2007 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 20213-20220 [07-2027]

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• Executive Office of the President
• Presidential Documents

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 77 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20213-20220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2027]



[[Page 20211]]

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Part III





The President





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Executive Order 13430--2007 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-
Martial, United States


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 77 / Monday, April 23, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 20213]]

                Executive Order 13430 of April 18, 2007

                
2007 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, 
                United States

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, including chapter 47 of title 10, United 
                States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 
                U.S.C. 801-946), and in order to prescribe amendments 
                to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 
                prescribed by Executive Order 12473 of April 13, 1984, 
                as amended, it is hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, 
                United States, is amended as follows:

(a) R.C.M. 703(b)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentences:

``With the consent of both the accused and Government, the military judge 
may authorize any witness to testify via remote means. Over a party's 
objection, the military judge may authorize any witness to testify on 
interlocutory questions via remote means or similar technology if the 
practical difficulties of producing the witness outweigh the significance 
of the witness' personal appearance (although such testimony will not be 
admissible over the accused's objection as evidence on the ultimate issue 
of guilt). Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the 
costs of producing the witness; the timing of the request for production of 
the witness; the potential delay in the interlocutory proceeding that may 
be caused by the production of the witness; the willingness of the witness 
to testify in person; the likelihood of significant interference with 
military operational deployment, mission accomplishment, or essential 
training; and, for child witnesses, the traumatic effect of providing in-
court testimony.''

(b) R.C.M. 804 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) as 
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, and inserting the following new 
paragraph (b):

``(b) Presence by remote means. If authorized by the regulations of the 
Secretary concerned, the military judge may order the use of audiovisual 
technology, such as videoteleconferencing technology, between the parties 
and the military judge for purposes of Article 39(a) sessions. Use of such 
audiovisual technology will satisfy the ``presence'' requirement of the 
accused only when the accused has a defense counsel physically present at 
his location. Such technology may include two or more remote sites as long 
as all parties can see and hear each other.''

(c) R.C.M. 804(c)(2) is redesignated as R.C.M. 804(d)(2) and amended to 
read as follows:

``(2) Procedure. The accused's absence will be conditional upon his being 
able to view the witness' testimony from a remote location. Normally, 
transmission of the testimony will include a system that will transmit the 
accused's image and voice into the courtroom from a remote location as well 
as transmission of the child's testimony from the courtroom to the 
accused's location. A one-way transmission may be used if deemed necessary 
by the military judge. The accused will also be provided private,

[[Page 20214]]

contemporaneous communication with his counsel. The procedures described 
herein shall be employed unless the accused has made a knowing and 
affirmative waiver of these procedures.''

(d) R.C.M. 805(a) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence:

``If authorized by regulations of the Secretary concerned, for purposes of 
Article 39(a) sessions solely, the presence of the military judge at 
Article 39(a) sessions may be satisfied by the use of audiovisual 
technology, such as videoteleconferencing technology.''

(e) R.C.M. 805(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentences:

``If authorized by regulations of the Secretary concerned, for purposes of 
Article 39(a) sessions solely, the presence of counsel at Article 39(a) 
sessions may be satisfied by the use of audiovisual technology, such as 
videoteleconferencing technology. At least one qualified defense counsel 
shall be physically present with the accused.''

(f) R.C.M. 914A is amended by deleting the third sentence of paragraph (a).

(g) R.C.M. 914A is further amended by redesignating paragraph (b) as 
paragraph (c) and inserting the following new paragraph (b):

``(b) Definition. As used in this rule, ``remote live testimony'' includes, 
but is not limited to, testimony by videoteleconference, closed circuit 
television, or similar technology.''

(h) New Rule R.C.M. 914B is inserted after R.C.M. 914A:

``Rule 914B. Use of remote testimony.

(a) General procedures. The military judge shall determine the procedures 
used to take testimony via remote means. At a minimum, all parties shall be 
able to hear each other, those in attendance at the remote site shall be 
identified, and the accused shall be permitted private, contemporaneous 
communication with his counsel.

