Court Opinion

ID: 9409047
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-07-14 19:01:19.03807+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:48.494890
License: Public Domain

U NITED S TATES A IR F ORCE
            C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
                       ________________________

                        Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03
                       ________________________

                             In re HVZ
                              Petitioner

                       Michael K. FEWELL
               Technical Sergeant (E-6), U.S. Air Force
                        Real Party in Interest
                       ________________________

     Review of Petition for Extraordinary Relief in the Nature of
                         a Writ of Mandamus
                        Decided 14 July 2023
                       ________________________

Military Judge: Matthew P. Stoffel.
GCM convened at: Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
For Petitioner: Major Marilyn S.P. McCall, USAF; Devon A.R. Wells,
Esquire.
For Technical Sergeant Fewell: Major David L. Bosner, USAF; Captain
Samantha M. Castanien, USAF; Captain Rebecca J. Saathoff, USAF.
For the United States: Colonel Naomi P. Dennis, USAF; Major Morgan
R. Christie, USAF; Mary Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before JOHNSON, RICHARDSON, and CADOTTE, Appellate Military
Judges.
Chief Judge JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the court, in which Sen-
ior Judge RICHARDSON and Judge CADOTTE joined.
                        ________________________

   This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
   precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 30.4.
                        ________________________
                       In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

JOHNSON, Chief Judge:
    On 16 May 2023, pursuant to Article 6b, Uniform Code of Military Justice
(UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 806b, 1 and Rule 19 of the Joint Rules of Appellate Proce-
dure for Courts of Criminal Appeals, JT. CT. CRIM. APP. R. 19, Petitioner re-
quested this court issue a writ of mandamus and stay of proceedings in the
pending court-martial of United States v. Technical Sergeant Michael K. Fewell
(the Accused). Petitioner requests this court “vacate the trial court’s decision
[dated 11 May 2023] to order disclosure of extensive medical records” of Peti-
tioner. On 19 May 2023, this court issued an order staying the court-martial
proceedings and staying further implementation of the trial court’s 11 May
2023 order to the 56th Medical Group (56 MDG), pending further order by this
court. This court also ordered counsel for the Government and counsel for the
Accused to submit briefs in response to the petition no later than 8 June 2023.
This court received the parties’ timely responsive briefs opposing the petition
on 8 June 2023. Petitioner submitted a reply brief on 15 June 2023.
    Having considered the petition, the responsive briefs, Petitioner’s reply
brief, and the matters attached thereto, we deny the petition.

                                 I. BACKGROUND
  The petition, responsive briefs, and reply brief, with their several attach-
ments, establish the following sequence of events.
    On 10 January 2023, the convening authority referred for trial two specifi-
cations of sexual assault in violation of Article 120, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 920;
two specifications of domestic violence in violation of Article 128b, UCMJ, 10
U.S.C. § 928b; and two specifications of wrongful use of controlled substances
in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 912a. Petitioner is the alleged
victim of the charged Article 120, UCMJ, and Article 128b, UCMJ, offenses.
    On 28 April 2023, the Defense moved the trial court to “immediately secure
and produce” Petitioner’s “medical records and non-privileged materials within
mental health records, specifically unprotected health information as de-
scribed under United States v. Mellette[, 82 M.J. 374 (C.A.A.F. 2022)],” in the
possession of the Government.
    On 2 May 2023, through her Victims’ Counsel, Petitioner submitted to the
trial court an opposition to the defense motion, with the exception of medical
records relating specifically to injuries to Petitioner’s neck and back. Petitioner
argued, “[o]utside of this item, Defense has not only failed to show that a

1References in this opinion to the UCMJ, Rules for Courts-Martial, and Military Rules
of Evidence are to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2019 ed.).

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                      In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

