Case Name: UNITED STATES, Appellee v. WALTER W. WELCH, Private, U. S. Marine Corps, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Military Appeals
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1957-10-18
Citations: 8 C.M.A. 315
Docket Number: No. 10,479
Parties: UNITED STATES, Appellee v WALTER W. WELCH, Private, U. S. Marine Corps, Appellant
Judges: Judge Ferguson concurs.
Reporter: Decisions of the United States Court of Military Appeals
Volume: 8
Pages: 315–315

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES, Appellee v WALTER W. WELCH, Private, U. S. Marine Corps, Appellant
8 USCMA 315, 24 CMR 125
No. 10,479
Decided October 18, 1957
Commander Charles Timblin, USN, was on the brief for Appellant, Accused.
First Lieutenant Daniel P. Reardon, Jr., USMCR, was on the brief for Appellee, United States.

Opinion:
Opinion of the Court
Robert E. Quinn, Chief Judge:
At the trial, defense counsel objected to the admission of a pretrial statement by the accused on the ground that it was obtained in violation of Article 31, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 USC § 831. The accused testified in support of the objection. The president of the court overruled the objection and admitted the statement but he did not at any time instruct the court members on their right to consider the question of voluntariness in their deliberations on the accused's guilt or innocence. Under the circumstances, the omission constitutes prejudicial error. United States v Yearty, 8 USCMA 191, 23 CMR 415.
The decision of the board of review is reversed. The findings of guilty and the sentence are set aside. A rehearing may be ordered.
Judge Ferguson concurs.