               U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
            C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
                        ________________________

                          No. ACM 37249 (reh)
                        ________________________

                           UNITED STATES
                              Appellee
                                   v.
                        Edward T. HUDSON
                Captain (O-3), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
                        ________________________

        Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
                          Decided 7 July 2017
                        ________________________

Military Judge: Wendy L. Sherman (arraignment); Natalie D. Richard-
son (trial).
Approved sentence: Dismissal and confinement for 3 years. Sentence ad-
judged 27 March 2015 by GCM convened at Joint Base San Antonio–
Randolph, Texas.
For Appellant: Zachary Spilman, Esquire (argued); Major Thomas A.
Smith, USAF; Captain Patricia Encarnación Miranda, USAF.
For Appellee: Major Tyler B. Musselman, USAF (argued); Major Mary
Ellen Payne, USAF; Gerald R. Bruce, Esquire.
Before DREW, J. BROWN, and MINK, Appellate Military Judges.
Senior Judge J. BROWN delivered the opinion of the court, in which
Chief Judge DREW and Judge MINK joined.
                        ________________________

    This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
   precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 18.4.
                        ________________________
                   United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


J. BROWN, Senior Judge:
    A panel of officers sitting as a general court-martial found Appellant, con-
trary to his pleas, guilty of divers indecent acts with a child in violation of Ar-
ticle 134, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 934 (2005). The court members sentenced Appel-
lant to a dismissal and three years of confinement. The convening authority
approved the adjudged sentence.
    Appellant asserts eight assignments of error: 1 (1) improper admission of
uncharged allegations of child molestations involving a second child; (2) mili-
tary judge’s failure to grant mistrial; (3) prosecutorial misconduct during open-
ing statement and findings argument; (4) improper sentencing argument;
(5) military judge’s erroneous exclusion of a Defense exhibit based upon lack of
authentication; (6) ineffective assistance of counsel; (7) factual sufficiency; and
(8) cumulative error. We find no prejudicial error and affirm.

                                  I. BACKGROUND
    In July 2004, Appellant and his new wife moved to San Antonio, Texas,
where he was assigned to a training squadron at Randolph Air Force Base.
While living there, they maintained a relationship with CG, his new wife’s
niece. Appellant also had a biological daughter from a prior marriage that
would occasionally come to visit him and his new wife. CG and Appellant’s
biological daughter became friends.
    During one such visit, CG told Appellant’s biological daughter that Appel-
lant had recently touched her inappropriately. At the time, CG was approxi-
mately 8–9 years old. Appellant’s biological daughter was approximately 13
years old. Appellant’s biological daughter returned home and, eventually, Ap-
pellant’s ex-wife learned of the allegation. Appellant’s ex-wife ultimately re-
ported the accusation to child protective services.
    In 2005, after being notified by child protective services, agents with the
Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) initiated an investigation.
During the course of this investigation, investigators learned that MP, the
daughter of Appellant’s ex-wife, had also previously alleged that Appellant had
inappropriately touched her. This prior incident purportedly occurred in 2000
or 2001, when MP was approximately 8–9 years old and while Appellant and
his ex-wife were in the process of a divorce. At the time that these allegations



1Appellant also alleges that the military judge’s instruction defining reasonable doubt
was error. Appellant did not object to this instruction at trial. Our superior court has
subsequently resolved this issue adverse to Appellant. See United States v. McClour,
76 M.J. 23 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (finding no plain error where a military judge provided the
instruction without defense objection).


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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


first came to light, local authorities elected not pursue charges against Appel-
lant.
    The allegations involving CG and MP initially went to trial in December
2007, and Appellant was convicted of both. Following the conviction, however,
the convening authority agreed, as part of a post-trial agreement, to set aside
the child molestation offense involving MP because the statute of limitations
had expired prior to trial. The convening authority then approved the findings
of guilty as to the indecent acts involving CG and reduced the adjudged sen-
tence.
    During the subsequent appeal of the offense involving CG, our superior
court set aside the conviction because the earlier specification failed to state
an offense. United States v. Hudson, 72 M.J. 464 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (mem.). That
specification omitted language that Appellant’s actions were either prejudicial
to good order and discipline or service discrediting. Our superior court author-
ized a rehearing as to the incidents involving CG. Id. In June 2014, and in
accordance with the remand, the Government re-referred a specification
against Appellant covering the prior indecent acts with CG and including the
language missing from the prior, faulty specification.
    In March 2015, the case again went to trial. CG, now 17 years old, testified
to the following events in the first part of 2006, while she was approximately
8–9 years old: (1) in April 2006, following a church picnic, she recalled watching
television in Appellant’s bedroom and Appellant touched her “private part”
with his fingers; (2) later that same day, in Appellant’s computer room, she
recalled him placing his “private part” on her leg; (3) during Spring Break of
2006, she recalled that she spent the night at Appellant’s residence and while
there she awoke to find Appellant touching her vaginal area with his fingers
and then inserting his fingers into her vagina; and (4) she also generally re-
called Appellant licking her vaginal area with his tongue and another occasion
where Appellant took her hand and placed it on his “private part.”
    Though not charged at this trial, the Government also offered testimony
from MP, now 24 years old, where she recounted that Appellant indecently
touched her when she was approximately 8–9 years old. This prior incident
was admitted pursuant to Military Rule of Evidence (Mil. R. Evid.) 414, that
permits an earlier offense of child molestation to be considered on any matter
to which it is relevant. The Government also provided unrebutted testimony
from CG’s mother that Appellant called her shortly after the CG investigation
began, to ask what the investigation was about and what they had told inves-
tigators, and suggested that CG’s mother should not cooperate with child pro-
tective services because “they are just trying to pin something on somebody.”
   The Defense countered by arguing that the prior allegation by MP was the
result of Appellant’s ex-wife conspiring against him, and that once CG learned

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                   United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


of a prior allegation against Appellant, CG falsely claimed that she too was
sexually assaulted to earn favor with Appellant’s biological daughter. Once CG
discovered that Appellant’s biological daughter supported Appellant, the De-
fense argued, CG was unable to take back the false allegation and felt com-
pelled to stick with her earlier falsehoods. The Defense also characterized CG’s
testimony over the years regarding these allegations as unreliable and incon-
sistent.
   The officer members convicted Appellant of touching CG’s vagina with his
hands, placing her hand on his penis, and touching her leg with his penis. They
acquitted him of licking her vagina.

                                  II. DISCUSSION
A. Admission of Prior Uncharged Indecent Acts
    Appellant asserts that the military judge erred in permitting the Govern-
ment to introduce evidence of a prior incident of child molestation by Appellant
against his stepdaughter, MP, from a prior marriage. We conclude that the
military judge did not abuse her discretion in permitting the Government to
introduce, under Mil. R. Evid. 414, an allegation of child molestation that oc-
curred approximately five years prior to the charged offense, involved a simi-
larly-aged child, and occurred under similar circumstances. 2
    Admission of evidence under Mil. R. Evid. 414 requires a two-step process:
       First, the military judge must make three threshold findings: (1)
       whether the accused is charged with an act of child molestation
       as defined by [Mil. R. Evid.] 414(a); (2) whether the proffered
       evidence is evidence of his commission of another offense of child
       molestation as defined by the rule; and (3) whether the evidence
       is relevant under [Mil. R. Evid.] 401 and [Mil. R. Evid.] 402.
United States v. Ediger, 68 M.J. 243, 248 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (citing United States
v. Bare, 65 M.J. 35, 36 (C.A.A.F. 2007)).
   Second, if the three threshold factors are met, the military judge must then
apply a balancing test under Mil. R. Evid. 403 to determine whether the pro-
bative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the members, undue delay, wast-
ing time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence. Id.; United States v.




2Although the Defense alleged that the military judge erred in also admitting the prior
incidents under Mil. R. Evid. 404(b), our determination that it was properly admissible
under Mil. R. Evid. 414 moots this issue.


