United States v. First Lieutenant MICHAEL C. BEHENNA

UNITED STATES ARMY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
Before
TOZZI, 1 SIMS, and GALLAGHER
Appellate Military Judges
UNITED STATES, Appellee
v.
First Lieutenant MICHAEL C. BEHENNA
United States Army, Appellant
ARMY 20090234
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell
Theodore E. Dixon, Military Judge
Colonel Peter M. Cullen, Staff Judge Advocate
For Appellant: Jack B. Zimmermann, Esquire (argued); Captain Pamela Perillo, JA;
Jack B. Zimmermann, Esquire; Terri R. Zimmermann, Esquire; Kyle R. Sampson,
Esquire (on brief); Captain E. Patrick Gilman, JA; Jack B. Zimmermann, Esquire;
Terri R. Zimmermann, Esquire; Kyle R. Sampson, Esquire (on reply brief).
For Appellee: Captain Madeline F. Yanford (argued); Colonel Michael L. Mulligan,
JA; Major Christopher B. Burgess, JA; Captain Christopher B. Witwer, JA; Captain
Madeline F. Yanford, JA (on brief).
21 July 2011
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OPINION OF THE COURT
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GALLAGHER, Judge:
An officer panel sitting as a general court-martial convicted appellant,
contrary to his pleas, of unpremeditated murder and assault, in violation of Articles
118 and 128, Uniform Code of Military Justice, [hereinafter UCMJ], 10 U.S.C. §§
918 and 928. The panel sentenced appellant to confinement for twenty-five years,
forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and to be dismissed from the service. The
convening authority approved a sentence to confinement for twenty years, total
forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dismissal from the service and granted
1
Senior Judge TOZZI took final action in this case prior to his permanent change of
duty station.
BEHENNA—ARMY 20090234
fifty days of confinement credit. This case is before us for review pursuant to
Article 66, UCMJ.
Appellant raised seven assignments of error to this court:
I.
THE MILITARY JUDGE REVERSIBLY ERRED BY
DENYING THE MOTION FOR MISTRIAL, BASED ON
THE TRIAL COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE
FAVORABLE INFORMATION TO THE DEFENSE.
II.
THE MILITARY JUDGE REVERSIBLY ERRED BY
DENYING THE MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL, BASED ON
THE TRIAL COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE
FAVORABLE INFORMATION TO THE DEFENSE.
III.
THE TRIAL COUNSEL COMMITTED REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY FAILING TO DISCLOSE FAVORABLE
INFORMATION TO THE DEFENSE.
IV.
THE TRIAL COUNSEL COMMITTED REVERSIBLE
ERROR BY MAKING FALSE ASSERTIONS OF
MATERIAL FACT AND INTERJECTING HER
PERSONAL OPINION OF THE EVIDENCE IN CLOSING
FINAL ARGUMENT.
V.
THE MILITARY JUDGE REVERSIBLY ERRED BY
GIVING AN IMPROPER INSTRUCTION LIMITING 1LT
BEHENNA’S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE.
VI.
THE EVIDENCE OF UNPREMEDITATED MURDER IS
NOT FACTUALLY SUFFICIENT.
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VII.
THE MILITARY JUDGE REVERSIBLY ERRED BY
FAILING TO INSTRUCT THE MEMBERS [SUA
SPONTE] ON THE LESSER[-]INCLUDED OFFENSE OF
VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.
We have considered the assignments of error raised to this court, including
those personally raised by appellant pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J.
431 (C.M.A. 1982). We find five of the issues raised warrant discussion but no
relief.
BACKGROUND
The Incident
Appellant deployed to Iraq in September 2007. He was the platoon leader of
an eighteen-man platoon responsible for the Albu Toma area, which was north of
Baghdad and Tikrit. Appellant’s mission was to man the checkpoint at Forward
Operating Base (FOB) Summerall, to serve as the battalion quick reaction force, and
to conduct missions within Albu Toma. The Albu Toma mission involved
counterinsurgency operations, operations with the Iraqi Security Forces, including
the Concerned Local Citizens (CLC), the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Police, and the
leadership in Albu Toma. Beginning in February 2008, appellant received
information that led him to believe that A.M. was an individual involved in
insurgency groups and in terrorist attacks against appellant’s platoon. On 21 April
2008, an IED attack on appellant’s platoon resulted in the death of two soldiers, a
translator, and a couple of Iraqi CLC members.
As part of his mission, appellant met regularly with Sheik Hamad, who was
the leader of Albu Toma and responsible for the CLC. On 5 May 2008, appellant
met with Sheik Hamad who identified A.M. as a terrorist. Subsequently, appellant
went to A.M.’s house, isolated him in a room of the house and ordered him to lie
down on his stomach. A.M. complied. Appellant began interrogating A.M., who did
not provide the information requested. Appellant hit A.M. repeatedly on the back
with his Kevlar helmet until A.M. gave appellant the requested information.
Appellant’s platoon sergeant, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Hal Warner, entered the room,
saw appellant strike A.M. and then left the room. Appellant subsequently turned
A.M. over to the interrogators. Appellant later reviewed the reports detailing A.M.’s
interrogation. Dissatisfied with the information obtained, appellant requested A.M.
be reinterrogated pertaining to specific individuals located in appellant’s area of
operation that may have been involved in attacks against appellant’s platoon. A.M.
was rescreened; appellant was present during the screening, but not permitted to ask
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questions. After the screening, appellant believed A.M. was not forthcoming with
all known information.
On 16 May 2008, appellant was given a specific order to return A.M. to Albu
Toma and another detainee to Mezra, a nearby town. Prior to loading the detainees
into the truck for transport, appellant took A.M. and appellant’s interpreter, known
as “Harry,” over to appellant’s quarters and away from where everyone else was
assembling. Appellant told A.M. he would be questioning him later and threatened
to kill A.M. that day if A.M. did not provide specific information appellant believed
he possessed about cell leaders, the IED attack on his platoon, and A.M.’s trips to
Syria. Appellant knew he was not authorized to interrogate and threaten A.M.
