness about the rental car. Again, how many times do I have to
say it? He’s telling his alibi witness not to talk to police. She’s
his only alibi for the murder. And it’s supposed to be used for
some other purpose? Some other purpose with some other evi-
dence that you don’t know?
....
[I]n every single case -- and this is what [SA JS] testified to -- do
they do every single thing there is to do in every single case and
hindsight is twenty/twenty? Absolutely. And that’s what de-
fense’s job is. To pick. To pick. To poke holes. Absolutely.
The burden is always with the government but defense is doing
their job. Did they reach out and get that phone? No, they didn’t
get that phone number. They had all the evidence that -- all the
other evidence but did they reach out and get the 6680 phone
records?[ 35] No, they did not. But what do we know about the
6680 and how did that effect the case at all? We know potentially
there were call logs that we don’t have. We know that maybe we
would have known whatever -- what [transmission] tower in
Shellman[, Georgia,] that actually went off of. And we would
know duration. Other than that, burner phones -- which we
know the duration because we had it off [TF’s] phone. Other than
that, what do we know from burner phones? That’s why people
use them. So they can’t be traced.
....
35 Referring to the last four digits of the phone from which TF received two calls at
0221 and 0222 on the night of the murder.
96
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Defense also said the life insurance. [The Defense argued] [t]he
fact that the life insurance was in [Appellant’s] name doesn’t
show motive. It tells you more about the relationship that [TF’s
mother AT] and [TF’s brother CF] had with [TF]. What evidence
is there of that? What evidence? They throw out the computer.
Well, the investigators had the computer. You don’t think every-
one has the same access to evidence? You didn’t see evidence on
the computer. There could be stuff out there.
The Defense did not object to any of these statements by trial counsel.
2. Law
“We review prosecutorial misconduct and improper argument de novo and
where . . . no objection is made, we review for plain error.” United States v.
Voorhees, 79 M.J. 5, 9 (C.A.A.F. 2019) (citing United States v. Andrews, 77 M.J.
393, 398 (C.A.A.F. 2018)). “Plain error occurs when (1) there is error, (2) the
error is plain or obvious, and (3) the error results in material prejudice to a
substantial right of the accused.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179 (citation omitted).
The burden of proof under a plain error review is on the appellant. See Sewell,
76 M.J. at 18 (citation omitted).
“Improper argument is one facet of prosecutorial misconduct.” Id. (citation
omitted). “Prosecutorial misconduct occurs when trial counsel ‘overstep[s] the
bounds of that propriety and fairness which should characterize the conduct of
such an officer in the prosecution of a criminal offense.’” Hornback, 73 M.J. at
159 (alteration in original) (quoting Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179). Such conduct
“can be generally defined as action or inaction by a prosecutor in violation of
some legal norm or standard, [for example], a constitutional provision, a stat-
ute, a Manual rule, or an applicable professional ethics canon.” Andrews, 77
M.J. at 402 (quoting United States v. Meek, 44 M.J. 1, 5 (C.A.A.F. 1996)). “A
prosecutorial comment must be examined in light of its context within the en-
tire court-martial.” Carter, 61 M.J. at 33 (citation omitted).
“The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution re-
quires the Government to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt.” United States v. Czekala, 42 M.J. 168, 170 (C.A.A.F. 1995) (citing In re
Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 363–64 (1970)). For trial counsel to suggest the accused
has any burden to produce evidence demonstrating his innocence is “an error
of constitutional dimension.” Mason, 59 M.J. at 424 (citation omitted).
Relief for improper argument will be granted only if the trial counsel’s mis-
conduct “actually impacted on a substantial right of an accused (i.e., resulted
in prejudice).” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 178 (quoting Meek, 44 M.J. at 5). “[P]rose-
cutorial misconduct by a trial counsel will require reversal when the trial coun-
97
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
sel’s comments, taken as a whole, were so damaging that we cannot be confi-
dent that the members convicted the appellant on the basis of the evidence
alone.” Id. at 184. In assessing prejudice from improper argument, we balance
three factors: (1) the severity of the misconduct; (2) the measures, if any,
adopted to cure the misconduct; and (3) the weight of the evidence supporting
the conviction. Id. “In the context of a constitutional error, the burden is on the
Government to establish that the comments were harmless beyond a reasona-
ble doubt.” Carter, 61 M.J. at 35 (citation omitted).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the portions of trial counsel’s findings argument quoted
above impermissibly shifted the burden of proof to the Defense, and as a result
the findings and sentence must be set aside. We consider the portions of the
cited arguments in turn.
