United States v. Howell

This opinion is subject to administrative correction before final disposition.
Before
WOODARD, FULTON, and CRISFIELD,
Appellate Military Judges
_________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Stephen P. HOWELL,
Staff Sergeant (E-6), U.S. Marine Corps
Appellant
No. 201200264
_________________________
Decided: 12 June 2019.
Appeal from the United States Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary up-
on further review. Military Judge: Lieutenant Colonel David M. Jones,
USMC. Sentence adjudged 29 April 2015 by a general court-martial
convened at Marine Corps Recruiting Station Parris Island, South
Carolina, consisting of officer and enlisted members. Sentence ap-
proved by the convening authority: Reduction to E-1, forfeiture of all
pay and allowances, confinement for nine years, and a dishonorable
discharge.
For Appellant: Captain Thomas R. Fricton, USMC.
For Appellee: Captain Brian L. Farrell, USMC; Lieutenant Kimberly
Rios, JAGC, USN.
Judge CRISFIELD delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief
Judge WOODARD and Senior Judge FULTON joined.
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
_________________________
This opinion does not serve as binding precedent, but
may be cited as persuasive authority under
NMCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 30.2.
_________________________
CRISFIELD, Judge:
A general court-martial panel convicted the appellant, contrary to his
pleas, of one specification of violating the Joint Ethics Regulation, a lawful
general regulation; one specification of abusive sexual contact by touching the
body of the victim, D.S., while placing her in fear of physical injury other
than death or grievous bodily harm; one specification of wrongful sexual con-
tact by touching the body of D.S. without legal justification or lawful authori-
zation and without her permission;1 and one specification of adultery, in vio-
lation of Articles 92, 120, and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).2
The appellant was first tried on these charges in 2012 and convicted. Due
to our determination that unlawful command influence tainted his court-
martial, however, we set aside the findings and sentence and authorized a
rehearing. United States v. Howell, No. 201200264, 2014 CCA LEXIS 321 *38
(N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2014). The appellant was retried and convicted, and
this appeal ensued.
The appellant asserts thirteen assignments of error (AOEs): (1) the mili-
tary judge erred by admitting testimony regarding the appellant’s risk of re-
cidivism; (2) the military judge abused his discretion by denying the defense
motion for a mistrial; (3) the military judge committed plain error by admit-
ting presentencing testimony recommending three to five years of confine-
ment; (4) the trial counsel’s sentencing argument was improper; (5) trial de-
fense counsel was ineffective for failing to interview the government’s expert
witness before trial or take a continuance to prepare for his cross-exam-
ination; (6) the military judge abused his discretion by allowing the victim’s
testimony to be improperly bolstered; (7) the military judge abused his discre-
1 The military judge conditionally dismissed this specification (Charge II, Specifi-
cation 5) after the announcement of findings, finding that the specification arose from
the same conduct as the abusive sexual contact conviction (Charge II, Specification
4).
2 10 U.S.C. §§ 892, 920, and 934 (2008). The appellant was charged with, but ac-
quitted of, rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, sodomy, and assault con-
summated by a battery.
2
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
tion when he refused to admit defense exhibits summarizing the victim’s text
messages; (8) the military judge abused his discretion by denying the appel-
lant’s request to admit evidence of the victim’s knowledge of her husband’s
infidelity; (9) there was undue post-trial delay which violated United States v.
Moreno, 63 M.J. 129 (C.A.A.F. 2006); (10) the abusive sexual contact and
wrongful sexual contact convictions are factually and legally insufficient;
(11) the sentence was inappropriately severe; (12) trial defense counsel ren-
dered ineffective assistance of counsel by conceding the appropriateness of a
punitive discharge; and (13) there was cumulative error requiring us to set
aside Charge II and the sentence.
We find no merit in any of the AOEs and affirm the findings and sen-
tence.
I. BACKGROUND
The appellant was a Marine Corps recruiter in Lexington, Kentucky. He
met the victim, D.S., when D.S.’s son became a Marine recruit. The victim
was a police officer in Lexington. She went to the appellant’s office and met
him for the first time in November 2010 to sign enlistment papers for her
son, who was seventeen. Soon thereafter, the appellant began sending D.S.
anonymous flirtatious text messages. Between 15 December 2010 and 22
February 2011, the appellant used his government cell phone to send those
text messages. In February 2011, shortly after D.S. separated from her hus-
band and moved into a new house by herself, the appellant identified himself
in a text as the person sending the flirtatious texts. D.S. informed the appel-
lant that she had moved from her old address and the appellant asked for her
new address, which she sent him. The appellant asked D.S. to meet with him,
but D.S. would not.
On 22 February 2011, the appellant sent a text message to D.S. from a
strip club expressing his sexual interest in her and proposing that he come
over to her house so they could have sex. D.S. declined the appellant’s pro-
posal but offered to drive him from the strip club to his home in her police pa-
trol car so he would not have to drive after drinking. The appellant refused
her counter-proposal and continued to propose that he come to her house. She
in turn continued to decline his offer. At about 0400, after the appellant left
the strip club, he contacted D.S. while driving down her street. The appellant
asked which house D.S. lived in and D.S. gave him her address because, ac-
cording to her, she did not want to be responsible for the appellant having an
accident. At trial, the victim indicated that her goal was to get him off the
road, and not to have a sexual encounter with him.
The appellant turned into the victim’s driveway and parked behind her
police car. He then went to the victim’s front door. The victim opened the door
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United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
and the appellant immediately and forcefully hugged her and kissed her. He
picked her up, carried her to her bedroom, took off her clothes, and began
touching her genitalia and inserting his fingers and penis in her vagina,
mouth, and anus. The appellant also hit the victim on her buttocks and
thighs, leaving bruises. D.S. did not consent to any of these activities. She
repeatedly told the appellant to stop, but he continued touching her. At some
point, D.S. said she was in pain and asked if she could get something to pro-
vide lubrication for sexual intercourse. The appellant agreed. D.S. went alone
to her kitchen while the appellant remained in the bedroom. She retrieved
cooking oil to use for sexual lubrication. She did not try to escape from the
house, call the police, or get her police pistol during this brief reprieve. She
returned to the bedroom and spread vegetable oil over the appellant’s penis
and her vagina. The sexual activity continued. At 0730 the appellant asked
D.S. what time it was. She informed him of the time and the appellant said
he had to go to work. He took a shower in D.S.’s bathroom and then departed.
Later that morning D.S. deleted all her text messages with the appellant
and others, including her patrol partner from the Lexington police force, Of-
ficer Hart. She then called Officer Hart. He came to her house and she
showed him some of her bruising, but denied that she had been raped. Officer
Hart advised her to go to the doctor and get a sexual assault examination.
D.S. went to see her gynecologist the next day, 23 February 2011. Her gyne-
cologist advised her to see a sexual assault nurse for a sexual assault nurse
exam (SANE), which she did later that evening.
