On cross-examination there are various ways to impeach a witness. In this day and age there can be quite a bit of information available on line, usually through social media.
But a great potential source is the witnesses record book, which is why it should always be reviewed prior to trial.
Enlistment documents. Did the person give truthful information under oath during enlistment – about criminal charges, or mental health issues, or medical issues.
Here is a piece by Bryant Jordan on Military.com with more on the recent “politicking” of a uniformed Reserve Soldier.
Now the Iowa primary is done, we are off to the races for a new election year.
Here’s a reminder, from Stars & Stripes, that politicking in uniform is not allowed.
Because the President has signed the National Defense Authorization Act, subpeona’s duce tecum can now be issued for production of documents at an Article 32, UCMJ, hearing. Section 542 amends Article 47, UCMJ. The relevant piece is:
(1) in subsection (a)–
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “board;” and inserting “board, or has been duly issued a subpeona duces tecum for an investigation pursuant to section 832(b) of this title (article 32(b);” and . . .
NMCCA has had a “disparity” week.
United States v. Ochoa, is a case addressing a not infrequent issue, sentence/disposition “disparity” between co-accuseds.
[A]ppellant’s claim does raise the issue of differences in initial disposition of co-accused, an issue that
can be viewed by this court in determining sentence appropriateness under Article 66(c), Uniform Code of Military Justice. Noble, 50 M.J. at 295. We find the nonjudicial disposition of LCpl Lopez’s and LCpl Ortega’s charges to be closely related to the appellant’s case. Both of these Marines were directly involved in some of the frauds for which the appellant was sentenced. When cases are closely related, yet result in widely disparate dispositions, we must decide whether the disparity results from good and cogent reasons. United States v. Kelly, 40 M.J. 558, 570 (N.M.C.M.R. 1994).
They slipped one through. Last Thursday CAAF granted a petition for a non Fosler case.
No. 12-0053/AR. U.S. v. Richard L. EASTON. CCA 20080640. Review granted on the following issue:
WHETHER THE ARMY COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THE APPELLANT’S TRIAL DID NOT VIOLATE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AGAINST DOUBLE JEOPARDY BECAUSE JEOPARDY DID NOT ATTACH AND EVEN IF IT DID, MANIFEST NECESSITY JUSTIFIED THE CONVENING AUTHORITY’S DECISION TO WITHDRAW CHARGES.
SCOTUSBlog has put up the courts argument schedule for February and March 2012. There are a couple of cases that may have military practice interest.
Wed., Feb. 22:
11-210 — U.S. v. Alvarez – constitutionality of Stolen Valor Act’s criminalization of false claims of receiving a military medal or decoration
ACC: Sir, I was at the gym, so I wasn’t where this happened.
TC: Objection your honor, we’ve received no notice under Mil. R. Evid. 701.
MJ: Sustained.
Hometown Annapolis reports: Evidence against a midshipman charged with raping a classmate was strong enough to warrant a court-martial, Naval Academy officials said Tuesday.
Military.com reports on a rather lugubrious incident at Fort Lee. The Air Force is investigating a photo that appeared online depicting Airmen posing with an open coffin that contains another Airman playing dead with a noose around his neck, the Air Force Times newspaper reported Wednesday.
Fort Bragg Patch reports: The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command removed explosives and military weapons from the Fayetteville soldier’s home [while serving a domestic violence protective order.
computer to blog, or for other purposes?
There is an interesting case going on in the Ninth, United States v. Nosal. The case was recently reconsidered en banc.
Howard Bashman at How Appealing quotes an article:
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog