United States v. Banker

60 M.J. 216, 2004 CAAF LEXIS 833, 2004 WL 1885350
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Armed Forces
DecidedAugust 23, 2004
Docket03-0128/AF
StatusPublished
Cited by72 cases

This text of 60 M.J. 216 (United States v. Banker) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Banker, 60 M.J. 216, 2004 CAAF LEXIS 833, 2004 WL 1885350 (Ark. 2004).

Opinions

Judge BAKER

delivered the opinion of the Court.

Appellant was tried by a general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Contrary to his pleas, Appellant was convicted of sodomy with a child under the age of 16 years on divers occasions, sodomy on divers occasions, indecent acts with a child under the age of 16 years on divers occasions, indecent acts on divers occasions, and adultery on divers occasions in violation of Articles 125 and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice [hereinafter UCMJ], 10 U.S.C. §§ 925, 934 (2000), respectively. Appellant was found not guilty of carnal knowledge under Article 120, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 920 (2000). The adjudged and approved sentence provided for a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for two years, and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade.

We granted review of the following issues: 1

I
WHETHER THE AIR FORCE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS ERRED BY FINDING THAT MIL.R.EVID. 412 APPLIES TO CONSENSUAL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, AN INTERPRETATION THAT DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS THE FINDING OF THE COAST GUARD COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS IN UNITED STATES V. STIREWALT, 53 M.J. 582 (C.G.Ct.Crim.App.2000).
II
WHETHER THE MILITARY JUDGE ERRED BY USING MIL.R.EVID. 412 TO EXCLUDE EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE ALLEGED VICTIM’S MOTIVE TO FABRICATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST APPELLANT WHERE MIL. R.EVID. 412 DOES NOT APPLY TO CONSENSUAL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND THE PROFERRED DE[218]*218FENSE EVIDENCE WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED.

We conclude that neither the Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) nor the military judge erred.

BACKGROUND

In December 1994, LG, who was 14 years old, began babysitting for Appellant and his wife. Appellant was 34 years old at the time and had a nine-year old son (MB) and a five-year old daughter. Appellant and his family resided in on-base housing at Sheppard Air Force Base during most of the years LG babysat. LG babysat for the Bankers on a regular basis and participated in other family activities such as attending dinner and church.

In early 1995, Appellant initiated sexual contact with LG. While driving her home one evening after babysitting, Appellant parked the car, pretended to be lost, and kissed LG sticking his tongue in her mouth. Appellant’s physical contact with LG steadily increased as he would deliberately brush his hand against her breasts and buttocks when they passed in a hallway or doorway. Appellant also introduced LG to pornography by showing her magazines, pictures on his computer, and videotapes. Over time, Appellant progressed to more overt indecent acts including oral and anal sodomy and sexual intercourse. LG considered the relationship with Appellant to be consensual testifying, “I thought that this was a consensual relationship”.

Appellant’s sexual contact with LG continued until July 1999. During that summer, LG saw the movie “American Pie” and was disturbed by the movie’s portrayal that some men were preoccupied “with getting [females’] virginity.” LG later asked Appellant whether the portrayal was accurate and Appellant confirmed that, at least for him, it was true. Upset by Appellant’s response, LG stopped engaging in sexual acts with Appellant and subsequently quit babysitting for the Bankers.

LG eventually told a friend about her sexual relationship with Appellant and the friend convinced LG to tell her mother. Upon learning of Appellant’s conduct, LG’s mother insisted on informing the authorities. As a result, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) investigated Appellant’s activities. Although LG initially minimized Appellant’s conduct when interviewed by an AFOSI agent, she later revealed the details of his acts.

During trial, Appellant moved pursuant to Military Rule of Evidence 412(b)(1)(c) [hereinafter M.R.E.] to offer evidence of LG’s alleged sexual behavior with Appellant’s son MB, who was 13 years old at the time of trial. Appellant sought to admit MB’s allegations in an attempt to prove that LG had a motive for fabricating the accusations against Appellant. Appellant further argued that excluding MB’s testimony violated Appellant’s constitutional rights. The military judge subsequently held a closed hearing where both LG and MB testified.

The only testimony presented at the hearing regarding LG’s purported sexual behavior was the testimony of MB. Despite defense counsel’s claim that MB’s testimony was relevant to attack LG’s credibility, the military judge found the evidence not relevant.

ISSUE I

M.R.E. 412 states:

Rule 412. Nonconsensual sexual offenses; relevance of victim’s behavior or sexual predisposition
(a) Evidence generally inadmissible.
The following evidence is not admissible in any proceeding involving alleged sexual misconduct except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c):
(1) Evidence offered to prove that any alleged victim engaged in other sexual behavior.
(2) Evidence offered to prove any alleged victim’s sexual predisposition.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) In a proceeding, the following evidence is admissible, if otherwise admissible under these rules:
[219]*219(A) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged victim offered to prove that a person other than the accused was the source of semen, injury, or other physical evidence;
(B) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged victim with respect to the person accused of the sexual misconduct offered by the accused to prove consent or by the prosecution; and
(C) evidence the exclusion of which would violate the constitutional rights of the accused.
(e) Procedure to determine admissibility.
(3) If the military judge determines on the basis of the hearing described in paragraph (2) of this subdivision that the evidence that the accused seeks to offer is relevant and that the probative value of such evidence outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice, such evidence shall be admissible in the trial to the extent an order made by the military judge specifies evidence that may be offered and areas with respect to which the alleged victim may be examined or cross-examined.
(e) A nonconsensual sexual offense is a sexual offense in which consent by the victim is an affirmative defense or in which the lack of consent is an element of the offense. This term includes rape, forcible sodomy, assault with intent to commit rape or forcible sodomy, indecent assault, and attempts to commit such offenses.

M.R.E. 412 is modeled after Federal Rule of Evidence 412 [hereinafter Fed. R.Evid.]. Like the federal rule, M.R.E.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
60 M.J. 216, 2004 CAAF LEXIS 833, 2004 WL 1885350, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-banker-armfor-2004.