United States v. Roberts

GLADIS, Senior Judge:

The accused was convicted by a special court-martial composed of officer members of three unauthorized absences and sentenced to a bad-conduct discharge, confinement at hard labor for 2 months, and forfeitures of $334.00 per month for 2 months. The convening and supervisory authorities approved the sentence without change.

The accused contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. We agree and reverse.

The charge was originally referred to trial on 12 February 1980. LCDR Groat was detailed as defense counsel. The accused discussed the charge with him but…