Court Opinion

ID: 4438947
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-09-18 06:03:07.036182+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:55.282317
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES ARMY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                         Before
                          MULLIGAN, FEBBO, and SCHASBERGER
                                Appellate Military Judges

                             UNITED STATES, Appellee
                                          v.
                        Sergeant ROBERT L. ATKINSON, JR.
                            United States Army, Appellant

                                      ARMY 20160634

                        Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division
               Sean Mangan and Kenneth W. Shahan, Military Judges
        Lieutenant Colonel James W. Nelson, Staff Judge Advocate (pretrial)
            Colonel Russel N. Parson, Staff Judge Advocate (post-trial)

For Appellant: Lieutenant Colonel Tiffany M. Chapman, JA; Major Todd W.
Simpson, JA; Captain Joshua B. Fix, JA (on brief).

For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Eric K. Stafford, JA; Major Hannah E. Kaufman,
JA; Captain Jessika M. Newsome, JA (on brief).

                                       2 October 2018

                                  --------------------------------
                                   MEMORANUM OPINION
                                  --------------------------------

  This opinion is issued as an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as precedent.

SCHASBERGER, Judge:

       At issue in this case is whether the composition of Sergeant Robert Atkinson’s
court-martial panel deprived him of a fair trial. Appellant alleges his conviction of
one specification of rape of a child and one specification of sexual abuse of a child
was the result of a biased panel. Specifically, that having members of the panel who
participated in the Sexual Assault Review Board (SARB) at his installation created
either actual or implied bias, and that one member of his panel misled the court
during voir dire. Appellant also argues that the military judge erred by allowing in
evidence statements made months after the alleged incidents as excited utterances.

      We find no unlawful command influence in the form of court stacking.
Further, we find that appellant’s trial was free of bias. We agree with appellant that
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

the military judge erred in admitting the statements made seven months after the
incident as excited utterances, but conclude appellant was not prejudiced by these
admissions and therefore find no relief is warranted.

       A panel with enlisted members sitting as a general court-martial convicted
appellant, contrary to his pleas, of one specification of rape of a child and one
specification of sexual abuse of a child in violation of Article 120b, Uniform Code
of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 920b (2012) [UCMJ]. 1 The panel sentenced
appellant to a dishonorable discharge, confinement for thirty-two years, and a
reduction to the grade of E-1. The convening authority approved the adjudged
sentence. 2

                                  BACKGROUND

       Appellant was originally charged with sexually assaulting and threatening his
five-year-old step-daughter, KF, and both physically assaulting and sexually
assaulting his ex-wife, HA. After arraignment but before trial, the government
withdrew the charges involving HA. 3 At the time of trial, only the charges relating
to KF remained.

       After general voir dire, both the government and the defense requested
individual voir dire of all panel members. The military judge granted the defense
request. The first individual questioned was Command Sergeant Major (CSM) KM.

       The defense questioned CSM KM about his relationship with appellant.
Command Sergeant Major KM stated he did not recognize appellant but was
“somewhat in his chain of command.” In describing the relationship, CSM KM
stated the six Forward Support Companies (FSCs) under his battalion did not belong
to his unit for administrative purposes. The CSM stated, “I don’t know the facts
about this case—I didn’t know anything about this case until—or any details about
this case until what I just read a few minutes ago.” The military judge also
questioned CSM KM about this relationship. In response to the judge’s questions,
CSM KM clarified that his role is to place soldiers in the FSCs and can move them

1
 The panel acquitted appellant of two specifications of sexual assault and one of
communicating a threat.
2
 Appellant also personally submits matters pursuant to United States v. Grostefon,
12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982), which do not warrant discussion or relief.
3
 These charges are only relevant in that HA was considered a victim during the
months preceding the trial and thus a potential SARB case.

                                          2
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

from a FSC, but his battalion does not have operational or administrative control of
the companies. All UCMJ actions went to another command team. 4

       During general voir dire, four members of the panel venire disclosed
membership in the installation SARB and one member had previously participated in
a SARB on another installation. The defense questioned each of these members on
their understanding of the SARB and their participation. Though there was some
disparity in the answers, the general understanding of the panel members was the
purpose of the SARB was to ensure services for victims and to prevent future sexual
assaults. Various panel members described the role of the commanding general at
the SARB and the fact that brigade command teams participated in the SARB. No
member recalled appellant’s case from the SARB and each member stated they had
no prior knowledge of the facts of appellant’s case.

