United States v. Saine ( 2015 )


Menu:
  •               UNITED STATES NAVY-MARINE CORPS
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    WASHINGTON, D.C.
    Before
    J.A. FISCHER, D.C. KING, B.T. PALMER
    Appellate Military Judges
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    v.
    MICHAEL A. SAINE II
    BUILDER FIRST CLASS (E-6), U.S. NAVY
    NMCCA 201500082
    GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL
    Sentence Adjudged: 30 October 2014.
    Military Judge: CDR Robert P. Monahan, Jr., JAGC, USN.
    Convening Authority: Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic,
    Norfolk, VA.
    Staff Judge Advocate's Recommendation: CDR S.J. Gawronski,
    JAGC, USN.
    For Appellant: Capt Michael Magee, USMC.
    For Appellee: CDR James Carsten, JAGC, USN; Capt Cory
    Carver, USMC.
    31 December 2015
    ---------------------------------------------------
    OPINION OF THE COURT
    ---------------------------------------------------
    THIS OPINION DOES NOT SERVE AS BINDING PRECEDENT, BUT MAY BE CITED AS
    PERSUASIVE AUTHORITY UNDER NMCCA RULE OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE 18.2.
    PER CURIAM
    A military judge sitting as a general court-martial
    convicted the appellant, pursuant to his pleas, of one
    specification of violating a lawful order, one specification of
    sexual assault by bodily harm, and one specification of assault
    consummated by a battery, in violation of Articles 92, 120, and
    128, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 892, 920,
    and 928, respectively. The military judge sentenced the
    appellant to three years of confinement, reduction to pay grade
    E-3, and a bad-conduct discharge. Other than to defer and then
    suspend automatic forfeitures for six months, a pretrial
    agreement had no effect on the sentence. The convening
    authority (CA) approved the sentence as adjudged and except for
    the punitive discharge ordered it executed.
    The appellant raises four assignments of error (AOE):1
    (1) the appellant was denied due process when he was
    subject to a military prosecution following a civilian
    law enforcement investigation that did not result in a
    prosecution;
    (2) the findings and sentence should be set aside due
    to poor pretrial handling and investigation by law
    enforcement agents;
    (3) the appellant’s guilty pleas were not provident;
    and
    (4) the appellant’s sentence was too severe.
    Additionally, this court identified an issue concerning the
    staff judge advocate’s (SJA) failure to comment on claims of
    legal error the appellant raised in his clemency request.
    After careful consideration of the record of trial, the
    appellant's assignments of error, the identified issue, and the
    pleadings of the parties, we conclude that the findings and the
    sentence are correct in law and fact and that no error
    materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of the
    appellant occurred. Arts. 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ.
    Background
    In August 2012, the appellant was engaged in sexual
    intercourse with his wife, in their off-base residence, when she
    told him to stop. The appellant admitted he understood she had
    withdrawn her consent, yet he continued to engage in intercourse
    until he ejaculated.
    On 25 November 2013, during an argument, the appellant
    pushed his wife into a bathtub. The appellant testified that he
    1
    The appellant raises all AOEs pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 
    12 M.J. 431
    (C.M.A. 1982).
    2
    did so three to four minutes after she hit him in the head with
    a can of shaving cream.2 The appellant agreed that he was not
    acting in self-defense when he assaulted his wife.3
    On 5 December 2013, the appellant’s commanding officer (CO)
    issued him a written military protective order to remain 200
    feet away from his wife. On 15 January 2014, the CO renewed the
    order and provided the appellant a signed copy. On 15 February
    2014, the appellant intentionally violated the order by meeting
    his wife and son at a local hotel.
    Analysis
    I. Whether the appellant was denied due process and an
    adequate criminal investigation (AOEs 1 and 2)
    The appellant’s first AOE asserts he was denied due process
    when he was prosecuted by his command following an investigation
    that was initially conducted by civilian authorities. His
    second AOE argues the Naval Criminal Investigative Service was
    biased against him and failed to fully investigate the case.
    Given the related nature of these two AOEs, we combine and
    examine them together. After doing so, we find both lack merit.
    Other than invoking the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S.
    Constitution,4 the appellant provides no case law, cites no
    specific regulatory non-compliance by the Government, and offers
    only vague arguments in support of AOEs 1 and 2.5 Moreover, the
    appellant raises these claims for the first time on appeal.
    Claims of due process violations are questions of law that
    we review de novo. United States v. Lewis, 
    69 M.J. 379
    , 383
    (C.A.A.F. 2011). In general, a plea of guilty waives non-
    jurisdictional errors, which occurred prior to the entry of the
    guilty plea. United States v. Bradley, 
    68 M.J. 279
    , 281
    (C.A.A.F. 2010); see also United States v. Lee, 
    73 M.J. 166
    , 167
    (C.A.A.F. 2014). The record before us indicates the appellant
    2
    During sentencing, the appellant’s wife testified that she threw the can
    after the appellant pushed her. Record at 643.
    3
    