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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


Wright, 53 M.J. 476, 482–83 (C.A.A.F. 2000). Although not exhaustive or ex-
clusive, our superior court has identified a list of factors to consider under this
balancing test: “[S]trength of proof of prior act—conviction versus gossip; pro-
bative weight of evidence; potential for less prejudicial evidence; distraction of
factfinder; . . . time needed for proof of prior conduct[;] . . . temporal proximity;
frequency of the acts; presence or lack of intervening circumstances; and rela-
tionship between the parties.” Id. (citations omitted); United States v. Dewrell,
55 M.J. 131, 138 (C.A.A.F. 2001).
    “Inherent in [Mil. R. Evid.] 414 is a general presumption in favor of admis-
sion.” United States v. Yammine, 69 M.J. 70, 74 n.4 (C.A.A.F. 2010). If evidence
is admitted under Mil. R. Evid. 414, it “may be considered on any matter to
which it is relevant,” including propensity. Mil. R. Evid. 414(a); United States
v. James, 63 M.J. 217, 220 (C.A.A.F. 2006).
     As to the uncharged offense, MP alleged that, from 2000 to 2001 when she
was 9 years old, Appellant sexually molested her multiple times by putting his
hands down her underwear and rubbing her vagina with his fingers, touching
her vagina with a vibrator while on his bed, and putting her hand on his penis.
At the time, Appellant was married to MP’s biological mother. The incidents
all occurred in the family home. After the incidents, MP testified that Appel-
lant warned her not to tell anyone or he could get in trouble. In October 2001,
MP reported the incidents to her biological mother. MP’s mother notified state
authorities, but no charges were filed. Although Appellant no longer had visit-
ation with MP after this, he was permitted visitation with his biological daugh-
ter.
    The charged offense involved CG, the niece of Appellant’s current wife. CG
often spent time at their home. CG alleged that in 2006, when she was 8–9
years old, Appellant sexually molested her by putting his hands down her un-
derwear and moving his fingers around her genital area, licking her vagina
with his tongue, placing her hand on his penis, and touching her leg with his
penis. CG related that Appellant warned her not to tell anyone because he
could go to jail. All of this purportedly occurred in Appellant’s house.
    After considering the testimony of MP and the evidence submitted by the
parties, the military judge allowed the Prosecution to introduce evidence of the
uncharged allegation involving MP under both Mil. R. Evid. 414 and Mil. R.
Evid. 404(b). The military judge also concluded that the probative value of the
testimony was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice
to Appellant.
    Appellant alleges that this ruling was deficient in four respects: (1) the mil-
itary judge failed to apply the proper test for relevancy, (2) she erroneously
used non-propensity reasons to support admission for propensity purposes,
(3) she gave excessive weight to the previous conviction for indecent acts with

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                 United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


MP, and (4) she failed to consider the lack of temporal proximity between the
allegations of MP and CG.
   1. Failure to apply the proper test for relevancy
    Mil. R. Evid. 414 requires that the evidence be relevant under Mil. R. Evid.
401 and 402 before it can be admitted under Mil. R. Evid. 414. Although the
military judge properly cited these rules, Appellant argues that the military
judge incorrectly applied them because she concluded the acts were “nearly
identical” and thus relevant. Appellant argues that this conclusion does not
answer the question of whether Appellant committed the uncharged allega-
tion. He further argues that the military judge “lump[ed] together a series of
alleged incidents” and did not examine the inconsistencies in MP’s allegation.
    A military judge is required to make a threshold determination that the
members could find by a preponderance of the evidence that the prior act of
child molestation occurred. Mil. R. Evid. 414. Once this threshold is met, there
is “a presumption that other acts of child molestation constitute relevant evi-
dence of predisposition to commit the charged offense.” United States v. Tan-
ner, 63 M.J. 445, 449 (C.A.A.F. 2006). As this court has recently stated, the
relevancy of prior acts of child molestation under Mil. R. Evid. 414 is “all but
mandated.” United States v. Walters, Misc. Dkt. No. 2016-12, 2017 CCA LEXIS
27, at *10–11 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 12 Jan. 2017) (unpub. op.) (quoting United
States v. Dewrell, 52 M.J. 601, 608 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 1999), aff’d 55 M.J.
131); see also 140 CONG. REC. S12,990 (daily ed. 20 Sept. 1994) (statement of
Sen. Dole) (“In child molestation cases, for example, a history of similar acts
tends to be exceptionally probative because it shows an unusual disposition of
the defendant—a sexual or sado-sexual interest in children—that simply does
not exist in ordinary people.”).
   In this case, the military judge concluded that the members could “find by
a preponderance of the evidence that [Appellant] committed crimes of child
molestation upon [MP], specifically touching her genital area with his hand,
even considering the defense’s forecast of its lengthy impeachment case.” This
conclusion is amply supported by the record and was not an abuse of discretion.
    While not a lengthy dissertation on the reasons why prior acts of child mo-
lestation are logically relevant, the military judge’s conclusion that the acts
were “nearly identical” was a recognition that once she determined the mem-
bers could find by a preponderance that the indecent acts with MP occurred,
the “nearly identical” nature of the abuse made the evidence relevant under
Mil. R. Evid. 401 and 402. As to this conclusion, the military judge did not
abuse her discretion.




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                 United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


   2. Non-propensity purposes under Mil. R. Evid. 414
    Appellant next argues that the military judge abused her discretion by us-
ing non-propensity rationales to support admission the prior child molestation
of MP for propensity purposes. In her written ruling, the military judge stated,
       Regarding relevance, the government argues the evidence is of
       acts nearly identical to the charged offenses committed upon two
       girls who never met or discussed the events. This is the type of
       evidence [Mil. R. Evid.] 414 was designed to allow. Moreover, the
       government provided non-propensity theories of admissibility,
       stating [MP’s] “testimony is not confusing, distracting, or mis-
       leading, and it is clear evidence of the Accused’s pattern, intent
       and absence of mistake.”
    Appellant argues that the last sentence demonstrates that the military
judge inappropriately used non-propensity purposes to support the admission
of the evidence for propensity purposes. We disagree.
     The military judge articulated additional non-propensity reasons that fur-
ther supported the relevance of these prior incidents to the charged offense.
Although commonly used to admit evidence for propensity purposes, evidence
admitted under Mil. R. Evid. 414 is not limited to propensity. Rather, the rule
provides that admissible evidence “may be considered on any matter to which
it is relevant.” Pattern, intent, and absence of mistake are recognized non-pro-
pensity uses for uncharged misconduct. The other permissible uses for this ev-
idence further support the military judge’s conclusion that the probative value
of this evidence was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prej-
udice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the members. The military judge
did not abuse her discretion by acknowledging the other ways that admission
of the prior sexual molestation of MP could be probative and relevant to the
members.
   3. Weight of previous conviction
    Appellant next argues that the military judge gave “excessive weight” to
the fact that Appellant was previously convicted of indecent acts with MP. Ap-
pellant argues that the weight the military judge gave to the prior conviction
was “excessive” because she did not properly consider that the convening au-
thority had set aside the conviction and dismissed the specification.
    At the time of trial, the military judge was aware of the procedural history
of the case and the fact that the convening authority, as part of a post-trial
agreement, had set aside the conviction for committing indecent acts with MP.
Our superior court has stated that evidence of conviction—as opposed to ru-
mor—is one factor, among many, for the military judge to consider. Wright, 53
M.J. at 482–83. Thus, it was appropriate for the military judge give some


