Document: 404 U.S. 477 92 S.Ct. 619 30 L.Ed.2d 618 Don Richard LEGO, Petitioner,v.John TWOMEY, Warden. No. 70—5037. Argued Nov. 11, 1971. Decided Jan. 12, 1972. Syllabus Following a pretrial suppression hearing at which conflicting evidence was presented as to the voluntariness of confession that petitioner had given police, trial judge, presumably applying Illinois preponderance-of-the-evidence standard, held admissible, and it introduced into trial, resulted in petitioner's conviction. The judge instructed jury prosecution's burden proving guilt but did not instruct find voluntary before could be used reaching its verdict. In habeas corpus proceeding challenged his District Court denied relief, Appeals affirmed. Petitioner contends, relying upon re Winship, 397 358, 90 1068, 25 368, should have found beyond reasonable doubt admitting evidence, or, alternatively, admissibility criminal (quite apart from probative value) determined by reasonable-doubt standard protect values exclusionary rules are designed serve. also urges that, even though ruled on coercion claim, he entitled under Duncan v. Louisiana, 391 145, 88 1444, 20 491, decide issue anew. Held: 1. required this Court's decision Jackson Denno, 378 84 1774, 12 908, is implement presumption innocence enhance reliability verdicts, prevent use coerced violative due process quite truth or falsity. Consequently, determining preponderance inconsistent with mandate supra. Pp. 482—487. 2. has demonstrated rulings based preponderance-of-evidence unreliable imposition any higher expanded would sufficiently productive outweigh public interest having available juries. 487—489. 3. procedure followed here comported requirements Jackson, supra, been resolved submitted for separate consideration. Nor Duncan, change rule function court rather than jury. P. 489—490. Affirmed. Nathan Lewin, Washington, D.C., petitioner. James B. Zagel, Chicago, Ill., respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 1964 defendant who challenges made officials sought against him right reliable determination fact voluntarily outcome Constitution forbids. 908. While our plain only confessions may admitted innocence, we then announce, suggest, factfinder need reference an especially severe proof. Nevertheless, since state federal courts addressed themselves considerable variety opinions.1 We granted certiorari case resolve question. 401 992, 91 1238, 28 530 (1971). 2 Lego convicted armed robbery 1961 after Superior Court, Cook County, Illinois. sentenced prison 50 years. included police arrest while custody station house. Prior suppressed. He deny making challenge done so voluntarily. conducted hearing, out presence jury, testified beaten about head neck gun butt. His explanation treatment local chief, neighbor former classmate victim, revenge him. photograph taken county jail day arrest. showed face swollen traces blood it. scratched scuffle victim maintained encounter explain condition shown photograph. chief four officers testified. They either beating threatening disclaimed knowledge other officer so. credibility problem favor admissible.2 At own behalf. Although dispute directly, tell version events transpired station. guilt. judging innocence.3 On direct appeal Supreme affirmed People Lego, 32 Ill.2d 76, 203 N.E.2d 875 (1965). 3 Four years later conviction seeking writ United States Northern evidence. no mention used, law provided involuntary if, outside evidence.4 alternative argued question After first denying failure exhaust remedies, rehearing motion, concluded remedy relief merits. ex rel. Pate, 308 F.Supp. 38 (1970).5 Seventh Circuit affirmed.6 4 * judgment three grounds. proved guilty 368 (1970), because Implicit claim assumption verdicts. To whether must return 908 (1964). 5 New York prior juries most often hence deciding innocence. Trial judges were make initial exclude confession, if circumstances deemed voluntary.7 When fairly debatable, existed men drawn differing inferences undisputed facts, violated This meant itself. If challenging adduced, pass and, involuntary, ignore If, hand, voluntary, free consider falsity give appropriate weight 6 constitutionally defective point along way receive clear-cut voluntary. merely himself recognized empowered perform function, doubted do reliably. Precisely guilt, freely given, truthful potent believe called value confession; likely, thought, itself influenced considered accurate account facts. 