OPINION OF THE COURT
SMITH, Judge:
On 18 May 1989, appellant was tried by a general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members at Fort Lee, Virginia. Consistent with his pleas, appellant was found guilty of consensual sodomy, violating a lawful general regulation by socializing with a trainee by engaging in sodomy, dereliction of duty by absenting himself from his duties as Charge of Quarters, wrongful distribution of cocaine and wrongful use of cocaine in violation of Articles 125, 92, and 112a, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 925, 892, and 912a (1982 & Supp. I 1983), respectively. His sentence to a dishonorable discharge, confinement for one year, total forfeitures and reduction to Private El was approved by the convening authority.
I
Appellant first asserts that the military judge erred by failing to dismiss Charge I and its Specification (consensual sodomy) as multiplicious for findings with Specification 1 of Charge II (violating a lawful regulation by socializing with a trainee by engaging in sodomy). We agree. In this case the two specifications were based on the same acts. See United States v. Baker, 23 M.J. 226 (C.M.A.1986) (summary disposition), citing United States v. Jefferson, 21 M.J. 203 (C.M.A.1986), and United States v. Timberlake, 18 M.J. 371 (C.M.A.1984). We will take corrective action in our decretal paragraph.
II
Appellant secondly alleges that: THE MILITARY JUDGE ERRED TO APPELLANT’S PREJUDICE BY ABANDONING HIS IMPARTIALITY IN SUA SPONTE INITIATING A DISCUSSION OF THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DEFENSE COUNSEL’S SENTENCING ARGUMENT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ALLOWING TRIAL COUNSEL TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL IMPROPER REBUTTAL.
The defense in extenuation and mitigation called a clinical- psychologist who had participated in treating appellant after January 1989. He testified that he had seen appellant four times and had consulted with an alcohol and drug counselor and a psychiatrist who had also treated appellant. He stated that “there was a fairly complex diagnosis [for appellant] starting with adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Okay. Also, alcohol dependence, cocaine dependence, and mixed personality disorder.” He further stated that it was very important to appellant to be a good father and that appellant seemed to be “genuinely trying .to be' a good father, be a good husband at — in, the face of worrying about his — whether he could continue to — to be or to attempt to be a good father and good husband.” On cross-examination the witness clearly stated that appellant’s use of cocaine did'not fit with being a good family man but “what I’m saying is that he attempts to be a good family man and that’s important to his identity.”
Two noncommissioned officers were called who had worked with appellant in prior assignments. Both testified as to appellant’s “superb” and “outstanding” duty performance at times significantly pri- or to the charged offenses. Appellant’s wife testified thát the appellant took care of the children while she worked at night, that appellant spent more time with the children than she did and that “the kids are crazy about him.”
The only discussion initiated by defense counsel concerning Specification 1 of Charge III (wrongful distribution of cocaine) appeared in appellant’s unsworn statement as follows:
Q. You heard the Stipulation of Fact read by Captain Kealey earlier, did you not, Sergeant Hardy?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Well, let’s go back to that night that “distribution” took place. What happened that evening? • Who came to who?
A. Sir, my neighbor came into my quarters.
[759]*759Q. Where does this guy live?
A. Right — directly next door to me, sir.
Q. Okay. Is — is this that registered source they were talking about?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Now what did he do? Where did he go?
A. At the time when he came in the door, sir, my oldest daughter Jenay (phonetic), opened the door. I was in the kitchen cooking their dinner.
Q. Could you tell the panel what, if anything, this gentlemen said to you when he came into you in the kitchen?
A. Well, sir, at first when he came into the kitchen, I had my — my kids to leave out of the kitchen. My kids have a habit of if I or my wife is in there cooking they like to be in there watching or observing. And once they got out of the kitchen my neighbor asked me if I would like to take a ride with him to get some drugs.
Q. Okay. Now, apparently, that evening you did, in fact, get in his car later on?
A. We left later on, sir, but not at the moment when he first came in.
Q. Okay, right. Why did you get in his car with him and go there?
A. He — he’s my neighbor, sir, and I considered him a friend.
Q. All right. Sergeant Hardy, as I understand the Stipulation of Fact, is it true later on you got out of the car with the money he gave you. Is that correct?
