Document: 366 U.S. 717 81 S.Ct. 1639 6 L.Ed.2d 751 Leslie IRVIN, Petitioner,v.A. F. DOWD, Warden. No. 41. Argued Nov. 9, 1960. Decided June 5, 1961. Messrs. Theodore Lockyear, Jr., and James D. Lopp, Evansville, Ind., Hahn, Zimmerman, Nafe & Fisher by Mr. Nafe, South Bend, on the brief, for petitioner. Richard M. Givan, Indianapolis, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered opinion of Court. 1 This is a habeas corpus proceeding, brought to test validity petitioner's conviction murder sentence death in Circuit Court Gibson County, Indiana. The Indiana Supreme affirmed Irvin v. State, 236 Ind. 384, 139 N.E.2d 898, we denied direct review certiorari 'without prejudice filing federal after exhausting state remedies.' 353 948, 77 827, 857. Petitioner immediately sought writ heabea corpus, under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, U.S.C.A. 2241,1 District Northern Indiana, claiming that his had been obtained violation Fourteenth Amendment he did not receive fair trial. That court dismissed proceeding ground petitioner failed exhaust remedies. 153 F.Supp. 531. On appeal, Appeals Seventh dismissal. 251 F.2d 548. We granted certiorari, 356 78 921, 2 842, remanded decision merits or remand reconsideration. 359 394, 79 825, 3 900. retained jurisdiction decided claim adversely 271 552. 361 959, 80 607, 4 542. As stated former opinion, at pages 396—397, page 827: 'The constitutional arises this way. Six murders were committed vicinity two December 1954, four March 1955. crimes, extensively covered news media locality, aroused great excitement ad indignation throughout Vanderburgh where Evansville located, adjoining rural county approximately 30,000 inhabitants. was arrested April 8, Shortly thereafter, Prosecutor County police officials issued press releases, which intensively publicized, stating confessed six murders. Grand Jury soon indicted resulted conviction. Whitney Wesley Kerr allegedly 23, 1954. Counsel appointed defend change venue from granted, but County. Alleging widespread inflammatory publicity also highly prejudiced inhabitants against petitioner, counsel, October 29, 1955, another venue, sufficiently removed locality trial would be prejudiced. motion denied, apparently because pertinent statute allows only single venue.' During course voir dire examination, lasted some weeks, filed more motions eight continuances. All denied. 5 At outset are met with providing one shall 'from county' wherein offense committed.2 Since already afforded further changes solely basis statute, attacked its constitutionality. upheld validity. However, light State ex rel. Gannon Porter Court, 239 637, 159 713, do believe argument poses serious problem. There held if it 'made appear attempt has actually made secure an impartial jury such could present * becomes duty judiciary provide every accused public jury, even though so must grant second thus contravenue (the statute) *.' Ind 642, 715. prosecution attempts distinguish case Attorney there conceded La Porte court, therefore, properly ordered despite language statute. Inasmuch as says nothing concessions, conditions transfer upon representation prosecutor regardless court's own estimate local may impaneled. read Gannon, stands proposition necessity will depend totality surrounding facts. Under construction not, face, subject attack due process grounds. England, whom Western World largely taken concepts individual liberty dignity worth man, bequeathed us safeguards their preservation, most priceless jury. right become much American once English. Although said does demand use trials State's criminal procedure, Fay People New York, 332 261, 67 1613, 91 L.Ed. 2043; Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 58 149, 82 288, constitutionally provided See Columbia University Legislative Drafting Research Fund, Index Digest Constitutions, 578—579 (1959). In essence, guarantees criminally panel impartial, 'indifferent' jurors. failure accord hearing violates minimal standards process. re Oliver, 333 257, 68 499, 92 682; Tumey Ohio, 273 510, 47 437, 71 749. 'A tribunal basic requirement process.' Murchison, 349 133, 136, 75 623, 625, 99 942. ultimate analysis, can strip man life. Lord Coke, juror 'indifferent unsworne.' Co.Litt. 155b. His verdict based evidence developed Cf. Thompson City Louisville, 362 199, 624, 654. true, heinousness crime charged, apparent guilt offender station life occupies. It written into our law early 1807 Chief Marshall Burr's Trial 416(1807).3 theory who formed cannot impartial.' Reynolds United States, 98 145, 155, 25 244. 7 required, however, jurors totally ignorant facts issues involved. these days swift, diverse methods communication, important expected arouse interest vicinity, scarcely any those best qualified serve have impression case. particularly true cases. To hold mere existence preconceived notion innocence accused, without more, sufficient rebut presumption prospective juror's impartiality establish impossible standard. lay aside render presented court. Spies Illinois, 123 131, 8 22, 31 80; Holt 218 245, 2, 54 1021; supra. adoption rule, 'cannot foreclose inquiry whether, given case, application rule works deprivation prisoner's law.' Lisenba California, 314 219, 236, 62 280, 290, 86 166. Reynolds, 'whether nature strength necessarily raise partiality. question mixed fact 156 affirmative issue challenger. Unless shows actual mind partiality, need set *. If positive e en formed, incompetent expressed.' 157 Brown Allen, 344 443, 507, 73 397, 446, 97 469, 'so-called questions principles found leave adjudication judge.' was, independently evaluate testimony impaneled 9 established '(t)he finding force opinion) ought reviewing unless error manifest.' 156. later cases revisited citing each instance findings should 'manifest.' supra; Hopt Utah, 120 430, 614, 30 708. agrees having fixed, accused's denial process, points out examination discloses applicable statute.4 presiding judge personally examined members no peremptory challenges, insisted excused cause, indicated notwithstanding verdict. But Hughes observed States Wood, 299 123, 145—146, 57 177, 185, 78: 'Impartiality technical conception. mind. For ascertainment mental attitude appropriate indifference, Constitution lays down particular tests procedure chained ancient artificial formula.' 