Appellant took the first detainee to his town and dropped him off as ordered.
Then appellant went to Albu Toma, A.M.’s town, and met with Sheik Hamad.
However, appellant did not drop off A.M. as ordered. Instead, he directed his four-
truck convoy to travel through the desert as the route back to FOB Summerall.
Appellant stopped the convoy at a remote location next to two railroad culverts, had
A.M. removed from the truck, and taking only A.M., Harry, and SSG Warner with
him, travelled through the first culvert and into the second culvert located about
seventy-five meters from the first culvert. The convoy remained approximately fifty
yards from the first culvert. The culvert was made of concrete and was ten feet
wide, eight to nine feet high, and thirty feet long. Appellant did not want to involve
any other soldiers because he knew his planned interrogation was unauthorized.
As soon as they arrived in the second culvert, appellant and SSG Warner cut
off A.M.’s clothes, leaving him naked, wearing only sandals. Appellant and SSG
Warner cut off A.M.’s clothes in order to humiliate him. Appellant knew he was not
authorized to engage in these actions as an interrogation technique. Using a knife,
appellant attempted to remove the flex cuffs that bound A.M.’s hands together and
cut A.M.’s hand. The interpreter offered to remove the cuffs for appellant to avoid
further injury to A.M. Appellant then ordered A.M. to sit and A.M. complied,
sitting to the left side of the tunnel on a piece of rock or concrete about a foot high
with his back to the left tunnel wall. Appellant stood on the right side of the tunnel
with his back to the right tunnel wall. Both were approximately one foot from the
wall. The distance between the two was about three feet. They were both about two
feet inside the culvert. At some point, SSG Warner left the culvert to relieve
himself. Despite the fact that A.M. offered no resistance, appellant nonetheless
pulled out his loaded 9mm Glock pistol and pointed it at A.M. as soon as A.M. sat
down on the rock. Appellant knew this was not an authorized interrogation
technique for him to use. Appellant was in full battle gear, including helmet, IBA,
M-4 rifle, and his Glock pistol.
When appellant pulled his weapon, held it in his right hand, and pointed it at
A.M., Harry stepped outside of the culvert out of fear that appellant would fire and a
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bullet would ricochet and hit him. At appellant’s direction, Harry started asking
A.M. questions, trying to get A.M. to provide names of other terrorists. The first
time A.M. denied knowledge. Appellant then told A.M., “This is your last chance to
tell the information or you will die.” After this threat, A.M. said “I will talk.”
Harry shifted his eyes slightly away from A.M. towards appellant to translate.
Before Harry could translate, appellant fired and shot A.M. in both the head and
chest. A.M. fell to the right and died from the shots inflicted by the appellant. The
entire interrogation inside the culvert lasted two to three minutes. Harry did not see
A.M. make any sudden movements. Appellant’s demeanor from the trip to Albu
Toma through the events at the culvert was normal.
During the interrogation, SSG Warner was approximately thirty-five to forty-
five meters from the culvert entrance. When the first shot was fired, SSG Warner
was relieving himself, but immediately turned and moved towards the culvert
entrance. After the second shot, SSG Warner entered the culvert, pulled a thermite
grenade from his belt, removed the safety pin, placed the grenade next to A.M.’s
body, and ran back out of the culvert. The grenade ignited next to A.M.’s head
causing burns to the dead body. Appellant and SSG Warner collected A.M.’s
clothes, left the culvert, and returned to the waiting convoy. The stop at the culvert
lasted approximately ten to fifteen minutes. The convoy returned immediately to the
FOB.
After returning to the FOB, appellant talked to SSG Warner about what
happened. He discussed the difference between a moral and a legal right to kill.
Additionally, when Harry asked appellant why he killed A.M., appellant stated,
“A.M. planted explosives twice on a specific road and the explosive that went off in
the Salaam Village, he had a hand into this, too. He was part of the operation.”
When asked by two soldiers in the mess hall whether he killed A.M., appellant stated
that he shot him because he felt he and his platoon were in danger that night. He
also stated that he would do it again, and he did not feel bad about it because he just
lost two guys.
Finally, as of 16 May 2008, appellant was diagnosed as suffering from acute
stress disorder caused by traumatic events in his life; however, he did not lack
mental responsibility at the time of the offenses.
The details of what happened during those two to three minutes of
interrogation in the culvert with appellant and A.M. were hotly contested at trial and
relate to the issues raised.
Harry testified that even though he was ten meters outside of the culvert, he
could still see, although not clearly. He was positioned so he could see both
appellant and A.M. He stated the victim remained seated on the rock and after the
first shot, A.M. moved first to the back and then slowly to the right as he fell and
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laid on his side. The second shot occurred while A.M. was making the movement to
the right. The shots occurred within two to three seconds of each other.
SSG Warner testified that he started running towards the culvert after the first
shot and had run approximately fifteen to twenty meters when he saw the muzzle
flash from the second shot. There was approximately three seconds between shots.
SSG Warner also testified that as he was moving he turned his tac light on and saw
A.M. on the left hand side of the culvert in a semi-sitting position and it looked like
he was falling to the right.
Doctor Aswad performed the autopsy on A.M. He testified that the cause of
death was a gunshot wound to the skull. The shot to the skull entered the right
temple and came out on the left on a level trajectory. The chest wound was the
second wound and entered the right side of the body between the 4th and 5th rib
under the right arm. The exit wound was by the spine on the left side at a level
trajectory.
Dr. Radelat testified for the defense as an expert in forensic pathology that in
his opinion A.M. was standing when shot first in the chest, then in the head.
Mr. Tom Bevel testified for the defense as an expert in the field of scene
reconstruction. Mr. Bevel testified that in his opinion the chest wound was inflicted
first, followed by the head wound. Additionally he testified that the best
explanation for the chest wound was that A.M. was standing when shot in the chest.
Finally, he testified that the blood originated at a minimum height of three-and-one-
half to four feet, possibly much higher.
Appellant testified that he chose the second culvert as an interrogation site
because there was a CLC checkpoint not far away from the tunnel that he intended to
send A.M. to after he provided the requested information. Additionally, he testified
that just before the shooting, he heard A.M. say something different than denying
having any information so he turned his head left towards Harry for the translation.
