Court Opinion

ID: 2735060
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-19 01:54:30.314614+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:28:47.955033
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES NAVY-MARINE CORPS
                 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                      WASHINGTON, D.C.
                                 Before
              F.D. MITCHELL, J.A. FISCHER, M.K. JAMISON
                        Appellate Military Judges

                      UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                     v.

                       DWAYNE L. DOCTOR
            MASTER-AT-ARMS FIRST CLASS (E-6), U.S. NAVY

                           NMCCA 201300187
                       GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL

Sentence Adjudged: 25 January 2013.
Military Judge: CAPT John K. Waits, JAGC, USN.
Convening Authority: Commander, Navy Region Southeast,
Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL.
Staff Judge Advocate's Recommendation: CDR M.C. Holifield,
JAGC, USN.
For Appellant: LT Jared A. Hernandez, JAGC, USN.
For Appellee: Maj David N. Roberts, USMC; LT Ian D.
MacLean, JAGC, USN.

                             27 March 2014

     ---------------------------------------------------
                     OPINION OF THE COURT
     ---------------------------------------------------

THIS OPINION DOES NOT SERVE AS BINDING PRECEDENT, BUT MAY BE CITED AS
PERSUASIVE AUTHORITY UNDER NMCCA RULE OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE 18.2.

FISCHER, Judge:

     A general court-martial composed of officer members
convicted the appellant, contrary to his pleas, of violating a
lawful general order (sexual harassment), making a false
official statement, wrongful sexual contact, and indecent
exposure in violation of Articles 92, 107, and 120, Uniform Code
of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 892, 907, and 920. The
members acquitted the appellant of operating a vehicle while
drunk and of communicating indecent language. The members
sentenced the appellant to confinement for ten months,
forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction to pay grade E-
1, and a bad-conduct discharge. The convening authority (CA)
approved the sentence as adjudged.

     The appellant raises thirteen assignments of error (AOE).1
After careful consideration of the parties’ pleadings and the

1
  The appellant raises the following AOEs, all pursuant to United States v.
Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982):

I. Is the evidence factually and legally sufficient to affirm the appellant’s
conviction?

II. Did the military judge err when he failed to declare a mistrial after
polygraph testimony was heard by the members in direct violation of Military
Rule of Evidence 707?

III. Did the military judge err when he allowed records of old nonjudicial
punishments to be entered into evidence by the Government during
presentencing in violation of JAGMAN 0141?

IV. Did the military judge err when he allowed trial counsel to question
witnesses during presentencing about specific details related to a 21-year-
old court-martial conviction that occurred when the appellant was eighteen
years old?

V. Did the military judge err when he failed to grant the defense counsel’s
challenge for cause against CAPT O despite the liberal grant mandate?

VI. Was the appellant’s bad-conduct discharge inappropriately severe?

VII. Was the military trial defense counsel ineffective when she failed to
disclose an apparent conflict of interest until the week of trial and then,
post-trial, joined an advocacy group dedicated to “exposing dysfunction” in
military sexual assault cases?

VIII. Did the military judge err by failing to sua sponte, dismiss this case
for unlawful command influence due to remarks made by the President of the
United States and other senior civilian leaders that created “a shadow of
prosecute” [sic] in the armed forces?

IX. Did the CA commit legal error by taking action only four days after
receiving clemency matters in this case? The CA could not have reviewed the
922-page record of trial in that time period.

X. Was the appellant denied due process when NCIS investigators tainted MA3
A’s statement and testimony conducting a faulty investigation that resulted
in a fundamentally unfair court-martial?

XI. Did the military judge err when he refused to instruct on the lesser
included offense of assault when the members could have found that no
specific intent existed?
XII. Did the military judge err by not declaring a mistrial when the members
brought out an inappropriately filled out verdict form?

                                      2
record of trial, we conclude that the findings are correct in
law and fact, but we set aside the sentence because the
appellant was prejudiced in presentencing when the military
judge improperly admitted a nonjudicial punishment record into
evidence.

