Since United States v. Hills, and then United States v. Hukill, the appellate courts have been trying to sort out quite a few cases on remand. Here is a list of the most recent CAAF actions. No. 18-0087/AF. U.S. v. Jonathan P. Robertson. CCA 39061. On consideration of the petition for grant of review…
Articles Posted in Sex Offenses
The sager comes to an end
In United States v. Sager, the accused was convicted of abusive sexual contact because the victim was “otherwise unaware” of the acts. The Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the findings and sentence. Appellant petitioned the CAAF. This case is before us for a second time. The Court of…
Worth the Read
Lagano, Edmundson, and Grant, The Air Force SVC Program, The First Five Years. 44 (3) The Reporter 31 (2017). Welch, Child Pornography, The Internet, and MRE 414. 44(2) The Reporter 19 (2017).
Victim impact input prior to sentencing
The Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals (AFCCA) has issued an interesting en banc (5-3) opinion in United States v. Hamilton, 76 M.J. ___ (A. F. Ct. Crim. App. 2017), about victim impact evidence or statements. The accused pleaded guilty to the possession and distribution of child pornography. On sentencing,…
False rape accusations
I’ve been told more than once that a person doesn’t make a false allegation of rape because they have been rejected by someone they are romantically interested in. Such denials a batguano crazy. Take this as an example. Following the verdict, Joanne Jakymec, chief Crown prosecutor for Wessex said: “Rebecca Palmer…
The Terlap sentencing issue
United States v. Campbell, decided by the Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals (9/17), presents a current look at United States v. Terlap and proper sentencing evidence. The Appellant “that the military judge admitted improper evidence in aggravation and testimony contradictory to the stipulation of fact.” During presentencing testimony, the…
Challenge to sex offender registration in Pennsylvania
As I have argued, for some time in courts-martial, sex offender registration is effectively a punishment in today’s society–despite what legislators and courts say. Well, now we have an interesting decision from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 3-1 decision, about ex post facto changes to SOR. [T]he provisions of…
Comparing a British Army court-martial
Reposting. A British Army court-martial
A Hills-Hukill trailer of interest
In United States v. Hills, 75 M.J. 350 (C.A.A.F. 2016), the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces decided that– [B]ecause the evidence of the charged sexual misconduct was already admissible in order to prove the offenses at issue, the application of Military Rule of Evidence (M.R.E.) 413 — a rule…
The title: Strengthening Children’s Safety Act closes loopholes
So goes the post of Rep. Ratcliffe (R-TX). Similarly, the second portion of my bill addresses enhanced sentences for individuals with prior sex offenses. Our child exploitation laws consistently call for higher sentences when a defendant has a prior conviction for federal or state sex offenses. However, these sentencing provisions…