a. Statements Regarding the Alibi Witness, TB
Trial counsel’s argument regarding TB as Appellant’s alibi witness were
fair comments by a “zealous advocate of the Government” regarding the evi-
dence before the members. Baer, 53 M.J. at 237 (citation omitted). “[T]he pros-
ecution is not prohibited from offering a comment that provides a fair response
to claims made by the defense.” Carter, 61 M.J. at 33 (citation omitted). From
the outset, the Defense indicated the core of its case was an alibi defense. Trial
counsel could properly comment on the strength or weakness of that defense,
including the fact that it largely depended on the testimony of a single witness,
TB. Commenting on the weakness of Appellant’s alibi defense is not the same
as improperly implying Appellant was required to demonstrate his innocence.
We find no error, obvious or otherwise, in this portion of the argument.
b. Statements Regarding Phone Records
Similarly, we find trial counsel’s comments regarding the phone records
were not obviously erroneous. We agree with the Government that, in context,
trial counsel’s comments “[d]id they reach out and get that phone? No, they
didn’t get that phone number,” “they” referred to the investigators rather than
the Defense. During the testimony of one of the GBI agents, it came out that
investigators had not sought phone records related to the number that called
TF twice at 0221 and 0222 on 29 August 2013, shortly before her death. 36 Dur-
ing the Defense’s closing argument, senior trial defense counsel commented on
this failure to investigate the number in order to impugn the thoroughness and
reliability of the GBI’s investigation. In context, trial counsel’s argument was
36 The Government later called a representative from the service provider who testi-
fied, inter alia, the phone in question was a prepaid “phone in a box,” not traceable to
a particular user.
98
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
not a comment on the Defense’s failure to produce evidence, but a fair and ra-
tional response to the Defense regarding the limited significance of the GBI’s
failure to further investigate this phone number.
c. Statements Regarding the Rental Car, Insurance Policy, and
TF’s Computer
Trial counsel’s comments regarding the absence of evidence that the rental
car was used for an innocent purpose, his rhetorical question as to “what evi-
dence” supported the Defense’s interpretation of the significance of TF’s insur-
ance policy, and his comment that “everyone” had the same access to TF’s com-
puter, call for a somewhat different analysis. In each of these instances, trial
counsel’s statements might fairly be understood as a comment, albeit fleeting,
on the absence of evidence supporting defense arguments. Arguably, the mem-
bers might have interpreted these comments as criticizing the Defense’s failure
to produce evidence. On the other hand, as noted above, “the prosecution is not
prohibited from offering a comment that provides a fair response to claims
made by the defense.” Carter, 61 M.J. at 33 (citation omitted). Certain factors,
including the fact that trial counsel was responding to specific defense argu-
ments about the state of the evidence, the brief nature of each comment in the
course of an argument and rebuttal totaling over two hours, trial counsel’s re-
peated explicit acknowledgment that the Government bore the burden of proof,
and the Defense’s failure to object, suggest that any crossing of the line into
impermissible argument was not “obvious.”
However, we need not definitively resolve whether these instances rose to
the level of plain or obvious error, because we find that in light of the three-
factor test for prejudice set forth in Fletcher, any error was harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. 62 M.J. at 178.
For the reasons set forth above, we find the severity of any misconduct to
be low. These were brief comments in trial counsel’s rebuttal argument respon-
sive to particular aspects of senior trial defense counsel’s argument. The state-
ments were a tiny fraction of trial counsel’s overall argument. The general
point trial counsel evidently sought to make—that the evidence supported the
Government’s theory and not the Defense’s theories—was not improper. More-
over, the CAAF has noted that “the lack of a defense objection is ‘some measure
of the minimal impact of a prosecutor’s improper comment.’” Gilley, 56 M.J. at
123 (quoting United States v. Carpenter, 51 M.J. 393, 396 (C.A.A.F. 1999)).