As he did so, he heard the sound of concrete hitting the wall over his left shoulder.
Appellant turned his head right and saw A.M. “getting up with his hands out toward
[his] weapon. [He] stepped to the left and fired two shots.” Appellant stepped to
the left to put distance between A.M. and himself. There was about one second
between shots. Appellant testified that he was “scared [A.M.] was going to take
[his] weapon and use it on [him], but this happened fast.” Appellant testified he had
his finger right outside the trigger well of the Glock pistol while he was holding it
and did not believe A.M. was a threat to him until the concrete was thrown.
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The Government’s Expert Witness
The factual findings set forth by the military judge in Appellate Exhibit XCI
are supported by the record and are not clearly erroneous and thus, we adopt them.
See United States v. Leedy, 65 M.J. 208, 213 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (“Findings of fact will
not be overturned unless they are clearly erroneous or unsupported by the record.”)
On 28 August 2008, the [d]efense requested in writing that
the [g]overnment provide to the [d]efense all exculpatory
evidence.
Prior to trial, the [g]overnment gave notice to the
[d]efense that it had retained Dr. Herbert MacDonell as an
expert consultant, and that he was a potential witness.
The [d]efense was aware of Dr. MacDonell’s education
and experience and his professional reputation and
standing in the area of his expertise.
On Wednesday, 25 February 2009, the [g]overnment
rested its case without calling Dr. MacDonell as a witness.
The evidence presented by the [g]overnment supported a
finding that 1LT Behenna shot and killed [A.M.] while
[A.M.] was sitting naked on a rock. The [g]overnment’s
theory was that the evidence supported a finding that the
two shots were fired several seconds apart and that the
first shot was to [A.M.]’s head and the second to [A.M.]’s
upper torso, in an execution-style killing.
Also on Wednesday, the [d]efense presented testimony of
two [d]efense experts, Dr. Paul Radelat and Mr. Tom
Bevel. Both witnesses testified that, in their opinions, the
forensic evidence supported a conclusion that [A.M.] had
been shot while standing, with the first shot being to the
chest and the second shot being to the head.
The [g]overnment’s cross-examination of Dr. Radelat and
Mr. Bevel focused on the possibility that there were many
logical explanations of the shooting scenario in this case
based on the forensic evidence.
Dr. MacDonell sat in the courtroom gallery, with consent
of the parties, during the testimony of Dr. Radelat and Mr.
Bevel.
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Mr. Bevel testified after Dr. Radelat. After Mr. Bevel
testified, the [d]efense had an opportunity to speak with
Dr. MacDonell concerning the potential of his being called
as a rebuttal witness.
The [g]overnment never informed Dr. MacDonell that he
could not speak to the [d]efense about the substance of his
potential testimony.
As of the end of the presentation of evidence on
Wednesday, Dr. MacDonell’s opinion, notwithstanding the
testimony of Dr. Radelat and Mr. Bevel, was that the
forensic evidence did not contradict the [g]overnment’s
theory of the case and, presumably based on the other
evidence known to him (e.g., “Harry’s” testimony and
SSG Warner’s testimony), he disagreed with Mr. Bevel’s
conclusion that [A.M.] was standing when he was shot.
1LT Behenna provided no pretrial statements asserting
that the shooting of [A.M.] was in self-defense and, until
he testified on Thursday, neither the counsel for the
[g]overnment, nor Dr. MacDonell were aware of the
substance of his potential testimony.
At a meeting Wednesday evening with all three trial
counsel, another [g]overnment consultant (Dr. Berg), and
several other administrative support personnel, Dr.
MacDonell theorized and demonstrated that an unlikely
but possible scenario, that was not inconsistent with the
forensic evidence and the only logical explanation
consistent with the testimony of Dr. Radelat and Mr.
Bevel, was that if the first shot was to the chest, the
second shot to the head could have occurred as [A.M.]
dropped in front of the muzzle of 1LT Behenna’s weapon.
The second shot would have had to [have] been fired
immediately after the first shot because [A.M.] would
have immediately dropped to the ground as a result of the
first shot. This theory was not inconsistent with the
forensic evidence, but was inconsistent with all other
evidence known to the [g]overnment counsel and Dr.
MacDonell (e.g., the testimony of “Harry” and SSG
Warner that the second shot occurred between 3-5 seconds
after the first shot, and “Harry’s” testimony that [A.M.]
was sitting at the time of the first shot.)
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...
Government counsel, based on Dr. MacDonell’s opinion
that the available forensic evidence did not lend itself to a
very detailed interpretation, decided that they would not
call Dr. MacDonell in rebuttal. Because Dr. MacDonell
wanted to return home for personal reasons, arrangements
were made for him to depart Fort Campbell at
approximately 1700 on Thursday to return to New York.
On Thursday, 26 February 2009, Dr. MacDonell was once
again, with consent of the parties, present for the direct
testimony of 1LT Behenna. Prior to 1LT Behenna
testifying to circumstances of the actual shooting, Dr.
MacDonell did not find 1LT Behenna to be a credible
witness. 1LT Behenna then testified to his account of the
shooting, which was consistent with Dr. MacDonell’s
demonstration during the meeting the evening prior.
After hearing 1LT Behenna’s account of the shooting, Dr.
MacDonell changed his opinion of 1LT Behenna’s
credibility and believed he was telling the truth. While
1LT Behenna was testifying, Dr. MacDonell told Dr. Berg,
who was sitting in the gallery next to Dr. MacDonell while
1LT Behenna was testifying, “That’s exactly what I told
you yesterday.”
...
At approximately 1700 on Thursday, while the [c]ourt was
closed to deliberate on an issue concerning [Military Rule
of Evidence [hereinafter Mil. R. Evid.]] 301, and just prior
to Dr. MacDonell leaving the courtroom, Dr. MacDonell
informed [civilian defense counsel] that, “I would have
made a great witness for you” or words to that effect.
