United States v. Dire

46 M.J. 804, 1997 CCA LEXIS 590, 1997 WL 331964

Opinions

WESTON, Judge:

Appellant was tried by a special court-martial comprised of a military judge. Convicted according to his pleas of six specified violations of Article 112a, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.A. § 912a, appellant was sentenced to a bad conduct discharge, three months confinement, forfeiture of two thirds pay per month for three'months, and reduction in pay grade from E-2 to E-l. In accordance with a pretrial agreement, the convening authority approved the sentence, except confinement exceeding 60 days was suspended for a period of 12 months.

Appellant has assigned two errors before this Court. His first claim of error is that he was deprived of a fail’ sentencing hearing by virtue of the trial counsel’s introduction into evidence of a prior non-judicial punishment (NJP) at sentencing and by the military judge’s failure to credit the NJP against the sentence. The second assigned error is a claim that this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider appellant’s case due to the service of a civilian judge who has not been appointed in accordance with the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Article II, § 2, cl. 2. This second claim of error was conclusively resolved by the Supreme Court in Edmond v. United States,— U.S.-, 117 S. Ct. 1573, 137 L.Ed.2d 917 (1997), and it is accordingly rejected without further discussion.

I.

THE FACTS

This is one of several similar cases which arose from illegal drag use by crew members of a Coast Guard cutter. On 3 October 1995, appellant was awarded NJP by his ship’s Commanding Officer under Article 15, 10 U.S.C.A. § 815, UCMJ, for two violations of Article 112a: the wrongful use of marijuana at Kodiak, Alaska, on or about 5-8 July 1995, and the wrongful use of lysergic acid dime-thylamide (LSD) at San Francisco, California, on 25-28 August 1995. The Commanding Officer ordered appellant to forfeit $100.00 pay per month for one month and to be reduced one pay grade to E-2.¹ Appellant was transferred ashore to the Integrated Support Command (ISC) in Alameda, California, presumably pending processing for an administrative discharge from active duty— the usual result of a finding that a service member has used illicit drags.

Two specifications that had been the subject of the earlier NJP, together with eight specifications of additional violations of Article 112a. were referred by the Commanding Officer of ISC Alameda to a special court martial. Pursuant to a pretrial agreement, appellant pleaded guilty to six specifications of Article 112a (with exceptions and substitutions). The convening authority withdrew four specifications to which appellant pleaded not guilty. One of the six specified violations of Article 112a for which appellant was found guilty had been the subject of the earlier NJP. Four of the remaining specified violations concerned the possession, use, introduction, and distribution of LSD while assigned to ISC Alameda and occurred four days following the imposition of NJP at his prior unit. The last specified violation concerned the use of marijuana in the previous year.

During the sentencing phase of the court-martial, trial counsel introduced seven documents from the appellant’s service record, one of which was a page from appellant’s service record containing summary information about the earlier NJP. (PE # 3). The NJP covered both earlier 1995 uses of marijuana and LSD; the defendant pleaded guilty to only the latter offense. Three other service record documents also alluded to the NJP.² Defense counsel affirmatively stated on the record, “No objection, Your Honor, to those exhibits....” (R. at 39) Neither counsel nor the military judge discussed how Article 15(f), UCMJ, or US. v. Pierce, 27 M.J. 367 (CMA 1989), might apply to the introduction of these documents.

The appellant made an unsworn statement (R. at 40-42) in which he stated he had been involved with the “wrong crowd” on ship and that he had been sent to “Captain’s Mast” (NJP) for using marijuana and LSD.³ Trial counsel later argued that because appellant repeated his violation of Article 112a after receiving NJP, he deserved a heavier punishment.⁴ The defense counsel also made note of the prior NJP in his argument on sentence, but as a factor meriting leniency.⁵

The military judge did not indicate at trial how he considered the prior NJP in determining an appropriate sentence. As already noted, the military judge sentenced appellant to a bad conduct discharge, three months confinement, forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for three months and reduction to pay grade E-l. As required by the sentence limitation in the pretrial agreement, the convening authority approved the sentence, except that confinement in excess of 60 days was suspended for 12 months. Neither the military judge nor the convening authority addressed applying a credit to appellant’s sentenced punishment to offset the prior NJP.

II.

TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL AFTER NJP

Article 15(f) of the UCMJ states,

“The imposition and enforcement of disciplinary punishment under this article for any act or omission is not a bar to trial by court-martial for a serious crime or offense growing out of the same act or omission, ... but the fact that a disciplinary punishment has been enforced may be shown by the accused upon trial, and when so shown shall be considered in determining the measure of punishment to be adjudged in the event of a finding of guilty.”'