'It now axiomatic,' said, 7 'that deprived founded, whole part, without regard Rogers Richmond, 365 534, 81 735, 760, there ample aside support Malinski York, 324 401, 65 781, 89 L.Ed. 1029; Stroble California, 343 181, 72 599, 96 872; Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 78 844, 975. Equally clear defendant's constitutional some stage proceedings object fair voluntariness, uninfluenced confession. supra.'8 8 think necessary, appropriate, announce prosecutors meet particular proof judge.9 Indeed, then-established duty determine framed terms proof,10 nor decided.11 assume then, can now, admit those reliably found, least 9 noted relationship between involuntariness unreliability.12 But slightest fear might misjudge accuracy arrive erroneous determinations That aimed reducing possibility convicting innocent men. 10 Quite contrary, feared truthfulness impermissibly influence jury's voluntariness. confessions, true false, forbidden method extract them offends principles. 540—541, 739 (1961).13 established safeguard individual, entirely compelled condemn utterances. Nothing questioned province capacity assess confessions. took relating A familiarize attend taking including facts bearing voluntariness.14 like measure, course, liberty disregard insufficiently corroborated otherwise unworthy belief. 11 Since purpose serve nothing whatever improving cannot accept charge undermines (1970). Our Winship concerned standards when went further confirm fundamental protects 'the accused except every necessary constitute crime charged.' Id. 364, S.Ct., 1072. high ensure unjust convictions giving substance Id., 363, verdict rendered less consonant simply stringent standard. does maintain element charged. constitutionality innocence; sufficiency reached satisfy proper Petitioner's rights violated.15 II Even conceding inapplicable presses reversal ground offered grounds admissible order adequate protection offspring Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 682 (1936), requires judicial Miranda Arizona, 384 436, 86 1602, 16 694 (1966), excludes flowing custodial interrogations unless warnings administered waiver obtained. Weeks States, 232 383, 34 341, 58 652 (1914), Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 1684, 1081 (1961), impermissible introduction obtained violation Fourth Amendment rights. each instance, value, kept trier reasons wholly enhancing These independent values, urged, require stricter admissibility. 13 argument straightforward appeal. unconvinced emphasizing importance served sufficient demonstration doubt.16 Evidence excluded trials many same trials. Bram 168 532, 18 183, 42 568 (1897); But, experience over period time substantial accumulated suffered offers suggest wanting quality Without good cause, unwilling expand currently applicable erecting additional barriers placing revising collateral proceedings. Sound reason moving direction discern present time. particularly very much deterring lawless conduct prosecution doubtful escalating Fifth hearings respect arriving decisions 14 reiterate what said Jackson: rendered. Thus, prove Of free, pursuant their law, adopt indeed differ resolution they stake.17 III 15 reject final contention extent asserts judge's reliable, more persuasive contentions. position assumes better suited questions basic assumptions Denno; ignores neither raised validity so-called orthodox suggested submission claims well judge. Finally, 491 (1968), Sixth purport normal both asserted excluding disposed impose requirement afford second forum litigating claim. 17 POWELL REHNQUIST part consideration case. 19 BRENNAN, whom DOUGLAS MARSHALL join, dissenting. prosecution, federal, seeks put allegedly command '(n)o person . shall witness himself.' Davis North Carolina, 737, 740, 1761 (1966); Malloy Hogan, 1, 7—8, 1489, 1493, 653 (1964); 542—543, 187, (1897). compulsory self-incrimination 'essential mainstay' system 7, 1493 'a State establish independently secured mouth,' 541, (1961). What thereby protected governmental invasion is, simply, remain silent chooses speak unfettered exercise will.' 8, 1493. Hence, inadmissible product rational intellect Blackburn Alabama, 361 199, 208, 274, 280 (1960); see Reck 433, 440, 1541, 1546, 948 21 Ideally, utterance never As 376, 1780, (1964), 'axiomatic' stand 'is conviction.' Yet I informed observers utterances slip through, assuming scrupulous adherence rigorous procedural protections. attempt move reality somewhat closer ideal. rejected 'did trial' consequently adequately (a defendant's) confession.' 377, 1781. today points out, '(t)he utterances.' Ante, 485. 22 There dwell American concept justice attaches preserving integrity privilege. Both automatically reverses means end choice will reaffirms '(W)hen rendered.' 489. goes hold follows voluntary.' Ibid. disagree. my view, rationale conclusion provide danger employed 23 normally presents testimony enforcement occurred during officers' interrogation defendant. factfinder's conflict often, practical matter, issue. 