                                 Background

     On 1 March 2012, the appellant and Master-at-Arms Third
Class (MA3) JA, who worked together at the Naval Station Mayport
Security Department, made plans to go to a bar near MA3 JA’s
off-base apartment that evening. Additionally, the two agreed
the appellant would spend the night and sleep on the couch at
the apartment MA3 JA shared with his wife, so the appellant
would not have to drive home. At approximately 2200, as
planned, the appellant picked MA3 JA up at his apartment and the
two drove to a nearby bar where they each consumed several
alcoholic beverages over the next few hours. At approximately
0130 on 2 March 13, the appellant drove MA3 JA back to his
apartment. MA3 JA testified that during this short drive the
appellant made several comments regarding their respective penis
sizes. MA3 JA testified that he interpreted the appellant’s
comments as a request for “sexual favors” which he rejected.
MA3 JA testified that when they reached the apartment building
parking lot, the appellant unzipped his pants and exposed his
penis and then asked MA3 JA to do the same. MA3 JA stated he
immediately left the vehicle and went into his apartment. The
appellant followed MA3 JA into the apartment. MA3 JA testified
he still intended to let the appellant sleep on the couch based
on their prior plans and because he didn’t want the appellant to
drive home after drinking.

     MA3 JA testified that upon entering the apartment, he went
to the bedroom and told his wife what had just happened. MA3 JA
then went back to the living area, prepared some food, and sat
on the living room couch to eat and watch television. The
appellant sat on the couch as well and, according to MA3 JA, the
appellant again asked MA3 JA to expose himself and solicited a
threesome with MA3 JA and his wife. MA3 JA testified that the
appellant also reached over with both hands and touched his
inner thigh and shoulder. MA3 JA testified he immediately got

XIII. Did the military judge abuse his discretion under Military Rule of
Evidence 611 when he failed to recess the court-martial at an appropriate
time requiring the members to remain, deliberate, and render a verdict at
midnight at the end of the business week?

                                      3
up and told the appellant to leave. MA3 JA’s wife testified she
overheard the appellant making sexual comments and that she went
to the hallway so she could see what was going on. She
testified she then saw the appellant place his hands on MA3 JA’s
thigh and shoulder and saw MA3 JA get up and tell the appellant
to leave the apartment.

     MA3 JA stated he escorted the appellant to the front door
and out of the apartment, where the appellant grabbed MA3 JA’s
genitals through his clothing. MA3 JA testified he removed the
appellant’s hand and told him to stop and the appellant
responded by grabbing MA3 JA’s genitals a second time. MA3 JA
testified he again removed the appellant’s hand and then went
back inside his apartment and locked the door.

     Once back in his apartment, MA3 JA telephoned a shipmate
and eventually called the security watch commander to report the
incident. The watch commander picked MA3 JA up at his apartment
and brought him to the Naval Station Mayport Security building.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) was notified and
Special Agent FL assumed cognizance of the investigation. As
part of the investigation, Special Agent FL recorded a
controlled phone call between MA3 JA and the appellant.2 During
this call, the appellant made several admissions regarding
grabbing MA3 JA’s genitals, soliciting a threesome with MA3 JA
and his wife, and exposing himself. Additionally, MA3 JA and
the appellant exchanged several text messages in which the
appellant admitting grabbing MA3 JA’s genitals. The appellant
denied exposing himself or touching MA3 JA’s genitals during an
interview with Special Agent FL and in the written statement the
appellant provided to NCIS.

     At trial the defense presented no evidence on the merits.
However, the trial defense counsel argued that the sexual talk
and physical interaction between the appellant and MA3 JA was
consensual, and that MA3 JA subsequently changed his story to
placate his wife who was upset by the interactions she observed
between her husband and the appellant.

      Further facts are developed below as necessary.

                     Legal and Factual Sufficiency

2
  The appellant did not answer any of the three phone calls placed by MA3 JA,
but did return a call to MA3 JA. NCIS recorded the conversation from this
phone call.

                                      4
     We review questions of legal and factual sufficiency de
novo. United States v. Winckelmann, 70 M.J. 403, 406 (C.A.A.F.
2011); United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F.
2001). The test for legal sufficiency is whether any rational
trier of fact could have found that the evidence met the
essential elements of the charged offense, viewing the evidence
in a light most favorable to the Government. United States v.
Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 324 (C.M.A. 1987). The test for factual
sufficiency is whether we are convinced of the appellant’s guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt, allowing for the fact that we did not
personally observe the witnesses. Id. at 325. In this case we
find in the affirmative as to both.

