Document: 331 U.S. 532 67 S.Ct. 1394 91 L.Ed. 1654 UNITED STATESv.BAYER et al. No. 606. Argued April 2, 1947. Decided June 9, Rehearing Denied Oct. 13, See 68 29. Mr. Frederick Bernays Wiener, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Charles H. Tuttle, New York City, respondents, Samuel Bayer and others. Roger Robb, respondent, Walter V. Radovich. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a sordid three-sided case. The Government charged all defendants with conspiring to defraud by depriving it faithful services an Army officer. 18 U.S.C. § 88, U.S.C.A. 35 Stat. 1096. defendant Radovich, officer in question, admits receipt money from other questioned actions but denies conspiracy, claiming others induced him accept bribe. admit payment claim they were victims extortion jury found guilty recommended 'the highest degree clemency three defendants.' Court Appeals Second Circuit reversed.1 We granted Government's petition certiorari.2 2 principal facts are admitted contested inferences which decisive issue guilt. None testified. It would serve no purpose review evidence detail. justifies finding as follows: 3 brothers manufacturers yarn thread bore good names their circle. had sons service. One them, Martin, Melvin Usdan, nephew both Bayers, was involved this Martin's health not been robust. These two boys enlisted Air Corps on day learned last volunteer could select branch serve. They almost immediately assigned file clerks at Mitchel Field, Long Island. In January 1943, night club, Elias picked up acquaintance officers stationed there. interested obtaining uniforms wholesale. Bayers eventually aided them obtain paid though have understood that pay them. extended officers, there considerable entertainment. 1943 replacement men clerical positions Women's personnel impending one Col. Jacobson requested transfer these effect, it, assuring year's assignment Field. given dinner Waldorf presented four new automobile tires. 4 placed under command By July rumors receiving gifts Radovich old be transferred. wanted kept made his unit medical detachment same field, first disapproved then he accomplished exchange personnel. After made, some $1,900 or $2,000. 5 August again transferred, airborne engineers overseas duty. Both greatly concerned about besought friends among prevent it. gone. He joined Commando group high priority But several times talked Captain Pepper, charge personnel, transferring service Transport Command only continental United States. done. Then proposed use unit's higher requisition drop surplus, thereupon transferred domestic Pepper agreed might told 'worth while' get done see doing worth Pepper's while. 6 On November 22, requisitioned unit, report 25. Almost once also out Command. effected shortly. name unknown record $5,000 who sent $500. testified destroyed check. 7 draws, did jury, inference conspiracy. say used own extremely dangerous mission neither training nor aptitude, force Bayers. conspiracy pleads certain courtmartial proceedings bar. 8 whether tempted bribe coerced threats ways. gallant skillful flier explained conduct thus: 'I going very hot job didn't expect come back, wife baby, figured I just well take care them.' persons means, thoroughly frightened prospect combat areas, ready means foster boys' safety. Whether voluntary conspirators say, reversal does rest any inadequacy proof. grounds raise our consideration questions law. 9 1. error trial judge's unanimously said, 'There question accurate, albeit brief, statement law.' majority thought so cryptic difficult understand, if actually misleading laymen,' while Judge 'a welcome relief much judicial verbosity.'3 rested criticism alone. do consider objection amount reversible error. Once judge has accurate correct charge, extent its amplification must largely discretion. light whole before may feel repeat words make more clear, indulge variations confuse. How far technical law really those lay background ascertain, certainly evident living scene han c record. case asked rereading repeating instruction, court inquired anything desired amplified. Nothing suggested, although inquiry matters. While many judges we think within area discretion brevity. 