Court Opinion

ID: 4425006
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-13 14:02:11.017277+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:39.373494
License: Public Domain

This opinion is subject to administrative correction before final disposition.

                                Before
                 CRISFIELD, HITESMAN, and GASTON,
                       Appellate Military Judges

                        _________________________

                          UNITED STATES
                              Appellee

                                     v.

                   Matthew D. NORWOOD
     Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) First Class Petty Officer (E-6),
                            U.S. Navy
                            Appellant

                             No. 201800093

                          Decided: 9 August 2019

 Appeal from the United States Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary.
 Military Judge: Commander Shane E. Johnson, JAGC, USN. Sentence
 adjudged 12 October 2017 by a general court-martial convened at
 Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, consisting of officer mem-
 bers. Sentenced approved by the convening authority: Reduction to
 E-1, confinement for 18 months, and a dishonorable discharge.

 For Appellant: William E. Cassara, Esq.; Lieutenant Commander Ja-
 cob E. Meusch, JAGC, USN.

 For Appellee: Captain Brian L. Farrell, USMC; Lieutenant Kurt W.
 Siegal, JAGC, USN.

 Senior Judge HITESMAN delivered the opinion of the Court, in which
 Chief Judge CRISFIELD and Judge GASTON joined.
                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

                          _________________________

                 PUBLISHED OPINION OF THE COURT

                          _________________________

HITESMAN, Senior Judge:
    Appellant was convicted of a single specification of sexual abuse of child,
his 15 year-old niece, in violation of Article 120b, Uniform Code of Military
Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 920b (2012). This case presents an issue of first
impression for this court regarding the use of prior consistent statements un-
der MILITARY RULE OF EVIDENCE (MIL. R. EVID.) 801(d)(1)(B), MANUAL FOR
COURTS-MARTIAL (MCM), UNITED STATES (2016 ed.), as amended in 2016.
    The appellant raises six assignments of error (AOE): (1) that the military
judge abused his discretion when he admitted a videotaped forensic interview
of the victim and allowed witnesses to recount her prior statements to them,
(2) that the military judge abused his discretion when he allowed lay and ex-
pert witness “human lie detector” testimony, (3) that the appellant’s convic-
tion is legally and factually insufficient, (4) that the trial counsel’s improper
arguments constitute prosecutorial misconduct, (5) that the military judge
abused his discretion when he allowed the victim to speculate as to appel-
lant’s intent in touching her, and (6) that civilian defense counsel was consti-
tutionally ineffective.
    We consolidated the appellant’s abuse of discretion claims and reordered
the remaining AOE’s. We find that certain language in the Specification is
factually insufficient, except it out, and reassess the sentence. We also find
several other errors but none that prejudiced the substantial rights of the ap-
pellant.

                               I. BACKGROUND

    EN and her younger brother, RJ, visited the appellant during December
of 2015 and stayed with him in his small basement apartment in Honolulu,
Hawaii. EN was fifteen at the time and RJ was twelve years old. At the time,
they both lived with their mother and stepfather in Idaho. The appellant is
their uncle—their father’s brother. On 30 December 2015, the appellant and
EN were watching a movie and both were lying on the couch. RJ was in the
appellant’s nearby bedroom playing video games on the appellant’s computer.
EN’s back was sore from sleeping on the couch and the appellant offered to
give her a back massage. EN was wearing a bra under a tank top, which the
appellant recommended she take off. After she had removed her bra leaving
her tank top on, the appellant began to massage EN. In addition to rubbing

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                   United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

her back, the massage included the appellant putting his hands under the
waistband of her shorts and underwear where he touched the top of her pubic
hair area above her vagina. He then worked one hand up under EN’s shirt
and massaged her right breast while his other hand rubbed the top of her
thigh and moved up towards her private areas. EN pushed the appellant’s
hand away when it got about half way up her shorts as it moved towards her
vagina. Appellant then pulled EN onto his lap where EN could feel his semi-
erect penis with her buttocks. Appellant asked EN about her sexual experi-
ence and whether she had a boyfriend back home. EN responded that she
“hadn’t done anything but kissing,” after which the appellant pushed her off
of him. EN then changed into her pajamas and lay down on the couch with
the appellant and RJ joined them to watch another movie.
    EN disclosed the abuse to her friend, MP, over the phone about a month
and a half later. MP told her father, who informed EN’s stepfather. EN then
told her mother, GB, and her stepfather about what had happened. GB in-
formed the police and, in the presence of GB, EN told a police officer what
had happened. Several days later, during a videotaped forensic interview, EN
again described what had happened with the appellant.
   Within two weeks of the abuse, the appellant called his brother, the fa-
ther of EN and RJ. He told him that he had done something terrible and he
would kill or disown him if he knew. The appellant did not disclose what he
had done to deserve such treatment, but he denied that it had anything to do
with EN. Approximately a year before trial, RJ moved in with his father and
was never interviewed by law enforcement.
   Additional facts necessary to resolve the AOEs raised are discussed be-
low.

                                II. DISCUSSION

A. Abuse of Discretion
   The appellant claims that the military judge abused his discretion when
he admitted EN’s videotaped forensic interview and her accounts to other
witnesses as prior consistent statements; allowed “human lie detector” testi-
mony from lay and expert witnesses; and allowed the victim to speculate as to
the appellant’s intent in touching her.
    We review a military judge’s admission or exclusion of evidence for an
abuse of discretion. United States v. Solomon, 72 M.J. 176, 179 (C.A.A.F.
2013) (citation omitted). “The abuse of discretion standard is a strict one, call-
ing for more than a mere difference of opinion. The challenged action must be
arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous.” United States

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                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

v. Lloyd, 69 M.J. 95, 99 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citations and internal quotation
marks omitted).
    Relevant evidence, as defined by MIL. R. EVID. 401, may be excluded by
the military judge “if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a
danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues,
misleading the members, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting
cumulative evidence.” MIL. R. EVID. 403. So long as the military judge con-
ducts a proper balancing test the ruling will not be overturned unless there is
a clear abuse of discretion. United States v. Manns, 54 M.J. 164, 166
(C.A.A.F. 2000) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). We owe less
deference to the military judge who fails to articulate a MIL. R. EVID. 403
balancing analysis on the record, and no deference will be afforded to a ruling
in which the MIL. R. EVID. 403 analysis is altogether absent. Id.