     In this assignment of error, the appellant does not point
to a specific deficiency of proof, but rather asserts MA3 JA’s
testimony was impeached multiple times and was insufficient to
prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The term
“reasonable doubt” does not mean that the evidence must be free
of any conflict. United States v. Rankin, 63 M.J. 552, 557
(N.M.Ct.Crim.App. 2006), aff’d, 64 M.J. 348 (C.A.A.F. 2007).
The members may “believe one part of a witness’ testimony and
disbelieve another.” United States v. Harris, 8 M.J. 52, 59
(C.M.A. 1979). Conducting our own legal and factual sufficiency
analysis, we disagree with the appellant’s assertion. MA3 JA’s
testimony clearly established:

     (1) That the appellant indecently exposed his genitals
     while he and MA3 JA were sitting in the appellant’s
     parked vehicle;

     (2) That the appellant repeatedly sexually harassed
     MA3 JA by asking him to expose his penis and engage in
     other sexual activity; and,

     (3) That the appellant grabbed MA3 JA’s genitals twice
     after MA3 JA escorted the appellant from his
     apartment.

Additionally, much of MA3 JA’s testimony was corroborated by his
wife’s testimony and by the appellant’s admissions made during
the controlled phone call and in several post incident text
messages he sent to MA3 JA. The appellant’s statements during
the controlled phone call also provided the factual basis to
prove the false official statement.

     After reviewing the record, we find that a rational trier
of fact could have found the essential elements of the offenses

                                5
were proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and we are ourselves
convinced beyond a reasonable doubt as to the appellant’s guilt.

                         Motion for Mistrial

      At trial, the Government introduced into evidence a video
recording of the NCIS case agent’s interview of the appellant.
Record at 519; Prosecution Exhibit 11. The recording was played
for the members. Id. To comply with MILITARY RULE OF EVIDENCE 707,
MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL, UNITED STATES (2012 ed.), the parties agreed
to remove all references made during the interview to a
polygraph examination. Record at 524-31. Despite their best
efforts, near the end of the recording the members heard the
case agent’s request that the appellant take a polygraph
examination and his agreement. Shortly thereafter, the military
judge called an Article 39(a), UCMJ, session to address this
disclosure to the members. At this session, the trial defense
counsel moved for a mistrial which the military judge denied.
The military judge instead chose to provide a curative
instruction during which he advised the members to “completely
disregard” any reference to a polygraph examination and to “cast
it out of your minds as if it had never been said.” Id. at 566.
All members indicated they could follow this instruction. Id.

     A military judge’s denial of a motion for a mistrial is
reviewed for a clear abuse of discretion. United States v.
Diaz, 59 M.J. 79, 90 (C.A.A.F. 2003). A mistrial is a drastic
remedy to be used only sparingly to prevent manifest injustice.
United States v. Rushatz, 31 M.J. 450, 456 (C.M.A. 1990). A
mistrial is appropriate only when “circumstances arise that cast
substantial doubt upon the fairness or impartiality of the
trial.” United States v. Barron, 52 M.J. 1, 4 (C.A.A.F. 1999)
(citation and internal quotation marks omitted). “A curative
instruction is the ‘preferred’ remedy for correcting error when
the court members have heard inadmissible evidence, as long as
the instruction is adequate to avoid prejudice to the accused.”
United States v. Taylor, 53 M.J. 195, 198 (C.A.A.F. 2000)
(citation omitted).

     In this instance we find    the military judge did not abuse
his discretion in denying the    defense request for a mistrial.
The military judge’s curative    instruction in this instance was
sufficient to avoid prejudice    to the appellant.

                     Challenge Against Captain O

                                   6
     Following group and individual voir dire, the trial defense
counsel made challenges for cause against Captain (CAPT) O,
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) W, LCDR S, and LCDR D.3 Record at
208. The military judge granted the challenges of LCDR W and
LCDR S, but denied the challenges of CAPT O and LCDR D. The
appellant then exercised his peremptory challenge against LCDR
D. Id. at 225.

     The appellant asserts that the military judge abused his
discretion in denying the defense challenge for cause against
CAPT O. The trial defense counsel challenged CAPT O for implied
bias based on CAPT O’s lack of “attentiveness and his demeanor
in court.” Id. at 210. Counsel further explained CAPT O failed
to update his member’s questionnaire to reflect he had served as
a court-martial member the prior month. Concerning CAPT O’s
demeanor counsel stated, “it’s not that he (CAPT O) was outright
hostile, but it just appeared to us that he was not paying the
appropriate amount of attention to the response to the (voir
dire) questions . . . .” Id.

