Case ID: cma_23/html/0090-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Ferguson, Senior Judge:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES, Appellee v DEMETRIUS G. BOYD, Private First Class, U. S. Army, Appellant
    No. 27,712
    May 24, 1974
    
      Captain Gordon R. Denison argued the cause for Appellant, Accused. With him on the brief were Colonel Arnold I. Melnick, Captain Clifford W Perrin, Jr., and Captain T. Barry Kingham.
    
    
      Captain Richard S. Kleager argued the cause for Appellee, United States. With him on the brief were Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Holdaway, Lieutenant Colonel Donald W. Hansen, and Captain M. Douglas Deitchler.
    
   OPINION OF THE COURT

Ferguson, Senior Judge:

In his post-trial review, the staff judge advocate erroneously advised the convening authority that the accused had been convicted of assault with intent to commit murder rather than assault whereby grievous bodily harm was intentionally inflicted, the latter offense being that of which the accused was convicted.

A review that is misleading on an important point is unacceptable. United States v Samuels, 22 USCMA 238, 46 CMR 238 (1973); United States v Cruse, 21 USCMA 286, 45 CMR 60 (1972). Here, the convening authority was advised that the accused had been convicted of a much more serious offense than was actually the fact. Based on the offense’s serious nature, the staff judge advocate recommended approval of the sentence despite the suggestion of the military judge that the adjudged punitive discharge be suspended. As there was more than a fair risk the convening authority was misled by this mischaracterization of the accused’s crime, prejudice is apparent and a new review and action is required.

The decision of the U. S. Army Court of Military Review is reversed, and the record of trial is returned to the Judge Advocate General of the Army. A new review and action by the convening authority is hereby ordered.

Chief Judge Duncan and Judge Quinn concur.