    Id. at 575-81.
    4
    U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, § 1.
    5
    To support his AOEs, the appellant generally relies on his 7 May 2015
    Request for Clemency, Parole, and Mandatory Supervised Release, which he
    appends to his Brief. See Appellant’s Brief of 14 Jul 2015 at 4-5 and the
    Appendix thereto.
    3
    freely and unconditionally pleaded guilty and thereby forfeited
    his right to appellate review of the nonjurisdictional issues he
    now raises. Even if we assumed the appellant neither waived nor
    forfeited these issues, our full review of his first two AOEs
    indicate they are without merit. United States v. Clifton, 
    35 M.J. 79
    , 81 (C.M.A. 1992).
    II.       Whether the appellant’s pleas were provident (AOE 3)
    In his third AOE, the appellant argues his pleas were not
    provident because he pleaded guilty under the “duress caused by
    the stressful situation in which he was placed, including the
    actions of [his wife] toward their son.”6 He also argues the
    military protective order he was convicted of violating was not
    lawful and that his violation of that order occurred under
    “extraordinary circumstances.”7 With regard to the sexual
    assault of his wife he now contends that he was in “mid-climax
    and could not [stop his intercourse] quickly enough.”8 Regarding
    his assault and battery of his wife, he now argues he was acting
    in self-defense and in defense of his wife, fearing she was
    attempting suicide.9 All the appellant’s arguments are directly
    contradicted by the record and he offers no case law or legal
    arguments to justify substituting his current assertions for his
    previous in-court sworn testimony.
    “A military judge’s decision to accept a guilty plea is
    reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” United States v.
    Inabinette, 
    66 M.J. 320
    , 322 (C.A.A.F. 2008) (citations and
    internal quotation marks omitted). We will not disturb a guilty
    plea unless the record of trial shows a substantial basis in law
    or fact for questioning the guilty plea. 
    Id. To prevent
    the
    acceptance of improvident pleas, the military judge is required
    to develop the factual basis, on the record, that “the acts or
    the omissions of the accused constitute the offense or offenses
    to which he is pleading guilty.” United States v. Care, 
    40 C.M.R. 247
    , 253 (C.M.A. 1969) (citations omitted); see also Art.
    45, UCMJ. The appellant must admit every element of the offense
    to which he pleads guilty. United States v. Aleman, 
    62 M.J. 281
    , 283 (C.A.A.F. 2006); see also RULE FOR COURTS-MARTIAL 910(e),
    MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL, UNITED STATES (2012 ed.). If the military
    judge fails to establish that there is an adequate basis in law
    6
    Appellant’s Brief at 5.
    7
    