treatment or diagnosis exists, but that if they did, such records do not consist
solely of privileged information [under Mil. R. Evid. 513]. Nor has Defense
shown they would be entitled to such records under R.C.M. 703(e) . . . .” In the
alternative, if the military judge granted the defense motion, Petitioner re-
quested the military judge perform in camera review of her records and release
only those he determined to be relevant and necessary to the preparation of
the defense.
    On 4 May 2023, the Government responded and opposed the defense mo-
tion in part. The Government did not oppose the motion with respect to non-
privileged Family Advocacy records and medical records dated on and after 19
January 2020—the date of the earliest alleged offense of which Petitioner is
the alleged victim—but opposed the disclosure of records from prior to 19 Jan-
uary 2020.
    On 11 May 2023, the military judge issued an order granting the defense
motion in part. The military judge’s findings of fact included, inter alia, that
Petitioner was the “primary witness against the [A]ccused” on each of the
charged offenses; that Petitioner and the Accused were married at the time of
the alleged offenses; and that Petitioner had told multiple individuals she had
sought medical and mental health treatment due to injuries allegedly caused
by the Accused, and had spoken with Family Advocacy personnel. The military
judge noted the responses to the defense motion from the Government and
from Petitioner, but stated he had not considered the latter due to Petitioner’s
“lack of standing before this trial court,” citing In re HK, Misc. Dkt. No. 2021-
07, 2021 CCA LEXIS 535 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2021) (order). The military judge
further explained:
       The court concludes the [D]efense is entitled to discovery of [Pe-
       titioner’s] medical records and non-privileged mental health rec-
       ords relevant to the charged offenses that are maintained by the
       medical treatment facility located at Luke Air Force Base [AFB].
       The court concludes the [D]efense has made a valid request for
       discovery of the information in accordance with R.C.M.
       701(a)(2)(B). The court further concludes that any such records
       are within the possession, custody, or control of military author-
       ities. See generally In re A[L], [Misc. Dkt. No. 2022-12,] 2022
       CCA LEXIS 702 (A.F. [Ct. Crim. App. 7 Dec.] 2022) [(order)]. . . .
       The court also concludes that the content of the records from the
       date of the first charged offenses, that is 19 January 2020
       through present day is relevant to defense preparation; in fact,
       the parties are in agreement on this matter. . . .
The military judge similarly found the Defense was entitled to discovery of
records maintained at the Family Advocacy office on Luke AFB. The military

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judge found the defense motion was “not ripe” with respect to records not main-
tained at Luke AFB because the Defense “has not provided sufficient particu-
larity to the [P]rosecution of where to search for such records . . . .”
    Accordingly, pursuant to R.C.M. 701(g)(1), the military judge ordered trial
counsel to “identify what medical records, nonprivileged mental health records,
and nonprivileged Family Advocacy records of [Petitioner] are within the pos-
session, custody, or control of military authorities, located at Luke [AFB], in-
cluding those generated before, during, and after the charged timeframes.” The
military judge further ordered trial counsel to provide to the Defense such rec-
ords as were subject to disclosure and “relevant to the [D]efense’s preparation.”
Trial counsel were further ordered to inform the Defense and military judge of
records that were privileged or not subject to disclosure and the basis for non-
disclosure.
    In furtherance of his ruling, on 11 May 2023 the military judge also issued
a separate order to the 56 MDG located at Luke AFB to “provide any medical,
mental health, or Family Advocacy records [pertaining to Petitioner] main-
tained by the [56 MDG] or any subordinate clinic.” The military judge directed
the 56 MDG to work with a medical law attorney to “ensure any and all matters
subject to privilege under Military Rule of Evidence 513 are redacted prior to
providing the information” to trial counsel “as soon as practicable and no later
than 1700 local on 24 May 2023.” The military judge further ordered that only
the Prosecution and Defense (to include appointed expert consultants), as well
as Petitioner and her Victims’ Counsel, were to have access to the disclosed
records.
   As noted above, on 19 May 2023 this court stayed the proceedings of the
court-martial and further implementation of the military judge’s 11 May 2023
order.

                                 II. DISCUSSION
A. Law
     The All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a), grants a Court of Criminal Appeals
(CCA) “authority to issue extraordinary writs necessary or appropriate in aid
of its jurisdiction.” Chapman v. United States, 75 M.J. 598, 600 (A.F. Ct. Crim.
App. 2016) (citing Loving v. United States, 62 M.J. 235, 246 (C.A.A.F. 2005)).
The purpose of a writ of mandamus is to “confine an inferior court to a lawful
exercise of its prescribed jurisdiction or to compel it to exercise its authority
when it is its duty to do so.” Roche v. Evaporated Milk Ass’n, 319 U.S. 21, 26
(1943) (citations omitted). In order to prevail on a petition for a writ of manda-
mus, the petitioner “must show that: (1) there is no other adequate means to
attain relief; (2) the right to issuance of the writ is clear and indisputable; and

