Here is a link to Prof. Colin Miller’s site. The Areas Of My Expertise: Alabama Federal Court Allows Expert Eyewitness Testimony Despite Eleventh Circuit Precedent. Professor Miller discusses an 11th Circuit decision allowing expert testimony on the unreliability of eyewitness identifications. The court allowed testimony about problems with identifications, but…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Another we didn’t really let him go case
In another of a series of cases the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals has decided a personal jurisdiction issue adverse to the accused. United States v. Blanton, ACM S31536 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 9 June 2009). Basically the issue relates to the “accounting of pay” part of whether an…
Post-vaction Syndrome
Oh well, back from vacation. Lot’s to catch up on. Here is an interesting article: Anthony E. Giardino, COMBAT VETERANS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THE DEATH PENALTY: ADDRESSING THE IMPACT OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, 77 Fordham L. Rev. 2955 (2009).
I’m not an expert.
I’m not an expert I’m here as a teacher to help you understand some of the evidence and facts. Richard Gabriel, Redefining Credibility: Turning Expert Witnesses into Teachers, 21(3) The Jury Expert, May 2009. Frequently, however, [jury’s] are turned off by expert witnesses, who may resemble one of the following:…
Calling all cars.
One of OSI’s “most wanted” has been captured. Lakenheath airman convicted of possessing child porn is arrested after 8 months on the lam. Stars & Stripes, 5 June 2009. A law enforcement team — led by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations — apprehended Airman Jeremy Parrot in the…
How much is enough.
United States v. Nance, __ M.J. ___, No. 09-0164/AF (C.A.A.F. June 3, 2009). This case fits within the never ending discussion of what is enough for a provident plea. How much must the accused say, to what extent can the military judge ask leading questions, and what is the effect…
Forensic testing.
Professor Tillers has this interesting post on his blog. In Brown v. Perlman, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37546 at n. 41 (May 8, 2008), Judge Magistrate Peck said: A prosecutor’s failure to conduct forensic tests does not violate a federal constitutional right. See, e.g., Arizona v. Youngblood, 488 U.S.…
More on Breath Tests
I’ve already commented on breath tests. Are military breath tests reliable? Is the Intoxilyzer 5000 racially and genetically biased? Here is a new case and continuing discussion which potentially excludes evidence of the Intoxilyzer 5000, a device found to be used frequently at military bases. The issue is actually one…
Productivity
Having represented numerous recruiters I’m aware that productivity is everything, and that creative “incentives” are often developed. But . . . Police have arrested a Marine Corps recruiter on charges of felony pimping and kidnapping and are looking into whether he used sex with a 14-year-old girl to entice potential…
Contrary to law
United States v. Contreras, ACM 37233 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 28 May 2009). Contreras is charged with violating Article 130, UCMJ, as well as some other serious charges. Regrettably this is one of a never ending series of sex cases stemming from alcohol. Here is the issue on the 130.…