    Id. and pages
    4-5 of the Appendix thereto.
    8
    
    Id. at 5.
    9
    
    Id. 4 or
    fact to support the appellant’s plea during the Care inquiry,
    the plea will be improvident. 
    Inabinette, 66 M.J. at 322
    ; see
    also R.C.M. 910(e). This court “must find ‘a substantial
    conflict between the plea and the [appellant’s] statements or
    other evidence’ in order to set aside a guilty plea. The ‘mere
    possibility’ of a conflict is not sufficient.” United States v.
    Watson, 
    71 M.J. 54
    , 58 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (quoting United States v.
    Garcia, 
    44 M.J. 496
    , 498 (C.A.A.F. 1996)). “In determining on
    appeal whether there is a substantial inconsistency, this Court
    considers the ‘full context’ of the plea inquiry, including
    Appellant’s stipulation of fact.” United States v. Goodman, 
    70 M.J. 396
    , 399 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (citing United States v. Smauley,
    
    42 M.J. 449
    , 452 (C.A.A.F. 1995)).
    The record does not support the appellant’s claim that he
    pleaded guilty under stress-induced duress. We find the
    military judge sought and obtained assurances from the appellant
    that: he pleaded guilty voluntarily and that no one threatened
    or forced him to plead guilty; no one threatened or forced him
    to agree to the stipulation of fact; he entered into his
    pretrial agreement “freely and voluntarily;” he understood he
    could request to withdraw his guilty pleas at any time before
    sentence was announced; no one attempted to coerce or force him
    to give up his right to a trial; he agreed the defenses of self-
    defense and duress did not apply in his case; he “freely and
    voluntarily” agreed to all specially-negotiated terms in his
    pretrial agreement and the addendum thereto in which he
    specifically waived his motions; and, after being advised of all
    terms and conditions in his pretrial agreement the appellant
    still desired to plead guilty.10
    Furthermore, the military judge, sua sponte, began the
    providence inquiry by examining whether the appellant’s
    medication for anxiety and depression might render him mentally
    incompetent to understand the nature of the proceedings or to
    cooperate intelligently in his defense. The military judge
    tested the appellant’s understanding of the court-martial
    process; the roles of the judge, prosecutor, and defense
    counsel; and his ability to communicate with and understand his
    defense counsel. The appellant stated there were no adverse
    effects from his medication. His trial defense counsel (TDC)
    concurred with the military judge’s assessment of the
    appellant’s competence.11 In circumstances, as here, where the
    10
    Record at 528, 536, 569-85, 596, 601, 604, 607, 609, 620, 622, 624, 625,
    628, 631, 632, 633, 634; Appellate Exhibit LIII.
    11
    