When [civilian defense counsel] asked what his testimony
might be, Dr. MacDonell informed the [d]efense that he
could not divulge any information to the [d]efense, as he
had been retained by the [g]overnment. [Civilian defense
counsel] did not pursue the matter further with Dr.
MacDonell and the [d]efense made no further inquiry to
the [g]overnment counsel on the matter until Friday
morning. Defense [c]ounsel’s inquiry Friday morning was
the first reasonable opportunity under the circumstances to
address the matter with the [g]overnment.
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Dr. MacDonell testified in response to counsel questions
on Saturday, 28 February 2009, that, as he was leaving the
courtroom, he told the prosecuting group “that was just
exactly what I told you.” In response to the court’s
specific questions, however, Dr. MacDonell admitted that
he made that statement only to Dr. Berg during 1LT
Behenna’s testimony. The [c]ourt finds that Dr.
MacDonell made the statement only to Dr. Berg.
Dr. MacDonell left the courtroom to return to New York
before the Government began its cross-examination of
1LT Behenna.
On Friday, 27 February 2009, prior to the start of court
that morning, [civilian defense counsel] informed
[g]overnment counsel about Dr. MacDonell[’s] statement
and asked what he meant by it. Government counsel
responded that they did not know, and that they were
unaware of any exculpatory information. Government
[c]ounsel’s response to [civilian defense counsel] was an
honest, good faith representation, albeit inaccurate as it
relates to whether Dr. MacDonell actually [possessed]
favorable information for the [d]efense.
Defense [c]ounsel now asserts that it was reasonable to
rely on [g]overnment counsel’s response that Dr.
MacDonell “did not possess” or “that they were unaware
of” any exculpatory information to justify not pursuing the
matter further. The [c]ourt disagrees. There is only one
reasonable interpretation of Dr. MacDonell’s statement, in
light of his area of expertise i.e., that he would have
testified that in his opinion the forensic evidence in some
way favorably supported the [d]efense theory of the case.
Additionally, the military judge found that the trial counsel did not learn of
Dr. MacDonell’s revised opinion until they were notified by civilian defense counsel
the morning of Friday, 27 February 2009.
In addition to the military judge’s factual findings, we find as follows. The
defense rested their case after appellant’s testimony. The government had no
rebuttal. The military judge began to discuss instructions and the court recessed at
1915 on 26 February 2009. The court did not resume on the record until 1244 on 27
February 2009. At that time the military judge noted there had been a series of Rule
for Courts-Martial [hereinafter R.C.M.] 802 sessions with counsel that morning
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regarding instructions. The court closed for deliberation at 1656 and findings were
announced at 2023 on 27 February 2009. That same day, Dr. MacDonell sent the
trial counsel an e-mail setting forth his revised opinion. Trial counsel forwarded the
e-mail to the defense immediately upon opening it. In advance of trial, Dr.
MacDonell’s report was provided to the defense and the defense interviewed Dr.
MacDonell. Dr. MacDonell’s area of expertise is as a scene reconstructionist and he
is a renowned expert in bloodstain analysis.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
A. Failure to Disclose Favorable Information
We consider together the first three assignments of error in determining
whether the government failed to disclose favorable information and whether the
military judge erred by failing to grant appellant’s motion for a mistrial and petition
for new trial based on the alleged disclosure failure.
We look first at whether the government failed to disclose evidence in
violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963) and R.C.M. 701. Criminal
defendants must be given “a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense.”
California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479, 485 (1984); United States v. Webb, 66 M.J.
89, 92 (C.A.A.F. 2008). That guarantee requires the prosecution to disclose
evidence that is material and favorable to the defense. Brady, 373 U.S. at 87; Webb,
66 M.J. at 92. Whether undisclosed evidence is “material” is a question of law,
which we review de novo. United States v. Morris, 52 M.J. 193, 198 (C.A.A.F.
1999). In this case, material evidence, with respect to a specific request, is that
which “might have affected the outcome of the trial.” See United States v. Agurs,
427 U.S. 97, 106 (1976). When an appellant demonstrates error with respect to a
Brady nondisclosure, that appellant is entitled to relief only if there is a reasonable
probability that there would have been a different result at trial had the evidence
been disclosed. See United States v. Santos, 59 M.J. 317, 321 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
Rule for Courts-Martial 701, “which sets forth specific requirements with
respect to evidence favorable to the defense . . . implements the Supreme Court’s
decision in Brady v. Maryland . . . .” United States v. Williams, 50 M.J. 436, 440
(C.A.A.F. 1999) (internal quotations and emphasis omitted). Rule for Courts-
Martial 701(a)(6) directs the trial counsel to disclose
As soon as is practicable . . . the existence of evidence
known to the trial counsel which reasonably tends to:
(A) Negate the guilt of the accused of an offense charged;
(B) Reduce the degree of guilt of the accused of an
offense charged; or
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(C) Reduce the punishment.
R.C.M. 701(a)(6). “We view our superior court’s guidance as requiring us to
analyze nondisclosure issues under the statutory and executive order standards set
forth by R.C.M. 701 and Article 46, UCMJ, which are broader than the Brady
constitutional standard.” United States v. Trigueros, 69 M.J. 604 (Army Ct. Crim.
App. 2010), pet. denied, 69 M.J. 269 (C.A.A.F. 2010). See also Santos, 59 M.J. at
321; United States v. Roberts, 59 M.J. 323, 326-27 (C.A.A.F. 2004). As a result, the
government bears the higher burden of proving, as a matter of law, a nondisclosure
in response to a specific request is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Webb, 66
M.J. 92; Roberts, 59 M.J. at 327.
Appellant claims the government was required to disclose to the defense Dr.
MacDonell’s opinion that, based on the forensic evidence, the victim was standing
when the first shot struck him in the ribs and then the second shot struck him in the
head as he dropped to the ground. Appellant claims this evidence was material
because “it scientifically corroborated 1LT Behenna’s testimony, supported the
testimony of the two defense expert witnesses, and impeached the inference from the
testimony of SSG Warner and Harry that the victim was sitting when he was shot.”