A. Yes, sir, I did.
Q. And obtained some vials of a contraband drug?
A. Right, sir.
Q. All right. And what did you do with these vials?
A. Soon as I got back in the car, sir, I handed them to him.
Q. All right. Sergeant Hardy, did you make any money off of this transaction?
A. No, sir, I didn’t.
Q. Are you a moneymaking drug dealer?
A. Sir, I don’t sell drugs at all.
Subsequently, over defense objection, Special Agent (SA) Michael F. Redmond testified in rebuttal as to the underlying factual circumstances surrounding Specification 1 of Charge III. Special Agent Redmond testified that the individual working as a registered source had been wired for voice interception when he entered appellant’s kitchen. Trial counsel argued on sentencing that according to the testimony of the psychologist, part of appellant’s depression was caused by cocaine addiction. Trial counsel further argued thát although the psychologist testified that appellant wanted to be a good family man the appellant’s conduct was inconsistent with the concept of a “good family man” and that the testimony regarding appellant’s duty performance was limited to periods well before the charged offense.
Defense counsel then commented on the evidence in his argument on sentencing:
The last sentence in this Stipulation of Fact really says something. “The chemical analysis indicated that the substance purchased by Staff Sergeant Hardy was cocaine.” The substance purchased by Staff Sergeant Hardy was cocaine.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
OPINION OF THE COURT
SMITH, Judge:
On 18 May 1989, appellant was tried by a general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members at Fort Lee, Virginia. Consistent with his pleas, appellant was found guilty of consensual sodomy, violating a lawful general regulation by socializing with a trainee by engaging in sodomy, dereliction of duty by absenting himself from his duties as Charge of Quarters, wrongful distribution of cocaine and wrongful use of cocaine in violation of Articles 125, 92, and 112a, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 925, 892, and 912a (1982 & Supp. I 1983), respectively. His sentence to a dishonorable discharge, confinement for one year, total forfeitures and reduction to Private El was approved by the convening authority.
I
Appellant first asserts that the military judge erred by failing to dismiss Charge I and its Specification (consensual sodomy) as multiplicious for findings with Specification 1 of Charge II (violating a lawful regulation by socializing with a trainee by engaging in sodomy). We agree. In this case the two specifications were based on the same acts. See United States v. Baker, 23 M.J. 226 (C.M.A.1986) (summary disposition), citing United States v. Jefferson, 21 M.J. 203 (C.M.A.1986), and United States v. Timberlake, 18 M.J. 371 (C.M.A.1984). We will take corrective action in our decretal paragraph.
II
Appellant secondly alleges that: THE MILITARY JUDGE ERRED TO APPELLANT’S PREJUDICE BY ABANDONING HIS IMPARTIALITY IN SUA SPONTE INITIATING A DISCUSSION OF THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DEFENSE COUNSEL’S SENTENCING ARGUMENT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ALLOWING TRIAL COUNSEL TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL IMPROPER REBUTTAL.
The defense in extenuation and mitigation called a clinical- psychologist who had participated in treating appellant after January 1989. He testified that he had seen appellant four times and had consulted with an alcohol and drug counselor and a psychiatrist who had also treated appellant. He stated that “there was a fairly complex diagnosis [for appellant] starting with adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Okay. Also, alcohol dependence, cocaine dependence, and mixed personality disorder.” He further stated that it was very important to appellant to be a good father and that appellant seemed to be “genuinely trying .to be' a good father, be a good husband at — in, the face of worrying about his — whether he could continue to — to be or to attempt to be a good father and good husband.” On cross-examination the witness clearly stated that appellant’s use of cocaine did'not fit with being a good family man but “what I’m saying is that he attempts to be a good family man and that’s important to his identity.”
Two noncommissioned officers were called who had worked with appellant in prior assignments. Both testified as to appellant’s “superb” and “outstanding” duty performance at times significantly pri- or to the charged offenses. Appellant’s wife testified thát the appellant took care of the children while she worked at night, that appellant spent more time with the children than she did and that “the kids are crazy about him.”