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                 United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


weight to the fact that members from the earlier trial, after evaluating the
testimony and credibility of MP and the cross-examination by the prior defense
counsel, found the accused guilty of those offenses beyond a reasonable doubt.
We see nothing to indicate that the weight she gave it was excessive.
   4. Temporal proximity
    Appellant argues that the military judge failed to consider the lack of tem-
poral proximity between the allegations of MP and CG. However, the military
judge’s written ruling demonstrates that she considered the temporal proxim-
ity of the allegations. She stated, “The defense arguments are not persuasive.
It presented no evidence that the strength of the evidence is less due to the
passage of time.” The military judge squarely addressed the temporal proxim-
ity a second time in her written ruling stating, “While several years have
elapsed, the Court finds no relevant intervening circumstances.”
    A lack of temporal proximity between the charged offense and evidence
sought to be admitted under Mil. R. Evid. 414 may be grounds to exclude the
evidence. United States v. Berry, 61 M.J. 91, 96–97 (C.A.A.F. 2005). The pas-
sage of time alone, however, is not generally grounds to exclude evidence. Id.;
Ediger, 68 M.J. at 251; see also 140 CONG. REC. H8,968 (daily ed. 21 Aug. 1994)
(statement of Rep. Molinari) (“[E]vidence of other sex offenses by the defendant
is often probative and admitted, notwithstanding very substantial lapses of
time in relation to the charged offense or offenses.”). Moreover, the passage of
time is less compelling when it is not also accompanied by intervening circum-
stances. United States v. Bare, 63 M.J. 707, 711–12 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2006),
aff’d 65 M.J. 35. Additionally, even when the passage of time weighs against
admission, the other Wright factors may so heavily tip the Mil. R. Evid. 403
balance in the other direction as to favor admission. See United States v. Rich-
ards, ACM 38346, 2016 CCA LEXIS 285, at *122 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2 May
2016) (unpub. op.).
    Although the military judge concluded that there were no intervening fac-
tors, we acknowledge that the record of trial could also support the opposite
conclusion. Between the alleged molestations, Appellant divorced, remarried,
and moved from Florida to Texas. While there is no clear definition of an “in-
tervening circumstance,” these major life changes would appear to qualify as
such. But see Berry, 61 M.J. at 96–97 (discussing intervening circumstances as
a change in the developmental state of the appellant). Nevertheless, the mili-
tary judge did not abuse her discretion in rejecting the Defense’s argument
that the passage of time warranted exclusion of this evidence. The military
judge articulated her Mil. R. Evid. 403 balancing test on the record and in her
written ruling. Her conclusion that there was no evidence that the strength of
the evidence was less due to the passage of time was not an abuse of discretion.
Moreover, other Wright factors weighed in favor of admission (strength of proof


                                         8
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


of the prior act, no less prejudicial alternatives, no relationship between MP
and CG at the time they reported Appellant’s misconduct, and the similar cir-
cumstances surrounding the abuse of MP and the abuse of CG).
    Accordingly, the military judge did not abuse her discretion in admitting
this evidence.
B. Denial of Mistrial
    Appellant asserts that the military judge erred in denying the Defense’s
request for a mistrial based upon the Government’s cursory reference in their
opening statement to the statute of limitations. We find that the military judge
did not abuse her discretion when she denied the mistrial and instead provided
the members with a curative instruction.
    Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 915(a) governs when a military judge
should declare a mistrial. It provides, in part, that “[t]he military judge may,
as a matter of discretion, declare a mistrial when such action is manifestly
necessary in the interest of justice because of circumstances arising during the
proceedings which cast substantial doubt upon the fairness of the proceedings.”
The discussion relating to R.C.M. 915(a) pertinently provides that “[t]he power
to grant a mistrial should be used with great caution, under urgent circum-
stances, and for plain and obvious reasons. As examples, a mistrial may be
appropriate when inadmissible matters so prejudicial that a curative instruc-
tion would be inadequate are brought to the attention of the members.” “Ab-
sent evidence to the contrary, court members are presumed to comply with the
military judge’s instructions.” United States v. Hornback, 73 M.J. 155, 161
(C.A.A.F. 2014) (quoting United States v. Thompkins, 58 M.J. 43, 47 (C.A.A.F.
2003)). A military judge’s ruling on a request for a mistrial is reviewed for clear
evidence of an abuse of discretion. United States v. Ashby, 68 M.J. 108, 122
(C.A.A.F. 2009).
   During the Government’s opening statement, the following statement and
exchange took place:
       STC: After you hear from [CG], you are going to hear a chillingly
       similar account of the accused’s actions with another little girl,
       [MP]. You’re not going to see [MP] there on the charge sheet in
       front of you. The legal concept of the statute of limitations they
       are going to allow certain cases----
       CDC: Objection.
       MJ: Sustained. Move on.
       STC: Yes, Your Honor.
       MJ: Members, you are going to disregard any description or com-
       ment about statute of limitations. That is not even a player here.

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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


       STC: Yes, Your Honor.
    After trial counsel’s opening statement concluded, Appellant moved for a
mistrial based on her mention of the statute of limitations. The Government
countered, arguing that mention of the statute of limitations was proper be-
cause MP understood that her allegations had not been charged because of the
statute of limitations, and that the Government intended to illicit this during
MP’s testimony. The military judge believed that the reference to statute of
limitations in the opening statement was improper and that such testimony
from MP would not be relevant or admissible. Rather than granting the mis-
trial, however, the military judge instead proposed the following curative in-
struction:
       The fact that charges have been referred to this court for trial
       does not permit any inference of guilt. You heard that yesterday.
       Also, the fact that an allegation has not been referred to this
       court does not permit any inference of any kind. I sustained an
       objection to trial counsel in her opening statement saying the
       phrase, “statute of limitations.” I advise that that is not a player
       in this case and I told you to disregard that part of government’s
       opening statement. I will not instruct you on the events that led
       to referral of the charge, but I again state that the statute of
       limitations was not a player. You must not speculate about why
       any other allegation was not referred to this court-martial.
    The Defense affirmatively agreed that the military judge’s proposed cura-
tive instruction was satisfactory. The military judge subsequently provided the
curative instruction to the members and confirmed that the members under-
stood the instruction and would follow that instruction.
    We conclude that the curative measures taken by the military judge were
sufficient to eliminate any potential for prejudice. Trial counsel made only a
fleeting and incomplete reference to the statute of limitations in their opening
statement. Before counsel explained their reference to “statute of limitations”
or how this legal term of art purportedly applied to this case, the military judge
sustained the Defense objection and instructed the members that it “wasn’t
even a player here.”
    After the Defense requested a mistrial, the military judge went further and
specifically reaffirmed to the members that they must not speculate why any
other allegation was not referred to trial and twice reminded them that the
statute of limitations was “not even a player.” The Defense agreed that this
instruction satisfied their concerns.
   Absent evidence to the contrary, members are presumed to follow the mili-
tary judge’s instructions. United States v. Holt, 33 M.J. 400, 408 (C.M.A. 1991).


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                    United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


At no further point in the trial was the concept of “statute of limitations” pre-
sented to the members, and no member ever inquired about it. The record sup-
ports that trial counsel’s incomplete reference to an undefined legal principle
had no influence whatsoever on the proceedings. The denial of a mistrial was
not an abuse of discretion. The instruction cured any error.
    For these reasons, we conclude that the military judge did not err in deny-
ing the request for mistrial. The curative instructions were sufficient to elimi-
nate any potential for prejudice and the record of trial further confirms Appel-
lant was not prejudiced by trial counsel’s reference in the opening statement. 3
C. Prosecutorial Misconduct during Findings Argument
    Appellant identifies several comments made by trial counsel during find-
ings argument, some objected to and some not, and argues that they constitute
improper argument and prosecutorial misconduct. The errors include allega-
tions that trial counsel’s findings argument included facts not in evidence, per-
sonal attacks on the Defense, impermissible argument invoking the Air Force’s
training on sexual assault prevention, and erroneously calling upon the mem-
bers to do “justice” with their verdict. We conclude Appellant is not entitled to
relief.
    When an objection is entered at trial, we review an allegation of prosecuto-
rial misconduct de novo to determine whether the military judge’s ruling con-
stitutes an abuse of discretion. United States v. Sewell, 76 M.J. 14, 18 (C.A.A.F.
2017) (citing Hornback, 73 M.J. at 159). On the other hand, failure to object at
the time of trial results in courts reviewing the behavior or argument for plain
error. United States v. Erickson, 65 M.J. 221, 225 (C.A.A.F. 2007). This rule
exists “to prevent defense counsel from remaining silent, making no objection,
and then raising the issue on appeal for the first time, long after any possibility
of curing the problem has vanished. It is important to encourage all trial par-
ticipants to seek a fair and accurate trial the first time around.” United States
v. Reist, 50 M.J. 108, 110 (C.A.A.F. 1999) (internal quotation marks omitted).
    As to the matters that Appellant failed to object to at trial, we review for
plain error, only granting relief if he carries his burden of demonstrating:
“(1) there is error, (2) the error is plain or obvious, and (3) the error results in
material prejudice to a substantial right.” United States v. Fletcher, 62 M.J.
175, 179 (C.A.A.F. 2005). Improper argument is a question of law that we re-
view de novo. Sewell, 76 M.J. at 18.