(b) Definition. As used in this rule, testimony via ``remote means'' 
includes, but is not limited to, testimony by videoteleconference, closed 
circuit television, telephone, or similar technology.''

(i) R.C.M. 1001(e)(2)(D) is amended by deleting the ``or'' before ``former 
testimony'' and inserting ``, or testimony by remote means'' after ``former 
testimony.''

                Sec. 2. Part IV of the Manual for Courts-Martial, 
                United States, is amended as follows:

(a) Paragraph 4.c.(6) is amended by redesignating paragraph (f) as 
paragraph (g) and inserting the following new paragraph (f):

``(f) Article 119a-attempting to kill an unborn child''

(b) Paragraph 12a is amended by replacing the word ``Transportation'' with 
the words ``Homeland Security''.

(c) Paragraph 35a is amended to read as follows:

``(a) Any person subject to this chapter who --

(1) operates or physically controls any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in a 
reckless or wanton manner or while impaired by a substance described in 
section 912a(b) of this title (Article 112a(b)); or

(2) operates or is in actual physical control of any vehicle, aircraft, or 
vessel while drunk or when the alcohol concentration in the person's blood 
or breath is equal to or exceeds the applicable limit under subsection (b), 
shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b)(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the applicable limit on the alcohol 
concentration in a person's blood or breath is as follows:

[[Page 20215]]

(A) In the case of the operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or 
vessel in the United States, such limit is the lesser of --

(i) the blood alcohol content limit under the law of the State in which the 
conduct occurred, except as may be provided under paragraph (2) for conduct 
on a military installation that is in more than one State; or

(ii) the blood alcohol content limit specified in paragraph (3).

(B) In the case of the operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or 
vessel outside the United States, the applicable blood alcohol content 
limit is the blood alcohol content limit specified in paragraph (3) or such 
lower limit as the Secretary of Defense may by regulation prescribe.

(2) In the case of a military installation that is in more than one State, 
if those States have different blood alcohol content limits under their 
respective State laws, the Secretary may select one such blood alcohol 
content limit to apply uniformly on that installation.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the blood alcohol content limit with 
respect to alcohol concentration in a person's blood is 0.10 grams of 
alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood and with respect to alcohol 
concentration in a person's breath is 0.10 grams of alcohol per 210 liters 
of breath, as shown by chemical analysis.

(4) In this subsection:

(A) The term ``blood alcohol content limit'' means the amount of alcohol 
concentration in a person's blood or breath at which operation or control 
of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel is prohibited.

(B) The term ``United States'' includes the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa 
and the term ``State'' includes each of those jurisdictions.

(d) Paragraph 35b(2)(c) is amended to read as follows:

``(c) the alcohol concentration in the accused's blood or breath equaled to 
or exceeded the applicable limit under subparagraph (b) of paragraph 35a. 
[NOTE: If injury resulted add the following element]''

(e) Para 35f is amended to read as follows:

``In that ------------------ (personal jurisdiction data), did (at/onboard 
location)(subject matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about ----
---------- 20----, (in the motor pool area)(near the Officer's Club)(at the 
intersection of ---------- and ------------)(while in the Gulf of 
Mexico)(while in flight over North America) physically control [a vehicle, 
to wit: (a truck)(a passenger car)(------------)] [an aircraft, to wit: (an 
AH 64 helicopter)(an F 14 A fighter)(a KC 135 tanker)(------------------
)][a vessel, to wit: (the aircraft carrier USS)(the Coast Cutter)(--------
--)], [while drunk][while impaired by ----------][while the alcohol 
concentration in his (blood or breath equaled or exceeded the applicable 
limit under subparagraph (b) of paragraph 35a) as shown by chemical 
analysis][in a (reckless)(wanton) manner by (attempting to pass another 
vehicle on a sharp curve)(by ordering that the aircraft be flown below the 
authorized altitude)][and did thereby cause said 
(vehicle)(aircraft)(vessel) to (strike and )(injure ------------------)].''