      An appellant is entitled to trial by impartial members,
United States v. Townsend, 65 M.J. 460, 463 (C.A.A.F. 2008), and
RULE FOR COURTS-MARTIAL 912(f)(1)(N), MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL, UNITED
STATES (2012 ed.) provides that a member shall be excused when it
appears the member “[s]hould not sit as a member in the interest
of having the court-martial free from substantial doubt as to
legality, fairness, and impartiality.” Members may be
challenged for both actual and implied bias. United States v.
Clay, 64 M.J. 274, 276 (C.A.A.F. 2007). Implied bias exists
when, despite a disclaimer, most people in the same position as
the court member would be prejudiced. United States v.
Napolitano, 53 M.J. 162, 167 (C.A.A.F. 2000); United States v.
Warden, 51 M.J. 78, 81 (C.A.A.F. 1999). Challenges for implied
bias are viewed objectively through the eyes of the public,
“‘focusing on the appearance of fairness.’” United States v.
Bragg, 66 M.J. 325, 326 (C.A.A.F. 2008) (quoting United States
v. Rome, 47 M.J. 467, 469 (C.A.A.F. 1998)). Military judges are
enjoined to liberally grant defense challenges for cause.
United States v. Moreno, 63 M.J. 129, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2006).

     “Although we review issues of implied bias for abuse of
discretion, the objective nature of the inquiry dictates that we
accord ‘a somewhat less deferential standard’ . . . .”
Townsend, 65 M.J. at 463 (quoting United States v. Armstrong, 54
M.J. 51, 54 (C.A.A.F. 2000)). “A military judge who addresses

3
    The Government also challenged LCDR W for cause.   Record at 208.

                                        7
implied bias by applying the liberal grant mandate on the record
will receive more deference on review than one that does not.”
Clay, 64 M.J. at 277.

     The military judge specifically disagreed with trial
defense counsel’s contention that CAPT O was inattentive and did
not show proper demeanor during voir dire. Record at 212.
Furthermore, in applying the liberal grant mandate, the military
judge stated, “that a reasonable member of the public would not
have substantial doubt as to the legality, fairness or
impartiality of the proceedings having just witnessed the voir
dire of [CAPT O].” Id. at 213.

     Viewing the record objectively, we find that a member of
the public would not have substantial doubt that it was fair for
CAPT O to sit as a member. Bragg, 66 M.J. at 327. Finding no
clear abuse of discretion by the military judge in applying the
liberal grant mandate and no objective reason to question CAPT
O’s fairness and impartiality, we conclude that the military
judge did not err in denying the appellant’s challenge against
him for implied bias.

                Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

     The appellant next contends that his military defense
counsel was ineffective because:

    (1) She failed to disclose, until shortly before
    trial, that she previously advised adverse action
    against the appellant in a separate matter;

    (2) Soon after the trial she became Executive Director
    of “Protect our Defenders,” an advocacy group
    frequently critical of the military on sexual assault;

    (3) She failed to prevent polygraph evidence from
    being heard by the members; and,

    (4) She did not adequately prepare for presentencing.

     We disagree and find that the appellant received full and
effective representation by his civilian defense counsel and his
detailed military defense counsel.

     The test for determining ineffective assistance of counsel
has two prongs: deficient performance and prejudice. See
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). To meet the

                                8
deficiency prong, the appellant must show his defense counsel
“made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the
‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Id.
To show prejudice, the appellant must demonstrate that any
errors made by the defense counsel were so serious that they
deprived him of a fair trial. Id.; United States v. Scott, 24
M.J. 186, 188 (C.M.A. 1987). The proper standard for attorney
performance is that of reasonably effective assistance.
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. Counsel is strongly presumed to
have rendered adequate assistance and made all significant
decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment.
Scott, 24 M.J. at 188. In order to show ineffective assistance,
the appellant must surmount a very high hurdle. United States
v. Moulton, 47 M.J. 227, 229 (C.A.A.F. 1997).

     Military defense counsel’s potential conflict of interest
in representing the appellant was thoroughly addressed by the
military judge. Record at 20-25. Following a full explanation
of the potential conflict and the military judge’s reiteration
of counsel rights to the appellant, the appellant stated, “Sir,
I feel there’s no conflict pertaining to the issue that happened
aboard the USS IWO JIMA. I believe that Lieutenant [M] is a
very professional attorney for the United States Navy, and I
will continue to want to have her represent me at this court-
martial as the proceedings go forward.” Id. at 25. “An accused
may waive his right to conflict-free counsel.” United States v.
Lee, 66 M.J. 387, 388 (C.A.A.F. 2008) (citing United States v.
Davis, 3 M.J. 430, 433 n.16 (C.M.A. 1977)). Such waivers must
be voluntary, and they must be “‘knowing intelligent acts done
with sufficient awareness of the relevant circumstances and
likely consequences.’” Davis, 3 M.J. at 433 n.16 (quoting Brady
v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 748 (1970)). Here the appellant
assertion that he wished to have Lieutenant M continue to
represent him waived any issue regarding his counsel’s potential
conflict.