   1. Prior consistent statements
    After EN testified under oath during the government’s case-in-chief, ap-
pellant’s trial defense counsel cross-examined her about information in her
testimony that had not been previously recorded, about inconsistencies with
her prior accounts, and about practicing her testimony with the assistance of
trial counsel. On redirect, the government offered, over defense objection, a
videotape of EN’s forensic interview recorded shortly after she reported the
abuse. The military judge admitted a portion of the videotape as a prior con-
sistent statement. Subsequently, the military judge also allowed several oth-
er witnesses to testify about previous statements by EN as prior consistent
statements.
    In 2016, the President amended MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B), addressing
prior consistent statements, to mirror the federal rule. See Exec. Order No.
13730, 81 Fed. Reg. 33,331 (May 20, 2016); FEDERAL RULE OF EVIDENCE
(FED. R. EVID.) 801(d)(1)(B). This change split the previous rule into two
parts to determine when a prior consistent statement may be admitted into
evidence. The first part permits the use of a prior consistent statement to re-
but a “charge that the declarant recently fabricated . . . or acted from a recent
improper influence or motive in . . . testifying.” MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i).
The second part permits the use of a prior consistent statement to rehabili-
tate the credibility of a witness “attacked on another ground.” MIL. R. EVID.
801(d)(1)(B)(ii). The interplay of these two parts presents an issue of first im-
pression for this court.
    Only the second part of the amended rule is new and it does not change
the admissibility of prior consistent statements used only to rehabilitate a
witness’ credibility. It does, however, change what the statement can be used
for once it is admitted into evidence. A prior consistent statement, not other-

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                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

wise admissible under MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i), can now be used as sub-
stantive evidence as well as to rehabilitate the witness’ credibility. United
States v. Ledbetter, 184 F. Supp. 3d 594, 600 (S.D. Ohio 2016) (citing Berry v.
Beauvais, No. 13-cv-2647-WJM-CBS, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119974 (D. Colo.
Sept. 9, 2015)); see FED. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(ii) advisory committee notes to
2014 amendments (stating “that prior consistent statements otherwise ad-
missible for rehabilitation are now admissible substantively as well”); United
States v. Coleman, 72 M.J. 184, 188 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (stating that a prior con-
sistent statement that is not admissible under MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)
might be admissible to “rehabilitate the in-court testimony of a witness”).
     The plain language of the rule is clear that “another ground” under part
(ii) means a ground other than to rebut a charge of recent fabrication, influ-
ence, or motive found in part (i). Cf. United States v. Sager, 76 M.J. 158, 162
(C.A.A.F. 2017) (finding that “asleep,” “unconscious,” or “otherwise unaware”
are separate and distinguishable theories of criminal liability because of the
meaning of “otherwise”). Thus, while part (i) requires the fabrication, influ-
ence, or motive to be recent with respect to the in-court testimony, there is no
such temporal requirement attached to part (ii).
    This distinction is important because rebutting a challenge of recent fab-
rication logically permits a more expansive use of prior statements to show
that nothing substantial has changed in the declarant’s testimony. On the
other hand, rehabilitating the credibility of the declarant may require some-
thing more precisely related to explaining or rebutting the specific manner of
the attack on the witness’ credibility. United States v. Cotton, 823 F.3d 430,
437 (8th Cir. 2016); see United States v. Finch, 78 M.J. 781, 787 (A. Ct. Crim.
App. 2019); see also MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(ii) analysis, MCM App. 22 at
A22-61 (reciting almost verbatim the same analysis for FED. R. EVID.
801(d)(1)(B)(ii) advisory committee notes to 2014 amendments). For example,
if the declarant’s credibility is attacked on another ground such as impeach-
ment by omission because she testified to new information not previously
mentioned in other statements, admitting a prior statement that is devoid of
the fact now at issue, is not actually consistent with the testimony attacked
and does little to rehabilitate the declarant’s credibility based on the specific
type of attack. See United States v. Pierre, 781 F.2d 329 (2d Cir. 1986) (where
a witness was impeached for omitting key facts in his notes, a subsequent re-
port containing the key facts was admitted as a prior consistent statement
and rehabilitated his credibility). But see United States v. J.A.S., 862 F.3d
543, 545 (6th Cir. 2017). Conversely, when the witness’ credibility is attacked
on another ground such as faulty memory, less precise prior statements to
rehabilitate the witness’ credibility may be admitted. See United States v.
Cox, 871 F.3d 479 (6th Cir. 2017) (holding where witness’ credibility was at-
tacked for a faulty memory, an entire prior report of abuse was admitted as a

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                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

prior consistent statement and was allowed to rehabilitate her credibility and
for the truth of the matter asserted).
    Whether a witness’ credibility can be properly rehabilitated is left to the
discretion of the military judge. A military judge must use the MIL. R. EVID.
403 balancing test to assess the prior consistent statement to ensure that its
probative value in rehabilitating the witness’ credibility is not substantially
outweighed by the danger of “unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, mislead-
ing the members, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumu-
lative evidence.” MIL. R. EVID. 403. Otherwise, part (ii) of the rule would con-
sume part (i) by eliminating the significance of the temporal requirement and
would allow any prior ostensibly consistent statement to be admitted into ev-
idence and used substantively. See FED. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(ii) advisory
committee notes to 2014 amendments (discussing the intent that a FED. R.
EVID. 403 balancing test would ensure that the prior statement can properly
rehabilitate the witness’ credibility).
    Here, the appellant argues that (1) the trial defense counsel did not allege
the EN’s testimony was coached by the trial counsel or that any part of her
testimony was recently fabricated, (2) that the military judge applied the
wrong subpart of MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B), and (3) that the military judge
erred by admitting the prior consistent statements in their entirety and
without a MIL. R. EVID. 403 analysis.
    After closely examining the record, we disagree with the appellant and
find that the assistant civilian defense counsel clearly implied that EN’s tes-
timony was coached. On cross-examination, EN confirmed that she knew that
the assistant civilian defense counsel wanted to speak to her but refused to
talk to him. EN also confirmed that she spoke with the trial counsel team,
met them in the courtroom where she sat in the witness chair and answered
likely questions, and was told to tell the truth. The assistant civilian defense
counsel then asked “[h]ave you ever before had to practice telling the truth or
is this like the first time?” EN replied that this was the first time. Later when
EN was being impeached for omitting certain facts in her prior videotaped
forensic interview, she responded that she was not sure if she had told the
interviewer that the “rest of the trip [after the abuse] was awkward.” The as-
sistant civilian defense counsel stated: “When did you remember that? Yes-
terday when you were practicing your testimony?” Defense counsel clearly
implied that some parts of EN’s testimony changed after practicing her tes-
timony with the trial counsel.
    The military judge relied on MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(ii) to admit the
videotaped forensic interview of EN as a prior consistent statement and
ruled: “I do find that the defense did attack this witness’ credibility on anoth-
er ground. That other ground is the government has somehow coached the