Officer Hart alerted law enforcement to the alleged assault and Naval
Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) opened an investigation on 24 Febru-
ary 2011. D.S. sent her cell phone to NCIS for their forensic examination, but
NCIS was unable to retrieve the text messages between the appellant and
the victim that D.S. had deleted. NCIS was able to recover some of the text
messages between Officer Hart and D.S., even though D.S. also deleted those
messages following the sexual assault. D.S. made a sworn statement to NCIS
on 24 February 2011.
Additional facts necessary to resolve the AOEs are recited below.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Expert Testimony on the Appellant’s Risk of Recidivism
The prosecution called a military forensic psychiatrist, Captain Simmer,
USN, to testify in the pre-sentencing hearing about the victim’s post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the appellant’s risk of recidivism. The
trial counsel had notified the defense team that Captain Simmer would pro-
vide testimony regarding PTSD, but not that he would testify about recidi-
4
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
vism. When the trial counsel started asking questions about recidivism, the
defense counsel objected, citing a lack of notice and preparation for that part
of the witness’ testimony. The military judge asked the defense, “Are we go-
ing to talk about Daubert?” The trial defense counsel’s response clearly indi-
cated that his objection related solely to the lack of notice and discovery.
Recognizing the legitimacy of the defense’s discovery concern, the military
judge allowed the defense to voir dire Captain Simmer outside the presence
of the members to preview his testimony. The government intended to intro-
duce Captain Simmer’s “Static-99R” analysis as a basis for his opinion on risk
of recidivism. Static-99R is an analytical tool designed to measure the risk of
recidivism for sexual crimes. The military judge prohibited the government
from asking Captain Simmer any questions on direct examination regarding
the risk of recidivism until Captain Simmer provided his Static-99R analysis
to the defense team and the defense had time to prepare cross-examination.
The military judge also ordered that no questions about recidivism would be
asked until the next day in order to give the defense time to prepare.
After a short break during which they reviewed Captain Simmer’s ex-
pected testimony, however, the trial defense counsel informed the military
judge that the defense preferred to proceed immediately with Captain Sim-
mer’s testimony on risk of recidivism. The military judge clarified the defense
request: “You don’t need a break until tomorrow; is that correct?” The defense
counsel stated, “That is correct, sir.” The pre-sentencing hearing then pro-
ceeded with direct and cross-examination of Captain Simmer in front of the
members.
After the conclusion of the court-martial, but before the military judge au-
thenticated the record of trial, the appellant filed a post-trial motion to ex-
clude the pre-sentencing testimony of Captain Simmer based on MILITARY
RULE OF EVIDENCE 702 (MIL. R. EVID.), MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL,
UNITED STATES (2012 ed.); Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., 509 U.S. 579(1993); and United States v. Houser, 36 M.J. 392 (C.M.A. 1993). The military
judge denied the motion after allowing the issues to be litigated in a post-trial
Article 39a, UCMJ, session.
On appeal, the appellant alleges that the military judge erred in two re-
spects. First, by allowing Captain Simmer’s expert testimony on recidivism
when the government had not provided advance notice to the defense about
the testimony. Second, by allowing Captain Simmer to render an expert opin-
ion that departed from the limits of the Static-99R tool.
With regard to the first issue, we find that the military judge made rea-
sonable rulings in response to the appellant’s timely objection to lack of no-
tice and discovery, providing several of the remedies allowed under RULE FOR
COURTS-MARTIAL 701(g)(3) (R.C.M.), MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL, UNITED
5
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
STATES (2012 ed.), for a party’s failure to comply with discovery rules. The
military judge allowed the defense to voir dire the witness outside the pres-
ence of the members and prohibited the trial counsel from asking questions
about recidivism until the defense had had time to review the witness’ opin-
ion and craft its cross-examination questions. The military judge granted an
overnight continuance to give the defense time to prepare. The defense coun-
sel’s subsequent request to proceed immediately with cross-examination
waived any further complaint regarding the lack of discovery. United States
v. Gladue, 67 M.J. 311, 313 (C.A.A.F. 2009).
With regard to the second issue, the appellant failed to make a timely
Daubert objection. MIL. R. EVID. 103(a) (“A party may claim error in a ruling
to admit . . . evidence only if . . . a party . . . timely objects . . . .”). When the
military judge specifically asked defense counsel if he was objecting to Cap-
tain Simmer’s testimony under Daubert, the defense counsel stated that his
objection was to lack of discovery. The military judge then confirmed the na-
ture of the objection: “So the issue here is discovery.” The defense counsel did
not correct the military judge. As the military judge determined in his post-
trial conclusions of law, “[t]he issue for the defense at trial was that they
were surprised that CAPT Simmer would discuss recidivism, not that the un-
derlying scientific moorings of his testimony were invalid.”3 We concur with
the military judge’s conclusion.
Since the defense did not make a timely Daubert objection, normally this
issue would be waived. MIL. R. EVID. 103(a)(1)(A); United States v. Young-
berg, 43 M.J. 379, 387 (C.A.A.F. 1995).4 However, the military judge chose to
exercise his discretion to allow the defense to litigate the issues in a post-trial
Article 39(a) session over two months after adjournment. Accordingly, under
the circumstances of this case, we will review the military judge’s ruling on
the Daubert issue for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Thomas, 49
M.J. 200, 202 (C.A.A.F. 1998).
“A military judge abuses his discretion when: (1) the findings of fact upon
which he predicates his ruling are not supported by the evidence of record;
(2) if incorrect legal principles were used; or, (3) if his application of the cor-
rect legal principles to the facts is clearly unreasonable.” United States v. El-
lis, 68 M.J. 341, 344 (C.A.A.F. 2010). A military judge has a “range of choices
and will not be reversed so long as the decision remains within that range.”
3 Appellate Exhibit XCIII at 15-16.
4 See also R.C.M. 905(e): “[O]bjections . . . must be raised before the court-martial
is adjourned for that case and, unless otherwise provided in this Manual, failure to
do so shall constitute waiver.”
6
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
United States v. Sanchez, 65 M.J. 145, 148-49 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations and
internal quotation marks omitted).
We review de novo, however, the question of whether the military judge
properly followed the Daubert framework and performed his role as gate-
keeper. United States v. Flesher, 73 M.J. 303, 311 (C.A.A.F. 2014). Under
Daubert, the military judge acts as a gatekeeper, “ensuring that an expert’s
testimony both rests on a reliable foundation and is relevant to the task at
hand.” 509 U.S. at 597, quoted in United States v. Griffin, 50 M.J. 278, 283-84
(C.A.A.F. 1999). If the military judge properly performs his gatekeeping func-
tion and follows the Daubert framework, we “will not overturn the ruling un-
less it is ‘manifestly erroneous.’” Griffin, 50 M.J. at 284. Indeed, the military
judge “enjoys a great deal of flexibility in his or her gatekeeping role: ‘the law
grants a [trial judge] the same broad latitude when [he] decides how to de-
termine reliability as [he] enjoys in respect to [his] ultimate reliability deter-
mination.’” United States v. Billings, 61 M.J. 163, 167 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (quot-
ing Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 142 (1999)) (emphasis in
original).