       The defense made a blanket challenge of the four members of the panel who
were installation SARB members 5 and an individual challenge against LTC M. After
argument from both parties, the military judge granted the challenge against LTC M
and denied the challenge of the SARB members. In his detailed findings, 6 the
military judge concluded there was neither implied nor actual bias. As to the SARB,
the military judge stated:

             Regarding the Sexual Assault Review Board it is not
             unusual for 4 out of 10 panel members to have experience
             on the SARB. Panel members are most often senior
             officers and enlisted members and it is the command
             teams within the Division or Corps that attend the SARB.
             The totality of the testimony today, while there were some

4
 The CSM noted that sometimes there would be confusion from outsiders as to who
was responsible for the FSCs, so an initial police report would get directed to his
unit. He would then redirect the report to the correct person.
5
  In addition to the blanket challenge to the four installation SARB members,
defense also challenged CSM R because he had been on the SARB for eight months
longer than the others. The defense argued this additional time was significant
because the SARB used to have more information briefed on the cases. The
practices of the Fort Lewis SARB were changed as a result of the case of United
States v. Elie, ARMY 20160112, 2018 CCA LEXIS 17 (Army Ct. Crim. App. 16 Jan.
2018) (mem. op.). The military judge addressed the issues raised by CSM R in his
findings of fact.
6
  The military judge’s ruling on the challenge spanned five pages of transcript,
including a discussion of the voir dire answers of each of the challenged members.

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ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

               minor variations, made it clear that the purpose of the
               SARB is to ensure services for alleged victims are
               proceeding appropriately and to discuss preventative
               measures the commands may take such as changing door
               codes and conducting roaming patrols during high risk
               hours at night . . .

               The court notes that all four panel members made it clear
               that names of the subjects or the accused service members
               at a court-martial are not used at the SARB and that the
               briefings from the command teams are intentionally
               presented as generically as possible so as not to taint any
               court-martial proceeding.

    After ruling on the challenges for cause, the military judge asked for peremptory
challenges. The government counsel challenged LTC C. The judge then asked the
defense if they had any peremptory challenge; instead of immediately responding,
the defense requested a short break. After the defense team consulted, the defense
counsel stated, “No peremptory challenge from the defense.” After the challenges,
two lieutenant colonels, one major, and five sergeants major formed the panel.

       The government called LA as the first witness. LA began seeing KF’s
mother, HA, during the time HA and appellant were married. He then married HA
after her divorce from appellant. LA was a stay-at-home father and the primary
caretaker of KF and her siblings.

      LA testified that one day after putting the kids down for naps, he heard noise
in KF’s room. 7 He went to tell her to go to sleep and when he opened the door, he
saw her with her hands by her crotch and her shorts and underwear at her ankles.
Surprised, he asked what she was doing and she replied that she was bored. LA
asked her again and she said she was pretending to give birth and “had her fingers in
her monkey.” LA asked where she learned this from and she said “Robert.”

       LA continued to testify as to KF’s answers to his questions. He described KF
as crying and scared. LA testified that KF told him, “I can’t tell you or he’ll kill
me” and “when she’s at Robert’s house she would get told to go into his bedroom,
get undressed, go suck on his peepee until white stuff came out, and then she’d be
told to go spit that out.” While this discussion was going on, HA came home for
lunch, so LA went outside to tell her what happened and then they went back inside
the house to talk to KF.

7
    At the time of this incident, KF was seven years old.

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ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

       Eventually, defense objected to this line of questioning as hearsay. The
government’s position was that it was an excited utterance. The military judge
sustained the objection stating, “I don’t have enough information as to excited
utterance.” The government then laid a foundation as to KF’s emotional state, her
physical state, and how long it had been since she was caught. After eliciting
testimony regarding KF’s crying, stuttering, and that about 30 minutes had elapsed
since the initial conversation in the bedroom, the military judge allowed the
government to ask LA questions about the conversation between KF, HA, and him.
After the objection was overruled, LA testified that KF said she accidentally bit
Robert and he yelled at her. When trial counsel asked, “Did [KF] ever say why she
didn’t say no,” LA replied, “At that point Robert was her dad, and she said, ‘He told
me to, and he seemed to like it.’”