The only discussion initiated by defense counsel concerning Specification 1 of Charge III (wrongful distribution of cocaine) appeared in appellant’s unsworn statement as follows:
Q. You heard the Stipulation of Fact read by Captain Kealey earlier, did you not, Sergeant Hardy?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Well, let’s go back to that night that “distribution” took place. What happened that evening? • Who came to who?
A. Sir, my neighbor came into my quarters.
[759]*759Q. Where does this guy live?
A. Right — directly next door to me, sir.
Q. Okay. Is — is this that registered source they were talking about?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Now what did he do? Where did he go?
A. At the time when he came in the door, sir, my oldest daughter Jenay (phonetic), opened the door. I was in the kitchen cooking their dinner.
Q. Could you tell the panel what, if anything, this gentlemen said to you when he came into you in the kitchen?
A. Well, sir, at first when he came into the kitchen, I had my — my kids to leave out of the kitchen. My kids have a habit of if I or my wife is in there cooking they like to be in there watching or observing. And once they got out of the kitchen my neighbor asked me if I would like to take a ride with him to get some drugs.
Q. Okay. Now, apparently, that evening you did, in fact, get in his car later on?
A. We left later on, sir, but not at the moment when he first came in.
Q. Okay, right. Why did you get in his car with him and go there?
A. He — he’s my neighbor, sir, and I considered him a friend.
Q. All right. Sergeant Hardy, as I understand the Stipulation of Fact, is it true later on you got out of the car with the money he gave you. Is that correct?
A. Yes, sir, I did.
Q. And obtained some vials of a contraband drug?
A. Right, sir.
Q. All right. And what did you do with these vials?
A. Soon as I got back in the car, sir, I handed them to him.
Q. All right. Sergeant Hardy, did you make any money off of this transaction?
A. No, sir, I didn’t.
Q. Are you a moneymaking drug dealer?
A. Sir, I don’t sell drugs at all.
Subsequently, over defense objection, Special Agent (SA) Michael F. Redmond testified in rebuttal as to the underlying factual circumstances surrounding Specification 1 of Charge III. Special Agent Redmond testified that the individual working as a registered source had been wired for voice interception when he entered appellant’s kitchen. Trial counsel argued on sentencing that according to the testimony of the psychologist, part of appellant’s depression was caused by cocaine addiction. Trial counsel further argued thát although the psychologist testified that appellant wanted to be a good family man the appellant’s conduct was inconsistent with the concept of a “good family man” and that the testimony regarding appellant’s duty performance was limited to periods well before the charged offense.
Defense counsel then commented on the evidence in his argument on sentencing:
The last sentence in this Stipulation of Fact really says something. “The chemical analysis indicated that the substance purchased by Staff Sergeant Hardy was cocaine.” The substance purchased by Staff Sergeant Hardy was cocaine. Well, I submit to you that you all have the opportunity to get another message out there today as well. I tell you, as a defense counsel, I know that I have to see people involved in — in drug offenses or accused of drug trafficking and things like that and I keep wondering when in the world is the client gonna come into my office — the one who really sells drugs and makes money off of them and has been — wears the diamond rings and drives a fancy BMW or something with his illicit drug money. I haven’t seen one yet and we certainly don’t have one here today, ladies and gentlemen. What’s really repugnant in this case is not my client’s behavior as much as the behavior of the CID undercover agent who went right into my client’s quarters when my client was cooking his children’s dinner and walked right up to my client in front of his kids and asked him about getting him some drugs. As my client testified, the kids were there, he got them out of the kitchen, but he didn’t go to this guy and ask him to buy some [760]*760drugs. This undercover agent went to my client in his house. My client told him to come back later, and yes, my client did help this man obtain his drugs. The man came back, drove my client in that man’s car, and gave my client the cash, and asked my client to get the vials of cocaine. My client made absolutely no profit from this transaction and the only reason he’s guilty here today is, as Captain Kealey explained to you, the elements of the offense are met simply by one man handing a drug to another one. Simple as that. Profit or not profit, BMW or no BMW, it’s still considered distribution. If the other — undercover agent had left the car himself and bought the stuff with his money, my client would not have committed the offense other than, perhaps, showing the man where he could buy the stuff. That was it. My point, ladies and gentlemen, is that we have CID agents here spending a tremendous amount of time and money investigating drug trafficking on Fort Lee, but in this case they did not nab some career drug dealer. In fact, I submit to you, they did not nab a drug dealer period. They did not nab someone leading a life of luxury or making illicit money. They just nabbed a troubled man, who when asked by an undercover agent, helped an undercover agent buy some drugs after this agent went into his house and asked him while my client was cooking his children’s dinner.