This Article allows the subsequent trial by court-martial for the same serious misconduct which has been the basis for imposing NJP and, absent bad faith on the Government’s part, it is not a violation of due process. U.S. v. Pierce, 27 M.J. 367, 369 (CMA 1989). In those rare instances in which the same conduct is subjected to both NJP and court-martial, Article 15 requires the “consideration” of the prior NJP when an accused brings it to the trial court’s attention. As a practical matter this allows an accused the opportunity to ameliorate the severity of a judicial sentence by highlighting the fact that he or she has already been punished nonjudicially for the same misconduct.

Although it was not necessary to deciding the issues presented in Pierce, the majority opinion (there was one concurring opinion) states that a prior NJP concerning the same misconduct before a court “may not be used for any purpose at trial,” by the prosecution. Pierce at 369 (emphasis in original). This strong condemnation seems to have been aimed at foreclosing the potential for misuse of a prior NJP proceeding to persuade a factfinder at trial of an accused’s guilt or as a means of attacking the accused’s character or credibility. Pierce at 369 [citing Mil.R.Evid. 404(b), Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984], Misuse of a prior NJP in that manner would undercut confidence in the reliability of the results of a court-martial, potentially converting the verdict into a mere affirmation of a Commander’s judgment about the charged misconduct. Pierce clearly telegraphed that such exploitation of a prior NJP would not be countenanced.

The Pierce opinion at one point declares that a prior NJP has “no legal relevance to the court-martial.” Pierce at 369. However, we are not convinced this dicta means that Court would conclude evidence of a prior NJP introduced during the sentencing phase of a trial to show the recidivism of an accused is not relevant. When an accused has committed additional, similar offenses after receiving nonjudicial punishment, the prior NJP seems relevant to the determination of an appropriate sentence as a matter in aggravation and also relating to the accused’s rehabilitative potential. See RCM 1001(b)(2), Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1995; see also U.S. v. Zamberlan, 45 M.J. 491, 493 (1997). Moreover, in this case the prior NJP also dealt with a use of marijuana, which was not covered by the charges taken to trial.⁶ Hence, a redacted record of the prior NJP would have been properly received into evidence at sentencing for the purpose of showing the character of appellant’s prior service under RCM 1001(b)(2).⁷ We think that the Pierce Court, on these facts, would permit trial counsel to introduce at sentencing this evidence for the limited purpose of demonstrating an accused’s recidivism. Notwithstanding that conjecture, we need not decide this case on that basis.

III.

AFFIRMATIVE WAIVER

Defense counsel stated at trial that appellant had “no objection” to the admission of service record documents that made reference to the prior NJP. Although the introduction of that documentary evidence preceded the appellant’s unsworn statement discussing the prior NJP, allowing the entry of that evidence was consistent with the Defense’s tactical choice to raise the prior NJP as a matter in mitigation. In any case, the failure to assert an objection to this evidence waives it. RCM 1001(b)(2), Manual for Court’s-Martial, United States, 1995; see also U.S. v. Hamilton, 36 M.J. 723, 731 (ACMR 1992); U.S. v. Hall, 36 M.J. 770, 772 (NMCMR 1992).

Article 15(f) required the military judge to consider the appellant’s prior NJP after its having been “shown” by the accused to have been enforced. Although not the only way to make such a showing, the service record entries to which defense counsel did not object together with the appellant’s unsworn statement certainly accomplished this end. We are confident that the military judge did, in fact, give this prior punishment consideration in arriving at his determination of a just sentence. The evidence of the prior NJP properly served as both a mitigating factor and as a matter in aggravation in the determination of a just sentence in this case. See Zamberlan, supra.

In summary, we hold that defense counsel affirmatively waived any error which arose from the introduction of the prosecution’s documentary exhibits and trial counsel’s argument drawing attention to the accused’s prior NJP. In any case, such error — if it is error — was harmless here. The appellant raised, and defense counsel relied upon, the same prior NJP in pursuit of a lighter sentence than might otherwise have been adjudged. Appellant should not now complain that trial counsel’s introduction of this information unfairly “exploited” the prior NJP.

rv.

SENTENCE ADJUSTMENT

However, in the absence of evidence that the NJP punishment had already been administratively restored, we agree with the conclusion posed in the alternative by the appellant — that under the circumstances the sentence should be adjusted to remove any doubt about credit for the prior NJP. In Pierce, the then Court of Military of Appeals held that the appropriate response in these circumstances was, “to either: (1) ascertain from the judge an explanation of what his consideration of the non-judicial punishment implied; or (2) adjust appellant’s sentence to assure that he was not twice punished.” Pierce at 370.

Considering the seriousness and repeated nature of the misconduct involved here, the sentence adjudged was fully merited and even reflected considerable leniency. We suspect that the military judge accounted for the prior NJP by reducing somewhat the sentence he would otherwise have adjudged. However, since the military judge did not indicate on the record that he had reduced the sentence to offset the prior NJP (see Hall at 773; U.S. v. Flynn, 39 M.J. 774, 775 (ACMR 1994)), and since the convening authority did not address credit for appellant’s previous NJP in his action on the sentence, we shall do so.

