Military.com reports that: A four-star general will testify at a pretrial hearing in the biggest criminal case against U.S. troops to arise from the Iraq war, a Marine Corps spokesman said Thursday. Gen. James Mattis is scheduled to address a military judge Monday on a defense motion to dismiss charges…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
NMCCA decides Denedo
NMCCA has it’s opinion in United States v. Denedo, the petition for error coram nobis that his been winding its way through the courts, include the United States Supreme Court. Essentially the court finds that even if there were IAC, petitioner has not established prejudice. Back to CAAF? As it…
The next SCOTUS Justice?
How appealing refers to: A case the U.S. Supreme Court has taken up over a Christian group’s challenge to UC Hastings College of the Law’s nondiscrimination policy for student groups could end up influencing the political debate over a possible vacancy on the court this summer. In many ways, the…
Nidal Malik Hasan update
WOAI.com reports: Hasan’s lawyer claims the U.S. Army is withholding key information he needs to defend Hasan. Attorney John Galligan said he has been waiting months for classified material needed to help his client. He said he has been given limited access to criminal investigation files. Does Mr. Galligan have…
Another abuse of power case?
Military.com reports: Last summer, more than a year after completing a seemingly successful tour as commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship Wasp, Capt. Michael Hawley was removed from his post as the head of a Norfolk-based training group. . . . But a report from the Naval Inspector General’s…
New CAAF opinion dealing with search authorizations in CP cases
United States v. Clayton. Another special exception, in of course, a CP case. The dissent says it all. RYAN, J., with whom ERDMANN, J., joins (dissenting): I cannot agree with the continued dilution of the requirement that there be an actual, as opposed to an intuitive or a hypothetical, nexus…
Birther Orly Taitz “news”
You may remember the serious of stories about lawyer Orly Taitz, and you may remember that she was sanctioned for her actions in the case of an Army captain seeking to stop her deployment. Well . . . The Orange County Register reports that: Orly Taitz has been dealt another…
New ACCA opinion
ACCA has issued an opinion in United States v. Watson, another administrative discharge issued pending appeal, this time an officer. A military judge sitting as a general court-martial convicted appellant, pursuant to her pleas, of larceny of government property and fraud against the United States (two specifications), in violation of…
Coastie O-6 headed to trial
Navy Times reports that: A former sector commander in Alaska is facing a general court-marital for charges of adultery, fraternization and other sexual improprieties. Capt. Herbert “Mark” Hamilton III has been charged with 30 counts, including: failing to follow orders; lying to investigators; committing adultery with enlisted personnel; sending and…
Hennis update
Fay Observer reports that: U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle on Wednesday dismissed an effort by Army Master Sgt. Timothy Bailey Hennis to stop his court-martial for a 1985 triple homicide near Fort Bragg. A jury has been seated in the court-martial. Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to begin today.…