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(3) the issuance of the writ is appropriate under the circumstances.” Hasan v.
Gross, 71 M.J. 416, 418 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citing Cheney v. United States Dist.
Court, 542 U.S. 367, 380–81 (2004)); see also In re KK, ___ M.J. ___, Misc. Dkt.
No. 2022-13, 2023 CCA LEXIS 31, at *10 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 24 Jan. 2023)
(holding traditional mandamus standard of review applicable to Article 6b(e),
UCMJ, petitions). A writ of mandamus “is a ‘drastic instrument which should
be invoked only in truly extraordinary situations.’” Howell v. United States, 75
M.J. 386, 390 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (quoting United States v. Labella, 15 M.J. 228,
229 (C.M.A. 1983)).
   Article 6b(e)(1), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 806b(e)(1), states:
       If the victim of an offense under this chapter believes that . . . a
       court-martial ruling violates the rights of the victim afforded by
       a section (article) or rule specified in paragraph (4), the victim
       may petition the [CCA] for a writ of mandamus to require the
       . . . court-martial to comply with the section (article) or rule.
Article 6b(e)(4), UCMJ, provides that this right to petition the CCA for a writ
of mandamus applies with respect to protections afforded by, inter alia, Article
6b, UCMJ, and Mil. R. Evid. 513.
   Article 6b(a)(8), UCMJ, provides that the victim of an offense under the
UCMJ has, among other rights, “[t]he right to be treated with fairness and
with respect for the dignity and privacy of the victim . . . .”
    In general, disclosure to the defense of documents in the possession of the
prosecution is governed by Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 701, whereas pro-
duction to the defense of documents not in the possession, custody, or control
of military authorities is governed by R.C.M. 703. See United States v. Bishop,
76 M.J. 627, 634 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2017); see also United States v. Stellato,
74 M.J. 473, 481 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (citing R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A)). “Each party shall
have adequate opportunity to prepare its case and equal opportunity to inter-
view witnesses and inspect evidence . . . .” R.C.M. 701(e); see also 10 U.S.C.
§ 846(a) (“In a case referred for trial by court-martial, the trial counsel, the
defense counsel, and the court-martial shall have equal opportunity to obtain
witnesses and other evidence in accordance with such regulations as the Pres-
ident may prescribe.”) “After service of charges, upon request of the defense,
the Government shall permit the defense to inspect any . . . papers, documents,
[or] data . . . if the item is within the possession, custody, or control of military
authorities and [ ] the item is relevant to defense preparation.” R.C.M.
701(a)(2)(A)(i).
   Mil. R. Evid. 513(a) provides that, in general:
       A patient has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any
       other person from disclosing a confidential communication made

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        between the patient and a psychotherapist or an assistant to the
        psychotherapist, in a case arising under the [UCMJ], if such
        communication was made for the purpose of facilitating diagno-
        sis or treatment of the patient’s mental or emotional condition.
“Before ordering the production or admission of evidence of a patient’s records
or communication,[ 2] the military judge must conduct a hearing, which shall
be closed. . . . The patient must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to attend
the hearing and be heard.” Mil. R. Evid. 513(e)(2). “The military judge may
examine the evidence or a proffer thereof in camera, if such examination is
necessary to rule on the production or admissibility of protected records or com-
munications.” Mil. R. Evid. 513(e)(3). In Mellette, the United States Court of
Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) held “[t]he phrase ‘communication made
between the patient and a psychotherapist’ [in Mil. R. Evid. 513(a)] does not
naturally include other evidence, such as routine medical records, that do not
memorialize actual communications between the patient and the psychother-
apist,” and “that diagnoses and treatments contained within medical records
[including mental health records] are not themselves uniformly privileged un-
der [Mil. R. Evid.] 513.” 82 M.J. at 375, 378.
B. Analysis
    The military judge’s ruling and order essentially did three things: (1) re-
quired the 56 MDG, with the assistance of a medical law attorney, to identify
Petitioner’s medical records, mental health records, and Family Advocacy rec-
ords within the possession or control of the 56 MDG or subordinate clinics, and
provide the non-privileged records to trial counsel; (2) required trial counsel to
notify the military judge and Defense of the existence of records that were priv-
ileged or otherwise not subject to disclosure under R.C.M. 701 (i.e., relevant to
the preparation of the Defense); and (3) required trial counsel to provide the
discoverable records to the Defense.
    Petitioner requests this court “deny [g]overnment and [d]efense counsel
[Petitioner’s] medical records” and order the rescission of the military judge’s
11 May 2023 order to the 56 MDG. In the alternative, Petitioner requests this
court order the military judge review the records in camera and “apply the
proper standards before producing the records to counsel.” The petition raises
two primary issues for our consideration: (1) whether the military judge erred
by refusing to consider Petitioner’s response to the Defense’s discovery motion

2For purposes of the rule, Mil. R. Evid. 513(b)(5) defines “[e]vidence of a patient’s rec-
ords or communications” as “testimony of a psychotherapist, or assistant to the same,
or patient records that pertain to communications by a patient to a psychotherapist,
or assistant to the same, for the purposes of diagnosis or treatment of the patent’s
mental or emotional condition.”

