United States v. Sims

20 C.M.A. 256, 20 USCMA 256, 1971 CMA LEXIS 779

Opinion

Opinion of the Court

Pee Cueiam:

This special court-martial was convened under orders of the Commanding Officer, Student Company, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California.

The convening authority in this case is the same as in United States v Greenwell, 19 USCMA 460, 42 CMR 62 (1970). Since in Greenwell we held that he was without authority to convene a court-martial (Article 23, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 USC § 823), the Government concedes that the proceedings in this case should be declared a nullity. We agree. United States v Riley, 20 USCMA 145, 42 CMR 337 (1970). Cf. United States v Ortiz, 15 USCMA 505, 36 CMR 3 (1965), rehearing denied, 16 USCMA 127, 36 CMR 283 (1966).

The decision of the Court of Military Review is reversed. The record of trial is returned to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. A new trial may be ordered before a properly appointed court-martial.