United States v. Watkins

There are some errors which are, by their very nature, prejudicial per se. Where such an error is involved, reversal follows without reference to the possible presence of harm. See United States v Woods, 2 USCMA 203, 8 CMR 3 (1953).1 In my opinion, an error of that magnitude occurred in this case when the staff judge advocate furnished each of the court members with a binder containing excerpts from the Manual for Courts-Martial. The Court was appointed on February 3, 1972, and the material was furnished to them on the following day.2 The binder contained, among other material, copies of…