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                       In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

for lack of standing; and (2) whether the military judge incorrectly analyzed
the Defense’s motion as a matter of discovery governed by R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A)
rather than a matter of production governed by R.C.M. 703(g)(3)(C)(ii). We con-
sider each contention in turn.
   1. Refusal to Consider Petitioner’s Motion Response
    As noted above, the military judge refused to consider Petitioner’s response
to the Defense’s discovery motion because he found Petitioner lacked “stand-
ing” before the court-martial, citing In re HK. In that decision, this court ex-
plained that although the alleged victim had standing to petition this court
regarding her right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay, Article 6b,
UCMJ, “include[d] no provision requiring a victim be granted the opportunity
to be heard at the trial level regarding his or her right to proceedings free from
unreasonable delay.” In re HK, order at *7, *9 (emphasis added). The military
judge’s comments imply he concluded, similar to this court’s determination in
In re HK, that victim rights enumerated in Article 6b(a), UCMJ, including inter
alia the “right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the dignity and
privacy of the victim,” do not create an independent right for a victim to be
heard by the military judge at the trial level with regard to such rights. Article
6b(e), UCMJ, provides a victim the right to petition this court for a writ of
mandamus if he or she believes a ruling by the trial court violates rights pro-
tected by Article 6b, UCMJ, itself or by other provisions of law specified in
Article 6b(e)(4), UCMJ. However, Article 6b, UCMJ, does not create the right
to be heard by the trial court on any and all matters affecting those rights,
other than during presentencing proceedings in accordance with Article
6b(a)(4)(B), UCMJ.
    On the other hand, Article 6b, UCMJ, does not remove a victim’s right to
be heard where that right exists in other provisions of law independent of Ar-
ticle 6b, UCMJ. The military judge concluded that the Defense’s motion impli-
cated discovery of Petitioner’s records under R.C.M. 701 rather than produc-
tion of her records under R.C.M. 703. As we discuss below, Petitioner fails to
demonstrate the military judge was clearly and indisputably incorrect. R.C.M.
701, like Article 6b, UCMJ, itself, does not provide Petitioner the right to be
heard at the trial court.
   2. Discovery Under R.C.M. 701 versus Production Under R.C.M. 703
   Petitioner contends the military judge erred by ordering discovery of her
non-privileged medical and mental health records pursuant to R.C.M.
701(a)(2)(B), rather than analyzing the Defense’s motion under R.C.M. 703. By
doing so, Petitioner contends, the military judge erroneously applied the less-
demanding “relevance” disclosure standard of R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A)(i) rather
than the more stringent “relevant and necessary” production standard of

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                       In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

R.C.M. 703(e)(1). Petitioner contends the military judge’s asserted error also
denied her the right to notice and an opportunity to challenge the disclosure
afforded to victims by R.C.M. 703(g)(3)(C)(ii) with respect to records “not under
the control of the Government.” We again find Petitioner has failed to demon-
strate the military judge clearly and indisputably erred.
    R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A)(i) provides the Defense access to, inter alia, “papers,
documents, [and] data,” or copies thereof, “if the item is within the possession,
custody, or control of military authorities and [ ] the item is relevant to defense
preparation . . . .” We find the military judge did not clearly and indisputably
err by concluding that Petitioner’s records “maintained” by the 56 MDG—a
unit within the United States Air Force—were within the “possession, custody,
or control” of a “military authority.”
    Whether any of the records are in fact relevant and to be disclosed to the
Defense is effectively yet to be determined. At this stage, the military judge
has required trial counsel to review the non-privileged records provided by the
56 MDG and to provide to the Defense only those trial counsel determine to be
subject to disclosure under R.C.M. 701. Those records the 56 MDG identified
as privileged, and those records trial counsel determined to be not subject to
discovery, are to be identified to the Defense and military judge without dis-
closure at this point—potentially to be the subject of further proceedings.
   Petitioner offers several arguments in support of her contention the mili-
tary judge erred. We address the most significant of these in turn.
    Petitioner contends she has a constitutional privacy interest in her medical
records managed by the 56 MDG. We agree. See, e.g., Doe v. Southeastern Pa.
Transp. Auth., 72 F.3d 1133, 1137 (3d Cir. 1995) (interpreting Whalen v. Roe,
429 U.S. 589, 599–600 (1977)); A.L.A. v. West Valley City, 26 F.3d 989, 990
(10th Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). However, Petitioner also recognizes there
is a “balance [between] the Accused’s constitutional right to put on a defense,
and the rights of a victim to maintain the privacy of his or her medical records.”
We disagree with Petitioner’s interpretation of how the applicable law strikes
the balance between these competing interests.
    Petitioner cites Stellato for the proposition that “evidence not in the physi-
cal possession of the prosecution team is still within its possession, custody, or
control . . . when: (1) the prosecution has both knowledge of and access to the
object; [and] (2) the prosecution has the legal right to obtain the evidence . . . .”
74 M.J. at 484–85. Petitioner then contends that the Health Insurance Porta-
bility and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, and its implement-
ing regulations, notably Department of Defense Manual (DoDM) 6025.18, Im-
plementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) Privacy Rule in DoD Health Care Programs (13 Mar. 2019), prohibit

