United States v. Specialist LAWRENCE P. MILLER

UNITED STATES ARMY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Before HOLDEN, HOFFMAN, and SULLIVAN Appellate Military Judges UNITED STATES, Appellee v. Specialist LAWRENCE P. MILLER United States Army, Appellant ARMY 20070394 Headquarters, Fort Hood Alan L. Cook, Military Judge Lieutenant Colonel William E. Rousseau, Staff Judge Advocate For Appellant: Colonel Christopher J. O’Brien, JA; Lieutenant Colonel Steven C. Henricks, JA; Major Teresa L. Raymond, JA; Captain Richard P. Pizur, JA (on brief). For Appellee: Colonel John W. Miller II, JA; Major Elizabeth G. Marotta, JA; Lieutenant Colonel Francis C. Kiley, JA; Major Charles C. Choi, JA (on brief). 3 April 2008 ---------------------------- SUMMARY DECISION ---------------------------- Per Curiam: This case is before us for review pursuant to Article 66, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 866 [hereinafter UCMJ]. In matters raised personally by appellant under United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982), appellant alleges he told his civilian defense counsel to submit a request to the convening authority to defer automatic forfeitures in his case pursuant to Article 57(a)(2), UCMJ. As the record is devoid of any deferment request, government appellate counsel proactively obtained an affidavit regarding the allegation from appellant's counsel, Mr. J.P. Galligan. Mr. Galligan’s affidavit is nonresponsive regarding appellant’s claim and we are unable to resolve the issue with the matters before us. In the interest of judicial economy and to protect appellant's best opportunity to request clemency, we decline to order additional affidavits or an evidentiary hearing conducted in accordance with United States v. DuBay, 17 C.M.A. 147, 37 C.M.R. 411 (1967). MILLER – 20070394 Accordingly, the convening authority's action, dated 22 June 2007, is set aside. The record of trial will be returned to The Judge Advocate General for a new SJAR and action by the same convening authority in accordance with Article 60(c)-(e), UCMJ. FOR THE COURT: MALCOLM H. SQUIRES, JR. Clerk of Court