NMCCA denied Quintanilla’s petition in which he sought to have the court overturn the ruling of the military judge at his sentencing rehearing to the effect that Life Without Parole (LWOP) is not an authorized sentence in his case. Alternatively, the petitioner requested that this court direct the military judge…
The King James (UK) version of Proverbs 18-17 says: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The King James (Am.) version says: He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him. The…
The accused is charged with indecent assault on a complaining witness and rape on another complaining witness. Member: Sir I’m the unit victim advocate. Individual voir dire continues blah, blah, blah. Def: The defense objects on implied bias and liberal grant mandate. MJ: Explain why please. Def: Blah, blah, blah.…
There’s been lots of litigation about SORNA. But now, courtesy of Sentencing Law & Policy we learn that DOJ has some recommendations for amending SORNA. You will be interested to know that this morning the U.S. Department of Justice issued proposed supplemental guidelines modifying several requirements for compliance with SORNA.…
safeguardourconstitution reports that: “Obama Administration unleashes Army lawyers instead of releasing birth certificate.” This is shameful hyperbole and utterly incorrect. LTC Lakin is alleged to have committed offenses in violation of the UCMJ. The conduct alleged cuts to the very heart of military requirements of obedience to orders, fidelity to…
Safeguardourconstitution reports that the Article 32, UCMJ, hearing is scheduled for 11 June 2010. The report links to a letter to MAJ Kemkes (a great TDS lawyer from Fort Myer) granting a delay of the hearing from 6 May to 11 June. LTC Driscoll, a lawyer, is the IO. The…
KVUE.com reports that: The attorney representing the accused gunman in the 2009 Fort Hood shootings says the Army is holding back important evidence in the upcoming Article 32 hearing. Attorney John Galligan says he needs court documents, including Major Nidal Hasan’s FBI files, to gain more insight into his mental…
There has been quite a bit of discussion recently of waiving appellate review as part of a pretrial agreement. Here is a timely article from the ABA about this important topic (thanks to Sentencing Law & Policy for the link). Ellis & Bussert, Stemming the Tide of Postconviction Waivers, 25…
The advice to an accused about sexual offender registration is complicated. Cases such as Williams v. Lee and Keathley, No. ED 93827, from the Court of Appeals of Missouri, Eastern District, Division Five, decided May 4, 2010. This is a retroactivity case. On February 5, 2000, Williams pled guilty in…
United States v. Roach has been returned to AFCCA for a second time. Initially the case was sent back because appellant’s case was decided before his counsel submitted a brief, and because the chief judge on his panel had made some public comments relating to the case. This time the…