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                        United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

witness.” 1 The military judge went on to add: “I’m going to admit it for that
purpose, to rebut—excuse me, to rehabilitate this declarant’s credibility, as
she’s been attacked on another ground, that ground, she has been coached by
the government counsel.” 2
    We find error in the military judge’s reliance on part (ii) of the rule, be-
cause the defense implication that EN was coached in preparation for testify-
ing is an implied charge of recent fabrication or recent improper influence
that squarely falls under part (i) of the rule. MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i).
Simply referring to the impeachment as a charge of coaching does not create
a different ground for purposes of MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B).
    The government argues that the prior consistent statements were other-
wise admissible under MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(ii) to rehabilitate EN’s cred-
ibility because she was impeached through inconsistent and omitted state-
ments. While we agree that some of the prior statements could have been
admitted under that reasoning, we find such analysis unnecessary because
the prior consistent statements are clearly admissible under MIL. R. EVID.
801(d)(1)(B)(i) to rebut the implied charge that EN’s testimony was coached.
Accordingly, we find that the statements were properly admissible under
MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i) and appellant was not prejudiced by the military
judge’s erroneous application of part (ii) of the rule. See United States v. Mil-
ler, 46 M.J. 80, 84 (C.A.A.F. 1997) (finding the error harmless because a
stronger case could be made for admission of evidence on a different basis).
    Having determined that prior consistent statements were admissible un-
der MIL. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i), we next analyze whether each of the four
admitted statements were actually prior consistent statements and whether
they were properly admitted under MIL. R. EVID. 403. Four prior consistent
statements were admitted into evidence: (1) EN’s initial disclosure to her
friend MP, (2) EN’s disclosure to her mother, GB, (3) EN’s statements to po-
lice, as overheard by and described by GB, and (4) a substantial portion of the
video recording of EN’s forensic interview, which took place less than two
weeks after EN first disclosed abuse. The video was admitted in its entirety,
omitting only some introductory rapport-building. The military judge con-
ducted a MIL. R. EVID. 403 balancing test with respect to the videotaped fo-
rensic interview of EN, although, as we noted above, he incorrectly assessed
the probative value of the evidence as rehabilitating EN’s credibility instead

   1   Record at 344.
   2   Id. at 345.

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                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

of rebutting a charge of recent fabrication or improper influence. The military
judge did not conduct a MIL. R. EVID. 403 analysis when admitting the testi-
mony of GB and MP as prior consistent statements. Accordingly, we afford
these rulings little deference and examine the record for ourselves.
    EN’s statements to MP were very brief and consisted of just a few sen-
tences. Likewise EN’s disclosures to her mother and the police officer were
also brief and contained just a few additional details. Although the state-
ments to her mother and the police officer contained at least one inconsisten-
cy identified by the assistant civilian defense counsel regarding what EN was
wearing, the statements were generally consistent with her testimony. In
light of the defense implication that EN was coached by the trial counsel, the
probative weight of the video and the three statements was significant to
show that EN’s account of the abuse had been generally consistent from her
first disclosure until her testimony at trial. The four prior consistent state-
ments were not needlessly cumulative. The video was compelling and of high
quality, and the members could see and hear EN for themselves. In contrast,
the additional statements to MP, GB, and the police officer were brief but
given to separate people at different times. Although a military judge has the
discretion to exclude some parts or all of a prior consistent statement that are
“cumulative accounts of an event,” we do not find that the additional state-
ments to MP, GB, and the police officer required exclusion. See MIL. R. EVID.
801(d)(1)(B)(i) analysis, MCM App. 22 at A22-61. We find the probative
weight of the videotaped forensic interview and the three additional prior
consistent statements was not substantially outweighed by the danger of un-
fair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the members, undue delay,
wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence. MIL. R. EVID.
403.
   Because the prior consistent statements were admissible under MIL. R.
EVID. 801(d)(1)(B)(i) and MIL. R. EVID. 403, we find that the appellant’s sub-
stantial rights have not been prejudiced.

   2. Lay and expert witness human lie detector testimony
    The appellant claims the military judge abused his discretion by allowing
“human lie detector” testimony from Dr. F, the government’s expert in clini-
cal, forensic, and child psychology; EN’s friend, MP; and EN’s mother, GB, all
indicating they believed the victim was telling the truth. We disagree with
respect to Dr. F and MP, but agree that GB gave human lie detector testimo-
ny.
    “Human lie detector testimony” has been defined as “an opinion as to
whether [a] person was truthful in making a specific statement regarding a
fact at issue in the case.” United States v. Kasper, 58 M.J. 314, 315 (C.A.A.F.

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                       United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

2003). The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) has been “resolute
in rejecting the admissibility of so-called human lie detector testimony . . . .”
United States v. Knapp, 73 M.J. 33, 36 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (quoting United States
v. Brooks, 64 M.J. 325, 328 (C.A.A.F. 2007)). This class of testimony is inad-
missible because it exceeds the limits of permissible character evidence gov-
erned by MIL. R. EVID. 608 (evidence of character, conduct, and bias of wit-
ness), exceeds the scope of the witness’ knowledge, in violation of MIL. R.
EVID. 701 (opinion testimony by lay witnesses), and usurps the fact-finder’s
exclusive function to weigh evidence and determine credibility. See Kasper,
58 M.J. at 315. “The prohibition applies not only to expert testimony, but also
to conclusions as to truthfulness offered by a nonexpert.” Id.; see also United
States v. Petersen, 24 M.J. 283, 284 (C.M.A. 1987) (“We are skeptical about
whether any witness could be qualified to opine as to the credibility of anoth-
er.”). The admission of “human lie detector” testimony is error, regardless of
which party offers it.