3 Appellant also asserts that trial counsel’s reference to “statute of limitations” in the
opening statement constituted prosecutorial misconduct. For the same reasons set
forth above, Appellant has failed to demonstrate he was prejudiced by this reference
in light of the agreed curative instruction promptly provided by the military judge.


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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


    Counsel are to limit arguments to evidence in the record and reasonable
inferences that can be drawn from that evidence. United States v. Baer, 53 M.J.
235, 237 (C.A.A.F. 2000). While a trial counsel “may strike hard blows, he is
not at liberty to strike foul ones. It is as much his duty to refrain from improper
methods calculated to produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legit-
imate means to bring about a just one.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179 (quoting Berger
v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935)). “[I]t is error for trial counsel to make
arguments that ‘unduly . . . inflame the passions or prejudices of the court
members.’” United States v. Schroder, 65 M.J. 49, 58 (C.A.A.F. 2007) (omission
in original) (quoting United States v. Clifton, 15 M.J. 26, 30 (C.M.A. 1983)).
Trial counsel are also prohibited from injecting into argument irrelevant mat-
ters, such as facts not in evidence or personal opinions about the truth or falsity
of testimony or evidence. Id. at 58; Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 179; R.C.M. 919(b),
Discussion. To that end, courts have struggled to draw the “exceedingly fine
line which distinguishes permissible advocacy from impermissible excess.”
Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 183 (quoting United States v. White, 486 F.2d 204, 207 (2d
Cir. 1973)).
   In evaluating counsel’s argument, our decision need not depend on whether
any of trial counsel’s arguments were, in fact, improper if we conclude Appel-
lant has not met his burden of establishing the prejudice prong of the plain
error analysis. Erickson, 65 M.J. at 224. The “best approach” to the prejudice
determination involves balancing three factors: “(1) the severity of the miscon-
duct, (2) the measures adopted to cure the misconduct, and (3) the weight of
the evidence supporting the conviction.” Fletcher, 62 M.J. at 184. We also rec-
ognize that the lack of defense objection is some measure of the minimal prej-
udicial impact of the trial counsel’s argument. United States v. Gilley, 56 M.J.
113, 123 (C.A.A.F. 2001). In sum, “reversal is warranted only ‘when the trial
counsel’s comments, taken as a whole, were so damaging that we cannot be
confident that the members convicted the appellant on the basis of the evidence
alone.’” Sewell, 76 M.J. at 18 (quoting Hornback, 73 M.J. at 160).
    “[A]rgument by a trial counsel must be viewed within the context of the
entire court-martial. The focus of [the] inquiry should not be on words in isola-
tion but on the argument as ‘viewed in context.’” Baer, 53 M.J. at 238 (quoting
United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1, 16 (1985)). “[I]t is improper to ‘surgically
carve’ out a portion of the argument with no regard to its context.” Id.
   1. Comment—Appellant in Uniform
   Appellant asserts that trial counsel improperly argued in findings, over De-
fense objection, that the members should be afraid of Appellant in uniform and
that trial counsel improperly interjected her personal opinion into the court-
martial.



                                          12
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


    During findings argument, trial counsel argued, “Members, the scariest
part of the Air Force, to think that someone like the accused is among us. Some-
one like him as an officer and wears our same uniform . . . .” The defense ob-
jected, arguing that the comment was an improper argument invoking emotion
of Appellant in the uniform. The military judge overruled the objection, rea-
soning that the alleged conduct included an element that Appellant’s conduct
was prejudicial to good order and discipline and the argument was proper as it
addressed this element. Trial counsel then finished that portion of the argu-
ment by referring to Appellant as, “someone who did something like he did who
is supposed to [lead] our airmen and is trusted with a commission.”
    Regardless of whether this limited comment constituted error, we conclude
that Appellant was not prejudiced. Trial counsel did not dwell on this point,
and this singular reference would not, within the context of the entire findings
argument, inflame the members. Trial counsel finished that portion of the ar-
gument by appropriately arguing that Appellant’s misconduct was both preju-
dicial to good order and discipline and was service discrediting. Trial counsel’s
findings argument was not a call for the members to disregard the law or facts
and to determine guilt based on emotion. When the argument is viewed in its
entirety, it appropriately focused on the elements of the charged offense and
the evidence that supported each element.
    Furthermore, we are not persuaded that this constituted trial counsel im-
properly arguing a personal opinion. She did not say or imply she personally
believed Appellant’s sexual molestation of a child discredited the uniform and
the Air Force. Instead, when viewed in context, trial counsel was appropriately
arguing that the evidence, and reasonable inferences derived from the evi-
dence, supported a finding that Appellant’s misconduct undermined and tar-
nished the reputation of the Air Force and damaged good order and discipline.
   This argument was not improper.
   2. Comment—Imagine the Offense
   Appellant next asserts that it was plain error for trial counsel to improperly
request that the members place themselves in the place of the victim.
   During closing argument, trial counsel argued, without objection, that:
       Worse is not bringing ourselves to believe it. Worse is not letting
       yourself imagine what he did. Imagine him lying next to [CG] on
       his bed, in his home and slipping his hand under her clothes and
       rubbing her vagina. Eight years old and she laid on his bed in a
       home where she trusted him, watching Nickelodeon. It’s a hor-
       rible thing to try and imagine. It’s unthinkable, but worse than
       not doing that is failing to accept the reality of it.
(Emphasis added).

                                         13
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


    We disagree with Appellant’s assertion that this argument asked the mem-
bers to put themselves in the same shoes as the victim. Trial counsel appropri-
ately asked the members to visualize the offense as it happened, as an outsider
looking in. Though trial counsel vividly described Appellant’s crimes, this is
substantively distinct from asking the members to put themselves in the vic-
tim’s place. See Baer, 53 M.J. at 237–38 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (distinguishing be-
tween asking members to imagine themselves in the place of a victim and ask-
ing them to imagine a victim’s fear or pain). Thus, trial counsel’s proper com-
ments did not result in error, plain or otherwise.
   3. Comment—Consideration of Uncharged Sexual Assault
    Appellant also argues trial counsel committed plain error by purportedly
encouraging the members to disregard the military judge’s instruction by urg-
ing them to overcome a failure of proof and convict Appellant based solely on
this other alleged offense.
    Prior to closing arguments, the military judge correctly instructed the
members on the proper use of the Mil. R. Evid. 414 evidence involving MP. If
the members determined by a preponderance of the evidence the uncharged
child molestation occurred, they could consider it for “its bearing on any matter
to which it is relevant.” This includes considering the evidence to show that
Appellant has a propensity to engage in child molestation or that he intended
to gratify his sexual desires. The military judge also instructed the members
that they may not convict the accused solely because of the uncharged offense
or their belief that Appellant had the propensity to engage in sexual molesta-
tion.
   During opening statement, trial counsel said:
       You will hear from [MP], and she is not on the charge sheet, but
       you can listen to the actions that the accused took with [MP],
       and the judge is going to tell you that, that you can listen to those
       actions and take those into account when you are deciding that
       charge in front of you.
   Then, during initial closing argument, trial counsel said:
       What there is evidence of is that the accused touched [MP] and
       [CG]. They’re connected by nothing more than his betrayal of
       trust and the innocence he took from them. They’re connected by
       what they went through because of him. That’s the evidence
       that’s in front of you and that’s the evidence you must use to find
       him guilty.