    Id. at 530-34.
                                          5
    appellant’s in-court statements do not raise an apparent
    inconsistency with his pleas, a “military judge may reasonably
    rely on both a presumption that the accused is sane and the long
    standing principle that counsel is presumed to be competent.”
    United States v. Shaw, 
    64 M.J. 460
    , 463 (C.A.A.F. 2007)
    (citations omitted). We find the appellant’s responses to the
    military judge’s questions established both his competence and
    his ability to cooperate intelligently in his defense. We also
    find the appellant was given multiple opportunities to voice any
    concerns about duress or his stress levels, and on each occasion
    he stated under oath, in the presence of his TDC, that his pleas
    were voluntary.12
    The trial record contradicts the appellant’s claim that the
    order he admitted to violating was unlawful. The record also
    contradicts his assertion that he violated the order under the
    “extraordinary circumstances” of fearing for his son’s safety.13
    During the providence inquiry, the appellant admitted all the
    elements of the offense and stated that the order was issued by
    proper authority, that he was aware of and understood the order,
    that the order was lawful, and that he freely made the decision
    to violate the order. The appellant testified that no person or
    anything forced him to violate the order, and that he had no
    legal justification or excuse for doing so.14 Additionally,
    prior to entering pleas, the appellant filed a motion
    challenging the military protective order’s constitutionality.
    The military judge, via three trial conferences15 later
    memorialized on the record and during the providence inquiry,
    ensured the appellant was fully aware and agreed his guilty
    12
    We note the appellant’s acceptance of a pretrial agreement, which provided
    significant tangible benefits to him, certainly appears to be a rational,
    sound decision on his part. Not only did the pretrial agreement
    substantially limit his exposure to confinement, but it also compelled the
    Government to withdraw and dismiss a conspiracy charge, a second orders
    violation specification, two rape specifications, six specifications of
    assault consummated by a battery, a specification of child endangerment, a
    specification of obstructing justice, and a specification of subornation of
    perjury. Arts. 81, 92, 120, 128, and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
    10 U.S.C. §§ 881, 892, 920, 928, and 934 respectively. See also AE LII at 6
    and 7.
    13
    The appellant now contends his wife had threatened his infant son with a
    knife, that she allowed him to crawl “in a pile of pills,” and that she had
    left him at a store without a coat in freezing weather. See Appellant’s
    Brief at 4-5 and the Appendix thereto at 3-4.
    14
    Record at 545-57.
    15
    Conducted pursuant to R.C.M. 802.
    6
    pleas would result in the waiver of all pretrial motions, which
    included his motion challenging the lawfulness of the military
    protective order.16 Even if we assume the issue was not waived,
    we remain convinced, based on the entirety of the record, that
    the military order the appellant admitted violating was in fact
    lawful. 
    Clifton, 35 M.J. at 81
    .
    The trial record contradicts the appellant’s claim that he
    was unable to halt sexual intercourse with his wife and that she
    manufactured her lack of consent. During the providence inquiry
    the appellant admitted he was engaged in sexual intercourse with
    his wife, that she told him to stop, that he heard her and
    understood she was no longer consenting, that he continued to
    have intercourse with her knowing she no longer consented, that
    he did not stop because he wanted to ejaculate, that his
    unwanted sexual intercourse caused bodily harm to his wife and
    was offensive to her, that no one forced or coerced him to have
    sex without her consent, that he could have stopped if he wanted
    to, and that he understood the reasonable mistake of fact
    defense17 and both he and his TDC agreed it did not apply in his
    case.18
    The trial record contradicts the appellant’s claim that
    during his wife’s battery he was acting in self-defense and,
    conversely, in defense of his wife who he now asserts was
    attempting suicide. During the providence inquiry the appellant
    admitted he assaulted his wife by pushing her with unlawful
    force and violence so that she fell into a bathtub; that he did