         a. Testimony of Dr. F
    Prior to the government calling Dr. F as an expert witness, the civilian
defense counsel objected, arguing that Dr. F’s testimony would not be helpful
and would constitute human lie detector testimony. The military judge over-
ruled the objection and found that the testimony would be helpful. The mili-
tary judge invited the civilian defense counsel to object during Dr. F’s testi-
mony if it became human lie detector testimony. The government’s witness,
Dr. F, testified about the symptoms typically observed in child sexual abuse
victims such as accommodation, delayed reporting, and other counterintuitive
behaviors. Dr. F recognized that EN had testified that her own behavior
changed after she returned from Hawaii. Trial counsel then asked Dr. F with
respect to such behaviors described by EN: “Could these changes that [EN]
observed in herself be a consequence of the sexual abuse that she experienced
in Hawaii?” 3 Dr. F replied: “Yes.” 4 The civilian defense counsel did not object
to the question. On cross-examination, Dr. F stated several times that ob-
served behaviors and symptoms do not “in any way bear on the credibility of
the underlying allegation” 5 and conceded that there were “any number of rea-
sons” 6 a person might exhibit the behaviors that EN exhibited, including not

   3   Id. at 449.
   4   Id.
   5   Id. at 461-2.
   6   Id. at 457.

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                     United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

having been abused at all. 7 The appellant contends that Dr. F, by responding
to the trial counsel’s presumptive and leading question, improperly com-
mented on the veracity of EN’s testimony.
    In a trial involving sexual abuse of a child, “an expert may testify as to
what symptoms are found among children who have suffered sexual abuse
and whether the child-witness has exhibited these symptoms.” United States
v. Mullins, 69 M.J. 113, 116 (C.A.A.F. 2010). This includes testimony regard-
ing “counterintuitive behaviors” exhibited by victims of sexual abuse. United
States v. Flesher, 73 M.J. 303, 313, 316 (C.A.A.F. 2014). During cross-
examination, the opposing party may explore the basis for the expert’s opin-
ion, including the assumptions and information upon which the expert relied.
MIL. R. EVID. 703. Here, the fact that Dr. F considered EN’s testimony does
not turn her otherwise admissible expert opinion into human lie detector tes-
timony. See United States v. Hill-Dunning, 26 M.J. 260, 262 (C.M.A. 1988)
(stating there is “a distinction between the expert who has an opinion based
upon a belief in the truthfulness of what another person has told him and the
expert whose opinion is that the other person is truthful”).
    Dr. F did not provide human lie detector testimony because she never
opined or implied that EN was truthful in alleging that the appellant sexual-
ly abused her, nor did Dr. F express an opinion that the appellant was guilty.
We find no error in permitting the testimony of Dr. F.

         b. Testimony of MP and GB
    EN’s best friend, MP, testified regarding the telephone call during which
EN first disclosed that the appellant had “put his hands up her shirt and
down her pants.” 8 MP was asked by trial counsel to describe EN’s demeanor
as she was telling MP what happened in Hawaii. MP stated that EN was
very upset, shaken, and crying and that MP “could tell [EN] was very, very
affected.” 9 Lay opinion testimony is admissible if the opinion is based on the
witness’ perception and the opinion is helpful to the members in understand-
ing the witness’ testimony. United States v. Byrd, 60 M.J. 4, 7 (C.A.A.F.
2004). MP was asked for and offered permissible testimony of EN’s demean-
or. She did not provide any testimony regarding her opinion of EN’s veracity
or the appellant’s guilt. We find no error in admitting MP’s testimony.

   7   Id. at 456.
   8   Id. at 360.
   9   Id. at 360.

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                      United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

    The assistant civilian defense counsel cross-examined EN’s mother, GB,
regarding her family’s refusal to speak to the defense team prior to trial, and
implied that the family was “hiding [ ]witnesses.” 10 GB stated: “I didn’t want
defense talking to anyone about this case.” 11 On redirect examination, the
trial counsel asked GB: “[W]hy did you choose to not answer defense counsel’s
phone calls or allow your children to speak with defense counsel?” 12 GB re-
sponded: “Because they’re working for the person that molested my daugh-
ter.” 13 The assistant civilian defense counsel objected but the military judge
overruled the objection and allowed the question and answer to stand. We
find that human lie detector testimony was implicit in GB’s response.
    The government argues that the defense cross-examination invited the
human lie detector testimony. We disagree. The assistant civilian defense
counsel’s cross-examination of GB regarding her family’s refusal to speak
with the defense did not create an error and then attempt to take advantage
of it. United States v. Martin, 75 M.J. 321, 325 (C.A.A.F. 2016). This did not
leave the members with a “skewed view of the evidence” that only the gov-
ernment’s subsequent error could rectify. Id. GB could have answered in a
number of ways without giving her opinion that EN was telling the truth and
the appellant was guilty. Allowing GB to give human lie detector testimony
was error and an abuse of discretion. The military judge should have sus-
tained the objection and issued an immediate curative instruction.

         c. No prejudice to the appellant
    Having found error in allowing GB to testify that the appellant molested
her daughter, implying that the appellant is guilty and that EN is telling the
truth, we now consider whether the appellant’s substantial rights were prej-
udiced. Four factors determine when a non-constitutional error substantially
influenced the member’s verdict: (1) the strength of the government’s case, (2)
the strength of the defense’s case, (3) the materiality of the evidence in ques-
tion; and (4) the quality of the evidence in question. United States v. Kerr, 51
M.J. 401, 405 (C.A.A.F. 1999). Both the government’s case and the appel-
lant’s case hinged on EN’s credibility. EN’s prior consistent statements had
already been admitted into evidence. GB’s human lie detector testimony was

   10   Id. at 385.
   11   Id. at 383.
   12   Id. at 403.
   13   Id. at 404.

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                      United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

material because it bolstered EN’s testimony and credibility. However, the
quality and impact of this evidence was low because the members would nat-
urally expect GB to believe her young daughter. The evidence added very lit-
tle to the weight of the evidence already against the appellant, and moreover,
the military judge eventually gave a curative instruction with regard to this
testimony. Although the military judge overruled the defense objection at the
time, he revisited the issue two hours later after the government’s next two
witnesses and issued the members a limiting instruction that they could not
consider GB’s opinion as “evidence that a crime [has] occurred or that the
witness is credible.” 14 The military judge issued the instruction again during
argument when the assistant trial counsel commented that the other wit-
nesses believed EN.” 15 While an immediate curative instruction would have
been ideal, we find that the delayed instructions were sufficient to cure the
error. Without evidence to the contrary, we assume the members followed the
instructions of the military judge. United States v. Short, 77 M.J. 148, 151
(C.A.A.F. 2018). Accordingly, we find that no substantial right of the appel-
lant was prejudiced by the erroneous admission of GB’s testimony regarding
her opinion of EN’s veracity or the appellant’s guilt.