In the post-trial motion, the military judge made extensive findings of fact
and conclusions of law, which he documented in a 24-page memorandum.5 We
have reviewed his findings of fact and have determined that they are sup-
ported by the evidence in the record. We also find that his recitation of the
Daubert and Houser principles are correct and constitute the correct analyti-
cal framework for this issue. The military judge did not abuse his discretion
in permitting Captain Simmer’s testimony.
B. The Appellant’s Post-Trial Motion for a Mistrial
As part of his post-trial motions, raised over two months after his court-
martial adjourned, the appellant moved for a mistrial. For the reasons stated
above, we would ordinarily find that the appellant has thus waived appellate
consideration of his untimely motion. We do not do so under the circumstanc-
es of this case because the military judge exercised his discretion under
R.C.M. 915(a) to entertain the defense motion in a post-trial Article 39(a) ses-
sion.
The appellant claims the military judge should have granted a mistrial at
the appellant’s post-trial mistrial motion for three reasons: First, he asserts
the trial counsel violated the rules of discovery during the trial by failing to
disclose his intention to elicit testimony from Captain Simmer on the appel-
lant’s risk of recidivism. Second, the appellant claims the government violat-
5 Appellate Exhibit XCIII.
7
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
ed his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent by allowing Captain Simmer
to see his medical record, which included non-responsive statements to psy-
chologists. Finally, he asserts the government violated his psychotherapist-
patient privilege.
“We 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) (citing United States v. Rushatz, 31 M.J. 450, 456 (C.M.A.
1990)). A military judge “may, as a matter of discretion, 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.” R.C.M. 915(a). But, “a mistrial is an
unusual and disfavored remedy. It should be applied only as a last resort to
protect the guarantee for a fair trial.” United States v. Diaz, 59 M.J. 79, 90
(C.A.A.F. 2003). “A curative instruction is the preferred remedy, and the
granting of a mistrial is an extreme remedy which should only be done when
‘inadmissible matters so prejudicial that a curative instruction would be in-
adequate are brought to the attention of the members.’” Id. at 92 (quoting
R.C.M. 915(a), Discussion). We find the military judge did not abuse his dis-
cretion by denying the request for a mistrial.
Pertaining to the alleged discovery rules violation, the appellant claims he
was not provided sufficient time to prepare for the expert’s testimony on re-
cidivism. Captain Simmer testified during both the case-in-chief and pre-
sentencing. Prior to the trial, the trial counsel and Captain Simmers told the
defense that the expert’s planned testimony was on victim impact. That was,
indeed, the focus of his testimony during the case-in-chief. As discussed supra
however, Captain Simmer’s pre-sentencing testimony widened into the appel-
lant’s risk for recidivism.
To the extent that it was an error for the trial counsel to fail to provide
advance notice to the defense that he intended to elicit risk of recidivism tes-
timony from Captain Simmer, the military judge’s remedial actions were suf-
ficient to prevent any prejudice to the appellant. The defense affirmatively
waived the issue by declining to take advantage of the additional preparation
time offered by the military judge. Under these circumstances, we find that
the military judge acted well within his discretion in denying the post-trial
motion for mistrial.
Next, the appellant claims his right to remain silent was violated when
Captain Simmer was allowed to consider the appellant’s lack of response to
psychologists’ questions in Fort Leavenworth in formulating his opinion. This
case is strikingly similar to United States v. Scott, 51 M.J. 326, 329 (C.A.A.F.
1999), in this respect. There, a witness qualified as an expert in the area of
rape trauma formulated an opinion based on a psychiatrist’s report of his ex-
8
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
amination of the accused. Scott did not object to the expert using this report
and the statements contained therein. On appeal, Scott raised Fifth and
Sixth Amendment challenges to the expert’s utilization of his psychiatric
evaluations. The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (C.A.A.F.) deter-
mined that Scott forfeited this issue, absent plain error. Id. at 330; Mil. R.
Evid. 103. Evaluating for plain error, C.A.A.F. determined there was no error
because Scott’s claim that the expert inappropriately used his psychiatric re-
port was unsubstantiated. Scott, 51 M.J. at 330.
As in Scott, the appellant did not contemporaneously object to the admis-
sion of Captain Simmer’s testimony on Fifth Amendment grounds. The de-
fense only objected to a lack of discovery regarding the Static-99R analysis
and Captain Simmer’s testimony about recidivism. Unlike Scott, however, the
appellant raised the issue in a post-trial motion asking for a new sentencing
hearing. Therefore, as we did in addressing AOE 1, we will review the mili-
tary judge’s ruling admitting sentencing evidence for abuse of discretion.
United States v. Stephens, 67 M.J. 233, 235 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citing United
States v. Manns, 54 M.J. 164, 166 (C.A.A.F. 2000)).
A military judge abuses his discretion when he admits evidence based on
an erroneous view of the law. United States v. Lubich, 72 M.J. 170, 173
(C.A.A.F. 2013) (citing United States v. Freeman, 65 M.J. 451, 453 (C.A.A.F.
2008)). The military judge found that the government never introduced any
statements of the appellant through Captain Simmer’s testimony. Our review
of the record of trial leads us to concur with this finding. The appellant relies
primarily on United States v. Kemp, 32 C.M.R. 89 (C.M.A. 1962) to support
his proposition that the military judge erred, but in Kemp the government
introduced evidence that specifically referred to the accused exercising his
right to remain silent.6 Id. at 98-9. No such evidence was introduced in appel-
lant’s trial. We also concur with the military judge’s conclusion that neither
the appellant’s Fifth Amendment right to remain silent nor the appellant’s
Article 31(b), UCMJ, rights were violated during Captain Simmer’s testimo-
ny. We cannot say that the military judge based these determinations on an
erroneous view of the law.
Finally, we address appellant’s claim that the military judge abused his
discretion in ruling that the government did not violate his psychotherapist-
patient privilege. A privilege is waived if the appellant consented to the dis-
closure of any significant part of the matter or communication under such
6 “Plainly the admission of the evidence of accused’s refusal to discuss the offense
with the psychiatric board was prejudicial. . . .” Kemp, 32 C.M.R. at 99.
9
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
circumstances that it would be inappropriate to allow the claim of privilege.
MIL. R. EVID. 510.
The military judge found that the appellant’s behavioral health records
from Fort Leavenworth were not protected by MIL. R. EVID. 513.7 He found
that the appellant waived any privilege when he signed the “Limits of Confi-
dentiality of Directorate of Treatment Programs Information” form.8 This
form specifically states, “[i]nformation disclosed by patients to Army Medical
Department health personnel is not privileged communication.”9 In the “ex-
amples” section, paragraph four, it states, “[i]f you are involved in any legal
action/proceedings, your records may be subject to subpoena.”10 At the bottom
of this form is the appellant’s signature, dated 29 January 2013.11 Finding no
evidence in the record that the appellant’s waiver of the privilege was invol-
untary, we agree with the military judge’s determination that any claim of
privilege to the matters at issue was voluntarily waived. Mil. R. Evid. 513.