We need not determine whether the claimed opinion is required to be
disclosed pursuant to Brady and R.C.M. 701. It was disclosed. The trial counsel
undisputedly disclosed the opinion at issue by forwarding Dr. MacDonell’s e-mail to
defense counsel as soon as she received it. The issue here is whether there was a
duty to disclose this opinion earlier and if so, whether the government complied with
this duty. Ordinarily an opinion subject to disclosure arguably rendered on a
Wednesday evening and undisputedly disclosed by late Friday evening would be
routine compliance with discovery obligations. However, in this case the defense
case drew to a close on late Thursday and a verdict was delivered by the members on
Friday, prior to the trial counsel opening the e-mail from Dr. MacDonell.
There are three potential events that may have triggered an earlier duty to
disclose: 1) The Wednesday evening meeting as set forth in the military judge’s
factual findings; 2) the late Thursday afternoon encounter between Dr. MacDonell
and defense counsel; and 3) the Friday morning encounter between trial and defense
counsel. We agree with the military judge that Dr. MacDonell’s demonstration on
Wednesday night was “merely Dr. MacDonell’s attempt to reconcile the forensic
evidence with the testimony of Dr. Radelat and Mr. Bevel. Dr. MacDonell’s original
opinion, based on the forensic evidence and all other evidence known to him at the
time, remained unchanged as of Wednesday.” Thus, this theory was not discoverable
pursuant to Brady or R.C.M. 701(a)(6).
The second and third events are more problematic. During a court recess,
while appellant was testifying on direct examination, Dr. MacDonell informed the
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defense counsel that “I would have made a great witness for you.” When the defense
counsel inquired as to why, Dr. MacDonell declined to answer and merely responded
that he could not divulge any information as he was retained by the government.
The military judge specifically found that “the Government never informed Dr.
MacDonell that he could not speak to the Defense about the substance of his
potential testimony.” In fact, the defense had previously been provided his report
and had previously interviewed him. We agree with the military judge that in light of
Dr. MacDonell’s area of expertise, his statement provided “sufficient notice that he
possessed favorable, if not exculpatory, information under both Brady and R.C.M.
701.” See Carter v. Bell, 218 F.3d 581, 601 (6th Cir. 2000) (“[T]here is no Brady
violation if the defendant knew or should have known the essential facts permitting
him to take advantage of the information in question, or if the information was
available to him from another source.”). See also, e.g., United States v. Rigas, 583
F.3d 108, 126 (2d Cir. 2009); United States v. Erickson, 561 F.3d 1150, 1163 (10th
Cir. 2009); Owens v. Guida, 549 F.3d 399, 415 (6th Cir. 2008). Confronted with
this odd turnabout from a previously accessible expert witness who had just been
exposed to the defense presentation of their theory of the case, defense counsel had
the essential facts and numerous avenues of eliciting further information from Dr.
MacDonell.
The next inquiry is whether the third event, where the defense counsel
exercised one of those avenues in a reasonable timeframe by asking the trial counsel
what Dr. MacDonell’s statement meant, triggered an additional duty on the part of
the government. Government counsel responded only “that they did not know, and
that they were unaware of any exculpatory information.” Both parties were now on
notice that Dr. MacDonell had asserted he possessed defense favorable or
exculpatory information within his area of expertise. At this juncture, either party
could have taken action to stop or delay the proceedings while more information was
obtained. Neither party chose to do so, at that time or anytime throughout the day.
The military judge disagreed with the defense assertion that it was reasonable for the
defense not to pursue further information based on the government statements. We
rely on Carter in holding that based on Dr. MacDonell’s direct statement to the
defense, the government provided timely notice to the defense of favorable
information and there was no violation of either Article 46, UCMJ; R.C.M. 701; or
Brady.
We next consider whether the military judge erred in denying appellant’s
motion for mistrial and petition for new trial following the revelation that the
government failed to provide to the defense Dr. MacDonell’s potentially exculpatory
testimony. Rule for Courts-Martial 915(a) vests military judges with the discretion
to declare a mistrial when “manifestly necessary in the interest of justice because of
circumstances arising during the proceedings which cast substantial doubt upon the
fairness of the proceedings.” However, the discussion to the rule notes that mistrials
are to be used only “under urgent circumstances, and for plain and obvious reasons.”
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R.C.M. 915 Discussion; United States v. Diaz, 59 M.J. 79, 90 (C.A.A.F. 2003). See
also United States v. Garces, 32 M.J. 345, 349 (C.M.A. 1991) (mistrial is a drastic
remedy used to prevent miscarriage of justice). Appellate courts will not reverse a
military judge’s determination on a mistrial absent clear evidence of an abuse of
discretion. United States v. Ashby, 68 M.J. 108, 122 (C.A.A.F. 2009). A military
judge abuses his discretion when his “findings of fact are clearly erroneous, the
court’s decision is influenced by an erroneous view of the law, or the military
judge’s decision on the issue at hand is outside the range of choices reasonably
arising from the applicable facts and the law.” Webb, 66 M.J. at 93.
As to the petition for a new trial, appellant claims the military judge erred by
failing to grant him a new trial in light of the “new evidence” of Dr. MacDonell’s
opinion based on both his 29 February 2009 telephonic testimony and his affidavit
clarifying his prior testimony. “A new trial may be granted only on the grounds of
newly discovered evidence or fraud on the court-martial.” R.C.M. 1210(f)(1). We
review a military judge’s denial of a petition for new trial for an abuse of discretion.
United States v. Bacon, 12 M.J. 489, 492 (C.M.A. 1982). We find none here.
The military judge found that, had defense sought an order from the court for
the government to produce Dr. MacDonell either prior to resting their case on
Thursday or coupled with a request to reopen their case on Friday morning, the court
would have denied that motion. We conclude the military judge’s assessment that
Dr. MacDonell’s revised opinion provided minimal evidentiary value under Mil. R.
Evid. 403 was not an abuse of discretion. The military judge found
Dr. MacDonell’s opinion of the value of the forensic
evidence never changed. He admitted that such evidence
did not lend itself to detailed interpretation. His original
conclusion was that the forensic evidence was not
inconsistent with the testimony of “Harry” and SSG
Warner. His “revised” conclusion was not based on a
reassessment of the forensic evidence, but rather his
personal opinion of the credibility of 1LT Behenna’s
testimony.