                                          14
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


   Then, during rebuttal closing argument trial counsel said:
       You heard [CG]; you heard [MP]; you know how many previous
       times they have said the same thing. And you know beyond a
       reasonable doubt that this accused touched them and is guilty of
       indecent acts.
    Contrary to the Defense’s assertions, we conclude that these arguments
neither directly nor indirectly requested the members to disregard the military
judge’s proper instruction on how to use the prior uncharged child molestation
offense.
    In the above statements, trial counsel asked the members to do exactly
what the law requires them to do: consider relevant evidence admitted at trial.
In the context of the full argument, the Government was arguing that the
members should use Appellant’s molestation of MP as evidence introduced at
trial that could be used by the members on any matter to which it is relevant.
To the extent that Appellant argues that the Government erroneously sug-
gested that the members “must”—rather than “should”—use the propensity
evidence to find Appellant guilty, this was not plain error and it did not preju-
dice Appellant.
    Trial counsel’s references to the prior alleged sexual assault did not consti-
tute an overreliance on the uncharged offense. Trial counsel requested the
members take into account the evidence of Appellant’s molestation of MP, and
to use that evidence when coming to a verdict. This does not conflict with the
military judge’s instruction on how they should consider the uncharged inci-
dents, but rather echoes it. Appellant has not shown that trial counsel’s com-
ments, made at trial without objection, constitute prejudicial error, plain or
otherwise.
D. Sentencing Argument
    Appellant similarly asserted that trial counsel committed error during
their sentencing argument by suggesting that the members sentence Appellant
for the uncharged child molestation and his criminal propensity.
    Prior to sentencing argument, the military judge instructed the panel that
they must “bear in mind that the accused is to be sentenced only for the offense
of which he has been found guilty.” Trial counsel began his argument outlining
Appellant’s offense against CG. He then discussed certain sentencing princi-
ples, starting with punishment. When discussing rehabilitation and rehabili-
tative potential, assistant trial counsel argued:
       And let’s move on to rehabilitation. You heard a little bit about
       that; you’ll probably hear more from defense counsel in a little
       while but you have to ask yourselves, “What is his rehabilitative
       potential? How can we as court members form an appropriate

                                         15
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


       sentence to help determine how that process will go? How can
       we as court members perfect a change in the accused?” Frankly,
       as I’m sure you’ll come to understand, it’s going to take time. He
       expressed his perverted desires on two young innocent girls.
   Based on this argument, defense counsel objected, requesting the military
judge “instruct the members that what they’re sentencing him for is what’s on
the charge sheet.” The military judge agreed that Appellant should only be
punished for the charged offense and instructed the members that they were
“only sentencing him for the offense of which [they] found him guilty.” The
members all stated that they understood and trial counsel was permitted to
continue.
   Trial counsel continued his argument relating to lack of rehabilitative po-
tential:
       He did this before; he got caught, found a new victim, [CG]. So
       he started anew with her in 2006. But you don’t learn these be-
       haviors overnight. You don’t learn how to sexually abuse a little
       girl licking your fingers and rubbing her vagina. That’s not
       something you learn and do quickly. He’s not going to unlearn
       those actions quickly either. A sentencing [sic] to seven years
       confinement will give him the opportunity to reflect on those
       crimes and begin that rehabilitative process.
    Appellant did not object to this portion of the argument and, at the conclu-
sion of his argument, trial counsel asked the members to sentence Appellant
for “the crime you’ve convicted him of.”
   When concluding her sentencing instructions after arguments, the military
judge asked both parties if they had any objections to the instructions or re-
quests for other instructions. Both parties answered in the negative.
    We disagree with Appellant’s characterizations of trial counsel’s argument,
and conclude that the argument was not improper. Our superior court has held
that “in a child molestation case, evidence of a prior act of child molestation
‘directly relat[es] to’ the offense of which the accused has been found guilty and
is therefore relevant during sentencing under R.C.M. 1001(b)(4).” Tanner, 63
M.J. at 449. Here, trial counsel appropriately confined his use of the previ-
ously-admitted uncharged misconduct to the issue of Appellant’s rehabilitative
potential. Thus, there is no error in trial counsel’s argument, plain or other-
wise.
E. Exclusion of Defense Exhibit for Lack of Authentication
   Appellant asserts, without articulating with any specificity how he was
prejudiced, that the military judge erred by excluding an email purportedly
written by Appellant’s ex-wife because of a lack of authentication. While we

                                         16
                 United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


agree that the military judge erred, we find that the error was harmless as it
did not have a substantial influence on the findings.
    We review a military judge’s decision to admit evidence for an abuse of dis-
cretion. Ediger, 68 M.J. at 248. “The abuse of discretion standard is a strict
one, calling for more than a mere difference of opinion. The challenged action
must be arbitrary, fanciful, clearly unreasonable, or clearly erroneous.” United
States v. White, 69 M.J. 236, 239 (C.A.A.F. 2010) (quoting United States v.
Lloyd, 69 M.J. 95, 99 (C.A.A.F. 2010)).
   To satisfy the requirement to authenticate evidence under Mil. R. Evid.
901(a), “the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding
that the item is what the proponent claims it is.” “[A]uthentication is a compo-
nent of relevancy (evidence admitted as something can have no probative value
unless that is what it really is).” United States v. Blanchard, 48 M.J. 306, 310
(C.A.A.F. 1998). When discussing authenticity, our superior court has noted:
       Generally speaking, the proponent of a proffered item of evi-
       dence needs only to make a prima facie showing that the item is
       what the proponent claims it to be. . . .
       Once the proponent has made the requisite showing, the trial
       court should admit the item, assuming it meets the other pre-
       requisites to admissibility, such as relevance and compliance
       with the rule against hearsay, in spite of any issues the opponent
       has raised about flaws in the authentication. Such flaws go to
       the weight of the evidence instead of its admissibility. The trial
       court’s admission of the exhibit means only that the fact finder
       may consider the item of evidence during its deliberations. The
       fact finder remains free to disregard the item if the trial evidence
       overcomes the preliminary showing of authenticity.
United States v. Lubich, 72 M.J. 170, 175 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (quoting 5 JACK B.
WEINSTEIN & MARGARET A. BERGER, WEINSTEIN’S FEDERAL EVIDENCE §
901.02[3], at 901–13 to 901–14 (Joseph M. McLaughlin ed., 2d ed. 2003)). That
said, authenticity still requires a military judge to make a preliminary deter-
mination that “sufficient evidence of authenticity exists to present the authen-
ticity question to the members for their ultimate factual determination.” Id. at
174 (quoting Blanchard, 48 M.J. at 309).
   The Defense sought to admit an email purportedly sent from Appellant’s
ex-wife to Appellant after the first trial. The email was timestamped 0315 on
Wednesday, 8 October 2008, and was sent from his ex-wife’s Yahoo email ac-
count to Appellant’s Yahoo email account. When the email was purportedly
sent, Appellant was in confinement following his prior conviction for the same




                                         17
                   United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


alleged sexual molestation of CG. 4 The email consisted of a vitriolic rant
against Appellant complaining that Appellant should stop emailing their bio-
logical daughter, that she had previously warned Appellant that she would ex-
act revenge against him for leaving her and her kids, and that ruining Appel-
lant’s life was “the easiest thing I ever had to do.” The email also referred to
Appellant’s new wife in a derogatory manner, threatened to “move on” to her,
and suggested that his new wife might also end up in prison like him.
    To lay a foundation for the email, the Defense called a defense paralegal
who testified that he watched Appellant access his Yahoo email account
through a web browser and print out the email. The Defense also called the
biological daughter of both Appellant and his ex-wife, SH, to testify regarding
her interactions with her mother at the time that the email was purportedly
sent. SH was living with Appellant’s ex-wife at the time because Appellant was
in prison from his earlier court-martial. SH testified that, shortly before the
email was purportedly sent, her dad was sending her emails and she would
print them out and hide them in her room. When her mother, Appellant’s ex-
wife, found out about the emails, SH recalled that her mom was very angry.
The Defense showed SH the email and she testified that she did not write it.
She did believe, however, that the email accurately reflected her mother’s be-
liefs and feelings at the time. She also testified that she overheard her mother
use derogatory language towards Appellant’s new wife that was similar to the
language used in the email.
    The Government, in response, called Appellant’s ex-wife. The ex-wife testi-
fied that, though the email appeared to be from her account, she did not write
or send it. She explained that the family computer was accessible to anyone in
the house and that anyone in the house could have sent the email from her
account. She did not testify about any other instances where she suspected
other people used her personal email account to send emails that appeared to
be written by her.
    The ex-wife also identified another email that she admitted that she did
send from her personal email account a day earlier. That other email, whose
authenticity is not questioned, was signed in the same fashion as the email the
Defense sought to introduce. In this earlier, more “civilized” email, the ex-wife
told Appellant’s current wife that she and anyone else from the new wife’s fam-
ily should stop contacting SH and, if the contact persisted, charges would be
filed against her. She also suggested that, if there were any questions, she
should contact the police officer working the issue. The email also included, as



4Appellant submitted an affidavit stating that he authorized his current wife to access
his email account to send and receive emails to his biological daughter on his behalf.