After careful review of the military judge’s ruling, we find that he did not
admit evidence on an erroneous view of the law and therefore did not abuse
his discretion when he denied the post-trial motion.
C. Expert Testimony Recommending Three to Five Years of Sex Of-
fender Treatment
In the presentencing hearing, the trial counsel asked Captain Simmer
how long sex offender treatment would likely take for the appellant. Captain
Simmer answered, “[O]n average, it will take between three and five years
for treatment to be successful.”12 The defense counsel did not object to this
testimony. The appellant argues on appeal that it was plain error to admit
Captain Simmer’s testimony on this point.
Since there was no objection from the defense, we review the issue for
plain error. United States v. Green, 55 M.J. 76, 81 (C.A.A.F. 2001). Under the
plain error standard, the appellant must show that: “(1) an error was com-
mitted; (2) the error was plain, or clear, or obvious; and (3) the error resulted
in material prejudice to substantial rights.” Id. (quoting United States v.
Maynard, 66 M.J. 242, 244 (C.A.A.F. 2008)).
7 Appellate Exhibit XCIII at 22.
8 Appellate Exhibit XCI at 93.
9 Id.10 Id.11 Id.12 Record at 1503.
10
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
“A decision to [allow or prohibit] expert testimony on . . . appropriateness
of a particular punishment sometimes requires exercise of discretion by a mil-
itary judge and usually such discretionary decisions do not constitute plain
error.” United States v. Campos, No. 200602523, 2008 CCA Lexis 7 *6 (N-M.
Ct. Crim. App. 2008), unpub. op. (citing United States v. Prevatte, 40 M.J.
396, 398 (C.M.A. 1994)).
The expert testimony in question here is:
Because of my assessment of the moderate risk—you can
have fairly short treatment, longer treatment. And the length
of treatment varies obviously from one person to the next. So I
can’t say—again, I can’t predict the future for sure exactly how
long it will take for Staff Sergeant Howell. But on average, it
will take between three and five years of treatment for it to be
successful.13
A witness may not invade the province of the sentencing authority by tes-
tifying to what is an appropriate sentence. While we recognize that the wit-
ness had immediately beforehand testified that treatment was available at
the Naval Consolidated Brig in Miramar and Fort Leavenworth Disciplinary
Barracks,14 we interpret Captain Simmer’s testimony not as a sentencing rec-
ommendation, but as a treatment recommendation. The expert was not mak-
ing a punishment recommendation of a particular number of years of con-
finement, but was instead expressing his opinion as to how long a particular
course of treatment for a particular patient would require. We do not find
plain error in its admission.
D. The Trial Counsel Asked the Members to Nullify Three Years of
Allen Credit
The appellant alleges that the trial counsel committed prosecutorial mis-
conduct during closing argument when he urged the members to increase a
sentence to confinement by three years in light of the three years of pretrial
confinement credit that the appellant would receive in accordance with Unit-
ed States v. Allen, 17 M.J. 126 (C.M.A. 1984).
“Improper argument is one facet of prosecutorial misconduct.” United
States v. Sewell, 76 M.J. 14, 18 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (citing United States v. Young,
470 U.S. 1, 7-11 (1985)). Prosecutorial misconduct in the form of improper
13 Id.14 “In the military system, there is treatment available both at the Miramar con-
finement facility in California and also at the Leavenworth—Fort Leavenworth dis-
ciplinary guards camp.” Id.11
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
argument is a question of law we review de novo. United States v. Frey, 73
M.J. 245, 248 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (citing United States v. Marsh, 70 M.J. 101, 106
(C.A.A.F. 2011)). Because the appellant did not object to this argument at tri-
al, however, we review the argument for plain error. United States v. Halpin,
71 M.J. 477, 479 (C.A.A.F. 2013); United States v. Pabelona, 76 M.J. 9, 11
(C.A.A.F. 2017).
To show plain error, the appellant must persuade this court that:
“(1) there was error; (2) the error was plain or obvious; and (3) the error ma-
terially prejudiced a substantial right of the accused.” United States v. Tun-
stall, 72 M.J. 191, 193-94 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (quoting United States v. Girouard,
70 M.J. 5, 11 (C.A.A.F. 2011)). The plain error doctrine is “to be used sparing-
ly, solely in those circumstances in which a miscarriage of justice would oth-
erwise result.” United States v. Causey, 37 M.J. 308, 311 (C.M.A. 1993) (cita-
tions and internal quotation marks omitted).
In his sentencing argument, the trial counsel stated:
Now, the accused will receive three years of confinement
credit as you will see in your instructions for his previous con-
finement. So if you sentence him to three years or less, he will
leave this courtroom today, and he will not serve anymore con-
finement. In order to facilitate that potential treatment, if you
deem that is what he should have, you must sentence him to
something beyond that three years. And thus it is the govern-
ment’s position that you should sentence him to a minimum of
eight years of confinement: Three years for the previous con-
finement and five years in order to facilitate potential rehabili-
tation. That would be what was fair to Staff Sergeant Howell.
He would be able to rehabilitate himself. He would be able to
help himself prevent recidivism.15
The defense did not object to this argument.
Our superior court has held that pretrial confinement credit information
may be used by the sentencing authority for aggravation or mitigation. Unit-
ed States v. Balboa, 33 M.J. 304 (C.A.A.F. 1991). In Balboa, the military
judge instructed the members that the accused was entitled to 68 days of pre-
trial confinement that would be credited against any sentence to confinement
they adjudged. The military judge also instructed the members that they
should consider the duration of pretrial confinement when they deliberated
on sentence. The defense counsel did not object to these instructions. The
members awarded a sentence of confinement to 68 days plus 12 months, thus
15 Record at 1566.
12
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
appearing to have deliberately increased the sentence to nullify the pretrial
confinement credit. The C.A.A.F. acknowledged that pretrial confinement
would usually be considered as a matter of mitigation. Id. at 307. However,
the court also recognized that pretrial confinement could be a basis to in-
crease a sentence:
In any event, neither the decision of this Court in United States
v. Allen, supra, nor the Manual for Courts-Martial precludes a
court from attempting to fashion an appropriate sentence of
confinement in view of time actually served. See generally
Wasman v. United States and Williams v. New York. . . . In this
regard, we note that the practice of automatic credit by prison
authorities for pretrial confinement is favored by the American
Bar Association. See Standards 18-4.7 and 18-6.8, Sentencing
Alternatives and Procedures, 3 American Bar Association
Standards for Criminal Justice (2d ed. 1982 supp.). Even these
standards, however, do not require that the sentencing author-
ity, whether a judge or a jury, be kept in ignorance of this pro-
cess or be precluded from considering this pretrial-confinement
credit to increase actual confinement imposed. Cf. Standard 18-
6.8(c), ABA Standards, supra.