A military judge has “wide discretion” in applying Mil. R. Evid. 403. United
States v. Manns, 54 M.J. 164, 166 (C.A.A.F. 2000). When a military judge conducts
a Mil. R. Evid. 403 balancing test, his ruling will not be overturned unless there has
been a “clear abuse of discretion.” Id. “An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial
court’s findings of fact are clearly erroneous or if the court’s decision is influenced
by an erroneous view of the law.” United States v. Freeman, 65 M.J. 451, 453
(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. Lloyd, 69 M.J. 95, 99
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BEHENNA—ARMY 20090234
(C.A.A.F. 2010) (citations omitted). We find that the military judge would have been
within his discretion to exclude the evidence Dr. MacDonell rendered as his opinion
after the defense case.
However, even if Dr. MacDonell had testified at trial in the light most
favorable to appellant, 2 it would not have changed the outcome of the trial beyond a
reasonable doubt. 3 Most critically, we agree with the military judge:
The overwhelming evidence in this case supports a finding
that 1LT Behenna immediately prior to the shooting, was
assaulting [A.M.] with a loaded firearm while threatening
to kill him if he did not provide the information 1LT
Behenna was seeking. 1LT Behenna testified that he had
no legal justification or legal excuse to interrogate [A.M.]
at all and that he did [not] have any legal justification or
legal excuse to conduct an interrogation in the manner that
he did. Although there are many situations in a combat
environment that would justify or excuse the pointing of a
loaded firearm at someone, this was clearly not one of
those situations. In applying the law to the facts of this
case, the members could come to no reasonable conclusion
other than 1LT Behenna did not have a right to self-
defense. Accordingly, the [c]ourt is convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt that any evidence as to self-defense did
not have, nor would any additional evidence as to self-
defense have, made a difference in the [c]ourt’s
determination.
In conclusion, we find the favorable evidence of Dr. MacDonell’s revised
opinion was timely disclosed. Even if there was error in its disclosure, we find such
2
The most favorable version of Dr. MacDonell’s opinion, based on the forensic
evidence, would have been that the victim was standing just before the first shot,
which appellant then fired to A.M.’s chest. The second shot to the head occurred as
the victim dropped in front of the muzzle of appellant’s weapon. The second shot
would have had to have been fired immediately after the first shot because, in this
scenario, the victim would have immediately dropped to the ground as a result of the
first shot.
3
We are not persuaded by appellant’s argument that Dr. MacDonell’s testimony
would have impacted appellant’s sentence by making it seem other than an
execution. Doctor MacDonell’s revised opinion with respect to the interpretation of
the forensic evidence was substantially similar to that of appellant’s two forensic
experts.
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error would not have resulted in a different outcome at trial had the evidence been
disclosed earlier. See Santos, 59 M.J. at 321. We further find, under the heightened
disclosure burden under Article 46, UCMJ and R.C.M. 701, any error by the
government in the timing of the disclosure was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
See Webb, 66 M.J. at 92; Roberts, 59 M.J. at 327. As such, we conclude the military
judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the mistrial and the petition for a new
trial. His findings of fact are supported by the record, his view of the law was not
erroneous, and his decision was well within the range of reasonable choices
available.
B. Instruction on Self-Defense
This court reviews allegations of error for mandatory instructions under a de
novo standard. United States v. Lewis, 65 M.J. 85, 87 (C.A.A.F. 2007). A military
judge is required to instruct panel members on any special defenses “in issue.”
R.C.M. 920(e)(3). A matter is considered “in issue” when “some evidence, without
regard to its source or credibility, has been admitted upon which members might rely
if they choose.” R.C.M. 920(e) Discussion; United States v. Gillenwater, 43 M.J.
10, 13 (C.A.A.F. 1995). Certain defenses, such as self-defense, are considered
special defenses or affirmative defenses because “although not denying that the
accused committed the objective acts constituting the offense charged, [the appellant
denies], wholly or partially, criminal responsibility for those acts.” R.C.M. 916(a).
Self-defense is a principle of protection. United States v. Cardwell, 15 M.J. 124,
126 (C.M.A. 1983) (“The theory of self-defense is protection and not aggression,
and to keep the two in rough balance the force to repel should approximate the
violence threatened.”)
In this case, the military judge did not err; he rendered legally correct and
appropriate self-defense instructions tailored to the evidence presented. First the
military judge gave a correct standard instruction that the evidence had raised the
issue of self-defense with regard to the offenses of premeditated and unpremeditated
murder. 4 He then gave the following tailored instruction with regards to loss of and
regaining the right to self-defense:
4
The military judge gave the following general self-defense instruction:
For self-defense to exist the accused must have had a
reasonable apprehension that death or grievous bodily
harm was about to be inflicted on himself and he must
have actually believed that the force he used was
necessary to prevent death or grievous bodily harm. In
other words, self-defense has two parts: first, the accused
(continued . . .)
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Now there exists evidence in this case that the accused
may have been assaulting [A.M.] immediately prior to the
shooting by pointing a loaded weapon at him. A person
who without provocation or other legal justification or
excuse assaults another person is not entitled to self-
defense unless the person being assaulted escalates the
level of force beyond that which was originally used. The
burden of proof on this issue is on the prosecution. If you
are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused,
without provocation or other legal justification or excuse,
assaulted [A.M.] then you have found that the accused
gave up the right to self-defense. However, if you have a
reasonable doubt that the accused assaulted [A.M.], was
provoked by [A.M.], or had some other legal justification
or excuse, and you are not convinced beyond a reasonable
doubt that [A.M.] did not escalate the level of force, then
you must conclude that the accused had the right to self-
defense, and then you must determine if the accused
actually did act in self-defense.
The military judge’s instructions, taken together, properly instructed the
members, based on the law and facts, as to appellant’s right to self-defense. The
instructions fully encompassed the defense’s theory of the case at trial pertaining to
self-defense. The defense theory was that appellant did not assault the victim
because pointing a loaded weapon at a combatant in a war zone is not an assault.