   3. Allowing the victim to speculate as to the appellant’s intent
   As an element of the charged offense under Article 120b, UCMJ, the gov-
ernment had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the appellant touched
EN with the specific intent to gratify his sexual desires. Trial counsel asked
EN: “Why do you think he was touching your breast and trying to put his
hand into your shorts?”16 The immediate defense objection was overruled by
the military judge without discussion. EN responded: “Probably for sexual
purposes.” 17
    The government argues that EN was providing a lay opinion based on her
perception as permitted by MIL. R. EVID. 701. We disagree. The question
clearly called for EN to impermissibly speculate on what the appellant was
thinking or intending. The military judge erred by allowing the question and
answer to stand, and by not providing an immediate curative instruction to
the members.

   14   Id. at 425.
   15   Id. at 558.
   16   Id. at 293.
   17   Id.

                                        12
                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

    Having found error, we now consider whether the appellant’s substantial
rights have been prejudiced under the Kerr factors outlined above. EN’s cred-
ibility was the linchpin for both the government’s case and the appellant’s
case. EN was the victim and only substantive witness for the government.
However, EN’s opinion of the appellant’s intent added very little weight to
prove the appellant touched her with the specific intent of gratifying his sex-
ual desires, which the members could reasonably and readily infer from the
facts already before them. Her testimony that a 30-year-old man, lying on a
couch with her, a 15-year-old girl, (1) put his hands in her shorts just above
her pubic region, (2) fondled one of her breasts with one hand while his other
hand moved up her thigh towards her vagina, and (3) placed her buttocks on
his lap where she could feel his semi-erect penis is strong circumstantial evi-
dence that the accused’s actions were committed with the necessary specific
intent. Moreover, the improper opinion testimony is material in that it at-
tempts to prove the intent element of the charged offense. However, the qual-
ity of the evidence is relatively low when the rest of EN’s testimony is consid-
ered. As the trial counsel’s direct examination continued, EN said she was
“confused,” and “did not know why the appellant was touching her.” 18 Given
the strong circumstantial inferences that can be made from EN’s other testi-
mony, her speculation would have had little impact on the members. In addi-
tion, the trial counsel team did not refer to EN’s speculation of the appellant’s
intent in closing or rebuttal arguments. Accordingly, we find that the appel-
lant’s substantial rights were not prejudiced.

B. Legal and Factual Sufficiency of the Conviction
    The appellant contends that his conviction for sexually abusing EN is le-
gally and factually insufficient. We review questions of legal and factual suf-
ficiency de novo. Art. 66(c), UCMJ; United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394,
399 (C.A.A.F. 2002). To determine legal sufficiency, we ask whether, consid-
ering the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a reasonable
fact-finder could have found all the essential elements beyond a reasonable
doubt. United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 324-25 (C.M.A. 1987) (citing
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979)). In conducting this analysis,
we must “draw every reasonable inference from the evidence of record in fa-
vor of the prosecution.” United States v. Gutierrez, 74 M.J. 61, 65 (C.A.A.F.
2015). In evaluating factual sufficiency, we determine whether, after weigh-
ing the evidence in the record of trial and making allowances for not having

   18   Id.

                                       13
                      United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

observed the witnesses, we are convinced of the appellant’s guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. Turner, 25 M.J. at 325. In conducting this unique appellate
function, we take “a fresh, impartial look at the evidence,” applying “neither
a presumption of innocence nor a presumption of guilt” to “make [our] own
independent determination as to whether the evidence constitutes proof of
each required element beyond a reasonable doubt.” Washington, 57 M.J. at
399. Proof beyond a “[r]easonable doubt, however, does not mean the evidence
must be free from conflict.” United States v. Rankin, 63 M.J. 552, 557 (N-M.
Ct. Crim. App. 2006).
   The appellant was convicted of touching the breast, buttocks, groin, and
inner thigh of EN, the appellant’s 15-year-old niece, in violation of Article
120b, UCMJ. To support this conviction, the government needed to prove be-
yond a reasonable doubt that: (1) the appellant committed a lewd act upon
EN by intentionally touching, directly and through the clothing, the breast,
buttocks, groin, and inner thigh of EN; (2) that EN had not attained sixteen
years of age; and (3) that the appellant did so with the intent to gratify his
sexual desire. Id.
    Here, it is uncontroverted that EN was fifteen at the time of the inappro-
priate touching. EN provided the only evidence of the manner in which the
appellant touched her to include how he touched her back, stomach, upper
pubic area, right breast, leg, and thigh with his hands directly and over her
clothes. EN also testified that the appellant pulled her onto his lap and that
she could feel his semi-erect penis on her buttocks through their clothes. Both
trial and defense counsel recognized that the case hinged on EN’s credibility.
The members saw and heard EN’s testimony as well as observed her during a
videotaped forensic interview. The members heard testimony that recounted
three additional statements made by EN describing the sexual abuse she suf-
fered at the hands of the appellant. EN also testified that the appellant
“apologized for being an asshole” 19 the day after the abuse. Finally, the appel-
lant’s brother, EN’s father, testified and described the appellant’s distraught
and drunken call in which he claimed to have done something horrible for
which he would disown the appellant if he found out.
    After carefully reviewing the record of trial and considering the evidence
in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we are convinced that a rea-
sonable fact-finder could have found that the appellant touched EN with the
intent to gratify his sexual desire. Furthermore, after weighing the evidence

   19   Id. at 296.

                                        14
                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

in the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally ob-
served the witnesses, we too are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that
the appellant sexually abused EN.
    However, based on the record before us, we are only convinced that he did
so by touching EN’s breast, buttocks, and thigh. EN’s forensic interview and
testimony support the finding that the appellant only touched the top of her
pubic region where her pubic hair starts and the top of her thigh. According-
ly, we find that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to sustain a
finding of guilty to the Charge but only to a modified finding of guilty to the
Specification. We will except the words “groin” and “inner” from the Specifi-
cation in our decretal paragraph and reassess the sentence below.