    so because he was angry with her; that at the time of the
    assault she was not threatening him with force or violence; that
    he understood the defense of self-defense19 (as correctly
    explained by the military judge) and that he and his TDC agreed
    it did not apply; that he had no legal justification or excuse
    for pushing his wife; that no one forced or coerced him to do
    16
    The appellant filed motions for release from pretrial confinement; to
    sever charges; to suppress the appellant’s statements; to admit evidence
    under MILITARY RULE OF EVIDENCE 412, MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL, UNITED STATES (2012
    ed.); to compel funding for an independent investigator; to compel funding
    for an expert; to dismiss certain charges as unconstitutional; and for an in-
    camera review under MIL. R. EVID. 513. Record at 385-88, 395, 505-09, 625-31.
    See also AE I, XVI, XVIII, XX, XXII, XXIV, XXVI, XXVIII, LII, and LIII.
    17
    R.C.M. 916(j).
    18
    Record at 558-69.
    19
    R.C.M. 916(e)(3).
    7
    so; and that he could have avoided doing so if he wanted.20
    Further, the appellant admitted that his wife was not attempting
    suicide when he pushed her; that she had no weapon or other
    means to harm herself; that she was not threatening to harm
    herself; that he did not believe by pushing her he was
    attempting to save her from killing or harming herself; that he
    understood the defense of duress21 (as correctly explained by the
    military judge); and that he and his TDC agreed it did not apply
    in his case.22
    Taken together, we find the record directly contradicts all
    the claims raised in the appellant’s third AOE. Further, we
    find the military judge carefully and deliberately developed the
    factual basis for the appellant’s acts that comprised the
    offenses for which he pleaded guilty. The military judge
    correctly instructed the appellant on the elements, applicable
    defenses, and relevant definitions associated with each offense.
    The appellant acknowledged understanding the military judge’s
    explanations and then admitted every element of each offense,
    after explaining, in detail, in his own words, how he committed
    each crime. Additionally, the appellant’s statements made
    during the providence inquiry were consistent with a stipulation
    of fact admitted without objection pursuant to the appellant’s
    pre-trial agreement.23 Finding no substantial basis in law or
    fact for questioning the appellant’s guilty pleas, we will not
    disturb them. 
    Inabinette, 66 M.J. at 322
    . We find the
    appellant’s pleas were provident and that the military judge did
    not abuse his discretion in accepting them.
    III.    Whether the appellant’s sentence was too severe (AOE 4)
    In his final AOE, the appellant argues that his sentence
    was inappropriately severe based on his character and record of
    service. We disagree.
    This court reviews the appropriateness of a sentence de
    novo. United States v. Lane, 
    64 M.J. 1
    , 2 (C.A.A.F. 2006).
    Sentence appropriateness involves the judicial function of
    assuring that justice is done and that the accused gets the
    punishment he deserves. United States v. Healy, 
    26 M.J. 394
    ,
    395 (C.M.A. 1988); see also United States v. Baier, 
    60 M.J. 382
    ,
    20
    Record at 569-80.
    21
    R.C.M. 916(h).
    22
    Record at 573-74, 581-85.
    23
    See Prosecution Exhibit 1.
    8
    383 (C.A.A.F 2005). Our review gives “‘individualized
    consideration’ of the particular accused 'on the basis of the
    nature and seriousness of the offense and the character of the
    offender.’” United States v. Snelling, 
    14 M.J. 267
    , 268 (C.M.A.
    1982) (quoting United States v. Mamaluy, 
    27 C.M.R. 176
    , 180-81
    (C.M.A. 1959)).
    The record contains evidence in extenuation and mitigation
    from the appellant, his ex-wife, his grandmother, his children,
    a childhood friend, and a fellow petty officer. The record also
    contains aggravation testimony concerning the appellant’s sexual
    assault and later physical assault of his current wife. This
    includes testimony of the humiliation and degradation his wife
    experienced as a result of his sexual assault, the pain and fear
    associated with his physical assault, and her anxiety,
    depression, and loss of self-esteem created by his pattern of
    abuse toward her.24
    After reviewing the record and pleadings, we find the
    appellant’s adjudged and approved sentence is appropriate for
    this offender and his offenses. 
    Baier, 60 M.J. at 384-85
    ;
    