Additionally, they argued that the victim escalated the level of force by throwing a
piece of concrete near appellant and “getting up with his hands out towards
[appellant’s] weapon.”
The military judge’s tailored instructions correctly set forth the applicable
established principle: A person who, without provocation or other legal justification
or excuse, assaults another person is not entitled to self-defense unless the person
being assaulted escalates the level of force beyond that which was originally used.
(. . . continued)
must have had a reasonable belief that death or grievous
bodily harm was about to be inflicted upon himself. The
test here is whether under the same facts and
circumstances present in this case, an ordinary, prudent
adult person, faced with the same situation would have
believed that there were grounds to fear immediate death
or serious bodily harm; second, the accused must have
actually believed that the amount of force that he used was
required to protect against death or serious bodily harm.
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See R.C.M. 916(e)(1); Lewis, 65 M.J. at 88; United States v. Dearing, 63 M.J. 478,
484 (C.A.A.F. 2006); Cardwell, 15 M.J. at 126. Further, the military judge clearly
instructed the burden of proof was on the government. R.C.M. 916(b)(1).
In this case, a key factor is the appellant’s use of deadly force.
Acknowledging the law and facts, the military judge also instructed, “If you are
convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused, without provocation or other
legal justification or excuse, assaulted [A.M.] then you have found that the accused
gave up the right to self-defense.” This is a correct legal statement in light of the
uncontroverted evidence establishing that appellant, in a situation of his own
creation, was within two to three feet of an isolated, naked, and unarmed A.M., and,
while pointing a loaded Glock pistol at him, threatened to kill A.M. The law does
not, under these facts, allow for self-defense if the members found beyond a
reasonable doubt appellant’s actions to be an assault. If, confronted by this
demonstration of deadly force, A.M., under these circumstances, attempts to turn the
very same Glock pistol towards appellant, his assailant, there can be no escalation
sufficient legally to excuse A.M.’s killing.
The military judge then addressed the factual possibility that appellant’s
pointing of a loaded pistol at the victim did not meet the above legal requirements.
He addressed the defense’s theory of the case by instructing the members that if they
had “reasonable doubt that the accused assaulted [A.M.], was provoked by [A.M.],
or had some other legal justification or excuse, and . . . are not convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt that [A.M.] did not escalate the level of force,” the members had to
conclude appellant had the right to self-defense. The military judge then instructed
the members that they then had to apply the general self-defense instruction to
determine if appellant actually did act in self-defense. Based on the facts of this
case, escalation by A.M. is not an independent basis for determining that appellant
had the right to self-defense, but rather a necessary component in the determination
of whether appellant had the right to self-defense since appellant was pointing a
loaded Glock pistol at A.M. threatening to kill him.
Appellant now contends that the military judge erred by not instructing on
appellant’s opportunity to withdraw. An initial aggressor is still entitled to use
deadly force in his own defense if he is physically unable to withdraw in good faith
or there is escalation of the level of force beyond that which the aggressor is
employing. Lewis, 65 M.J. at 89 (“[A] mutual combatant could regain the right to
self-defense when the conflict is escalated or . . . when he is unable to withdraw in
good faith.”). In this case the defense did not request an instruction on ability to
withdraw and “some evidence” upon which the members could reasonably rely to
support such an instruction was not presented. R.C.M. 920(e)(3); Gillenwater, 43
M.J. at 13.
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Appellant was the aggressor and had every opportunity to withdraw from the
situation of his own creation. Appellant took the bound and blindfolded victim in a
military convoy to a remote culvert in the middle of the desert. He stripped A.M. of
his clothes, leaving the victim wearing only his sandals. Appellant then had the
flexicuffs cut off of the victim and required him to sit facing appellant, naked, on a
rock as appellant, pointing a loaded Glock, threatened to kill A.M. Appellant stood
about two feet inside the culvert with his translator ten meters outside the culvert.
Appellant claims that while looking left towards his translator, a piece of cement
was thrown just past his left shoulder, so he looked right and saw the naked and
unarmed victim “getting up with his hands out towards [his] weapon.” Appellant
moved to the left, towards the culvert entrance, in order to put distance between him
and the unarmed victim. The appellant and victim were approximately two to three
feet apart. There is no evidence that A.M. actually made contact with appellant’s
weapon. At that point, the appellant, in full battle armor, with much of his platoon
standing nearby, ready to defend him, did not keep moving to the left away from the
victim into the vast expanse of desert, did not shout for assistance, but instead shot
the victim two times. Appellant had every opportunity to withdraw from the
confrontation and there was no evidence he either attempted or was unable to do so.
As such, the military judge was not required to instruct on inability to withdraw as it
was not “in issue,” and we find no error in his failure to do so. R.C.M. 920(e)(3);
Gillenwater, 43 M.J. at 13.
C. Failure to Instruct on Voluntary Manslaughter as Lesser-Included Offense
Appellant claims the military judge erred by failing to sua sponte instruct on
the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter based on fear from “adequate
provocation caused by throwing a piece of concrete and reaching for the
Lieutenant’s pistol,” the evidence of appellant’s acute stress disorder, and the anger,
rage, and fear he felt towards the victim based on his prior knowledge of and
interactions with the victim. We disagree. The evidentiary threshold to trigger such
an instruction was not surpassed on the facts of this case.
By all accounts, prior to the incident in the culvert, the victim did not provide
any resistance or display any violence while detained by U.S. forces. Additionally,
appellant testified as to his consistent and methodical escalation of tactics designed
to scare and humiliate the victim into providing information. The tactics reached a
point where appellant was in the culvert, with appellant pointing his loaded pistol at
the naked, unarmed victim sitting on a piece of concrete, while appellant was
threatening to kill him. Appellant testified he looked toward his left at Harry,
ostensibly to ascertain a translation of something [A.M.] said. Appellant then
testified as follows during his direct examination:
Appellant: As I turned my head to the left, I hear a sound
of a piece of concrete hitting concrete over my left
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BEHENNA—ARMY 20090234
shoulder. Immediately, I turned to my—right. You know,
my weapons [sic] like this [demonstrating.] [A.M.] is
getting up with his hands out toward my weapon. I
stepped to the left and fired two shots.