Balboa, at 307 (emphasis added).
Based on our superior court’s holding in Balboa, we cannot say that it was
plain error for the trial counsel to argue that the members should increase
their sentence to confinement for the express purpose of nullifying the Allen
credit determined by the military judge in order, ostensibly, to permit the ap-
pellant to complete five years of treatment. Notwithstanding the C.A.A.F.’s
language in Balboa, however, we would not condone a trial counsel’s effort to
“appeal” a military judge’s Allen or Article 13 credit determination to mem-
bers.16 Our holding might be different in a case where the issue was properly
preserved for appeal.
16 Senior Judge Everett observed:
It seems curious (and more than coincidental) that the confinement
adjudged was “68 days, plus 12 months”—not 14 months or 15
months—when the court-martial members knew that their an-
nounced sentence to confinement would be reduced by precisely 68
days. This Court does not need an appellate crystal ball to discern the
real likelihood that, as a practical result of the members’ action, ap-
pellant has been denied the legally required credit for his pretrial
confinement.
Balboa, 33 M.J. at 307-08 (Everett, S.J., concurring).
13
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
E. The Trial Defense Counsel were not Ineffective17
The appellant alleges that his trial defense counsel were ineffective for
the following reasons: (1) not interviewing Captain Simmer regarding recidi-
vism; (2) not requesting a continuance to consult with an expert regarding
the risk of recidivism; and (3) conceding, against the appellant’s wishes, that
a punitive discharge was appropriate.
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. United
States v. Harpole, 77 M.J. 231, 236 (C.A.A.F. 2018). The Sixth Amendment
entitles criminal defendants to representation that does not fall “below an
objective standard of reasonableness” in light of “prevailing professional
norms.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688 (1984). In order to pre-
vail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must demon-
strate both (1) that his counsel’s performance was deficient, and (2) that this
deficiency resulted in prejudice. Id. at 687.
With respect to Strickland’s first prong, counsel are presumed to be com-
petent and our inquiry into an attorney’s representation is “highly deferen-
tial.” Id. at 689. We employ “a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls
within the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690. The
appellant has the heavy burden of establishing a factual foundation for a
claim of ineffective representation. United States v. Grigoruk, 52 M.J. 312,
315 (C.A.A.F. 2000). In order to show prejudice under Strickland, an appel-
lant “must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.
A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in
the outcome.” 466 U.S. at 694. “Moreover, a verdict or conclusion only weakly
supported by the record is more likely to have been affected by errors than
one with overwhelming record support.” Id. at 696.
We will not second-guess strategic or tactical decisions made by the trial
defense counsel unless the appellant can show specific defects in counsel’s
performance that were unreasonable under prevailing professional norms.
United States v. Mazza, 67 M.J. 470, 475 (C.A.A.F. 2009). However, a defense
counsel “must perform a reasonable investigation, or make a reasonable deci-
sion that an avenue of investigation is unnecessary.” United States v. Brown-
field, 52 M.J. 40, 42 (C.A.A.F. 1999); see also Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691.
Strategic or tactical decisions made “after thorough investigation of law and
facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable.” Strickland,
466 U.S. at 690. But, “strategic choices made after less than complete inves-
tigation are reasonable only to the extent that reasonable professional judg-
17 We combine here our discussion of AOEs 5 and 12.
14
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
ments support the limitations on investigation.” Loving v. United States, 64
M.J. 132, 142 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (quotation marks omitted). To determine
whether an investigation was thorough, “[w]e address not what is prudent or
appropriate, but only what is constitutionally compelled.” United States v.
Akbar, 74 M.J. 364, 380 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (alteration in original) (internal cita-
tions and quotation marks omitted). The critical question, therefore, is
“whether counsel made a good faith and substantive effort” to identify the
witnesses and information necessary to reasonably inform their strategic and
tactical decisions. Id. at 381. Thus, a decision by the trial defense counsel not
to investigate will be assessed for reasonableness. Loving, 64 M.J. at 143.
Finally, we apply:
a three-part test to determine whether the presumption of com-
petence has been overcome:
1. Are appellant’s allegations true; if so, “is there a reason-
able explanation for counsel’s actions”?
2. If the allegations are true, did defense counsel’s level of
advocacy “fall measurably below the performance . . . [ordinari-
ly expected] of fallible lawyers”?
3. If defense counsel was ineffective, is there “a reasonable
probability that, absent the errors,” there would have been a
different result?
United States v. Gooch, 69 M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (quoting United
States v. Polk, 32 M.J. 150, 153 (C.M.A. 1991)) (alterations in original).
We find that the appellant has not shown his trial defense counsel’s per-
formance to be outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.
With regard to the first allegation, trial defense counsel interviewed Captain
Simmer before the trial, in the presence of the defense’s expert. He did not
question Captain Simmer about recidivism because the trial counsel had not
notified the defense that Captain Simmer would testify about recidivism.18
This fails to constitute a basis to find that the trial defense counsel’s perfor-
mance was deficient.
Once aware that the government intended to elicit testimony from Cap-
tain Simmer about recidivism, the defense counsel acted diligently by object-
ing to the testimony and effectively communicating his objection to the mili-
18“Admittedly, the lack of defense preparation is due to the government mislead-
ing the defense into believing that risk of recidivism would not be part of the sentenc-
ing case.” Appellant’s Brief at 71.
15
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
tary judge. He convinced the military judge that immediate remedial
measures were necessary and questioned Captain Simmer under oath outside
the presence of members to explore the basis for his opinion. This question-
ing, along with defense counsel’s personal experience with actuarial risk as-
sessments, was sufficient investigation to prepare for the witness’ expected
testimony.
We find that the trial defense counsel’s subsequent cross-examination of
Captain Simmer was professionally competent and effective in highlighting
the weaknesses of Captain Simmer’s opinion on the appellant’s risk of recidi-
vism. The defense counsel effectively dissected Captain Simmer’s Static 99-R
report and emphasized for the members that the appellant’s actual score was
“low.” He also effectively attacked the expert’s independent findings that in-
creased the risk score from low to medium. He highlighted that there was lit-
tle basis for the additional factors supporting Captain Simmer’s risk assess-
ment other than his opinion, and highlighted to the members the weaknesses
in Captain Simmer’s testimony.
The appellant also claims his trial defense counsel was ineffective because
he declined an overnight recess offered by the military judge to give him time
to prepare cross-examination of Captain Simmer. In his declaration, the trial
defense counsel states that he now thinks it was a mistake to let one of his
expert consultants fly home before Captain Simmer’s testimony and to cross-
examine Captain Simmer without the consultant’s assistance.19 Although the
trial defense counsel may regret his decision in retrospect, we analyze his de-
cision at the time he had to make it and decline to grant relief unless the ap-
pellant can show specific defects in counsel’s performance that were unrea-
sonable under prevailing professional norms. Mazza, 67 M.J. 470.