    Healy, 26 M.J. at 395-96
    . The facts that the adjudged sentence
    included only three years’ confinement, two years less than the
    negotiated protections in his pre-trial agreement, and 28 years
    less than the potential maximum; that the appellant was not
    awarded forfeitures; that the appellant was only reduced three
    pay grades; and that the appellant was awarded a bad-conduct
    discharge instead of a dishonorable discharge, reflect
    substantial credit for the appellant’s evidence in extenuation
    and mitigation. Weighing the gravity of the appellant’s
    offenses against his character and service, we find his sentence
    appropriate.
    Lastly, the appellant supports his brief with an appended
    copy of his clemency and parole petition, wherein he, not
    surprisingly, asks for clemency. Clemency, however, is not
    within the authority of this court to grant, and we therefore
    take no action on such request. See 
    Healy, 26 M.J. at 395
    .
    IV.    Whether the SJA’s recommendation was defective
    Although not raised by the parties, we note the appellant
    raised legal error in post-trial submissions that were
    subsequently not addressed in the SJA’s recommendation to the
    CA. On 23 January 2015, the appellant’s TDC submitted a R.C.M.
    24
    Record at 641-44, 650-53, 657-58, 660-61, 681, 690-91.
    9
    1105 clemency request wherein he alleged the military judge
    imposed disparate punishment upon him and cited as evidence
    thereof two rape cases in which the offenders received lighter
    sentences. Additionally, he asserted the military judge
    improperly considered the appellant’s dismissed charges when
    arriving at his sentence arguing the “military justice system
    prohibits such [a] spillover effect.”25
    When a sentence includes a punitive discharge or
    confinement for one year or more, a CA must receive a written
    recommendation from his or her SJA before taking action on the
    case. Art. 60(d), UCMJ; R.C.M. 1106(a). In that recommendation
    the SJA must state “whether, in the [SJA’s] opinion, corrective
    action on the findings or sentence should be taken when an
    allegation of legal error is raised in matters submitted under
    R.C.M. 1105 or when otherwise deemed appropriate by the [SJA].”
    R.C.M. 1106(d)(4). Notwithstanding this requirement, the 3
    February 2015 SJA’s recommendation and the 20 February 2014
    SJA’s addendum recommendation, advised the CA that the defense
    had not raised any allegations of legal error.26 On 24 February
    2015, the TDC acknowledged receipt of the SJA’s recommendation,
    and in a handwritten annotation stated: “The Defense has no
    corrections, challenges, or comments to submit.”27
    “If defense counsel does not make a timely comment on an
    error or omission in the SJA's recommendation, the error is
    waived unless it is prejudicial under a plain error analysis.” 28
    United States v. Capers, 
    62 M.J. 268
    , 269 (C.A.A.F. 2005)
    (citations and internal quotation marks omitted); R.C.M.
    1106(f). To prevail under a plain error analysis, the appellant
    must persuade this Court that: “(1) there was an error; (2) it
    was plain or obvious; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a
    substantial right.” United States v. Scalo, 
    60 M.J. 435
    , 436
    25
    SJA’s Recommendation of 3 Feb 2015, Enclosure 10 at 2.
    26
    