       KF testified by remote live testimony. 8 She testified that Robert had her
“suck on his private part, and go up and down.” She described touching his “round
thingies” and that his private part looked like a “big stick.” Further, she testified
that he would put “gooey stuff” in her mouth and have her hold it there and then spit
it out. KF also described the sounds Robert would make if she accidentally bit him. 9

      On cross-examination, defense elicited the fact that KF prepared for trial with
the government but never spoke to the defense. Defense also elicited that KF never
told LA she was pretending to have a baby, and some other inconsistencies with the
testimony of HA and LA.

      The government called two special agents who interviewed appellant
regarding the allegations. They testified that appellant denied the allegations.
However, appellant admitted that one time KF walked in when he was masturbating
and watching pornography and saw his genitalia, and that maybe when he was very
drunk she touched his penis.

8
  Prior to trial, KF’s special victim counsel (SVC) moved to allow KF to testify via
remote live testimony. After taking evidence on the issue, the military judge granted
the SVC’s request. KF testified from another room in the building using
two-way video conferencing. She was visible to the military judge, defense, and
panel members. Present in the room with KF was a defense counsel, two trial
counsel, KF’s special victim representative, expert consultants for both defense and
the government, and one paralegal.
9
 KF also testified that Robert would have her “sit” on his private part and go up and
down, that it hurt, and that he “would show me videos of a girl and a man doing it.”

                                          5
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

                             LAW AND DISCUSSION

      1. Was appellant’s court-martial panel biased?

       Appellant alleges that he was denied a fair trial or the appearance of a fair
trial when four members of the panel venire and three members of the panel who
convicted him were members of the SARB. For the first time on appeal, appellant
argues that the high percentage of SARB members is evidence that there was
unlawful command influence in the selection of the panel. We disagree with
appellant that any specter of UCI was raised and instead believe the proper
framework to review the panel composition was the one raised at trial, that is a test
for actual and implied bias. 10

        We review the selection of panel members for error de novo. United States v.
Bartlett, 66 M.J. 426, 427 (C.A.A.F. 2008). A convening authority may select
anyone in his command as long as he applies the criteria set out in Article 25,
UCMJ. Specifically, he “shall detail as members . . . as, in his opinion, are best
qualified for the duty by reason of age, education, training, experience, length of
service, and judicial temperament.” Article 25(d)(2), UCMJ. The Convening
Authority may not attempt to stack the court to achieve a specific result, whether
that is to secure a conviction or to achieve a harsher sentence. See, e.g., United
States v. Riesbeck, 77 M.J. 154 (C.A.A.F. 2018); United States v. McClain, 22 M.J.
124 (C.M.A. 1986). Where selection of panel members on an impermissible basis is
raised by the evidence, the government needs to present affirmative evidence of
benign intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Riesbeck, 77 M.J. at 159 (citations
omitted).

        Appellant argues that his case is akin to Riesbeck. In Riesbeck, the seven
member panel was composed of five women, four of whom were victim advocates
(i.e. individuals who receive training to provide support and counseling to victims of

10
  By claiming the issue is one of improper member selection and unlawful command
influence, appellant is able to skirt the issue of waiver. See United States v.
 Riesbeck, 74 M.J. 176, 176 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (citing United States v. Baldwin, 54
M.J. 308, 310 n.2 (C.A.A.F. 2001)). On the other hand, when counsel
unsuccessfully challenge a member for cause, “failure by the challenging party to
exercise a peremptory challenge against any member shall constitute waiver of
further consideration of the challenge upon later review.” Rule for Courts-Martial
(R.C.M.) 912(f)(4). Because appellant did not use his peremptory challenge to
remove any of the three remaining SARB members, he waived that issue. As
defense counsel stated in his affidavit, he played the numbers game, but wanting to
have eight members on the panel does not change the waiver into a preserved issue.
See, e.g., United States v. Kelly, 76 M.J. 793, 796 (Army Ct. Crim. App. 2017),
rev’d on other grounds, 77 M.J. 404 (C.A.A.F. 2018).

                                          6
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

rape and sexual assault). The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF)
concluded the convening authority used gender as an improper basis to get the result
of a “large number” of women on the panel. Id. at 165. 11

       We do not find Riesbeck on point, as the facts in appellant’s case are clearly
distinguishable. First, the convening authority did not select members based on
gender. The four members in question were men – the same gender as five out of six
of the unchallenged members and the same gender as appellant. Second,
membership in the SARB is based on position and not based on special training in
assisting victims. Third, there is no evidence that the convening authority used
anything other than Article 25 criteria in his selection.