C. Sentence Reassessment
   Having set aside the finding of guilty to some of the language alleged in
the specification, we must now determine if we are able to reassess the appel-
lant’s sentence. We have “broad discretion” when reassessing sentences.
United States v. Winckelmann, 73 M.J. 11, 12 (C.A.A.F. 2013). However, we
can only reassess a sentence if we are confident “that, absent any error, the
sentence adjudged would have been of at least a certain severity . . . .” United
States v. Sales, 22 M.J. 305, 308 (C.M.A. 1986).
    In determining whether to reassess a sentence or to order a sentencing
rehearing, we consider the five factors espoused in our superior court’s hold-
ing in Winckelmann: (1) whether there has been a dramatic change in the
penalty landscape and exposure; (2) the forum of the court-martial;
(3) whether the remaining offenses capture the gravamen of the criminal
conduct; (4) whether significant aggravating circumstances remain admissi-
ble and relevant; and (5) whether the remaining offenses are the type with
which we as appellate judges have experience and familiarity to reasonably
determine what sentence would have been imposed at trial. Winckelmann, 73
M.J. at 15-16.
    Because our findings do not effect significant changes to the language of
the offense and do not completely set aside the findings of guilty, there is no
change in the penalty landscape. The remaining language captures the gra-
vamen of the criminal conduct for which the members convicted and sen-
tenced the appellant, and the modification does not render any evidence pre-
sented at trial inadmissible or irrelevant. Furthermore, this is an offense
with which we, as appellate judges, have in-depth experience and familiarity.
The evidence of the appellant’s culpability for sexually abusing his 15-year-
old niece remains the same. We conclude that sentence reassessment is ap-
propriate. We are confident that, absent the excepted language, the court-
martial would have imposed no less of a sentence than the members ad-

                                      15
                   United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

judged—dishonorable discharge, reduction to pay grade E-1, and 18 months’
confinement.

D. Improper Argument
    The appellant contends that the trial counsel and assistant trial counsel
committed prosecutorial misconduct during closing and sentencing argu-
ments when they interjected their personal opinions of the evidence, vouched
for government witnesses, and used inflammatory language.
    Prosecutorial misconduct occurs when a prosecutor “oversteps the bounds
of that propriety and fairness which should characterize the conduct of such
an officer in the prosecution of a criminal offense.” United States v. Fletcher,
62 M.J. 175, 178 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (quoting Berger v. United States, 295 U.S.
78, 84 (1935)). In general, it is “defined as action or inaction by a prosecutor
in violation of some legal norm or standard, e.g., a constitutional provision, a
statute, a Manual rule, or an applicable professional ethics canon.” United
States v. Meek, 44 M.J. 1, 5 (C.A.A.F. 1996) (citing Berger, 295 U.S. at 88).
The conduct of the “trial counsel must be viewed within the context of the en-
tire court-martial . . . not [just] on words in isolation.” United States v. Baer,
53 M.J. 235, 238 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1,
16 (1985)).
    Improper argument is a type of prosecutorial misconduct that involves a
question of law that we review de novo. United States v. Andrews, 77 M.J.
393, 398 (C.A.A.F. 2018). When objected to at trial, we review improper ar-
gument for prejudicial error. Id. “[When] no objection is made, we hold the
appellant has forfeited his right to appeal and review for plain error.” Id.
Plain error “requires that: (1) an error was committed; (2) the error was
plain, or clear, or obvious; and (3) the error resulted in material prejudice to
substantial rights.” United States v. Pabelona, 76 M.J. 9, 11 (C.A.A.F. 2017)
(citation and quotation marks omitted).
    We find error in the argument of the assistant trial counsel as objected to
by the defense counsel. We also find plain or obvious error in some, but not
all, of the challenged parts of the trial counsel’s and assistant trial counsel’s
arguments to which the defense did not object.

   1. Interjection of personal beliefs and opinions
   “It is improper for a trial counsel to interject herself into the proceedings
by expressing a personal belief or opinion as to the truth or falsity of any tes-
timony or evidence.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179 (citation and internal quotation
marks omitted). Personal beliefs and opinions may be in the form of improper
vouching for the government’s case or by offering personal views of the evi-
dence and appellant’s guilt. See id. at 180. Improper expression of the trial

                                       16
                   United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

counsel’s views of the evidence can include “offering substantive comments on
the truth or falsity of the testimony and evidence.” Id. at 180.
    Appellant argues that the trial counsel improperly vouched for EN’s cred-
ibility. We disagree. A fair reading of the arguments of counsel show that the
trial counsel did not offer substantive comments or interject her personal
opinion, view, or beliefs regarding the truth of EN’s testimony. Rather, she
merely argued that EN’s testimony was credible based on the evidence, the
circumstances surrounding her allegations and disclosures, and the absence
of any discernable motive to lie.

   2. Inflaming the prejudices and passions of the members
    It is a basic rule of our profession that a “prosecutor should not make ar-
guments calculated to appeal to improper prejudices of the trier of fact. The
prosecutor should make only those arguments that are consistent with the
trier’s duty to decide the case on the evidence, and should not seek to divert
the trier from that duty.” CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR THE PROSECU-
TION FUNCTION STANDARD 3-6.8(C) (AM. BAR ASS’N 2015). As courts have of-
ten stated, “the trial counsel is at liberty to strike hard, but not foul, blows.”
Baer, 53 M.J. at 237. To that end, the R.C.M. and our case law provide that it
is error for trial counsel to make arguments that “unduly . . . inflame the pas-
sions or prejudices of the court members.” United States v. Clifton, 15 M.J.
26, 30 (C.M.A. 1983); R.C.M. 919(b), discussion. An accused is supposed to be
tried and sentenced as an individual based on the offense(s) charged and the
legally and logically relevant evidence presented. It is generally impermissi-
ble to ask members to perform a role beyond evaluating the evidence. See,
e.g., Young, 470 U.S. at 18 (finding error in imploring the jury to “do its job”);
Brown v. State, 680 S.E.2d. 909, 912-15 (S.C. 2009) (finding error in asking
the jury to “speak up” for the child victim). Several of trial counsel’s remarks
run counter to these basic principles.
    Trial counsel are allowed to “forcefully assert reasonable inferences from
the evidence.” Cristini v. McKee, 526 F.3d 888, 901 (6th Cir. 2008). One factor
to consider is whether the appellant was charged with a corresponding of-
fense that would justify the negative characterization and whether the char-
acterization is an inference fairly drawn from the evidence.
    The assistant trial counsel, in closing argument referred to the appellant
as a child molester numerous times. The appellant avers that the assistant
trial counsel was attempting to inflame the members to convict the appellant
based on the general nature of the crime. We disagree. Here, the appellant
was charged with the sexual abuse of a minor. Referring to the appellant as a
child molester is a reasonable inference based on the evidence supporting the
allegation that he sexually abused a minor.