10 2. won another ground. hours, returned instructions parts summations counsel read. declined read parts. point reopen put long distance call slip telephone company records. memorandum 24, assume spelled ticket 'Ravish,' Arlington, Virginia, Bayer's number York. tended corroborate secretary such Bayers' chief witness subject extortion. contradict witness. matter become importance because District Attorney's argument falsified her story. already, respondents' request, after instructed, check records showed collect-call Washington day, request stated show call. will proffered relevant, corroborative contentions, offer timely properly verified, exclusion prejudicial 11 item disputed. Attorney seen interpretation upon Counsel objected. To over him. admitted, Radovich's charged, benefit irregular conveyance information regularly proved. Moreover, offered authenticate slip. As pointed counsel, proposal merely hand 'an unverified company.' Even during offer, foundation testimony against objection, inadequate. identify support cut off cross-examination unreasonable concerning wished Arlington taken equivalent 'Ravish' evidence, hours deliberation likely distorted importance. surely chance comment summation having closed. defendant, who, cross-examine confronted seems faced dilemma, either grant mistrial start deny request. Certainly seeks thus destroy bring demand rules proof something excuse untimeliness. 12 Not proffer technically deficient, untimeliness appeared. true, doubt, surprised less effective evidene in. Miss Solomon, employee and, hence, witness, left carry burden proving without corroboration employer-defendants. defendants' right, should apparent every bolster credibility important. known companies keep seem easily obtained when for. refuse let unsworn, into submitted jury. judgment was, opinion, erroneous. 13 3. raises additional questions. concerns confession March 15 17, 1945. absence heard admitting thereafter most repeated confession. 14 distinction Burma, 24 years age, ordered Upon arrival 1944, arrest confined psychopathic ward station hospital. Here, time, denied callers, communication, comforts facilities needless Charges court-martial promptly served said required 70th Article War, 1542, magistrate arraignment charges preferred civil authorities. Military finally May 30, Meanwhile, restraint, September 6, 1944. Without more, inadmissible rule laid down McNabb v. States, 318 332, 63 608, 87 819, Anderson 350, 599, 829. received evidence. A second Agent Flynn Federal Bureau Investigation 1945, received, however, held 'patently fruit earlier one'4 equally inadmissible, citing Silverthorne Lumber Co. 251 385, 40 182, 64 319, A.L.R. 1426; Nardone 308 338, 60 266, 84 307. 16 At time confession, still Field 'administrative restrictions,' meant depart limits base leave. conversations F.B.I. agents. volunteered original meeting incorporate story statement. warned making second. labeled 'supplementary' 'basically' went refused produce statement, sustained him, examined material conflict between 17 Of course, accused cat bag confessing, what inducement, never free psychological practical disadvantages confessed. can back bag. secret good. sense, later always looked first. gone hold circumstances preclude use, perpetually disables confessor usable conditions removed. cases, relied Appeals, dd deal confessions quite different category control question. six months restraint labored leave permission. limitation freedom military discipline enough voluntarily fair warning invalid admission Cf. Lyons Oklahoma, 322 596, 1208, 88 1481. 4. Lastly, instituted bar prosecution ground double jeopardy. tried 29, convicted violating 95th 96th Articles §§ 1567, 1568, 41 806—807. offense unbecoming gentleman, prejudice order nature discredit each offense, specifications set forth payments effecting transfers indictment. plea overruled indictment War. jeopardy decided retrial doubt meanwhile raised status judgment. 19 identity indictment, likelihood distinguish carefully passing arrangement end, Grafton 206 333, 27 749, 51 1084, Ann.Cas. 640. soldier guard duty Philippines shot killed Filipinos. homicide acquitted. prosecuting attorney Islands filed Provincial 'assassination' identical facts. everything Philippine Courts constitute 20 here correctly ruled accuse offenses. recently reviewed offense. Pinkerton 328 640, 66 1180, 90 1489. Its essence agreement confederation commit crime, punishable overt act pursuit contemplated crime consummated. acts count proved substantive offenses, distinct itself. 644, 1182, proceedings, alone accused. No alleged specification transfers. part constituted separate establish offenses conviction each. overruled. 21 conclusion makes unnecessary decide disapproval errors trialand withou t ordering creates event available prosecution. 22 reversed affirmed. 23 FRANKFURTER affirm decision substantially reasons below Clark reversing which, carries 156 F.2d 964, pages 967—968. RUTLEDGE view affirmed insofar relates respondent court's opinion. 968—970. States Bayer, 964. 329 706, 354. page 967. 970.

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