With regard to curative measures, the military judge did not specifically
address or react to the unobjected comments. However, we note trial counsel
repeatedly explicitly reminded the court members that the Government bore
the burden of proof, which tended to mitigate any risk the comments above
implied any burden on the Defense.
99
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
Finally, and most importantly, as described above with respect to legal and
factual sufficiency, the weight of the evidence supporting Appellant’s convic-
tion was overwhelming. An eyewitness, CF, saw Appellant flee the scene of the
murder. Other than Appellant, CF, and the victim, no one else was present.
Ballistics evidence indicated the handgun TF gave Appellant was the murder
weapon. There are no identified realistic alternative suspects. The Govern-
ment introduced strong evidence regarding Appellant’s motive, opportunity,
and intent to commit the murder, as well as his consciousness of guilt. The
Government effectively eviscerated the credibility of TB, the Defense’s alibi
witness, in multiple respects. Accordingly, we are satisfied beyond a reasona-
ble doubt that the court members convicted Appellant on the strength of the
evidence alone and not upon any impermissible implications from trial coun-
sel’s argument.
U. Cumulative Error
The doctrine of cumulative error provides that “a number of errors, no one
perhaps sufficient to merit reversal, [may] in combination necessitate” relief.
Banks, 36 M.J. at 170–71 (quoting United States v. Walters, 16 C.M.R. 191, 209
(C.M.A. 1954)). However, “[a]ssertions of error without merit are not sufficient
to invoke this doctrine.” United States v. Gray, 51 M.J. 1, 61 (C.A.A.F. 1999).
We have found the majority of Appellant’s assertions of error to be without
merit. As described above, for purposes of analysis we have assumed without
deciding that five of Appellant’s assertions of error may have merit: (1) that
the military judge failed to consider that the Government’s opening statement
opened the door to evidence of TF’s “swinging” behavior; (2) that the military
judge permitted the Government to use Appellant’s suppressed letter to TB as
rebuttal evidence; (3) that the military judge’s instruction that the court mem-
bers could consider evidence of Appellant’s IRS deficiency notice in rebuttal of
his alibi defense; (4) a small portion of the Government’s findings argument;
and (5) small portions of the Government’s sentencing argument. In each case,
we found Appellant was not prejudiced by the alleged error. We have also con-
sidered the cumulative effect of these alleged errors, assuming arguendo that
they are errors, and we conclude that in combination they had no effect on the
result of Appellant’s trial. Accordingly, Appellant is not entitled to relief under
the cumulative error doctrine.
III. CONCLUSION
The approved findings and sentence are correct in law and fact, and no er-
ror materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Arti-
cles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the find-
ings and sentence are AFFIRMED.
100
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
POSCH, Senior Judge (concurring):
I join this court’s resolution of the 26 issues Appellant raises on appeal and
the conclusion reached by my esteemed colleagues. However, I question
whether the standards for facially unreasonable delay in post-trial processing
and appellate review established by our superior court in United States v.
Moreno, 63 M.J. 129, 135 (C.A.A.F. 2006), should apply here. Although I pro-
pose different standards for cases like Appellant’s, I nonetheless agree with
the majority that Appellant’s due process right to timely post-trial processing
and appellate review were presumptively violated as defined by Moreno and as
might be defined by a different standard. While the Moreno presumptions for
facially unreasonable delay are “fully entitled to the benefit of stare decisis,”
Flood v. Kuhn, 407 U.S. 258, 282 (1972), it is another case the United States
Supreme Court decided near the end of the Court’s 1971–1972 Term, Barker v.
Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972), that gives me pause to apply the Moreno pre-
sumptions to post-trial processing in more complex cases such as the death
sentence eligible court-martial under review.
In Moreno, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
(CAAF) announced when a presumption of unreasonable delay will trigger the
four non-exclusive factors identified in Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. Moreno, 63
M.J. at 135. These factors are used to assess whether an appellant’s due pro-
cess right to timely post-trial and appellate review has been violated. Id. In
Moreno, our superior court’s holding quantified the threshold for a presump-
tive due process violation that it measured 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
Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) more than 30 days after the convening au-
thority’s action; or (3) a CCA completes appellate review and renders its deci-
sion over 18 months after the case is docketed with the court. Id. at 142.
