Case Name: UNITED STATES v. Sergeant Donald BOUGHTON, FR [ XXX-XX-XXXX ] United States Air Force
Court: United States Court of Military Appeals
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1983-07-08
Citations: 16 M.J. 649
Docket Number: ACM S25881
Parties: UNITED STATES v. Sergeant Donald BOUGHTON, FR [ XXX-XX-XXXX ] United States Air Force.
Judges: Before HEMINGWAY, CANELLOS and RAICHLE, Appellate Military Judges.
Reporter: West's Military Justice Reporter
Volume: 16
Pages: 649–650

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES v. Sergeant Donald BOUGHTON, FR [ XXX-XX-XXXX ] United States Air Force.
ACM S25881.
U.S. Air Force Court of Military Review.
Sentence Adjudged 11 Jan. 1983.
Decided 8 July 1983.
Appellate Counsel for the Accused: Colonel George R. Stevens and Captain John Y. Sullivan.
Appellate Counsel for the United States: Colonel Kenneth R. Rengert, Captain Brenda J. Hollis and Major Peter R. Reilly, USAFR.
Before HEMINGWAY, CANELLOS and RAICHLE, Appellate Military Judges.

Opinion:
DECISION
PER CURIAM:
The accused was convicted, in accordance with his pleas, of larceny and unlawful entry, and, contrary to his pleas, of wrongful possession of someone else's ration control card. The approved sentence extends to a bad conduct discharge, confinement at hard labor for three months, forfeiture of $191.00 per month for three months and reduction to airman basic.
The accused alleges on appeal that the military judge erred by admitting hearsay evidence in rebuttal on sentencing. We disagree and affirm.
The rules of evidence may be relaxed during the accused's presentation of his mitigation case. M.C.M.1969 (Rev.) para. 75c (3). Likewise, the rules may be relaxed as to the Government's rebuttal of such evidence. M.C.M.1969 (Rev.) para. 75 d. A commander is responsible for the wel fare and discipline of everyone under his command and may properly testify in rebuttal during the sentencing portion of the trial, as to his knowledge of the conduct and performance of his subordinate even when the knowledge is imparted to him by others. United States v. Wyrozynski, 7 M.J. 900 (A.F.C.M.R.1979), pet denied, 8 M.J. 50 (1979).
Accordingly, the findings of guilty and sentence are
AFFIRMED.