    Id. at 2
    and SJA’s Addendum Recommendation of 20 Feb 2015.
    27
    TDC’s Acknowledgment of Receipt of the SJA Addendum Recommendation of 24
    Feb 2015 at 1.
    28
    Although the court in Capers characterized the defense’s failure to make a
    timely comment as waiver, it is clear from their analysis they actually
    treated it as a “forfeited” issue. 
    Capers, 62 M.J. at 269
    . “Waiver is
    different from forfeiture. Whereas forfeiture is the failure to make the
    timely assertion of a right, waiver is the intentional relinquishment or
    abandonment of a known right. . . . [i]f an appellant has forfeited a right
    by failing to raise it at trial, we review for plain error.” United States
    v. Gladue, 
    67 M.J. 311
    , 313 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citations and internal quotation
    marks omitted).
    10
    (C.A.A.F. 2005) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
    The prejudice prong involves a relatively low threshold -- a
    demonstration of “some colorable showing of possible prejudice.”
    
    Capers, 62 M.J. at 269
    -70 (citations and internal quotation
    marks omitted). Our review is de novo. 
    Id. at 2
    70.
    We find the appellant did not timely comment on the
    omissions in the SJA's recommendation, and thus apply a plain
    error analysis. We first examine for error. Although not
    actually using the words “legal error” in his R.C.M. 1105
    clemency request, the appellant argued he was more severely
    punished than similar offenders in the same judicial circuit and
    claimed the military judge’s alleged “spillover” was prohibited.
    As discussed infra, military appellate courts have extensively
    examined both issues. Additionally, “spillover” arises so
    frequently a standardized military judge instruction was crafted
    to educate members on this concern.29 As such, the SJA should
    have recognized both issues as warranting discussion in his
    advice to the CA. We find this omission to be plain and obvious
    error.
    We next assess for prejudice. To do so we examine the
    issues raised in the appellant’s clemency request for error
    occurring at trial. United States v. Welker, 
    44 M.J. 85
    , 89
    (C.A.A.F. 1996). We address the appellant’s disparate sentence
    claim first.
    Sentence appropriateness is generally determined without
    reference or comparison to sentences in other cases. United
    States v. Ballard, 
    20 M.J. 282
    , 283 (C.M.A. 1985). We are not
    required to engage in a comparison of specific cases “‘except in
    those rare instances in which sentence appropriateness can be
    fairly determined only by reference to disparate sentences
    adjudged in closely related cases.’” United States v. Lacy, 
    50 M.J. 286
    , 288 (C.A.A.F. 1999) (quoting 
    Ballard, 20 M.J. at 283
    )
    (additional citation omitted). “Closely related” cases “involve
    offenses that are similar in both nature and seriousness or
    which arise from a common scheme or design.” United States v.
    Kelly, 
    40 M.J. 558
    , 570 (N.M.C.M.R. 1994); see also 
    Lacy, 50 M.J. at 288
    (citing examples of closely related cases as
    including co-actors in a common crime, service members involved
    in a common or parallel scheme, or “some other direct nexus
    between the servicemembers whose sentences are sought to be
    compared.”) The appellant bears the burden of demonstrating
    29
    Dep't of Army, Pam. 27-9, Legal Services: Military Judges’ Benchbook,
    para. 7-17 (10 Sept. 2014) (citing Hogan, 
    20 M.J. 71
    (C.M.A. 1985)).
    11
    that any cited cases are “closely related” to his case and that
    the sentences are “highly disparate.” 
    Id. We find
    the appellant failed to demonstrate, for the CA or
    this court, that his two cited cases were closely related to his
    own. Although characterized as rape cases tried in the same
    circuit, the appellant did not provide the case names, the trial
    dates, or even whether they were tried before the same military
    judge who heard his case. Further, other than noting the
    unidentified servicemembers in those cases received less severe
    sentences, he provided no amplifying information on related
    charges, or the age, grade, or service of the accused or
    victims. Demonstrating the cases are closely related is a
    “threshold requirement for the review of . . . sentence
    comparison.” 
    Kelly, 40 M.J. at 570
    . The appellant did not meet
    this threshold, thus we conclude we are neither required nor
    even able to conduct a sentence comparison.
    We next turn to the appellant’s claim that the military
    judge allowed information related to the dismissed charges to
    “spillover” into his deliberations on sentence. Other than
    highlighting extenuating matters relevant to the appellant’s
    convictions and relying on his disparate sentencing 
    argument, supra
    , the appellant offers no evidence to support his claim the
    military judge permitted “spillover” to occur. Accordingly, we
    resolve the appellant’s claim by recognizing military judges are
    presumed to know the law and follow it absent clear evidence to
    the contrary, United States v. Erickson, 
    65 M.J. 221
    , 225
    (C.A.A.F. 2007). We find the appellant has provided no clear
    evidence that the military judge failed to follow the law and
    therefore find no error.
    Regarding both assertions of error raised in the
    appellant’s R.C.M. 1105 matters, we find no actual error
    occurred at trial, thus no colorable showing of possible
    prejudice and no impact on the appellant’s substantial rights.
    
    Welker, 44 M.J. at 89
    ; 
    Capers, 62 M.J. at 270
    . Because of the
    absence of error or prejudice, we find that had the SJA
    identified and addressed the raised legal error, it would not
    have led to a favorable recommendation or corrective action by
    the CA. We therefore decline to remand for a new recommendation
    and action. United States v. Green, 
    44 M.J. 93
    , 95 (C.A.A.F.
    1996).
    12
    Conclusion
    The findings and the sentence are affirmed.
    For the Court
    R.H. TROIDL
    Clerk of Court
    13
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 201500082

Filed Date: 12/31/2015

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 1/11/2016