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                           In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

trial counsel from accessing Petitioner’s medical records “without a court or-
der,” citing DoDM 6025.18 ¶ 4.4.e. Therefore, Petitioner implies, her medical
records were not in the possession of military authorities for purposes of
R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(A). In light of the standard of review applicable to the peti-
tion, Petitioner’s argument is not persuasive.
    To begin with, the definition of “possession, custody, or control” by the pros-
ecution set forth in Stellato is not necessarily the exclusive definition of “pos-
session, custody, or control of military authorities.” Stellato did not address
control over medical records maintained by a military unit; rather, Stellato ad-
dressed whether the military judge in that case abused his discretion by find-
ing the Army prosecutors exercised “control” over a piece of evidence held by a
local sheriff’s department. Stellato, 74 M.J. at 485. As we indicated above, med-
ical records maintained by the 56 MDG would seem to fall within the plain
meaning of “papers, documents, [and] data . . . within the possession, custody,
and control of military authorities . . . ,” and the military judge did not clearly
and obviously err in reaching that conclusion.
    Moreover, if we do apply Stellato and HIPAA in this situation, we do not
reach Petitioner’s conclusion that trial counsel access to patient records main-
tained by the 56 MDG necessarily requires a court order. As this court ex-
plained in In re AL, HIPAA, read in conjunction with its implementing regula-
tions, with Article 46(a), UCMJ, and with R.C.M. 703(g)(2), facially permits
trial counsel to obtain evidence under the control of the “Government”—in that
case, records maintained by an Army military treatment facility—using an
“administrative request” that meets certain criteria, 3 rather than a court or-
der. In re AL, unpub. order at *15 (citations omitted). Thus, at least arguably,
in the instant case trial counsel would have had knowledge, access, and a legal
right to obtain Petitioner’s medical records. See Stellato, 74 M.J. at 484–85. 4

3   DoDM 6025.18 ¶ 4.4.f.(1)(b)3 provides:
          A DoD covered entity may disclose [protected health information] . . .
          [i]n compliance with, and as limited by, the relevant requirements of
          . . . [a]n administrative request, including an administrative subpoena
          or summons, a civil or an authorized investigative demand, or similar
          process authorized under law, if: [ ] [t]he information sought is relevant
          and material to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry[;] [ ] [t]he request
          is in writing, specific, and limited in scope to the extent reasonably
          practicable in light of the purpose for which the information is sought[;
          and] [ ] [d]e-identified information could not reasonably be used.
4As in In re AL, our conclusion that Petitioner has not met her burden to demonstrate
her clear and indisputable right to mandamus relief “is not a decision as to whether,

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                       In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

