Court Opinion

ID: 7271858
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-25 07:29:26.281725+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:18:46.998726
License: Public Domain

CCA 200800393. Review granted on the following issues:
I. WHETHER THE FINDINGS AND SENTENCE MUST BE DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE WHERE UNLAWFUL COMMAND INFLUENCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS UNDERMINED SUBSTANTIAL POST-TRIAL RIGHTS OF THE APPELLANT.
II. THE APPELLANT WAS INTERROGATED BY NCIS CONCERNING HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALLEGED CRIMES, AND TERMINATED THE INTERVIEW BY INVOKING HIS RIGHT TO COUNSEL. APPELLANT WAS THEREAFTER HELD INCOMMUNICADO AND PLACED IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT WHERE HE WAS DENIED THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH A LAWYER OR ANY OTHER SOURCE OF ASSISTANCE. APPELLANT WAS HELD UNDER THESE CONDITIONS FOR 7 DAYS, WHEREUPON NCIS RE-APPROACHED APPELLANT AND COMMUNICATED WITH HIM REGARDING THEIR ONGOING INVESTIGATION. IN RESPONSE, APPELLANT WAIVED HIS PREVIOUSLY INVOKED RIGHT TO-COUNSEL AND SUBSEQUENTLY PROVIDED NCIS A SWORN STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ALLEGED CRIMES. DID THE MILITARY JUDGE ERR WHEN HE DENIED THE DEFENSE MOTION TO SUPPRESS THE APPELLANT’S STATEMENT? SEE EDWARDS v. ARIZONA, 451 U.S. 477 (1981) AND UNITED STATES v. BRABANT, 29 M.J. 259 (C.M.A. 1989).
Briefs will be filed under Rule 25.