     The appellant provides no evidence to support his claim
that his military defense counsel did not zealously represent
him, regardless of any subsequent employment. While the
military judge expressed dissatisfaction regarding presentencing
preparation, he did so outside the presence of members and his
comments were focused primarily on lack of communication between
the parties and were directed equally toward the Government
counsel and the defense counsel. Record at 774-75. The defense
prepared and submitted a 75-page package in extenuation and
mitigation and presented three witnesses who testified to the
appellant’s good military character. Moreover, Lieutenant M

                                9
submitted an extensive post-trial clemency package on behalf of
the appellant and urged the CA to set aside the findings based
on legal errors in the court-martial proceedings or in the
alternative to grant sentence relief. The failure to prevent
the members from hearing a single reference to a polygraph
examination during the course of the appellant’s nearly three-
hour interview at NCIS does not rise to the level of ineffective
assistance of counsel. Any potential prejudice in this regard
was quickly rendered moot by the military judge’s timely
curative instruction.

     In sum, the appellant's ineffective assistance of counsel
assertions constitute nothing more than bare allegations and
speculation concerning his military defense counsel’s claimed
errors and omissions. The conclusion the trial defense counsel
team rendered adequate assistance and exercised reasonable
professional judgment is further supported by the vigorous
pretrial, trial, sentencing and post-trial representation they
provided to the appellant. In light of the evidence in the
record and the appellate filings, we conclude the appellant has
demonstrated neither deficient performance nor prejudice.

                   Unlawful Command Influence

     The appellant also avers, for the first time on appeal,
that his court-martial was infected with unlawful command
influence (UCI) because comments from senior civilian officials
have forced the armed forces to prosecute sexual assault cases
and convict at all cost. We review allegations of UCI de novo.
United States v. Villareal, 52 M.J. 27, 30 (C.A.A.F. 1999).
Article 37(a), UCMJ, states, “No person subject to this chapter
may attempt to coerce or, by any unauthorized means, influence .
. . the action of any convening, approving, or reviewing
authority with respect to his judicial acts.” The appellant has
the initial burden of producing sufficient evidence to raise
unlawful command influence. United States v. Stombaugh, 40 M.J.
208, 213 (C.M.A. 1994). This threshold is low, but it must be
more than “a bare allegation or mere speculation.” United
States v. Johnston, 39 M.J. 242, 244 (C.M.A. 1994) (citation
omitted).

     The record before us is entirely devoid of facts that, if
true, constitute UCI. Moreover, we find no indication
whatsoever that the proceedings were unfair. Stombaugh, 40 M.J.
at 213. The appellant has failed to meet his initial burden of
production on UCI and therefore we decline to grant relief.

                               10
                        Lesser Included Offense

     The appellant also contends the military judge erred by not
instructing the members on the lesser included offense (LIO) of
assault consummated by battery.

     Questions of law pertaining to the military judge’s
instructions are reviewed de novo. United States v. Schroder,
65 M.J. 49, 54 (C.A.A.F. 2007). The military judge has a sua
sponte duty to instruct the members on any and all lesser
included offenses reasonably raised by the evidence admitted at
trial. United States v. Miergrimado, 66 M.J. 34, 36 (C.A.A.F.
2008); see generally R.C.M. 920(e)(2).

     Concerning the LIO of battery, the military judge found it
was not raised by the evidence, concluding, “all we’re talking
about is grabbing of the crotch. So it’s either a sexual
assault or it’s, you know, not.” Record at 603. We agree with
the military judge’s conclusion that the facts did not
reasonably raise the offense of assault consummated by battery.
The appellant engaged in repeated sexual advances toward MA3 JA
throughout the evening culminating in wrongful sexual contact
when the appellant grabbed MA3 JA’s genitals through his
clothing. No evidence was raised to suggest the appellant was
not acting to satisfy his sexual desire when this occurred and
therefore the LIO of battery was not reasonably raised by the
evidence.