Before adjusting the sentence, we note that RCM 1003(b)(2) requires a sentenced forfeiture of pay to state an exact amount in whole dollars per month⁸ and the number of months it applies. Where a reduction in grade is also involved, forfeitures are based on the reduced grade. Here the military judge announced the sentenced forfeiture as a fraction: “forfeiture of % pay per month for three months.” Based upon the then current E-l base pay of $874.80 per month, this equaled a forfeiture of $583.00 per month. Accordingly, we have used this amount as the basis for adjusting the sentence under Pierce.

We have reviewed the record in accordance with Article 66, UCMJ, and have determined the findings to be correct in law and fact, and, on the basis of the entire record, should be approved. Accordingly, the findings of guilty are affirmed. The sentence, as approved and partially suspended below, must be modified to conform with both the requirements of RCM 1003(b)(2) and the requirement of U.S. v. Pierce for crediting the prior NJP. Accordingly, only so much of the sentence approved below as provides for a bad conduct discharge, confinement for three months, with confinement in excess of 60 days suspended for 12 months from the date sentence was adjudged, and forfeiture of pay for three months in the amount of $483 for the first month and $583 per month for the remaining two months is affirmed. By this action, the reduction in pay grade from E-2 to E-l and $100.00 of the previously approved forfeiture of pay have been set aside. All rights, privileges, and property of which appellant has been deprived by virtue of the portion of the sentence that has been set aside will be restored.

Judge O’HARA concurs.

Footnotes

1

. It may be noted that these NJP punishments were capable of being administratively restored to the accused had the prior NJP been completely vacated prior to this matter going to a court-martial. That may be the better practice when all of the prior NJP offenses end up as court-martial charges. However, that was not the case here.

2

. The three other documents were: 1) a summary of his evaluation scores, service record Page 6 Marks Sheet, which noted unsatisfactory conduct during the most recent period and the occurrence of NJP (PE # 2); 2) a memorandum entry, service record Page 7 Administrative Remarks, recording that his conduct was unsatisfactory for the period due to his NJP for using illegal drugs while attached to the unit (PE #4); and 3) a memorandum entry, service record Page 7 Administrative Remarks, recording the unsatisfactory conduct mark received at NJP and noting the restarting of the conduct period. (PE #5).

3

. Excerpt from Appellant's unsworn statement: "On October 3rd, 1995, I was sent to Captain's Mast for the use of marijuana and LSD. I was found guilty and received a $100.00 fine and reduction of rank to E-2. I am currently awaiting Special Court-Martial for the use of LSD.” (R. at 42).

4

. Excerpt from trial counsel's argument: "As you can tell from Prosecution Exhibit Three, Memorandum of Non-Judicial Punishment dated 3 October '95, the accused went to Captain's Mast for wrongfully using marijuana while he was up in Kodiak, Alaska, and for using LSD. After being taken to mast for such drug offenses, one would assume that the accused would have learned his lesson. But no. Only four days after he was counseled and taken to Captain’s Mast for use of illegal drugs, the accused decided to continue to disregard the law. Instead of doing the right thing, he once again used LSD and wrongfully distributed one dose of LSD to anoth er Coast Guard member. Your Honor, as you know the Coast Guard is not just a military agency. We are different from the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard is a law enforcement agency and one of our primary duties is drug enforcement. And when a Coast Guard member engages in this kind of use, possession, introduction and distribution of controlled substances, he undermines our credibility in everyone's mind as a law enforcement agency____ The accused deserves to be punished severely so that he once and for all learn [sic] a lesson and impress upon everyone else that illegal drug use in the Coast Guard, in the military and in society in general, is a serious matter and will not be tolerated.” (R. at 43-44).

5

. Excerpt from defense counsel’s argument: "... it really breaks down to a few mistakes on Seaman Dire’s part. The first specification and specification 6 involve marijuana and LSD use. Specifically, the LSD use, Seaman Dire was already punished for at Captain’s Mast. As Seaman Dire told you, he had already passed his Third Class exam and was on his way to becoming a Third Class. Because of Captain’s Mast, he is now an E-2 and he was punished for the LSD use. Now the remaining specifications, 7, 8, 9 and 10,.... ” (R. at 44).

6

. The convening authority withdrew the charge corresponding to that violation after the entry of pleas.

7

. Appellate government counsel's brief notes that requiring the redaction of a portion of this record to eliminate any reference to the same misconduct then before the court-martial seems unduly formalistic in the context of the sentencing phase of a trial before a military judge alone.

8

. Unless total forfeitures are adjudged.