                                       17
                      United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

   However, during the rebuttal argument, the assistant trial counsel ar-
gued:
         [T]he defense is asking you to give child molesters a license to
         commit these crimes, because if you can’t find the accused
         guilty in this case, the only way—the only way a child molester
         could ever be convicted [is] if he is literally caught in the act. 20
    Of course, defense counsel did not make such a direct request, and even if
it could be implied, it bears no relevance on the appellant’s guilt and could
only have served to inflame the passions or prejudices of the members. We
find no legal basis that supports the trial counsel’s invocation to the members
to perform an impermissible role and convict the appellant, not on the evalu-
ation of the evidence before them, but based on the fear that not convicting
would be somehow encouraging other child molesters.
    Finally, the appellant claims that during sentencing argument, the trial
counsel’s “justification to a co-worker” argument was improper and preju-
diced the members against the appellant. We disagree. The argument, while
of questionable effect, is an attempt to help the members give weight to the
government evidence by having them consider justifying their adjudged sen-
tence to their co-workers. The members were properly instructed by the mili-
tary judge to determine an appropriate sentence based on the evidence. See-
ing no evidence to the contrary, we presume that the members followed the
instruction of the military judge. Short, 77 M.J. at 151.

   3. Objections raised
    The assistant trial counsel argued that EN’s family members refused to
cooperate with the defense because they believed EN. The military judge
overruled the defense counsel’s objection but still issued a curative instruc-
tion to the members stating that: “It is your exclusive province, the court
members, to determine the credibility of the witnesses . . . .”21 While the ar-
gument was improper and the objection was erroneously overruled, we find
the instruction was adequate to cure the error and we will evaluate the prej-
udice incurred below.

   20   Id. at 553.
   21   Id. at 559.

                                          18
                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

   4. Prejudice to the appellant
    Finding error in some of the assistant trial counsel’s arguments, we now
turn to the third element of our plain error analysis and examine the record
for prejudice. Pabelona, 76 M.J. at 12. In cases of prosecutorial misconduct,
we evaluate potential prejudice by examining the severity of the misconduct,
the measures adopted to cure the misconduct, and the weight of the evidence
supporting the conviction. Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 184. “[P]rosecutorial miscon-
duct by a trial counsel will require reversal when the trial counsel’s com-
ments, taken as a whole, were so damaging that we cannot be confident that
the members convicted the appellant on the basis of the evidence alone.” Id.
    We first look at the severity of the misconduct. In United States v. Pabe-
lona, this court found that despite prosecutorial misconduct, the severity of
that misconduct was low because it was limited to the arguments of a
“lengthy four day trial” and consisted of “relatively isolated comments” and
“cover[ed] a small fraction of the trial.” No. 201400244, 2015 CCA LEXIS 424,
at *9 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 15 Oct. 2015), aff’d, 76 M.J. 9 (C.A.A.F. 2017). The
appellant’s trial lasted for three days and the assistant trial counsel used im-
proper arguments and remarks just two times during approximately an hour
of combined closing, rebuttal, and sentencing argument. Taken as a whole
and in the context of an emotionally charged trial, the assistant trial coun-
sel’s improper arguments and comments amounted to only a very small frac-
tion of the trial. Even though EN’s credibility was critical to both sides, each
comment was made only one time. Although some of the assistant trial coun-
sel’s remarks were improper, we find that the misconduct taken in proper
context was not unduly severe.
    Next, we look at whether there were any curative measures taken. The
military judge issued a curative instruction only after overruling the defense
counsel’s objection to the argument that EN’s family believed her. The mili-
tary judge should have sustained the objection and given the members a
stronger instruction to remind them that argument of counsel is not evidence
and to disregard the assistant trial counsel’s statement that EN’s family be-
lieved her. The military judge instructed the members that “[i]t is [their] ex-
clusive province, the court members, to determine the credibility of the wit-
nesses.” 22 We find that this instruction, given immediately after the objection,
was sufficient to cure the error of not sustaining the objection. Seeing no evi-

   22   Id.

                                       19
                  United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

dence to the contrary, we find that the members followed the military judge’s
instructions. United States v. Short, 77 M.J. 148, 151 (C.A.A.F. 2018).
    Finally, we consider the strength of the evidence against the accused. In
United States v. Halpin, the CAAF found that the weight of the evidence
supporting the appellant’s conviction alone was strong enough to establish a
lack of prejudice. 71 M.J. 477, 480 (C.A.A.F. 2013). Here, the government’s
case, although primarily based on the testimony of EN, was reasonably
strong. Both the government’s and the appellant’s cases hinged on the credi-
bility of EN, who appeared before the members, was extensively cross-
examined, and was ultimately believed by the members. Appellant exhibited
consciousness of guilt both when he apologized to EN the day after the abuse
for being an “asshole” and when he subsequently called his brother and ex-
pressed remorse and guilt even though he never explained why.
    Considering the isolated and brief nature of the government’s improper
arguments and the strength of the government’s case compared to the appel-
lant’s case, we find that the appellant was not prejudiced. In addition, as to
the objections made by defense counsel and the military judge’s curative in-
structions in response, we are confident in the members’ ability to adhere to
the military judge’s instructions and put the trial counsel’s comments in
proper context. We have no cause to question the fairness or integrity of the
trial and are convinced that the members convicted the appellant on the evi-
dence alone.

E. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
    Appellant claims the trial defense counsel was ineffective for failing to
move the court to depose critical witnesses, produce certain evidence, and for
failing to object to trial counsel’s improper argument.
    This court reviews claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo.
United States v. Mazza, 67 M.J. 470, 474 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citations omitted).
When reviewing such claims, we follow the two-part test outlined in Strick-
land v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). “In order to prevail on a claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must demonstrate both
(1) that his counsel’s performance was deficient, and (2) that this deficiency
resulted in prejudice.” United States v. Green, 68 M.J. 360, 361-62 (C.A.A.F.
2010) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; Mazza, 67 M.J. at 474).

