United States v. Askew

It is clear from the principal opinion that the only role played by the letters is that the reading of them led to the discussion about the need to interrogate the accused’s wife. According to the accused’s testimony, he confessed only to “avoid” having his wife interrogated. Consequently, the contents of the letters are significant only insofar as they bear on the coercive influence asserted by the accused. From that standpoint they do not provide the basis for a separate instruction on their effect on the accused’s confession. Cf. United States v Harman, 12 USCMA 180, 30 CMR 180. In other…