(f) By inserting the new paragraph 44a:

``44a. Article 119a--Death or injury of an unborn child

                a. Text.

(a)(1) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in conduct that 
violates any of the provisions of law listed in subsection (b) and thereby 
causes the death of, or bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of title 
18 to, a child who is in utero at the time the conduct takes place, is 
guilty of a separate offense under this section and shall, upon conviction, 
be punished by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial

[[Page 20216]]

may direct, which shall be consistent with the punishments prescribed by 
the President for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the 
unborn child's mother.

(2) An offense under this section does not require proof that --

(i) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had 
knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or

(ii) the accused intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the 
unborn child.

(3) If the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or 
attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall, instead of being 
punished under paragraph (1), be punished as provided under sections 880, 
918, and 919(a) of this title (articles 80, 118, and 119(a)) for 
intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the death penalty shall not 
be imposed for an offense under this section.

(b) The provisions referred to in subsection (a) are sections 918, 919(a), 
919(b)(2), 920(a), 922, 924, 926, and 928 of this title (articles 118, 
119(a), 119(b)(2), 120(a), 122, 124, 126, and 128).

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the prosecution

(1) of any person authorized by state or federal law to perform abortions 
for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant 
woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been 
obtained or for which such consent is implied by law;

(2) of any person for any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her 
unborn child; or

(3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.

(d) As used in this section, the term ``unborn child'' means a child in 
utero, and the term ``child in utero'' or ``child who is in utero'' means a 
member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is 
carried in the womb.

                b. Elements.

(1) Injuring an unborn child.

(a) That the accused was engaged in the [(murder (article 118)), (voluntary 
manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 
119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120)), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming 
(article 124)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting afire, 
as arson (article 126), of (a dwelling inhabited by) (a structure or 
property (known to be occupied by) (belonging to))] a woman;

(b) That the woman was then pregnant; and

(c) That the accused thereby caused bodily injury to the unborn child of 
that woman.

(2) Killing an unborn child.

(a) That the accused was engaged in the [(murder (article 118)), (voluntary 
manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 
119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120)), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming 
(article 124)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting afire, 
as arson (article 126), of (a dwelling inhabited by) (a structure or 
property known to (be occupied by) (belong to))] a woman;

(b) That the woman was then pregnant; and

(c) That the accused thereby caused the death of the unborn child of that 
woman.

(3) Attempting to kill an unborn child.

[[Page 20217]]

(a) That the accused was engaged in the [(murder (article 118)), (voluntary 
manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 
119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120)), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming 
(article 124)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting afire, 
as arson (article 126), of (a dwelling inhabited by) (a structure or 
property (known to be occupied by) (belonging to))] a woman;

(b) That the woman was then pregnant; and

(c) That the accused thereby intended and attempted to kill the unborn 
child of that woman.

(4) Intentionally killing an unborn child.

(a) That the accused was engaged in the [(murder (article 118)), (voluntary 
manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 
119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120)), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming 
(article 124)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting afire, 
as arson (article 126), of (a dwelling inhabited by) (a structure or 
property (known to be occupied by) (belonging to))] a woman;

(b) That the woman was then pregnant; and

(c) That the accused thereby intentionally killed the unborn child of that 
woman.

                c. Explanation.

(1) Nature of offense. This article makes it a separate, punishable crime 
to cause the death of or bodily injury to an unborn child while engaged in 
arson (article 126, UCMJ); murder (article 118, UCMJ); voluntary 
manslaughter (article 119(a), UCMJ); involuntary manslaughter (article 
119(b)(2), UCMJ); rape (article 120(a), UCMJ); robbery (article 122, UCMJ); 
maiming (article 124, UCMJ); or assault (article 128, UCMJ) against a 
pregnant woman. For all underlying offenses, except arson, this article 
requires that the victim of the underlying offense be the pregnant mother. 
For purposes of arson, the pregnant mother must have some nexus to the 
arson such that she sustained some ``bodily injury'' due to the arson. For 
the purposes of this article the term ``woman'' means a female of any age. 
This article does not permit the prosecution of any --

(a) person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the 
pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has 
been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law;

(b) person for any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn 
child; or

(c) woman with respect to her unborn child.