10 Here build-up clear convincing. An then current community pattern thought popular singularly revealing. example, first alleged awaited cause celebre small community—so curbstone opinions, what punishment receive, solicited recorded streets roving reporter, broadcast over stations. A reading 46 exhibits attached indicates barrage newspaper headlines, articles, cartoons pictures unleashed him during seven months preceding newspapers stories appeared regularly 95% dwellings that, addition, radio TV stations, likewise blanketed county, carried extensive newscasts covering same incidents. These revealed details background, including reference crimes when juvenile, convictions arson almost 20 years previously, burglary court-martial AWOL charges war. He being parole violator. headlines announced line-up identification, faced lie detector test, placed scene solved refused confess. Finally, they confession indictment them They reported offer plead guilty promised 99-year sentence, determination, other hand, penalty, 24 burglaries modus operandi robberies compared similarity noted). One story dramatically relayed promise sheriff devote securing execution Kentucky, murders, so. Another characterized remorseless conscience sane court-appointed doctors. many described 'confessed slayer six,' violator fraudulent-check artist. Petitioner's counsel quoted received 'much criticism Irvin's counsel' pointed out, way excusing attorney, disbarment refuse represent Irvin. day before orally admitted victim case) well 'the robbery-murder Mrs. Mary Holland; Wilhelmina Sailer Posey slaughter three Duncan family Henderson Ky.' 11 gainsaid continued adverse caused sustained fostered strong among people fact, devoted selection 'strong feelings, often bitter angry, rumbled surface,' extent multiple murders—three family—have feelings area emphasized Friday 27 35 questioned holding biased pretrial opinions few feeling 'a deep pipe-fitter.' Spectator comments, printed newspapers, 'my up'; 'I think guilty'; 'he hanged.' 12 remarkable understatement, 'impartial hard find.' consisted 430 persons. itself 268 challenges fixed petitioner; 103 conscientious objection imposition penalty; 20, maximum allowed, peremptorily challenged State; persons alternates selected rest personal grounds, e.g., deafness, doctor's orders, etc. 2,783-page record 370 90% point (10 never asked whether entertained guilt—ranging intensity suspicion absolute certainty. number place dock theirs want 13 'pattern prejudice' shown community, cf. Stroble 343 181, 72 599, 96 872, clearly reflected sum total majority finally box. Eight guilty. With permeating minds, difficult say exclude preconception deliberations. influence lurks persistent unconsciously fights detachment processes average man. Delaney Cir., 199 107, 39 A.L.R.2d 1300. Where one's stake accounting frailties human nature—we circumstances here meet standards. Two-thirds familiar material involved, attributed him, going far take overcome belief. 'could give defendant benefit doubt innocent.' 'somewhat' certain guilt. No sincere psychological impact requiring declaration fellows father. many, times, prejudice, statement little weight. put it, 'You can't forget you hear see.' stake, too tried atmosphere undisturbed huge wave passion than two-thirds admit, testimony, possessing belief 599; Shepherd Florida, 341 50, 549, 95 740 (concurring opinion); Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 43 265, 543. 14 detention pursuant void judgment therefore entitled freed therefrom. judgments vacated latter. still custody charging degree indictment. power, 'dispose matter justice require.' 2243, 2243. predecessors section, 'this delayed discharge reasonable time necessary rendered, defects corrected.' Mahler Eby, 264 32, 46, 44 283, 549. Therefore, remand, enter orders consistent Grandsinger Bovey, D.C., 201, 240, allow retry Chessman Teets, 354 156, 1127, 1253; Dowd Cook, 340 206, 262, 215; Tod Waldman, 266 113, 45 85, 69 195. 15 Vacated remanded. 16 FRANKFURTER, concurring. 17 Of I agree Court's opinion. is, unfortunately, isolated happened nor atypical miscarriage anticipatory r ial instead 18 More student society expressed view least significant quality civilization treatment charged crime, offenses passions community. rightful boasts burden establishing produced assuring all procedure. rudimentary determining inevitably wanting sit fellow comes task ineradicably poisoned him. How fallible men women reach disinterested exclusively heard when, entered box, minds saturated designed accused. secured obviously constitutes 19 Not Term passes importuned convictions, country, substantial claims distorted accounts—too often, prosecutor's collaboration—exerting pressures potential trial, thereby making extremely difficult, impossible, capable taking in, free prepossessions, submitted open Indeed extraneous influences, decencies guaranteed Constitution, sometimes powerful forced, practical matter, forego Maryland Baltimore Radio Show, 338 912, 915, 70 252, 253, 94 562. reason undertake envenomed prosecutions. But, again again, disregard fundamental fairness flagrant compelled, week ago, reverse prejudicial intrusion outcome. Janko 716, 1662, 846; see 360 310, 1171, 1250. 198, 872 (dissenting opinion). yet administration subordinated safeguard system—freedom press, conceived. while reversed miscarriages result poisoned, poisoner protected plying trade. Section 2241 provides part: '(a) Writs district courts within respective jurisdictions. '(c) extended prisoner '(3) laws treaties Burns' Ind.Stat.Ann., 1956 Replacement Vol., 9—1305, 'When affidavits founded defendant, punishable death, may, discretion, convenient county. Provided, (1) granted.' '(L)ight impressions fairly supposed yield offered; consideration constitute juror; impressions, close offered opposition them; combat resist force, him.' 'Challenges cause.—The following good causes challenge person called trial: 'Second. defendant. states parties thereupon proceed examine oath opinion; appears statements, communications, comments reports, rumors hearsay, conversation witnesses transaction, reports testify, feels able, evidence, satisfied verdict, admit competent case.' 9—1504.

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