                                            18
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


a recipient, the police officer that Appellant’s new wife should contact if she
had any questions.
    After considering argument of counsel, the military judge sustained the
Government’s authentication objection. While the military judge recognized
that the email was sent from the ex-wife’s personal email and appeared on its
face to be written by the ex-wife, the military judge was most concerned about
the other people having access to her email account and the potential it was
not written by the ex-wife. The military judge found that her daughter, SH,
could have accessed her mother’s personal email account on the family com-
puter. She further found that SH had a motive to falsify a vitriolic email from
her mother to Appellant’s new wife. The motive was SH’s desire to live with
Appellant’s new wife. The concern, although there was no evidence the 2008
email was ever used in this fashion, was that SH may have falsified the email
to increase the likelihood that Appellant’s new wife would gain custody of her.
As no one would admit to sending the email, the military judge ultimately con-
cluded that the ex-wife’s denials were more credible than SH’s denials. Based
upon her own determination of witness credibility, she excluded the email.
     We conclude that the military judge abused her discretion by failing to
properly apply a prima facie standard for authentication of the email. The is-
sue was not whether the military judge personally found the ex-wife or SH
more credible. The issue was instead whether the Defense provided a prima
facie showing that the email was what it purported to be. As to this low bar,
there was a prima facie showing that the email was sent from the ex-wife’s
personal email account and was signed consistently with other emails that the
ex-wife had sent. There was also testimony that the contents of the email were
consistent with the ex-wife’s feelings about Appellant and his new wife. Addi-
tionally, the email, though certainly more vitriolic than the email the ex-wife
admitted to sending hours earlier, was similar in purpose: to discourage Ap-
pellant’s new wife from future contact with SH. There may be many reasons
for the differing tones of those two emails, perhaps that the primary recipient
of the vitriolic email was to her ex-husband, perhaps that the more “civilized”
email was also carbon copied to a police officer, or perhaps—as the Government
argued—that someone else forged the email to provide potential fodder for an
ill-fated custody battle involving SH. Regardless, it was not the military judge’s
responsibility to evaluate which of these situations was most likely based on
her personal evaluation of the credibility of the witnesses. Instead, the military
judge was tasked to determine whether the Defense provided a prima facie




                                         19
                    United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


case that the email was what it purported to be. In this case, the Defense pro-
vided a sufficient foundation to authenticate the email and the military judge
erred in concluding otherwise. 5
    We must next consider the issue of prejudice and whether the error was
harmless. Non-constitutional error is harmless unless it had “a substantial in-
fluence on the findings.” United States v. Solomon, 72 M.J. 176, 182 (C.A.A.F.
2013) (quoting Berry, 61 M.J. at 97). However, for constitutional error to be
harmless, we must be convinced “beyond a reasonable doubt, the error did not
contribute to the defendant’s conviction or sentence.” United States v. Kreutzer,
61 M.J. 293, 298 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (quoting United States v. Kaiser, 58 M.J. 146,
149 (C.A.A.F. 2003)).
   Under the facts of this case, we believe that the erroneous exclusion of the
email, on authentication grounds, did not constitute constitutional error. Our
superior court has previously concluded that when a “military judge excludes
evidence of bias, the exclusion raises issues regarding an accused’s Sixth
Amendment right to confrontation.” United States v. Moss, 63 M.J. 233, 236
(C.A.A.F 2006). 6 The court further clarified, that “[a] defendant’s right under
the Sixth Amendment to cross-examine witnesses is violated if the military
judge precludes a defendant from exploring an entire relevant area of cross-
examination.” Id. (quoting United States v. Israel, 60 M.J. 485, 486 (C.A.A.F.
2005). This concern is not raised here as the military judge’s ruling did not
preclude the entire relevant area of cross-examination.
    The Defense purpose in introducing the email was to demonstrate the ex-
wife’s bias against Appellant. Introduction of the email, however, was only one
instance among many that the Defense used to establish this bias. The Defense
cross-examined the ex-wife about her troubled prior marriage with Appellant.
They cross-examined the ex-wife about her anger towards Appellant for leav-
ing her to be with his current wife. The Defense also questioned her about
sending the email and the contents of that email, though the ex-wife denied
authoring the email. In addition, the Defense also established this bias through


5In so holding, we do not address whether the military judge would have abused her
discretion if she would have excluded introduction of this email after conducting an
appropriate Mil. R. Evid. 403 balancing test. As the military judge elected to exclude
the email based upon lack of authentication, she chose not to conduct an additional
analysis under Mil. R. Evid. 403.
6 An error implicating constitutional rights will “require reversal unless the error is
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.” Moss, at 236. An error is harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt if the Government can demonstrate “that ‘there is no reasonable pos-
sibility’ that the error ‘contributed to the contested findings of guilty.’” United States
v. Collier, 67 M.J. 347, 355 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (quoting United States v. Othuru, 65 M.J.
375, 377 (C.A.A.F. 2007)).


                                             20
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


the testimony of their biological daughter. She testified that the ex-wife con-
tinued to harbor ill will toward Appellant and his new wife in the years follow-
ing the divorce, to include overhearing her mother using derogatory words to
describe Appellant’s new wife. As a consequence, we hold that the military
judge’s exclusion of the proffered evidence did not deny Appellant his Sixth
Amendment right of confrontation.
    Applying the test for non-constitutional error, we find that the error did not
have a substantial influence on the finding of guilt. The charged offense was
the 2005 indecent acts against CG. Appellant’s ex-wife had no interaction
whatsoever with CG or her family. Her role, as it related to CG’s allegations,
was minimal. The ex-wife learned from her children about a potential second
allegation of child molestation and then, at some point, brought those allega-
tions to the attention of the authorities. If the email was introduced into evi-
dence, and the members were persuaded that it was indeed written by Appel-
lant’s ex-wife, the email would merely suggest to the members that the ex-
wife’s actions in notifying authorities about CG’s allegations may have been
motivated more by vengeance or revenge than an altruistic act of a concerned
citizen. As discussed previously, the Defense was permitted to pursue the ex-
wife’s bias and motivations in ways other than admission of the email. Fur-
thermore, the ex-wife’s actions and motivations are collateral to the offense
against CG. As to the charged offense, the primary evidence supporting the
conviction was CG’s recollection of what happened to her years earlier.
    For these reasons, we conclude that the military judge’s error in excluding
the email purportedly from the ex-wife to Appellant did not have a substantial
influence on the findings.
F. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel (IAC)
    Appellant next asserts that his trial defense counsel were ineffective in
three ways: (1) failing put on evidence of Appellant’s good military character,
(2) failing put on evidence of CG’s and MP’s character or reputation for un-
truthfulness, and (3) referencing the prior court-martial during the cross-ex-
amination of Appellant’s ex-wife such that it opened the door to evidence of
Appellant’s prior conviction.
    We ordered the submission of affidavits from trial defense counsel. Appel-
lant submitted an additional affidavit in reply. Having reviewed the affidavits
of Appellant and his counsel, we conclude we need not order additional fact-
finding to resolve the assigned error. See United States v. Ginn, 47 M.J. 236,
248 (C.A.A.F. 1997). We conclude that Appellant is not entitled to relief based
upon his allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel.
   We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo, applying the
two-part test outlined by the United States Supreme Court in Strickland v.