We do not find that those decisions, per se, fell “below an objective stand-
ard of reasonableness” in light of “prevailing professional norms.” Strickland,
466 U.S. at 688. Counsel made a strategic and tactical decision to proceed
immediately with the cross-examination instead of taking an overnight re-
cess. Counsel articulated his reasoning during the litigation of the post-trial
Article 39(a) motion. Specifically, he articulated his thinking at the time:
“Yes, we’re going to proceed forward. We’re not going to ask for an overnight
recess because, again, we’re playing with all kinds of human factors at the
end of the week-and-a-half long trial with members sitting there.”20 This in-
cluded the defense’s concern that they did not want Captain Simmer’s “mod-
19 Appellant’s Brief, Appendix A, dtd. Oct. 31, 2018.
20 Record at 1648.
16
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
erate risk” assessment on the members’ minds overnight without rebuttal.21
As discussed supra, his cross-examination of Captain Simmer was competent
and effective. That it may have been more effective if he had delayed over-
night to consult with his experts does not render counsel’s performance inef-
fective. We need not decide whether this was the best possible choice, only
that it was a professionally reasonable one. We view the decision to decline
the continuance as a reasonable decision under the circumstances.
Finally, the appellant claims his trial defense counsel conceded the ap-
propriateness of a punitive discharge against his wishes. After reviewing the
record of trial, we do not agree. Trial defense counsel specifically argued,
“while [appellant] desires to remain in the Marine Corps he understands that
that’s highly unlikely based on your verdict here. If you choose to discharge
him, so be it.”22 In his sentencing recommendation at the end of the argument
he argued for “a sentence to six months confinement and whatever other pun-
ishment you feel is appropriate.”23 At no point did the trial defense counsel
request a punitive discharge or concede that one was appropriate. He merely
acknowledged the probability of a punitive discharge given the members’
findings and argued that if that did happen, a lower sentence to confinement
was warranted. Even if this could be labelled a concession, it was realistic
under the circumstances. We find it highly unlikely that any military mem-
bers would have sentenced the appellant to nine years’ confinement and not
also have awarded a punitive discharge.
We find that the appellant’s representation met the “objective standard of
reasonableness” in light of “prevailing professional norms.” Strickland, 466
U.S. 668, 688.
F. Expert Testimony about Victim Behavior
The appellant claims the military judge abused his discretion when he al-
lowed Captain Simmer to testify about the victim’s behavior, improperly bol-
stering the victim’s testimony. We find that the military judge did not abuse
his discretion.
A military judge’s decision to allow expert testimony is reviewed for an
abuse of discretion. United States v. Henning, 75 M.J. 187, 190-91 (C.A.A.F.
2016). When reviewing for an abuse of discretion, we recognize the military
judge has a range of choices, and we will not reverse the military judge simp-
21 Appellate Exhibit XCIII at 20.
22 Record at 1571.
23 Id. at 1572.
17
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
ly because of a mere difference of opinion. United States v. Sanchez, 65 M.J.
145, 148-49 (C.A.A.F. 2007). In order for a military judge’s decision to be re-
versed for an abuse of discretion, that decision must be arbitrary, fanciful,
clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous. United States v. Sullivan, 74 M.J.
448, 454 (C.A.A.F. 2015).
Captain Simmer testified during the merits phase of the trial that the vic-
tim’s actions were broadly consistent with someone who had experienced
sexual trauma and that the trauma likely happened in the early part of 2011
based on her mental health records. The appellant objected at trial, citing
MIL. R. EVID. 401 and 403. In overruling the objection, the military judge
conducted a MIL. R. EVID. 403 balancing test on the record. Since it was on
the record, we grant deference to his analysis. United States v. Downing, 56
M.J. 419, 422 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
Throughout Captain Simmer’s testimony, the military judge repeatedly
instructed the members that the witness was not a “human lie detector.”24
See United States v. Mullins, 69 M.J. 113, 117-18 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (finding no
prejudice when members properly instructed on “human lie detector” testi-
mony). At no point did the testimony devolve into the expert’s opinion on the
victim’s credibility. He only testified that her behavior was consistent with
someone who has experienced sexual trauma.
Importantly, the expert testimony was offered by the government in its
case in rebuttal in response to the defense’s theory that the victim fabricated
her story. The government sought to explain her seemingly irrational behav-
ior as highlighted by the defense. United States v. Toro, 37 M.J. 313, 315
(C.A.A.F. 1993) (describing improper bolstering as that which “occurs before
impeachment, that is, when the proponent seeks to enhance the credibility of
the witness before the witness is attacked”) (emphasis added); See also Unit-
ed States v. Tomlinson, 20 M.J. 897, 900 (A. Ct. Crim. App. 1985) (finding
that the government’s expert witness improperly bolstered the credibility of
the victim in the absence of any defense attack on the victim’s testimony).
The expert witness’ testimony was not offered to improperly bolster the
credibility of the victim but was in response to the defense’s impeachment
efforts and theory of the case. More broadly, the ability of expert mental
health professionals to testify that victims’ behavior is broadly consistent
with sexual trauma has long been recognized by the courts. See, e.g., United
States v. Raya, 45 M.J. 251, 252-53 (C.A.A.F. 1996); United States v. Lee, 28
M.J. 52, 54-55 (C.M.A. 1989); United States v. Carter, 22 M.J. 771, 776 (A. Ct.
Crim. App. 1986) (conducting a substantial survey of jurisprudence on expert
24 Record at 1125, 1132, 1138.
18
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
psychiatrists’ testimony in sexual assault cases); Skidmore v. Precision Print-
ing & Pkg., Inc., 188 F.3d 606, 618 (5th Cir. 1999); Beauchamp v. City of No-
blesville, 320 F.3d 733, 745 (7th Cir. 2003). This precedential support, com-
bined with the military judge’s regular reminders to the members that they
alone are responsible for judging witness credibility, convinces us that the
military judge properly performed his role as gatekeeper and prevented any
undue harm from accruing to the prejudice of the appellant.
G. Defense Summaries of Text Messages and Evidence of the Victim’s
Husband’s Infidelity25
The appellant claims the military judge also abused his discretion by re-
fusing to admit four defense exhibits as summaries under MIL. R. EVID. 1006.
He also challenges the military judge’s decision to deny the defense request to
admit evidence that the victim’s husband had recently had an extra-marital
affair.
We review a military judge’s decision to exclude evidence for an abuse of
discretion. United States v. Solomon, 72 M.J. 176, 179 (C.A.A.F. 2013). As in
the preceding AOE, we recognize that the military judge has a range of choic-
es, Sanchez, 65 M.J. at 148-49, and their decision must be arbitrary, fanciful,
clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous before we will reverse, Sullivan, 74
M.J. at 454.