       The individuals participated in the SARB because they were part of a
battalion or brigade command team. Battalion and brigade leadership positions are
very competitive; as our superior court has found, “officers selected for highly
competitive command positions . . . have been chosen on the best qualified basis,
and that the qualities required for exercising command are totally compatible with
the statutory requirements for selection as a court member.” United States v. White
48 M.J. 251, 255 (C.A.A.F. 1998) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
Given the requirement that all installation senior commanders and senior command
sergeants major participated in the SARB, and that the qualities which lead soldiers
to be selected for leadership positions are akin to those in Article 25, we do not find
evidence that the convening authority stacked the panel.

      We next look to see if the panel was biased. At trial, appellant challenged
four members of the panel for actual and implied bias, based on their membership in
the SARB.

       Actual bias is a question of fact to be decided by the trial judge on the basis
of the responses of the member and any other evidence presented. “A military
judge’s ruling on a challenge for cause is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.
Military judges are afforded a high degree of deference on rulings involving actual
bias. This reflects, among other things, the importance of demeanor in evaluating
the credibility of a member’s answers during voir dire.” United States v. Woods, 74
M.J. 238, 243 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (quoting United States v. Downing, 56 M.J. 419, 422
(C.A.A.F. 2002)). In United States v. Daulton, our superior court made clear that
the burden of establishing grounds to support a challenge for cause is on the party
making the challenge. 45 M.J. 212, 217 (C.A.A.F. 1996) (citing R.C.M. 912(f)(3)).

11
  The court based its decision on the fact that the panel members were women and
not that they were victim advocates. Specifically, CAAF stated “we are convinced
that the member selection in this case was based in no small part on gender, which is
error.” Riesbeck, 77 M.J. at 162 (citations omitted).

                                           7
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

       In light of this standard, there is no basis for us to disturb the trial judge’s
finding that the four panel members exhibited no actual bias. The defense,
government, and the military judge questioned the panel members and did not elicit
any responses that would suggest they had prior knowledge of appellant’s case or
that their participation in the SARB predisposed them to have a bias against
appellant. We conclude the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the
challenges for cause on actual bias grounds.

       The test for implied bias is objective, viewing the circumstances through the
eyes of the public and focusing on the perception or appearance of fairness. United
States v. Bagstad, 68 M.J. 460, 462 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citations omitted). “We look
to determine whether there is ‘too high a risk that the public will perceive’ that the
accused received less than a court composed of fair, impartial, equal members.”
United States v. Moreno, 63 M.J. 129, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2006) (quoting United States v.
Wiesen, 56 M.J. 172, 176 (C.A.A.F. 2001)).

       The standard for reviewing rulings on challenges involving implied bias is
“less deferential than abuse of discretion, but more deferential than de novo review.”
Moreno, 63 M.J. at 134 (citations omitted). Where a military judge has addressed
implied bias by applying the liberal grant mandate on the record, that military judge
will accordingly be granted “more deference on review than one that does not.”
United States v. Clay, 64 M.J. 274, 277 (C.A.A.F. 2007).

       We also conclude the trial judge did not err in refusing to grant the implied
bias challenge against these members. The trial judge clearly articulated his
consideration of the liberal grant mandate in his rejection of the challenge on both
actual and implied bias grounds. Thus, we grant more deference to his decision than
we would if he had failed to articulate his consideration of this principle.

       The purpose of the SARB is to ensure a victim is provided services and to
prevent sexual assaults. The cases are briefed without identifying information. The
challenged members established their willingness to follow the instructions of the
military judge. The military judge found the four panel members to be open,
forthright, and answered all the voir dire questions honestly with no attempt to
evade.

      After reviewing the totality of the circumstances of this case, we find a
reasonable member of the public, sitting in the courtroom and hearing the members’
responses, would not harbor a substantial doubt as to the fairness of appellant’s
court-martial. Thus, we conclude the military judge did not err in his denial of the
implied bias challenges.

                                           8
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

       Finally, the defense has asked for a DuBay hearing to determine whether
SARB membership was considered as a criterion for panel selection. 12 United States
v. DuBay, 17 U.S.C.M.A. 147, 37 C.M.R. 411 (1967). We find that a DuBay hearing
is not warranted in this case.