                     Admissibility of NJP Records

     The appellant contends that the military judge erred during
the presentencing proceedings by admitting records of a
nonjudicial punishment (NJP) imposed during a prior enlistment.
If otherwise admissible, records of NJP may be introduced into
evidence provided the records reflect offenses committed during
the current enlistment or period of service of the accused.
Manual of the Judge Advocate General, Judge Advocate General
Instruction 5800.7F, § 0141 (26 Jun 2012). We conclude, that
the NJP documented in PE 15,4 which was awarded eight years prior
4
  PE 15 is a seven-page document concerning NJP imposed on the appellant for
impersonating a law enforcement officer on two occasions when he stopped
motorists both on and off military installations using blue strobe lights on
the dash of his personal vehicle. At the time the appellant was assigned to
the Transient Personnel Unit and had no law enforcement duties. The document
package consisted of a three-page punitive letter of reprimand from the
Commanding Officer (CO), Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville to the
appellant, the report and disposition of offense(s) documenting the NJP
charges and specifications and imposed punishment, and the CO NAS

                                     11
and during the appellant’s previous enlistment, failed to meet
this definition, and was admitted into evidence during the
presentencing phase contrary to the policy set forth in JAGMAN §
0141.

     The trial defense counsel made a timely objection to the
admission of PE 15; however, the objection was based on the
Government’s failure to provide the document package in
discovery. Record at 769. The military judge did not expressly
rule on the objection, but said he would provide defense as much
time as they needed to review the Government’s presentencing
documents. Id. at 777. The defense requested, and the military
judge granted, a thirty-minute recess to allow the defense time
to review the documents. Id. Following their review, trial
defense counsel raised no further objection to PE 15 and it was
admitted into evidence. Id. at 794. Given this circumstance,
we will consider the issue forfeited unless we find “plain
error.” R.C.M. 801(g); MIL. R. EVID. 103(a)(1) and (d).

     To constitute “plain error,” an error must in fact exist,
that error must be plain or obvious, and the error must
materially prejudice a substantial right of the appellant.
United States v. Lepage, 59 M.J. 659, 660 (N.M.Ct.Crim.App.
2003). While it was obviously error for the military judge to
admit this NJP into evidence in noncompliance with the policy
constraints set forth by the Judge Advocate General, whether it
had a “significant effect on the sentence” is determined on a
case-by-case basis. United States v. Wrenn, 36 M.J. 1188, 1193
(N.M.C.M.R. 1993).

     During the presentencing proceedings, the trial counsel
questioned each of the defense’s three character witnesses about
details of the appellant’s conduct reflected in PE 15. Record
at 835, 842, and 855. Additionally, following the character
witness testimony, the military judge specifically advised the
members that they may consider the appellant’s actions in making
unlawful traffic stops “for its substantive nature, that is, in
aggravation in sentencing”. Id. at 860-61. Finally, the trial
counsel in his sentencing argument again referenced PE 15 and
the appellant’s underlying conduct for the NJP, stating,
“[y]ou’ve seen his prior service, evidence of that letter of
reprimand, and you are going to be able to take it back with you
and review it where he was pulling people over in his personally
operated vehicle on and off base impersonating a police officer.
Look at the conduct of that offense. Even then the accused

Jacksonville forwarding endorsement to the Chief of Naval Personnel (PERS-
313D) to include the information in the appellant’s official service record.

                                     12
believed he was above the law.” Id. at 897. Considering these
factors, we find there was an appreciable risk that the court
members gave significant weight to the improperly admitted
exhibit in determining a sentence. Therefore, we find the
military judge committed plain error in admitting PE 15. See
United States v. Dyke, 16 M.J. 426, 427 (C.M.A. 1983).

                     Remaining Assignments of Error

     Having reviewed the record, we find assignments of error
IX, X, XII, and XIII raised by the appellant to be without
merit. United States v. Clifton, 35 M.J. 79, 81-82 (C.M.A.
1992).

                                 Conclusion

     The findings are affirmed. Here we decline to reassess the
sentence because we cannot confidently “discern the extent of
the error's effect on the sentencing authority's decision."
United States v. Reed, 33 M.J. 98, 99 (C.M.A. 1991). Therefore,
the sentence is set aside, and the record is returned to the
Judge Advocate General of the Navy for transmission to an
appropriate CA who may order a rehearing on the sentence.5
Following post-trial processing the record will be returned to
the Court for completion of appellate review. Boudreaux v. U.S.
Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review, 28 M.J. 181 (C.M.A.
1989).

     Senior Judge MITCHELL and Judge JAMISON concur.

                                      For the Court

                                      R.H. TROIDL
                                      Clerk of Court

5
  Due to our action relative to the sentence, AOEs IV and VI, relating to
sentence severity and presentencing questions about the appellant’s 21-year-
old court-martial conviction, are presently moot.

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