For reasons made clear in the opinion of the court, the 120-day and 18-
month standards that the Government manifestly failed to meet here were, in
a word, unachievable. Among the reasons for the delay, the 44-volume record
includes over four thousand pages of transcript and many hundreds of exhibits
comprising several thousand pages. Tellingly, Appellant’s clemency submis-
sion included 114 claims of legal error, including a claim of facially unreason-
able delay because the Government violated the 120-day standard for timely
post-trial review. Predictably, the proceedings below generated comparable
proceedings on appeal whether measured by time or complexity. Even before
Appellant had filed his assignments of error with this court, the Government
was held to answer to not just one presumptive due process violation, but two.
To be sure, “convicted servicemembers have a due process right to timely
review and appeal of courts-martial convictions.” Id. at 136 (citing Toohey v.
101
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
United States, 60 M.J. 100, 101 (C.A.A.F. 2004); Diaz v. Judge Advocate Gen-
eral of the Navy, 59 M.J. 34, 37–38 (C.A.A.F. 2003)). And, no one can seriously
quarrel about holding the Government to adhere to processing standards
meant to “to deter excessive delay in the appellate process and remedy those
instances in which there is unreasonable delay and due process violations.” Id.
at 142. However, while I join my colleagues in dutifully abiding by our superior
court’s Moreno holding, I do so with the reservation that, as applied here, it
may stray too far from Barker in cases like Appellant’s that are referred capital
and are uncharacteristic of cases like Moreno under review.
The appellant in Moreno was tried for the offense of rape in violation of
Article 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 920. Id. at 132. Re-
markably, in that case 1,688 days elapsed between adjournment and the CCA’s
decision. Id. at 135. The CAAF found excessive the 490 days that elapsed before
convening authority action, and the 925 days from when the case was docketed
at the CCA and briefing was complete. Id. at 136–38. In looking to Barker,
which “addressed speedy trial issues in a pretrial, Sixth Amendment context,”
the CAAF nonetheless acknowledged, by analogy, that the Barker opinion’s
“four-factor analysis has been broadly adopted for reviewing post-trial delay
due process claims.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135 (emphasis added).
In Barker, the Supreme Court could “find no constitutional basis for hold-
ing that the speedy trial right can be quantified into a specified number of days
or months.” 407 U.S. at 523. But, at the same time, the Court observed that
“[t]he States . . . are free to prescribe a reasonable period consistent with con-
stitutional standards . . . .” Id. (emphasis added). When a defendant’s speedy
trial is at issue, “[t]he length of the delay is to some extent a triggering mech-
anism. Until there is some delay which is presumptively prejudicial, there is
no necessity for inquiry into the other factors that go into the balance.” Id. at
530. Importantly, “the length of delay that will provoke such an inquiry is nec-
essarily dependent upon the peculiar circumstances of the case.” Id. at 530–31.
To illustrate this point, the 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.
Continuing the analogy in Moreno to the pretrial speedy trial context in
Barker, the case under review is hardly ordinary, and should generate consid-
erable uncertainty whether the Moreno standard for facially unreasonable de-
lay is “reasonable” under the circumstances. Rather than apply a fixed 120-day
and 18-month standard as the “triggering mechanism,” Barker, 407 U.S. at
530, that will prompt an examination of other factors identified in Barker, in
cases like Appellant’s that are referred capital, I would call upon our superior
court to apply a 270-day and 3-year standard, respectively, before finding a
presumptive violation of an appellant’s due process right to timely post-trial
102
United States v. Wilson, No. ACM 39387
processing and appellate review. In such cases, I believe each to be “a reason-
able period consistent with constitutional standards.” Id. at 523. As proposed,
the 270-day standard between completion of trial and convening authority ac-
tion adjusts for the time it takes to accurately prepare the record of trial and
to complete clemency in complex cases such as the capital-referred court-mar-
tial under review. At the same time, increasing the time for appellate review,
as proposed, allows both parties to review what predictably will be a lengthy
record of proceedings and for a CCA to render a decision.
Under the Moreno standards and the standards proposed here, I would find
a presumption of facially unreasonable delay. Nonetheless, I join the opinion
of the court in finding Appellant’s due process right to timely post-trial and
appellate review was not violated.
FOR THE COURT
CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court
103