(2) The offenses of ``injuring an unborn child'' and ``killing an unborn 
child'' do not require proof that --

(a) the person engaging in the conduct (the accused) had knowledge or 
should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was 
pregnant; or

(b) the accused intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the 
unborn child.

(3) The offense of ``attempting to kill an unborn child'' requires that the 
accused intended by his conduct to cause the death of the unborn child (See 
paragraph b(3)(c) above).

(4) Bodily injury. For the purpose of this offense, the term ``bodily 
injury'' is that which is provided by section 1365 of title 18, to wit: a 
cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement; physical pain; illness; 
impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or 
any other injury to the body, no matter how temporary.

(5) Unborn child. ``Unborn child'' means a child in utero or a member of 
the species homo sapiens who is carried in the womb, at any stage of 
development, from conception to birth.

[[Page 20218]]

                d. Lesser included offenses.

(1) Killing an unborn child. Article 119a--injuring an unborn child

(2) Intentionally killing an unborn child.

(a) Article 119a--killing an unborn child

(b) Article 119a--injuring an unborn child

(c) Article 119a--attempts (attempting to kill an unborn child)

                e. Maximum punishment.

                The maximum punishment for (1) Injuring an unborn 
                child; (2) Killing an unborn child; (3) Attempting to 
                kill an unborn child; or (4) Intentionally killing an 
                unborn child is such punishment, other than death, as a 
                court-martial may direct, but shall be consistent with 
                the punishment had the bodily injury, death, attempt to 
                kill, or intentional killing occurred to the unborn 
                child's mother.

                f. Sample specifications.

(1) Injuring an unborn child.

In that ----------------------------------------------------(personal 
jurisdiction data), did (at/on board--location), (subject-matter 
jurisdiction data, if required), on or about ------------------ 20------, 
cause bodily injury to the unborn child of , a pregnant woman, by engaging 
in the [(murder) (voluntary manslaughter) (involuntary manslaughter) (rape) 
(robbery) (maiming) (assault) of] [(burning) (setting afire) of (a dwelling 
inhabited by) (a structure or property known to (be occupied by) (belong 
to))] that woman.

(2) Killing an unborn child.

In that ----------------------------------------------------(personal 
jurisdiction data), did (at/on board--location), (subject-matter 
jurisdiction data, if required), on or about ------------------ 20------, 
cause the death of the unborn child of , a pregnant woman, by engaging in 
the [(murder) (voluntary manslaughter) (involuntary manslaughter) (rape) 
(robbery) (maiming) (assault) of] [(burning) (setting afire) of (a dwelling 
inhabited by) (a structure or property known to (be occupied by) (belong 
to))] that woman.

(3) Attempting to kill an unborn child.

In that ----------------------------------------------------(personal 
jurisdiction data), did (at/on board--location), (subject-matter 
jurisdiction data, if required), on or about ------------------ 20------, 
attempt to kill the unborn child of , a pregnant woman, by engaging in the 
[(murder) (voluntary manslaughter) (involuntary manslaughter) (rape) 
(robbery) (maiming) (assault) of] [(burning) (setting afire) of (a dwelling 
inhabited by) (a structure or property known to (be occupied by) (belong 
to))] that woman.

(4) Intentionally killing an unborn child.

In that ----------------------------------------------------(personal 
jurisdiction data), did (at/on board--location), (subject-matter 
jurisdiction data, if required), on or about ------------------ 20------, 
intentionally kill the unborn child of , a pregnant woman, by engaging in 
the [(murder) (voluntary manslaughter) (involuntary manslaughter) (rape) 
(robbery) (maiming) (assault) of] [(burning) (setting afire) of (a dwelling 
inhabited by) (a structure or property known to (be occupied by) (belong 
to))] that woman.''