   In her reply brief, Petitioner argues:
       Categorizing [Military Health System] records as in the posses-
       sion, custody, and [sic] control of military authorities means any
       MHS patient records are accessible by prosecution with-
       out process—to include any accused. Yet, if process is required,
       as is the case to comply with HIPAA, then [Military Health Sys-
       tem] records are not in possession, custody, or control of military
       authorities or the Government.
We recognize the implied breadth of the military judge’s reasoning. However,
it is possible for non-privileged but sensitive personal records to be in the pos-
session of military authorities—and the Prosecution in particular—and yet for
the subject of those records to retain a protected privacy interest in them. Gov-
ernment attorneys routinely handle sensitive information that is subject to le-
gal protection from unauthorized disclosure. Moreover, it is not accurate to say
that finding medical records maintained by an Air Force medical group are
within the possession, custody, or control of military authorities means they
are accessible “without process.” As indicated above, HIPAA and its imple-
menting regulations do set out a process. Read in conjunction with Article
46(a), UCMJ, and R.C.M. 703(g)(2), it is at least fairly arguable HIPAA and its
implementing regulations provide a process for trial counsel to obtain pro-
tected health information pursuant to a “legitimate law enforcement inquiry,”
provided the request meets certain criteria. DoDM 6025.18 ¶ 4.4.f.(1)(b)3. As
in In re AL, we need not and do not determine whether this interpretation is
definitively correct under ordinary standards of review applicable outside of an
Article 6b(e), UCMJ, writ petition; we do find Petitioner has not met her bur-
den to demonstrate she is clearly and indisputably entitled to relief.
   3. Additional Considerations
   We pause to address certain additional points made by the military judge
and Government, and to clarify the limits of our ruling on the petition.
   The military judge’s ruling stated Petitioner’s medical and non-privileged
mental health records maintained by the 56 MDG “are within the possession,
custody, or control of military authorities” for purposes of R.C.M. 701(a)(2)(B).
For this proposition, the military judge cited generally In re AL, where this
court stated that records possessed by a medical treatment facility on an Army
base “were ‘under the control of the Government,’ that is, an agency of the
United States.” In re AL, unpub. order at *16. To be clear, and as the military
judge perhaps recognized, the cited language from In re AL provides only

in other forums and under ordinary standards of review, Petitioner would be entitled
to relief.” In re AL, unpub. order at *14 n.3.

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                      In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

indirect support for his conclusion. The cited language was not interpreting the
meaning of “possession, custody, or control of military authorities” in R.C.M.
701(a)(2)(B), but whether a trial counsel could use an administrative request
to obtain medical records “under the control of the Government” in accordance
with R.C.M. 703(g)(2). The context is important lest In re AL be interpreted to
stand for a proposition it does not. Moreover, it must be noted that In re AL,
like the instant matter, was an Article 6b(e), UCMJ, mandamus petition, and
its explanation of the law must be read cautiously in light of the standard of
review and a petitioner’s heavy burden to demonstrate a clear and indisputable
right to relief.
    In its answer brief, the Government notes that in the instant case, like In
re AL, both the Government and Petitioner conceded at trial that the Defense
should receive some portion of the contested records. The Government quotes
In re AL, unpub. order at *17, for the proposition that “[t]his situation impli-
cates R.C.M. 701.” However, there was a distinction in In re AL that rendered
the application of R.C.M. 701 more evident there than in the instant case. In
In re AL, trial counsel had already obtained the records at issue. Thus “[t]he
military judge was presented with a situation in which, whether by proper or
improper means, the Prosecution was in possession of and had reviewed the
records.” In re AL, unpub. order at *17. The fact that the prosecutors already
had the records in their possession is what implicated R.C.M. 701, more so
than the concessions by the trial counsel and victim that a portion of the rec-
ords at issue should be disclosed.
    Finally, we note Petitioner’s “Statement of the Issue” does not assert any
infringement of her substantive or procedural protections under Mil. R. Evid.
513. Accordingly, we have not reviewed whether the procedure specified by the
military judge’s order—whereby the 56 MDG assisted by “a medical law attor-
ney” determines what matters are privileged and to be withheld before Peti-
tioner’s records are delivered to trial counsel—appropriately safeguards Peti-
tioner’s privilege to prevent disclosure of confidential communications pro-
tected by Mil. R. Evid. 513, and our ruling is without prejudice to Petitioner’s
future ability to seek review pursuant to Article 6b(e)(4)(D), UCMJ.

                               III. CONCLUSION
   Petitioner’s petition for extraordinary relief in the nature of a writ of man-
damus is DENIED.
It is further ordered:
   The stay of proceedings in the court-martial of United States v. Technical
Sergeant Michael K. Fewell and stay on implementation of the trial court’s

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                     In re HVZ, Misc. Dkt. No. 2023-03

order dated 11 May 2023 to the 56th Medical Group, previously issued by this
court on 19 May 2023, are hereby LIFTED.

                   FOR THE COURT

                   CAROL K. JOYCE
                   Clerk of the Court

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