      Appellant’s final challenge to his panel was that a panel member, CSM KM,
gave misleading answers, and but for his answers the defense counsel would have
challenged CSM KM. We find that neither the evidence in the record nor the
evidence provided on appeal demonstrates that CSM KM misled the court with his
answers.

       An accused is entitled to honest answers in voir dire. “Voir dire is a critical
tool for ensuring that the accused is tried by an impartial trier of fact—the
touchstone of a fair trial.” United States v. Commisso, 76 M.J. 315, 321 (C.A.A.F.
2017) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). “The effectiveness of voir
dire depends upon each potential member’s providing valid, relevant information so
that both judge and counsel can evaluate the member’s qualifications and suitability
for court-martial service.” United States v. Mack, 41 M.J. 51, 54 (C.M.A. 1994). In
Mack, the CAAF adopted a two-pronged test for determining if a new trial is
required when an error arises from a juror’s failure to disclose information in voir
dire. 41 M.J. at 55. First, one must show the panel member failed to answer
honestly a material question on voir dire; second, that a correct response would have
provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause. Id.

       Appellant cannot meet the first prong of this test. At trial, CSM KM
explained the relationship of his position to that of appellant. He was the battalion
command sergeant major of 296th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), and his
battalion had six companies which fell under his battalion for Modification Table of
Organization and Equipment (MTOE) purposes but not for operational or
administrative control. CSM KM further explained that UCMJ actions were handled
by another command team, but that sometimes reports would come to his unit as
there could be confusion as to who was responsible for a soldier. When that
happened, CSM KM stated he would pass on the information to the correct unit.

      On appeal, appellant submitted an affidavit from his civilian defense counsel
which notes that the 296th BSB commander, LTC Z, and CSM KM worked together

12
  Appellant also argues the DuBay hearing would determine whether SARB
members made any materially inaccurate statements about the content of the SARB
and whether the totality of the circumstances deprived appellant of a fair trial or the
appearance of a fair trial. As there is no evidence to believe that the SARB members
made inaccurate statements, we decline to order what appears to amount to a fishing
expedition. We do not believe that appellant meets the standard to order a DuBay
set forth in United States v. Ginn, 47 M.J. 236, 248 (C.A.A.F. 1997).

                                          9
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

for years, that their unit Facebook page showed many pictures of the two together at
unit events, and that LTC Z must have known a lot about the trial as he received at
least two Law Enforcement Serious Incident Reports (SIRs). The defense counsel
states that “he finds it impossible to believe that LTC [Z] and CSM [KM] never
discussed the case” and “it is highly likely that CSM [KM] was briefed on the case .
. .”
       We do not read defense counsel’s affidavit as contradicting the answers CSM
KM gave at trial. Further, applying the test outlined in United States v. Sonego, 61
M.J. 1, 4 (C.A.A.F. 2005), we do not believe a DuBay hearing is necessary. Before
such a hearing is ordered, the defense must make at least a “colorable claim” of
juror dishonesty and defense counsel’s affidavit does not meet this criteria. Sonego,
61 M.J. at 4.

      2. Improper Use of Excited Utterance Exception to Hearsay

      Appellant argues that the military judge erred by allowing the government to
introduce statements of the victim to her step-father as an excited utterance. For the
reasons we state below, we agree with appellant but find that there was no prejudice
to appellant. 13

       A military judge’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is reviewed under an
abuse of discretion standard. United States v. White, 69 M.J. 236, 239 (C.A.A.F.
2010). A military judge abuses his discretion when he or she is incorrect about the
applicable law or improperly applies the law. United States v. Roberts, 59 M.J. 323,
326 (C.A.A.F. 2004). The abuse of discretion standard is a strict one, calling for
more than a mere difference of opinion. United States v. Stellato, 74 M.J. 473, 480
(C.A.A.F. 2015) (citation omitted). A military judge’s factfinding is reviewed under
the clearly erroneous standard of review, while conclusions of law are reviewed de
novo. White, 69 M.J. at 239 (citation omitted).

      As the military judge admitted KF’s statement to LA under Military Rule of
Evidence (Mil. R. Evid.) 803(2), we review his decision in light of the military
judge’s application of the three-part test for admission of such evidence: “(1) the

13
  At a minimum, any objection to KF’s statements made prior to the defense
objection is forfeited. See United States v. Lopez, 76 M.J. 151, 154 (C.A.A.F.
2017). Appellant thus “has the burden of establishing (1) error that is (2) clear or
obvious and (3) results in material prejudice to his substantial rights.” Id. (citation
omitted). “[F]ailure to establish any one of the prongs is fatal to a plain error
claim.” Id. (citation omitted). We conclude, at the very least, appellant cannot
establish material prejudice to his substantial rights, which requires showing a
“reasonable probability that, but for the error, the outcome of the proceeding would
have been different.” Id. (quoting Molina-Martinez v. United States, 136 S. Ct.
1338, 1343 (2016)).