390—391, 1788. typical example. confessed him; beating. notes, admissible. 480. one two self-serving accounts happened, apparent persuasion instances controlling significance. See Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525—526, 1332, 1341 1342, L.Ed.2d, 1460 (1958). suggests (not) evidence' showing standard,' ante, 488, denied, factual nature ordinary determination, permitting lower necessarily result admission converse, true. Requiring 24 similar situation, yet doubt. 361—364, 1070—1072 (1970); id., 370—372, 1075—1076 (Harlan, J., concurring.) Permitting defendants innocent. Conversely, imposing It seems me considerations demand stake permit civil litigation 'we view serious general plaintiff's favor.' 371, 1076 concurring). take cases. prime instrument risk resting error. provides concrete ..' Harlan concurring opinion, 'bottomed society far worse convict man let go free.' 372, 1076. 26 paraphrase Harlan, prepared justify am view. Compelled alien sense such ever justified. 'concrete substance' himself, insist, doubt.* judgment, again, reflects self-condemnation deprive Just introduce choice. 27 add absolute bar fundamentally expression commitment moral worth individual. bears repeating here. '(U)se indispensable confidence community applications law. critical force diluted leaves people being condemned.' U.S., just person's words him, remains spoke will. adopted standards, founded Many sanctioned strict doubt, satisfaction fact. e.g., State, 278 Ala. 176 So.2d 840 (1965); Dillon, 93 Idaho 698, 471 P.2d 553 cert. denied. 942, 947, 223 (1971); Harper, 36 398, 841 (1967); Milow, 199 Kan. 576, 433 538 Barnhart Md.App. 222, 246 A.2d (1968); Commonwealth White, 353 Mass. 409, 335 Nolan, 423 S.W.2d 815 (Mo.1968); 146 Mont. 226, 405 F.2d 761 (1965), 1023, 1955, 1026 Brewton, 238 Or. 590, 395 874 Butler Rundle, 429 Pa. 141, 239 426 Monts 218 Tenn. 31, 400 722 Davis, 73 Wash.2d 271, 438 185 (1968). Other using specifying basis, E.g., Ragsdale, 249 La. 420, 187 427 385 1029, 87 758, 676 Keiser, 274 Minn. 265, 143 N.W.2d 75 Yough, 49 N.J. 587, 231 598 Huntley, N.Y.2d 72, 255 N.Y.S.2d 838, 204 179 Thundershield, 83 S.D. 414, 160 408 Goodchild Burke, Wis.2d 244, 133 753 1017, 1941, 1039 (1966). Two supervisory power Ralph Warden, 786, 793 (CA4 1970), clarifying Inman, 352 954 1965); Pea 130 U.S.App.D.C. 66, 627 cf. Schipani, 289 43 (E.D.N.Y.1968), aff'd, 414 1262 (CA2 1969), 922, 902, 102 requiring Government certain tainted Amendment. ruling stated: 'The oath struggle complaining gun; wounded, facial wound. Officers bloody arrested. 'I don't all up Police. explained described rule, solely finally determines 378, procedures neatly classified, Massachusetts whereby resolves evidentiary conflicts unable conclude, judged therefore finds involuntary. n. Jackson. call practice clearly follow these procedures. thorough tabulation wake appears J. Wigmore, 585—593 (J. Chadbourn rev. 1970). Wagoner, 188, (1956); Thomlison, Ill. 555, 434 (1948). Respondent makes waived adjudicate deliberately bypassed testing claims. Cf. Fay Noia, 372 391, 439, 822, 849, 837 (1963). Circuit's affirmance unreported. 18313 (CA7 Oct. description 377—391, 1780 1789. 376—377, 1780. 'Judge' throughout mean factfinder, hearing. proscription passes preclude impaneling 19, See, Haynes 373 503, 1336, 513 (1963); Spano 360 315, 79 1202, 1265 (1959); 975 Frazier Cupp, 394 731, 1420, 684 (1969); Boulden Holman, 478, 1138, Harrison 392 219, 2008, 1047 Greenwald Wisconsin, 390 519, 1152, 77 Clewis Texas, 386 707, 1338, 1761, 895 Procunier Atchley, 446, 485, 524 'probable unreliability.' 385—386, 1785. However, settled decided exclusion 760 sole coerced. Whether false irrelevant; indeed, inquiry forbidden. indicate compelled, highly 545, 741. difficult tasks accomplish, duty-bound implications relevant shut mind internal authenticity bear. 1780—1788, traced genesis forbids reliable. departed Stein 346 156, 1077, 97 1522 (1953), whose premise excludable inherent untrustworthiness. repudiated Richmond reaffirmed 739, 1763, Johnson Jersey, 719, 729 9, 1772, 1778, 882 continues basis evaluating cases cited course pursued. 13, U.S.C. § 3501(a) here, note provisions section: '(a) brought Columbia, defined subsection (e) hereof, given. Before received shall, hear feels deserves circumstances.' gained restating arguing governed Transparently, issue, unsatisfactory stopped short basing Constitution. rule. 1; My imposed depend effective misconduct. obtaining shocking, 'free .." frequently allege misconduct, townsend Sain, 293, 308, 745, 754, 770 (1963), '(a)ny questioning produces renders inadmissible.' (Emphasis original.)

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