(g) By inserting the new paragraph 45a to read:

``45a. Article 120a Stalking

                a. Text

(a) Any person subject to this section:

[[Page 20219]]

(1) who wrongfully engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person that would cause a reasonable person to fear death or bodily harm, 
including sexual assault, to himself or herself or a member of his or her 
immediate family;

(2) who has knowledge, or should have knowledge, that the specific person 
will be placed in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm, including sexual 
assault, to himself or herself or a member of his or her immediate family; 
and

(3) whose acts induce reasonable fear in the specific person of death or 
bodily harm, including sexual assault, to himself or herself or to a member 
of his or her immediate family; is guilty of stalking and shall be punished 
as a court-martial may direct.

(b) In this section:

(1) The term ``course of conduct'' means:

(A) a repeated maintenance of visual or physical proximity to a specific 
person; or

(B) a repeated conveyance of verbal threat, written threats, or threats 
implied by conduct, or a combination of such threats, directed at or 
towards a specific person.

(2) The term ``repeated,'' with respect to conduct, means two or more 
occasions of such conduct.

(3) The term ``immediate family,'' in the case of a specific person, means 
a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person, or any other family 
member, relative, or intimate partner of the person who regularly resides 
in the household of the person or who within the six months preceding the 
commencement of the course of conduct regularly resided in the household of 
the person.

                b. Elements.

(1) That the accused wrongfully engaged in a course of conduct directed at 
a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear death or 
bodily harm to himself or herself or a member of his or her immediate 
family;

(2) That the accused had knowledge, or should have had knowledge, that the 
specific person would be placed in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm 
to himself or herself or a member of his or her immediate family; and

(3) That the accused's acts induced reasonable fear in the specific person 
of death or bodily harm to himself or herself or to a member of his or her 
immediate family.

                c. Explanation. See Paragraph 54.c(1)(a) for an 
                explanation of ``bodily harm''.

                d. Lesser included offenses. Article 80--attempts.

                e. Maximum punishment. Dishonorable discharge, 
                forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement 
                for 3 years.

                f. Sample Specification.

                In that ------------------------------------------
                (personal jurisdiction data), who (knew)(should have 
                known) that ------------ would be placed in reasonable 
                fear of (death)(bodily harm) to (himself) (herself) (--
                ----------, a member of his or her immediate family) 
                did (at/on board--location), (subject-matter 
                jurisdiction data, if required), (on or about --------
                ---------- 20------)(from about ------------to about --
                ---------- 20----), wrongfully engage in a course of 
                conduct directed at ------------, to wit: ------------
                -------------- ---------------- thereby inducing in --
                --------------, a reasonable fear of (death)(bodily 
                harm) to (himself)(herself) (--------, a member of his 
                or her immediate family).''

                Sec. 3. Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United 
                States, is amended as follows:

[[Page 20220]]

(a) Paragraph 5.c.(8) is amended by replacing the word ``foreign'' with the 
word ``hardship.''

(b) Paragraph 7(e) is amended by replacing the word ``Transportation'' with 
the words ``Homeland Security''.

                Sec. 4. Part IV of the Manual for Courts-Martial, 
                United States, is amended by replacing the word 
                ``Transportation'' with the words ``Homeland 
                Security.''

                Sec. 5. These amendments shall take effect 30 days from 
                the date of this order.

(a) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed to make punishable any 
act done or omitted prior to the effective date of this order that was not 
punishable when done or omitted.

(b) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed to invalidate any 
nonjudicial punishment proceedings, restraint, investigation, referral of 
charges, trial in which arraignment occurred, or other action begun prior 
to the effective date of this order, and any such nonjudicial punishment, 
restraint, investigation, referral of charges, trial, or other action may 
proceed in the same manner and with the same effect as if these amendments 
had not been prescribed.


                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                     April 18, 2007.

[FR Doc. 07-2027
Filed 4-20-07; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P