Civilian Defense Counsel (CDC): Why did you step to the
left?
Appellant: To create distance from [A.M.].
CDC: How far apart were you?
Appellant: At the beginning? . . . We were about 2, 3 feet
from each other.
CDC: All right, all right, and how much time was the
distance between the two shots?
Appellant: About a second.
CDC: Why did you fire two shots?
Appellant: We shot in what is called a controlled pair and
naturally I had shot two shots, a controlled pair.
CDC: And why did you fire at all?
Appellant: Because when [A.M.] was standing up,
reaching toward my weapon, this happened fast. As I
turned [A.M.] was reaching up toward my weapon, getting
up, I stepped to the left and fired two shots.
CDC: Why?
Appellant: I was scared [A.M.] was going to take my
weapon and use it on me, but this happened fast.
CDC: Now, did you have time to think about it?
Appellant: No, sir. That’s what I’m telling you.
During cross-examination, appellant further testified that he felt A.M. was a
threat to him while he was sitting on a rock and stripped of his clothes.
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BEHENNA—ARMY 20090234
Trial Counsel: You had your full gear on . . . [helmet,
IBA, M-4] . . . [y]our Glock . . . [o]ut and pointed?
Appellant: Yes, sir.
TC: [A.M.] didn’t have anything, did he?
Appellant: No, sir. .. . .
TC: You also had Sergeant Warner; he had his M-4 . . .
[a]nd all sorts of gear?
Appellant: Yes, sir . . . .
TC: [A.M.] was not a threat to you at that point, was he?
Appellant: Yes, sir.
TC: An unarmed detainee, naked, your testimony is that
he was a threat?
Appellant: Yes, sir.
We review de novo whether the military judge should have instructed the
panel members sua sponte on voluntary manslaughter. See Lewis, 65 M.J. at 87.
Voluntary manslaughter serves as a special defense to premeditated murder, but not
an absolute defense. An “unlawful killing without justification or excuse,” would
ordinarily be premeditated murder. Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, (2008
ed.) [hereinafter MCM], Part IV, para. 43c.(1). However, when that same killing is
committed “in the heat of sudden passion caused by adequate provocation,”
premeditated murder mitigates to voluntary manslaughter. MCM, Part IV, para. 44c.
(1)(a).
The MCM and military case law have long held that “heat of passion” may
result from fear or rage. Id.; United States v. Bellamy, 15 U.S.C.M.A. 617, 620, 36
C.M.R. 115, 118 (1966); United States v. Desroe, 6 U.S.C.M.A. 681, 691, 21 C.M.R.
3, 13 (1956) (“fear may be sufficient to excite uncontrollable passion”). However,
for a premeditated murder to mitigate to voluntary manslaughter, fear simply is not
enough. Adequate provocation must also be present. United States v. Kentucky, 8
U.S.C.M.A. 553,557, 25 C.M.R. 57, 61 (1958) (“[T]he presence of passion induced
by fear does not reduce murder to manslaughter by itself; adequate provocation for
the passion must also be present.”); United States v. Snyder, 6 U.S.C.M.A. 692, 696,
21 C.M.R. 14, 18 (1956) (“Provocation sufficient to produce heat of [passion],
resulting in a befuddlement of the senses of the killer and an absence of malice, may
21
BEHENNA—ARMY 20090234
give such a character to a homicide as to reduce it to voluntary manslaughter . . . .”)
(citing Wallace v. United States, 162 U.S. 466 (1896)). The provocation must be
adequate to excite uncontrollable passion in a reasonable person and the act of
killing must be committed under and because of that passion. MCM, Part IV, para.
44c.(1)(a).
We now consider the question of whether here there is sufficient evidence of
provocation which “would have any reasonable tendency to produce sudden and
uncontrollable anger and heat of blood in the ordinary man” as to require an
instruction to the members. United States v. Clark, 22 U.S.C.M.A. 576, 580, 48
C.M.R. 83, 87 (1973), citing Bellamy, 15 U.S.C.M.A. at 620, 36 C.M.R. at 118.
Based on the facts of this case, we find no error in the military judge’s failure to sua
sponte instruct on voluntary manslaughter. The alleged provocation in this case is
not such that it would excite uncontrollable passion in the mind of a reasonable
person.
Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to appellant, in this case,
appellant effectively neutralized the victim’s capacity to cause him any harm.
Appellant took A.M. blindfolded, unarmed, and bound, to a remote location in a
convoy of armed U.S. soldiers. In this remote environment, appellant was in a clear
position of power and secure enough to remove the flexicuffs binding the victim.
Appellant testified his intent, his plan, was to interrogate the victim and then allow
him to leave. He even hoped to make him a source. Appellant further testified that
he only became fearful upon hearing concrete hitting the wall and seeing A.M.
standing up to reach for his weapon. A.M. was unsuccessful in even touching the
weapon and appellant was able to purposely step to the left to put distance between
him and A.M. Appellant then fired two “controlled pair” rounds. The facts of this
case do not describe a situation where “adequate provocation” and fear are present to
incite uncontrollable passion in the mind of a reasonable person.
Although appellant did testify that he felt “startled” and “panic[ked]” and
“wasn’t thinking clearly,” this was how he felt subsequent to the shooting. He
testified that prior to the shooting he did not think because it happened so fast. This
is distinctly different from alleging he was precluded from thinking due to an
uncontrollable passion. Considering all of the facts in the record, there is simply
insufficient evidence to require a sua sponte instruction on voluntary manslaughter.
We find no error by the military judge.
CONCLUSION
Upon consideration of the entire record, the findings and sentence are
AFFIRMED.
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Senior Judge TOZZI and Senior Judge SIMS concur.
FOR
FOR THE
THE COURT:
COURT:
MALCOLM H.
MALCOLM H. SQUIRES,
SQUIRES, JR.
JR.
Clerk of Court
Clerk of Court
23