                                           10
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

statement must be ‘spontaneous, excited or impulsive rather than the product of
reflection and deliberation’; (2) the event prompting the utterance must be
‘startling’; and (3) the declarant must be ‘under the stress of excitement caused by
the event.’” United States v. Bowen, 76 M.J. 83, 88 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (quoting
United States v. Arnold, 25 M.J. 129, 132 (C.M.A. 1987)).

       The idea behind this exception is that a person who reacts to a startling event
or condition “while under the stress of excitement caused thereby will speak
truthfully because of a lack of opportunity to fabricate.” United States v. Jones, 30
M.J. 127, 129 (C.M.A. 1990) (internal quotation marks omitted). There is therefore
a strong presumption against admitting statements under Mil. R. Evid. 803(2) when
the statement is not made immediately after the startling event. Id. at 129. There is
not a specific period of time delineated; instead, “[t]he critical determination is
whether the declarant was under the stress or excitement caused by the startling
event.” United States v. Feltham, 58 M.J. 470, 475 (C.A.A.F. 2003); See also
United States v. Donaldson, 58 M.J. 477, 482-84 (C.A.A.F. 2003).

       In this case, KF made the statements at issue while crying and in what the
military judge concluded was an excited condition. Though there was a delay of 30
minutes while LA consulted with HA, KF was still excited. The error of the military
judge was determining that the startling event which caused KF to be excited was
getting caught masturbating in a way not appropriate for a seven-year-old child. The
statements, however, related to a different startling event, that of being molested at
least seven months prior.

       The plain language of the rule, i.e. that the statement relates to a startling
event and the declarant makes the statement while under the stress of excitement
caused by the event, requires a linkage between the statement made and the cause.
The necessity of the linkage has also been established in case law. In Jones, the
Court of Military Appeals found no excited utterance when a crying witness was
asked what was wrong. 30 M.J. at 128-30. Though the statement was clearly made
while excited, the cause of the crying was too removed from the moment to be an
excited utterance. Id. at 129-30. 14

        As we find the military judge abused his discretion in admitting KF’s
statement as an excited utterance, we review the prejudicial effect of that ruling de
novo. Prejudice from an erroneous evidentiary ruling is evaluated by weighing: “(1)
the strength of the government’s case, (2) the strength of the defense case, (3) the
materiality of the evidence in question, and (4) the quality of the evidence in

14
  In reaching this conclusion, we acknowledge that “courts have been more flexible
in cases in which the declarant is young.” Donaldson, 58 M.J. at 484.

                                          11
ATKINSON—ARMY 20160634

question.” United States v. Roberson, 65 M.J. 43, 47-48 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (citations
and internal quotation marks omitted).

        Applying this standard to the two statements at issue, specifically KF biting
appellant and why she did not say “no,” we find the error in admitting the statements
harmless. The government’s case was strong, KF testified credibly, and appellant’s
admissions supported KF’s testimony. The defense theory, that this was a custody
battle, was not supported by the evidence and the divorce decree clearly contradicted
this theory. Though the statement regarding biting appellant was material, it was
cumulative with KF’s testimony. Further, KF’s testimony was more detailed: she
testified to the sound appellant made when she accidentally bit him, so the more
compelling testimony came not from the hearsay statements but from the victim
herself. Accordingly, we find no prejudice to appellant by the military judge’s
admission of KF’s statement to LA. 15

                                  CONCLUSION

      Upon consideration of the entire record, the findings and sentence as adjudged
and approved by the convening authority are AFFIRMED.

      Senior Judge MULLIGAN and Judge FEBBO concur.

                                       FOR THE COURT:

.
                                       MALCOLM H.
                                       MALCOLM     H. SQUIRES,
                                                      SQUIRES, JR.
                                                               JR.
                                       Clerk of Court
                                       Clerk of Court

15
  In reaching this conclusion, we did not analyze whether these statements would
have been admissible as prior consistent statements if offered by the government at
the appropriate time.

                                         12