                                         21
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). United States v. Tippit, 65 M.J. 69, 76
(C.A.A.F. 2007). Under that test, “to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance
of counsel, an appellant must demonstrate both (1) that his counsel’s perfor-
mance was deficient, and (2) that this deficiency resulted in prejudice.” United
States v. Green, 68 M.J. 360, 361 (C.A.A.F. 2010).
     The deficiency prong requires Appellant to show his counsel’s performance
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, according to the prevailing
standards of the profession. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688. To determine whether
the presumption of competence has been overcome as alleged by an appellant,
we examine whether there is a reasonable explanation for counsel’s actions
and whether defense counsel’s level of advocacy fell measurably below the per-
formance ordinarily expected of fallible lawyers. United States v. Gooch, 69
M.J. 353, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2011).
    “While defense counsel would normally be expected to introduce potentially
exculpatory evidence, their performance is not deficient when a tactical reason
cautions against admission.” United States v. McIntosh, 74 M.J. 294, 296
(C.A.A.F. 2015). “We do not measure deficiency based on the success of a trial
defense counsel’s strategy, but instead examine ‘whether counsel made an ob-
jectively reasonable choice in strategy’ from the available alternatives.” United
States v. Akbar, 74 M.J. 364, 379 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (quoting Dewrell, 55 M.J. at
136. “[S]trategic choices made by trial defense counsel are ‘virtually unchal-
lengeable’ after thorough investigation of the law and the facts relevant to the
plausible options.” Akbar, 74 M.J. at 371 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690–
91; Gooch, 69 M.J. at 361 (“This Court ‘will not second-guess the strategic or
tactical decisions made at trial by defense counsel.’” (quoting United States v.
Mazza, 67 M.J. 470, 475 (C.A.A.F. 2009))).
   The prejudice prong requires Appellant to show a “reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. In doing so, Appellant “must
surmount a very high hurdle.” United States v. Moulton, 47 M.J. 227, 229
(C.A.A.F. 1997) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689). This is because counsel is
presumed competent in the performance of his or her representational duties.
United States v. Anderson, 55 M.J. 198, 201 (C.A.A.F. 2001). Thus, judicial
scrutiny of a defense counsel’s performance must be “highly deferential and
should not be colored by the distorting effects of hindsight.” United States v.
Alves, 53 M.J. 286, 289 (C.A.A.F. 2000).
     In Gooch, our superior court identified three basic questions to determine
if the presumption of defense counsel’s competence is overcome:
       (1) Are the appellant’s allegations true; if so, is there a reasona-
       ble explanation for counsel’s action in the case?



                                         22
                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


       (2) If the allegations are true, did the level of advocacy fall meas-
       urably below the performance . . . [ordinarily expected] of fallible
       lawyers?
       (3) If defense counsel was ineffective, is there a reasonable prob-
       ability that, absent errors the outcome would be different?
Gooch, 69 M.J. at 362 (alterations in original) (citations and quotation marks
omitted). “When challenging the performance of counsel, [an appellant] bears
the burden of establishing the truth of the factual allegations that would pro-
vide the basis for finding deficient performance.” Tippit, 65 M.J. at 76.
   1. IAC—Good Character of Appellant and Lack of Credibility by
   Accusers
    Prior to trial, the Defense collected affidavits and information relating to
Appellant’s good military character. Although ten written statements were
submitted during the sentencing portion of trial, trial defense counsel made a
deliberate, tactical decision not to seek admission of good military charter evi-
dence during the findings portion of trial. In addition, the Defense had evidence
of CG’s and MP’s character or reputation for untruthfulness, but made a tacti-
cal decision not to seek admission of this evidence at the second trial. Appellant
asserts that these decisions were objectively unreasonable and prejudiced Ap-
pellant.
    In an affidavit presented to this court, civilian trial defense counsel ex-
plained that although the Defense had worked hard to collect good military
character evidence, he made a decision to forego this defense because of “the
risk of undiscovered allegations being used in rebuttal by the prosecution.” Ci-
vilian defense counsel believed that Appellant’s ex-wife was “full of bias
against [Appellant] and more than willing to provide any derogatory infor-
mation to prosecutors,” and the Defense would be “powerless” to rebut the basis
of “have you heard/did you know” questions. Additionally, the Defense rea-
soned that many of the character opinions were peripheral to the relevant time
frame and not directly on point. Others were from military members with lim-
ited awareness of Appellant’s personal life or from Appellant’s family members
with a clear bias. Finally, civilian defense counsel, while maintaining confi-
dence in the decision to not present this evidence, expressed that with 20/20
hindsight, he now regrets the decision not to present good military character
evidence, but maintains that he believes that it would not have had a positive
impact on Appellant’s case.
    As to the character for truthfulness evidence involving the two complain-
ants, civilian defense counsel stated that after reviewing the transcript of the
first court-martial, he believed that the defense strategy at Appellant’s first




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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


court-martial had failed by choosing to attack the two child victims. He be-
lieved this tactic looked “petty and silly.” He further stated that the basis for
these witness opinions were CG’s failure to complete homework and MP’s
views on Appellant’s and his ex-wife’s divorce. Furthermore, the civilian de-
fense counsel explained that pre-trial interviews indicated that CG was a “well-
liked and well regarded young woman, especially as it related to her integrity.”
Civilian defense counsel believed that a more effective trial tactic was to point
out the implausibility and inconsistencies of the allegations.
    With respect to evidence of Appellant’s good military character and the vic-
tims’ reputation/character for untruthfulness, this is not a case where counsel
failed to uncover or collect evidence; rather, this is a case where, having dili-
gently collected such evidence, counsel made a strategic decision to not seek
admission of this evidence. This strategic decision was made after reviewing
the record of trial from the first time Appellant was convicted of indecently
assaulting MP and CG. This gave trial defense counsel a unique opportunity
to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in the context of this specific
case. We find no error in this strategic decision. It was well-reasoned and sup-
ported by the record of trial, and one that we will not now second guess.
   2. IAC—Admission of Prior Trial during Cross–Examination
    During the testimony of Appellant’s ex-wife, the Defense cross-examined
her about the previously discussed 2008 email sent from the ex-wife’s personal
email account to Appellant. The Defense went line by line through the email
that, if in fact written by the ex-wife, evidenced the ex-wife’s dislike of Appel-
lant, her anger for Appellant having left her years earlier, her “joy” in getting
her biological daughter removed from Appellant’s new wife, her references to
the prior court-martial, and the ex-wife’s purported statement that “ruining
[Appellant’s] happy life . . . was the easiest thing [she] ever had to do.” This
line of questioning opened the door to the ex-wife testifying that there was a
prior court-martial, but not the sentence that resulted from that prior court.
On appeal, Appellant alleged that the decision to question the ex-wife in a
manner that permitted testimony that Appellant was previously convicted was
objectively unreasonable and prejudiced Appellant.
    In response, civilian defense counsel stated that he believed the email from
Appellant’s ex-wife was “critical to [the Defense] case and necessarily impli-
cated a reference to the first trial and its outcome.” Prior to making the decision
to open the door to this evidence, trial defense counsel consulted with an expert
forensic psychologist. The trial defense team agreed that evidence of the ex-
wife’s bias was essential, even if it meant opening the door to evidence of the
first court-martial. Trial defense counsel made this decision expecting and be-
lieving that he would later be able to admit the email during the Defense case.
Nevertheless, considering that the military judge later prohibited the Defense


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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


from offering this email into evidence to perfect this line of impeachment, the
civilian defense counsel expressed regret at opening the door to evidence of the
first court-martial.
    We conclude that the civilian defense counsel’s strategy, at the time he
chose it and without the benefit of knowing how the military judge would later
rule, was objectively reasonable. The strategy to cross-examine the ex-wife
about her purported statements was reasonable. The decision was not made
lightly or rashly, but was the product of thoughtful deliberation and an inten-
tional choice. Trial defense counsel indicated in their affidavits that this was a
matter they discussed at length prior to trial. This is indicated in trial defense
counsel’s statement that he understood that the door might be opened to evi-
dence of the first case. While, with the benefit of hindsight, trial defense coun-
sel may have chosen a different approach, that is not the standard by which
we judge counsels’ performance.
    Moreover, even if this was error, we find no prejudice. The military judge
instructed the members not to make any inference of guilt based on the pretrial
process. After the cross-examination of the ex-wife, the military judge again
instructed the members not to make any inferences of guilt based on references
to “trial” or “Article 32.” She further provided the following instruction:
       I bring this to your attention to remove any confusion or specu-
       lation from your mind and allow you to concentrate on what you
       hear in court during this rehearing. Now often the charges faced
       and the evidence presented at a previous trial differ from the
       charges faced and the evidence presented years later that [sic] a
       rehearing. You alone are charged with arriving at a determina-
       tion based only on this charge and specification before you and
       the evidence now before you. You should not, in any way, be in-
       fluenced by what another court-martial may have decided ear-
       lier. You will not be told—I don’t expect you will be told the re-
       sults of that prior trial and in part, because that shouldn’t really
       be—it may be relevant for a specific purpose, but overall, it’s not.
       Your duty as court members is to determine whether the accused
       is guilty or not guilty of the offense on the flyer, and if he is found
       guilty then to adjudge an appropriate sentence. You do that
       based only on what legal and competent evidence is presented
       for your consideration in this trial, this rehearing. The fact that
       there has been a prior trial is not evidence of guilt, nor is it evi-
       dence that you can use in sentencing, if sentencing is required.
       The fact that there has been a prior trial is not relevant for your
       determination of guilt or innocence. You have heard some evi-
       dence about its relation to the credibility of witnesses and motive
       to misrepresent, or to fabricate, or their biases, okay? So, you

