Source: https://www.ucmjdefense.com/resources/appeals/staff-judge-advocates-addendum.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 13:02:24+00:00

Document:
Must address allegations of legal error. Rationale not required; “I have consideredthe defense allegation of legal error regarding _________. I disagree that this was legal error. In my opinion, no corrective action is necessary.” See also United States v. McKinley , 48 M.J. 280, 281 (C.A.A.F. 1998) (Judge Cox’s interpretation of RCM 1106(d)(4) and how to respond to an allegation of legal error).
United States v. Jones , 44 M.J. 242 (C.A.A.F. 1996). Addendum explained post-trial delays and an Air Force Regulation on the Return to Duty Program (RDP). The CAAF held this information to be new matter under R.C.M. 1106(f)(7). However, error was harmless since many of the reasons for the delay were in the Record of Trial, and the contents of the regulation were clearly known to the defense since the defense asked for entry into the RDP.
United States v. Trosper , 47 M.J. 728 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 1997). The Division Sergeant Major attached a memorandum to the addendum that stated that “taking responsibility means he accepts the punishment awarded. . . . He has earned his brig time and his BCD.” The court found this to be unremarkable because commanders “seek the counsel of his or her trusted advisors in such a weighty matter.” Even if this was new matter, the appellant did not state how he would respond to the memorandum, so there was no prejudice.
United States v. Cornwell , 49 M.J. 491 (C.A.A.F. 1998). CG asked the SJA whether the command supports the accused’s request for clemency. The SJA called the accused’s commanders, then verbally relayed their recommendations against clemency for the accused to the CG. The SJA then signed an MFR to that effect, and attached it to the ROT. The CAAF held the SJA’s advice to the CG is not new matter in the addendum under R.C.M 1106(f)(7), but may be new matter under RCM 1107(b)(3)(B)(iii) of which the accused’s is not charged with the knowledge thereof. However, even if such, the CAAF says the defense did not indicate what they would have done in response, so no relief.
United States v. Anderson , 53 M.J. 374 (C.A.A.F. 2000). A paper-clipped, small (3 x 3 ½), hand-written note attached to the last page of the SJAR from the chief of staff to the convening authority that stated, “Lucky he didn’t kill the SSgt. He’s a thug, Sir.” was new matter requiring service on the accused and an opportunity to respond.
United States v. Gilbreath , 57 M.J. 57 (C.A.A.F. 2002). Error for SJA, after a Judge Alone trial, not to serve addendum on defense which stated in part, “After hearing all matters, the jury determined a bad conduct discharge was appropriate and as such, I recommend you approve the sentence as adjudged.” Id . at 59. Defense could have pointed out that: (1) the trial was judge alone, and (2) the sentencing authority did NOT consider the clemency submissions. Note – the court also questioned whether the statement by the SJA was improper. “She [DC] also could have made a persuasive argument that the SJA’s recommendation that the CA defer to the judgment of the members was also legally improper.” Id . at 62.
United States v. Gilbreath , 58 M.J. 661 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2003), aff’d , 59 M.J. 400 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (summary disposition). After remand from the case above, the insertion in the SJA’s addendum of a statement of inability to locate appellant to serve her with post-trial documents constituted “new matter” requiring service on the appellant’s defense counsel and an opportunity to respond. The government could have avoided this issue by complying with the substitute service provisions of RCM 1106(f)(1), which simply require a statement in the record of trial explaining “why the accused was not served personally.” Applying the standard for relief enunciated in United States v. Chatman , 46 M.J. 321 (C.A.A.F. 1997) (appellant must “demonstrate prejudice by stating what, if anything, would have been submitted to ‘deny, counter, or explain’ the new matter.”), the AFCCA noted that the inability to locate appellant could be perceived by the CA as evidence of appellant’s disobedience of orders because she failed to provide a valid leave address while on appellate leave. Additionally, the CA could view the comment as an indication of how little she cared about her case because she failed to provide a proper mailing address for issues associated with her case. In light of the potential adverse impact of the SJA’s comments, the AFCCA found prejudice and determined that its charter to “do justice” mandated a new SJAR and action in the case. Id . at 665.
United States v. Scott , 66 M.J. 1 (C.A.A.F. 2008). SJA’s lengthy rebuttal to defense assertions that the accused’s sentence was overly harsh was not a new matter. Unlike Catalani and Gilbreath , the SJA’s comments did not misinform the CA as to the matters contained in the accused’s clemency submissions or misstate the sentencing authority in the accused’s case.
United States v. Frederickson , 63 M.J. 55 (C.A.A.F. 2006). The DSJA prepared the addendum, which was endorsed by the SJA. It was not served on the defense, despite all of the DSJA’s observations about the defense submissions. The CAAF held that the addendum constituted new matter, and should have been served on the defense. However, in this case, they held that the defense counsel could not demonstrate prejudice since the proferred defense response was the same.
United States v. Foy , 30 M.J. 664 (A.F.C.M.R. 1990). Appellate courts will presume post-trial regularity if the SJA prepares an addendum that:United States v. Taylor , 67 M.J. 578 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2008). In her clemency submissions to the convening authority, the appellant asked to enter the Return-To-Duty Program (RTDP). The addendum made no mention of this request, nor did it advise the convening authority of his options regarding the RTDP. The addendum did specifically list the appellant’s submissions and advised the convening authority that he had to consider them prior to taking action. No error.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.