Turning first to the summaries, three of the four summaries in question—
Defense Exhibits C, D, and E for identification—consisted of summaries of
the victim’s text messages and phone calls with color-coding and labels added
by the defense to show their interpretation of the evidence. The fourth exhib-
it—Defense Exhibit G for identification—consisted of a calendar with a tally,
by day, of the victim’s text messages, also color-coded by the defense. When
these exhibits were offered, the military judge refused to admit them unless
the defense removed their color-coding.26 The defense declined to remove it.
In making his ruling, the military judge recognized that Crawford v. Wash-
ington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004), did not apply to the defense. However, he found
that the color-coding constituted an alteration of the underlying evidence that
he had not customarily allowed either party to perform.
We find that the information in these proposed exhibits was already in ev-
idence, so the exhibits would have been cumulative. The defense was free to
state what they thought the texts would reveal in their opening statement
25 This discussion includes AOEs 7 and 8.
26“So you can put all of that same information in as long as it is not color coded.”
Record at 1336.
19
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
and could argue their interpretation in their closing argument to the mem-
bers. They were also free to use demonstrative exhibits during their closing
argument, but they did not do so. Under these circumstances we do not find
that the military judge’s decision was arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasona-
ble, or clearly erroneous. Sullivan, 74 M.J. at 454. He therefore did not abuse
his discretion.
The appellant also challenges the military judge’s decision to exclude evi-
dence that showed that the victim knew her husband had an extra-marital
affair. The defense articulated the relevance of this evidence as follows: “the
relevance is it’s certainly probative on [D.S.’s] state of mind and leaving her
marriage of 26 years, moving out on her own, and perhaps we believe, sir, the
evidence will show feelings . . . sexually liberated.”27 On appeal the appellant
states that the evidence should have been admitted to show that the victim
had a bias or motive to misrepresent her allegation against the appellant.
MIL. R. EVID. 608(c).
The military judge excluded this line of questioning because he deter-
mined the information was irrelevant and that its probative value was sub-
stantially outweighed by the danger of harassing the witness and distracting
the members. He further explained that if the information later became rele-
vant, the defense could recall the witness. We agree with the military judge
that the evidence of her husband’s affair was irrelevant, risked confusing the
members, and risked undue harassment of the witness with no logical link to
her motive to fabricate. MIL. R. EVID. 401, 403. We do not find his decision to
be arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous.
H. Post-Trial Processing and United States v. Moreno
The appellant complains that his post-trial right to due process has been
violated due to the length of time it has taken the government to process his
court-martial.
We review post-trial speedy trial clock violation claims de novo. United
States v. Moreno, 63 M.J. 129, 135 (C.A.A.F. 2006). The right to a timely post-
trial process is implied in the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. Id.
at 145. When analyzing post-trial delay we utilize the four Barker factors,
which are the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s
assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant. Barker v. Wingo, 407
U.S. 514, 530 (1972). With regard to the first factor, post-trial delay is pre-
sumptively unreasonable if it takes longer than 120 days from sentence to
convening authority action. Here, both parties agree that the post-trial delay
27 Record at 730.
20
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
is presumptively unreasonable under Moreno. Thus, the government has the
burden to rebut that presumption, if it can.
The 120-day presumption under Moreno runs from date of sentencing to
the date of the convening authority’s action. The appellant was sentenced on
29 April 2015, and the convening authority’s action was signed on 20 Novem-
ber 2017, a duration of 937 days.
A close examination of the record of trial shows that this case involved
significant and time-consuming post-sentencing litigation initiated by both
the appellant and the government. This litigation included post-sentencing
motions by the defense, a government extraordinary writ to this court, a gov-
ernment writ appeal to C.A.A.F., and the appellant’s petition for certiorari to
the Supreme Court. We have examined the timeline for these post-sentencing
actions and find there was no unreasonable delay from the date of sentenc-
ing, 29 April 2015, to the date that this court issued a remand order to return
the record of trial to the convening authority, 22 May 2017.28
Finding no unreasonable delay prior to the issuance of our remand order,
we now examine the delay between 22 May 2017 and the date the convening
authority took action in this case—20 November 2017. The following timeline
contains the relevant post-trial processing dates following this court’s remand
order and the cumulative delay from that date:
22 May 2017 NMCCA Remand Order.................................. 0 days
11 Sep 2017 Convening Authority Receives Order............. 112 days
28 Sep 2017 Corrected Results of Trial Memo.................... 129 days
29 Sep 2017 Appellant Dismisses Detailed DC .................. 130 days
2 Oct 2017 Record of Trial Served on Defense ................. 133 days
6 Oct 2017 New Defense Counsel Detailed ...................... 137 days
6 Oct 2017 Staff Judge Advocate Recommendation ........ 137 days
7 Oct 2017 SJAR Served on Defense ................................ 138 days
16 Oct 2017 Clemency Request Submitted ........................ 147 days
17 Oct 2017 Victim Matters Submitted .............................. 148 days
28 Delays due to stays by appellate courts are generally not attributable to the
government unless the delay is frivolous or due to bad faith. R.C.M. 707(c); United
States v. Ramsey, 28 M.J. 370, 373 (C.M.A. 1989). There is no argument that the gov-
ernment’s extraordinary writ and subsequent litigation were frivolous or due to bad
faith. Therefore, we do not attribute those delays to the government or find them un-
reasonable under Moreno.
21
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
1 Nov 2017 Addendum SJAR Signed ................................ 163 days
2 Nov 2017 Addendum SJAR Served on Defense ............. 164 days
10 Nov 2017 Additional Matters from Appellant ................ 172 days
20 Nov 2017 Convening Authority Action ........................... 182 days
We have determined that, with the exception of the 112-day delay be-
tween the issuance of our order and the receipt of that order by the convening
authority, each of these post-trial actions are reasonably diligent on their
face. The government fails to explain why it took 112 days to accomplish the
simple ministerial task of delivering our order and the remanded record of
trial to the convening authority. Based solely on this unexplained 112-day
delay, we find that the first Barker factor favors the appellant. Based on the
unexplained nature of the 112-day delay, the second Barker factor, the reason
for the delay, also favors the appellant.
Next, we consider whether the appellant asserted his right to a timely re-
view and appeal. Until this appeal, the only occasion when the appellant as-
serted his right to timely post-trial processing was on 16 October 2017.29 Af-
ter receiving this assertion of his speedy post-trial right, the convening au-
thority took action in thirty-six days. We recognize that the “the right to a
speedy trial is unique in its uncertainty as to when and under what circum-
stances it must be asserted or may be deemed waived.” Barker, 407 U.S. at
528-29. Nonetheless, we determine that the third Barker factor weighs in fa-
vor of the government.
The last Barker factor to consider is the prejudice of the delay on the ap-
pellant. In Moreno, the Court recognized three interests to consider when
evaluating prejudice. These are: (1) prevention of oppressive incarceration
pending appeal; (2) minimization of anxiety and concern of those convicted
awaiting the outcome of their appeals; and (3) limitation of the possibility
that a convicted person’s grounds for appeal, and his defenses in case of re-
versal and retrial, might be impaired. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 138-39.