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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


       can’t erase the fact that something happened in the past and
       witnesses may or may not have been affected by that. You have
       already heard some testimony like that.
   Furthermore, the Government did not improperly argue the prior court pro-
ceedings during closing argument.
    We presume that the members followed the military judge’s instruction,
and Appellant has provided nothing to suggest they failed to do so. As such,
even if trial defense counsel erred, that error did not create a reasonable prob-
ability that the result would have been different absent the error.
   For these reasons, we find that Appellant has failed to establish that he
was denied effective assistance of counsel.
G. Factual Sufficiency
    Appellant contends the evidence is factually insufficient to sustain his con-
viction of divers indecent acts with his minor niece, CG. We disagree.
    We review issues of factual sufficiency de novo. Article 66(c), UCMJ, 10
U.S.C. § 866(c); United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
The test for factual sufficiency is “whether, after weighing the evidence in the
record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed the
witnesses, [we are] convinced of the [appellant’s] guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt.” United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 325 (C.M.A. 1987). In conducting
this unique appellate role, we take “a fresh, impartial look at the evidence,”
applying “neither a presumption of innocence nor a presumption of guilt” to
“make [our] own independent determination as to whether the evidence con-
stitutes proof of each required element beyond a reasonable doubt.” Washing-
ton, 57 M.J. at 399. Review of the evidence is limited to the entire record, which
includes only the evidence admitted at trial and exposed to the crucible of
cross-examination. Article 66(c), UCMJ; United States v. Bethea, 46 C.M.R.
223, 224–25 (C.M.A. 1973).
    Appellant argues on appeal, as he did at trial, that the evidence was factu-
ally insufficient as it was based primarily on the testimony of CG, that there
were some inconsistencies in CG’s testimony, there were no other eyewitnesses
to the conduct, and there was no physical or medical evidence.
    We have carefully reviewed the evidence adduced at trial. We are not per-
suaded by Appellant’s assertions that CG was not a credible witness based pri-
marily on purported inconsistencies in her allegations. All of these inconsist-
encies are attributable and adequately explained by the intervening time be-
tween the alleged incident and her most recent testimony at trial. We find the
testimony, subjected to the crucible of cross-examination, as consistent as to
the vast majority of her testimony. We are convinced beyond a reasonable
doubt that Appellant is guilty of divers indecent acts against CG.

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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


H. Cumulative Error
    Finally, Appellant contends even if none of the aforementioned alleged er-
rors entitle him to relief, he is nevertheless entitled to relief under the cumu-
lative error doctrine. We disagree.
    We review such claims de novo. United States v. Pope, 69 M.J. 328, 335
(C.A.A.F. 2011). Cumulative error occurs when “a number of errors, no one
perhaps sufficient to merit reversal, in combination necessitate the disap-
proval of a finding.” Id. (quoting United States v. Banks, 36 M.J. 150, 170–71
(C.M.A. 1992)). “Assertions of error without merit are not sufficient to invoke
this doctrine.” United States v. Gray, 51 M.J. 1, 61 (C.A.A.F. 1999). We will
reverse the proceedings only if we determine the cumulative errors denied the
appellant a fair trial. See Pope, 69 M.J. at 335.
    For the reasons set forth above, we conclude that Appellant is not entitled
to relief under the cumulative error doctrine.
I. Timely Appellate Review
    Though not raised by Appellant on appeal, we note that 278 days elapsed
between announcement of sentence and convening authority action. Neverthe-
less, we do not find that sentence relief is warranted.
    “[C]onvicted servicemembers have a due process right to timely review and
appeal of courts-martial convictions.” United States v. Moreno, 63 M.J. 129,
135 (C.A.A.F. 2006). Accordingly, we review de novo whether Appellant has
been denied his due process right to a speedy post-trial review and appeal. Id.
In Moreno, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces established a presump-
tion of unreasonable post-trial delay that requires a due process review when
the convening authority does not take action within 120 days of trial. Id. at
142.
    If there is a Moreno-based presumption of unreasonable delay or an other-
wise facially-unreasonable delay, we examine the claim under the four factors
set forth in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972): “(1) the length of the
delay; (2) the reasons for the delay; (3) the appellant’s assertion of the right to
timely review and appeal; and (4) prejudice.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135. Moreno
identified three types of prejudice arising from post-trial processing delay:
(1) oppressive incarceration; (2) anxiety and concern; and (3) impairment of
ability to present a defense at a rehearing. Id. at 138–39.
    “We analyze each factor and make a determination as to whether that fac-
tor favors the Government or [Appellant].” Id. at 136. Then, we balance our
analysis of the factors to determine whether a due process violation occurred.
Id.; see also Barker, 407 U.S. at 533 (“[C]ourts must still engage in a difficult
and sensitive balancing process.”). “No single factor is required for finding a
due process violation and the absence of a given factor will not prevent such a

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                    United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


finding.” Moreno, 63 M.J. at 136. However, where an appellant has not shown
prejudice from the delay, there is no due process violation unless the delay is
so egregious as to “adversely affect the public’s perception of the fairness and
integrity of the military justice system.” United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353,
362 (C.A.A.F. 2006).
    The period of 278 days between sentence and action in this case is presump-
tively unreasonable, exceeding the standard by 158 days, and triggers a full
due process review under Moreno. We also acknowledge that Appellant as-
serted in clemency, though not on appeal, that the post-trial processing ex-
ceeded the time standards of Moreno such that he was entitled to some relief.
Turning to the other factors, however, we note that this case involved unusu-
ally voluminous and complex issues. The transcript consisted of 1,692 pages
and the record of trial filled 39 volumes. Appellant’s clemency submission was
171 pages and asserted six separate errors that counsel asserted justified set-
ting aside the conviction. However, Appellant has not claimed on appeal any
legally cognizable prejudice from the delay, and we find none. Though the delay
is extensive, the compilation of this lengthy record and the nature and com-
plexity of this case warranted a thorough review by the Government and the
convening authority. Under the facts of this case, this delay would not ad-
versely affect the public’s perception of fairness and integrity of the military
justice system. Therefore, we find no due process violation.
    Although we find no due process violation in Appellant’s case, we nonethe-
less consider whether Article 66(c), UCMJ, relief pursuant to United States v.
Tardif is appropriate. 57 M.J. 219, 224 (C.A.A.F. 2002). We are guided by fac-
tors enumerated in United States v. Gay, 74 M.J. 736, 744 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App.
2015), aff’d, 75 M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F. 2016), with no single factor being disposi-
tive. 7 Applying these factors and considering the circumstances of Appellant’s
case, we are not moved to reduce an otherwise appropriate sentence imposed
by the military judge and approved by the convening authority.




7 These factors include: (1) How long the delay exceeded the standards set forth in
Moreno; (2) what reasons, if any, the Government set forth for the delay, and whether
there is any evidence of bad faith or gross indifference to the overall post-trial pro-
cessing of this case; (3) whether there is nonetheless evidence of harm (either to the
appellant or institutionally) caused by the delay; (4) whether the delay has lessened
the disciplinary effect of any particular aspect of the sentence, and whether relief is
consistent with the dual goals of justice and good order and discipline; (5) whether
there is any evidence of institutional neglect concerning timely post-trial processing,
either across the service or at a particular installation; and (6) whether, given the pas-
sage of time, whether this court can provide meaningful relief in this particular situa-
tion. Gay, 74 M.J. at 744, aff’d, 75 M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F. 2016).


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                  United States v. Hudson, No. ACM 37249 (reh)


                               III. CONCLUSION
    The approved findings and sentence are correct in law and fact, and no er-
ror materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Arti-
cles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the find-
ings and the sentence are AFFIRMED.


                 FOR THE COURT



                 KURT J. BRUBAKER
                 Clerk of the Court




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