There was no government objection to the argument.
Immediately following defense counsel’s argument, the military judge asked to see counsel in chambers. After the recess, the military judge stated on the record:
Now the reason that we’re back here is, is that when I called the recess something in my mind on the defense counsel’s argument raised the possibility that we needed to bring additional evidence to the members attention. In an 802 conference — that there came to the court’s attention that there was, in fact, a statement indicating prior sales of cocaine by the accused or distributions of cocaine by the accused. It's the court’s feeling that the argument of counsel led to the fact or — or could have have led to the conclusion that the charged offense was the only time that the accused had been involved in cocaine and which was not the case and was not the feeling of the court when he was making the argument. Therefore, I’m going to take the extraordinary step of allowing counsel to reopen their case and to present the additional evidence of the statement and the statement only.1
When the court members returned, the military judge explained that based on the arguments he felt it “necessary and relevant” to allow additional evidence. Defense objections were noted. Trial counsel then recalled SA Redmond and through him introduced a confession made by appellant. Appendix B.
The military judge is the most dominant figure in a trial by court-martial. United States v. Manuel, 8 M.J. 822, 826 (A.F.C.M.R.1979). A judge must conduct himself and his court impartially, and must not assume the role of advocate or partisan. United States v. Oakes, 3 M.J. 1053 (A.F.C.M.R.1977), petition denied, 4 M.J. 242 (C.M.A.1978). The trial judge has the right to develop the evidence, however, the judge must be careful to maintain an impartial and objective stance. United States v. Snipes, 19 M.J. 913 (A.C.M.R.1985). The test for determining whether a judge has abandoned his role and become a partisan advocate is a subjective one, which [761]*761must take into consideration the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Reynolds, 19 M.J. 529 (A.C.M.R.1984), affirmed, 24 M.J. 261 (C.M.A.1987). “The military judge should prevent unnecessary waste of time and promote the ascertainment of truth, but must avoid undue interference with the parties’ presentation or the appearance of partiality.” Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984, Rule for Courts-Martial 801 discussion. See also United States v. Bouie, 18 M.J. 529 (A.F.C.M.R.1984) (A military judge must remain impartial and must not display support for one party over the other); United States v. Holmes, 1 M.J. 128 (C.M.A.1975) (Once a military judge sheds his impartiality and demonstrates support for the prosecution, an accused is adversely affected and denied a fair trial). When a military judge abandons his impartial role to become an advocate for the prosecution, he has committed reversible error. United States v. Shackelford, 2 M.J. 17 (C.M.A.1976).
Appellant’s theory on extenuation and mitigation was that he was dependent on cocaine and alcohol and psychologically troubled and that his involvement with cocaine was not one of profit in the sense that he should be viewed as a dealer. Nothing in the evidence or argument presented by the defense “led to the conclusion that the charged offense was the only time the accused had been involved in cocaine” or was misleading to the members.
At the time of the military judge’s intervention, the government had already completed its case and rebuttal, and chose not to seek admission of appellant’s confession.2 Defense counsel had quite properly argued the facts in the light most favorable to his client. Defense counsel’s comments on the evidence were well within the bounds of proper argument, and trial counsel did not object. We find that by acting, sua sponte, after the defense argument, the military judge improperly assumed the role of an advocate by ordering trial counsel to submit further “rebuttal.”
The military judge in this case erred by failing to discharge his duty to remain and to appear impartial. Given the military judge’s improper role, this court cannot adequately determine with any reasonable certainty what appellant’s sentence would have been absent the error. See United States v. Sales, 22 M.J. 305 (C.M.A.1986).
Accordingly, the findings of guilty of Charge I and its Specification are set aside, and Charge I and its Specification are dismissed. The remaining findings of guilty are affirmed. The sentence is set aside. A rehearing on the sentence may be ordered by the same or a different convening authority.
Judge VARO concurs.