The first interest heavily weighs against the appellant. In order to show
an appellant was deprived of due process and consequently subject to oppres-
sive incarceration, there must be error in the trial or process that leads to
confinement in the first place. United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353, 361
(C.A.A.F. 2006). If there is no prejudice from error at the trial level, then it
cannot be said the confinement is oppressive because the appellant is simply
serving the sentence that was fairly adjudged. The appellant complains that
he suffered in confinement due to not receiving command visits, but his com-
29 Staff Judge Advocate’s Recommendation (SJAR), Nov. 1, 2017 at encl. 2, pg. 9.
22
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
mand was the brig since his adjudged sentence of confinement was over thir-
ty-one days. SECNAVINST 1640.9C, para. 7403 (Jan. 30, 2006). His old
command had no further obligation to visit him in the brig.
The appellant suffered no greater time in confinement due to the delay in
post-trial processing. Therefore, this interest does not favor him.
The second interest to consider is the minimization of anxiety and concern
regarding the outcome of appeal. The anxiety or concern must be particular-
ized and distinguishable from the normal anxiety experienced by prisoners
awaiting an appellate decision. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 140. The appellant does
not demonstrate any anxiety or concern that is particularized to his specific
situation. This interest does not favor the appellant.
The last interest to consider is the degraded ability of the appellant to
make his case on appeal or to make a defense at a future trial. We can find no
such degradation in his ability to make a case on appeal. The appellant com-
plains that his cell phone is now missing, but he does not explain why he did
not use the cell phone as evidence during his trial. This interest does not fa-
vor the appellant.
Balancing the four Barker factors, we determine that, although the post-
trial process included a 112-day unexplained delay, the appellant is not enti-
tled to relief because he did not assert his right in a timely fashion and he
was not prejudiced in any way by the delay. In short, we find that the appel-
lant is in exactly the same position he would have been in had there been no
112-day delay in processing his case.
I. Specification Four of Charge II is Factually and Legally Sufficient
We review questions of legal and factual sufficiency de novo. Art 66(c),
UCMJ; United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
“The test for legal sufficiency is whether, after viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United
States v. Robinson, 77 M.J. 294, 297-98, (C.A.A.F. 2018) (quoting United
States v. Rosario, 76 M.J. 114, 117 (C.A.A.F. 2017)).
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, [this court is] convinced of appellant’s guilt beyond a reasona-
ble doubt.” Rosario, 76 M.J. at 117 (citation, internal quotation marks, and
emphasis omitted). In conducting this unique appellate function, we take “a
fresh, impartial look at the evidence,” applying “neither a presumption of in-
nocence nor a presumption of guilt” to “make [our] own independent determi-
nation as to whether the evidence constitutes proof of each required element
23
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Washington, 57 M.J. at 399. Proof beyond a rea-
sonable doubt does not mean, however, that the evidence must be free from
conflict. United States v. Goode, 54 M.J. 836, 841 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2001).
In order to sustain the appellant’s conviction for Specification 4 of Charge
II,30the government must have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that: (1)
The appellant engaged in sexual contact on the victim by intentionally touch-
ing her genitalia, groin, breast, inner thigh, buttocks, and anus; and (2) He
did so by placing the victim in fear of physical injury other than death or
grievous bodily harm. 10 U.S.C. § 920(h) (2006); MANUAL FOR COURTS-
MARTIAL (MCM), UNITED STATES (2008 ed.), Part IV, ¶45.b.(8)(a); Charge
Sheet.
After carefully reviewing the record of trial and considering the evidence
in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we are convinced that a ration-
al fact-finder could have found all the essential elements beyond a reasonable
doubt. Additionally, after weighing the evidence and having made allowances
for not having personally observed the witnesses, we are convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt of the appellant’s guilt. In particular, we find the evidence
convincing that while touching D.S.’s genitalia, groin, breast, inner thigh,
buttocks, or anus, the appellant placed D.S. in fear of physical injury.
J. Appellant’s Adjudged Sentence is Appropriate
We review sentence appropriateness 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 pun-
ishment he deserves.” United States v. Healy, 26 M.J. 394, 395 (C.M.A. 1988).
This requires our “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) (citation
and internal quotation marks omitted). In making this assessment, we ana-
lyze the record as a whole. Healy, 26 M.J. at 395-97. Despite our significant
discretion in determining sentence appropriateness, we may not engage in
acts of clemency. United States v. Nerad, 69 M.J. 138, 146 (C.A.A.F. 2010).
Having given individualized consideration to the nature and seriousness
of these crimes, the appellant’s record of service, and all matters contained in
the record of trial, including matters submitted by the appellant in extenua-
tion and mitigation, and the victim’s testimony during sentencing, we con-
30 Although the appellant was also found guilty of Specification 5 of Charge II,
the military judge conditionally dismissed that specification as duplicitous with Spec-
ification 4 of Charge II.
24
United States v. Howell, No. 201200264
clude the sentence as approved by the CA is not inappropriately severe and is
appropriate for this offender and his offenses. United States v. Baier, 60 M.J.
382, 384-85 (C.A.A.F. 2005); Healy, 26 M.J. at 395-96; Snelling, 14 M.J. at
268. Granting sentence relief at this point would be to engage in clemency,
which we decline to do. Healy, 26 M.J. at 395-96.
K. Cumulative Error
The appellant finally asserts that his convictions and sentence should be
set aside because of cumulative error. We review allegations of cumulative
error de novo. United States v. Pope, 69 M.J. 328, 335 (C.A.A.F. 2011). “Under
the cumulative-error doctrine, ‘a number of errors, no one perhaps sufficient
to merit reversal, in combination necessitate the disapproval of a finding.’”
Id. (quoting United States v. Banks, 36 M.J. 150, 170-71 (C.M.A. 1992)).
“Courts are far less likely to find cumulative error where evidentiary er-
rors are followed by curative instructions or when a record contains over-
whelming evidence of a defendant’s guilt.” United States v. Dollente, 45 M.J.
234, 242 (C.A.A.F. 1996) (internal quotations omitted). An appellate court
will reverse only if it finds the cumulative errors denied the appellant a fair
trial. Id. at 242 (citing Banks, 36 M.J. at 170-71).
Having found none of the appellant’s individual allegations of error to be
meritorious, there is no need for us to analyze the case further under the cu-
mulative-error doctrine. United States v. Gray, 51 M.J. 1, 61 (C.A.A.F. 1999).
III. CONCLUSION
After careful consideration of the record and briefs of appellate counsel,
we have determined that the approved findings and sentence are correct in
law and fact and that no error materially prejudicial to the appellant’s sub-
stantial rights occurred. Arts. 59 and 66, UCMJ. Accordingly, the findings
and sentence as approved by the convening authority are AFFIRMED.
Chief Judge WOODARD and Senior Judge FULTON concur.
FOR THE COURT:
RODGER A. DREW, JR.
Clerk of Court
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