   1. Failure to request depositions of witnesses
    Appellant argues that his defense counsel was ineffective because he
failed to request that the convening authority or the military judge order a
deposition of the victim’s mother and brother. EN’s mother, GB, refused to
speak with anyone on the appellant’s defense team. EN’s brother, RJ, was 12

                                      20
                   United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

years old at the time of the Hawaii visit and was the only other possible wit-
ness to the abuse. RJ’s stepmother had stated that RJ generally refuted EN’s
allegations. RJ was never interviewed by law enforcement and his mother,
GB, refused to allow RJ to speak to defense counsel. The defense theory on
this issue was that EN’s family members refused to speak with defense coun-
sel because they were trying to protect the victim’s stepfather, the current
husband of GB, because he and RJ had a physical altercation and the police
were involved.
     We need not determine “whether counsel’s performance was deficient . . .
[i]f it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of
sufficient prejudice.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. When a claim for ineffective
assistance of counsel is premised on trial defense counsel’s failure to move
the court to take some action, “an appellant must show that there is a rea-
sonable probability that such a motion would have been meritorious.” United
States v. McConnell, 55 M.J. 479, 481 (C.A.A.F. 2001). A reasonable probabil-
ity is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Strick-
land, 466 U.S. at 694. “Failure to raise a meritless argument does not consti-
tute ineffective assistance.” United States v. Napoleon, 46 M.J. 279, 284
(C.A.A.F. 1997).
    After charges are preferred, a deposition may be ordered whenever “due
to exceptional circumstances of the case it is in the interest of justice that the
testimony of a prospective witness be taken and preserved for use at a . . .
court-martial.” R.C.M. 702(a). Witnesses do not have an obligation to submit
to pretrial interviews. There was no need to preserve the testimony of either
GB or RJ for trial because they were both present for and testified at trial.
GB refused to speak with defense counsel, but this does not rise to the level of
the “exceptional circumstances” required by R.C.M. 702(a). See United States
v. Cabrera-Frattini, 65 M.J. 950, 953 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2008) (the purpose
of depositions is to “preserve testimony for future use at trial” and not as a
discovery vehicle). RJ testified as a defense witness and the effective sum of
his testimony was that he did not see anything unusual during the trip to
Hawaii. Accordingly, the appellant failed to establish that there was a rea-
sonable probability that his motion to depose GB and RJ would have been
meritorious. Moreover, the appellant fails to persuade us that if his counsel
had been permitted to depose the witnesses, there would have been a differ-
ent result. The appellant merely speculates that his counsel would have dis-
covered additional information leading to further investigation. The appel-
lant failed to show that a motion to depose RJ or GB would have been merito-
rious or that the motion, if granted, would have produced a different result.
Therefore, the appellant failed to show prejudice.

                                       21
                   United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

   2. Failure to request the production of evidence
    Appellant argues that his civilian defense counsel was ineffective because
he failed to move the court to order production of EN’s disposable camera.
EN’s mother, GB, told investigators that EN had brought a disposable cam-
era home from Hawaii but that she had not had the film developed. GB testi-
fied that she did not know where the camera was or if anyone in the family
still possessed it.
      We “must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls with-
in the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 689. The presumption of competence is overcome when the appellant’s al-
legations are true and there is no reasonable explanation for the counsel’s
actions, counsel’s level of advocacy falls “measurably below the performance
. . . [ordinarily expected] of fallible lawyers,” and “there is a reasonable prob-
ability that, absent the errors, there would have been a different result.”
United States v. Gooch, 69 M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (citing United States
v. Polk, 32 M.J. 150, 153 (C.M.A. 1991) (internal quotation marks omitted).
We will not second-guess strategic or tactical decisions made by the trial de-
fense counsel unless the appellant can show specific defects in counsel’s per-
formance that were unreasonable under prevailing professional norms. Maz-
za, 67 M.J. at 475.
   Here, the defense did not know what pictures were on the disposable
camera. The pictures may have been exculpatory or they may have further
implicated the appellant by supporting EN’s testimony that the trip became
awkward after the abuse. Neither party suggested the camera contained pho-
tographs of the appellant abusing EN. It was a reasonable tactical decision to
not request production of the camera, and instead argue the absence of the
camera casts doubt on the witnesses’ testimony and showed bias.
    Moreover, the appellant is not entitled to the production of unavailable
evidence that is “destroyed, lost, or otherwise not subject to compulsory pro-
cess.” R.C.M. 703(f)(2). A motion to compel discovery would likely have failed
first because the appellant could not establish that the disposable camera
even existed and second because the camera was not in the possession of the
United States. United States v. Rodriguez, 60 M.J. 239, 246 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
Accordingly, the appellant cannot show that the motion would have been
meritorious and therefore cannot show prejudice. McConnell, 55 M.J. at 481.

   3. Failure to object to improper argument
    Appellant argues that his trial defense counsel was ineffective for not ob-
jecting to the trial counsel’s improper argument referring to the appellant as
a child molester, vouching for the veracity of EN, and imploring the members

                                       22
                      United States v. Norwood, No. 201800038

to convict the appellant in order to avoid giving all child molesters “a license
to commit these crimes.” 23
    “Failure to raise a meritless argument does not constitute ineffective as-
sistance.” Napoleon, 46 M.J. at 284. (internal quotations omitted). We need
not determine “whether counsel’s performance was deficient . . . [i]f it is easi-
er to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient
prejudice.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. Here, we have already determined
that the assistant trial counsel’s arguments were either not improper, or if
they were, they were not prejudicial to the appellant. Accordingly, trial de-
fense counsel’s failure to object was not prejudicial and therefore cannot con-
stitute ineffective assistance.

                                   III. CONCLUSION

    The supplemental Court-Martial Order shall reflect an accurate summary
of the Charge and Specification including the language “groin” and “inner,”
the appellant’s plea of not guilty to the specification, and the correct find-
ings—of the Specification, guilty, except the words “groin” and “inner”; of the
excepted words, not guilty; of the Charge, guilty.
   After careful consideration of the record and briefs of appellate counsel,
we have determined that the approved findings, as modified by this court,
and the sentence, as reassessed, are correct in law and fact and that no error
materially prejudicial to Appellant’s substantial rights occurred. Articles 59
and 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859, 866. Accordingly, the findings as modified
and sentence as reassessed are AFFIRMED.
   Chief Judge CRISFIELD and Judge GASTON concur.

                                    FOR THE COURT:

                                    RODGER A. DREW, JR.
                                    Clerk of Court

   23   Appellant’s Brief at 39.

                                         23