Document: 478 U.S. 570 106 S.Ct. 3101 92 L.Ed.2d 460 Jimmy C. ROSE, Warden, Petitionerv.Stanley Barham CLARK. No. 84-1974. Argued March 24, 1986. Decided July 2, Syllabus Respondent was charged with the murder of two persons arising from same incident. At his trial in a Tennessee state court he defended on ground, inter alia, that either insane or incapable forming requisite intent to kill victims. The instructed jury both first-degree murder, which requires proof premeditation and deliberation under law, second-degree malice but not planning premeditation. then "[a]ll homicides are presumed be malicious absence evidence would rebut implied presumption" "if State has proven beyond reasonable doubt killing occurred, it is done maliciously." found respondent guilty one victim other. Court Appeals affirmed, rejecting respondent's argument instruction impermissibly shifted burden as malice. sought habeas corpus relief Federal District Court, held unconstitutional Sandstrom v. Montana, 442 510, 99 2450, 61 39, wherein creating presumption effect eliminating an issue, shifting defendant, violates due process. went find error could deemed harmless because had "relied upon mens rea defense." United States affirmed. Held: 1. harmless-error standard Chapman California, 386 18, 87 824, 17 705, reviewing should set aside otherwise valid conviction if may confidently say, whole record, constitutional question doubt, applies erroneous this case. opportunity present argue support innocence, tried by impartial jury, supervised judge, and, instruction, clearly every element first- murder. In context, does compare kinds errors automatically require reversal conviction. "so basic fair trial" never harmless. purpose behind rule ensuring only punished supports conclusion. Nor equivalent directed verdict for State, since when presume predicate facts, still must existence those facts doubt. Pp. 3105-3108. 2. Although authority decide whether, particular case, standard, so sparingly. Accordingly, yet applied case remanded determine whether 3109. 762 F.2d 1006, vacated remanded. POWELL, J., delivered opinion BURGER, C.J., WHITE, REHNQUIST, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion, post, p. ---. STEVENS, judgment, BLACKMUN, dissenting BRENNAN MARSHALL, joined, W.J. Michael Cody, Nashville, Tenn., petitioner. Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Washington, D.C., U.S., amicus curiae, special leave Court. Scott Daniel, Murfreesboro, respondent. Justice POWELL 1 This presents 705 (1967), instructions violate principles 39 (1979), Francis Franklin, 471 307, 105 1965, 85 344 (1985).1 2 * On December 30, 1978, Charles Browning Joy Faulk were shot death while they sat Browning's pickup truck remote area Rutherford County, Tennessee. Stanley Clark, Faulk's former boyfriend, murders. 3 introduced at showed Browning, Faulk, young children (aged 6 3) been driving County night According older child, another vehicle followed about hour. pulled into private driveway, apparently let other pass. driver second thereby blocking any exit. left vehicle, walked up cab truck, fired four shots point-blank range. One struck head, others fourth shoulder. killer scene vehicle. Both died. 4 children, who shot, help, telling local resident "Clicker" (the nickname knew respondent) their mother. Earlier night, police seen following truck. Police soon located respondent, apprehended him after high-speed chase. weapon, .25-caliber pistol borrowed friend, near home. trial, relied foregoing showing stormy love affair ended fall 1978. Several times breakup, threatened ever her man. 5 offered lines defense. First, contended Sam Joy's ex-husband, killed victims dispute concerning custody children. rebutted contention introducing no such existed, elsewhere murders committed. Second, argued criminal intent. To argument, suffering amnesia remember events addition, some testimony suggested drinking heavily entire day before Finally, defense psychiatrists testified legally time committed depression recent breakup made impossible conform conduct law. close elements Under deliberation, court's defined "an do injury another, design formed mind doing mischief another." App. 186. Malice did premeditation; "upon sudden impulse passion" sufficed harm another. Id., 187. jury: 7 "All presumption. Thus, . maliciously. But direct circumstantial evidence, both, regardless Defendant, exists State." Ibid. 8 Browning. 9 Criminal affirmed convictions, malice.2 Middle violated right have guilt proved Montana.3 defense" contesting guilt. 611 F.Supp. 294, 302 (1983). 10 Sixth Circuit affirmed.4 agreed Sandstrom. Turning harmless, reasoned contested burden-shifting governing precedent. Pet. Cert. A-5 (citing Engle Koehler, 707 241, 246 (CA6 1983), aff'd equally divided 466 1, 104 1673, 80 (1984)). reached conclusion "despite substantial petitioner's guilt," added: 11 "Were we writing clean slate, our inquiry Powell (dissenting) Connecticut Johnson, 97 n. 5, 103 983 5: 12 " 'the dispositive can say unnecessary rely presumption.' 13 "If might able respond affirmative." A-6. 14 nevertheless order granting relief. We granted certiorari limited Appeals' analysis correct.5 474 816, 59, 88 48 (1985). II A. 15 rejected dimension necessarily convictions. And Chapman, "we repeatedly reaffirmed principle doubt." Delaware Van Arsdall, 475 673, 681, 1431, 1436, 89 674 (1986). That wide variety errors. E.g., id., 684, S.Ct., 1438 (failure permit cross-examination witness bias); Rushen Spain, 464 114, 118, 453, 455, 78 267 (1983) (per curiam ) (denial trial); Hasting, 461 499, 508-509, 1974, 1980, 76 96 (improper comment defendant's failure testify); Moore Illinois, 434 220, 232, 98 458, 466, 54 424 (1977) (admission identification obtained violation counsel); Milton Wainwright, 407 371, 2174, 33 (1972) confession Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 52-53, 90 1975, 1981-1982, 26 419 (1970) Fourth Amendment). See also Hopper Evans, 456 605, 613-614, 102 2049, 2054, 72 367 (1982) finding prejudice give lesser included offense instruction). Our application these cases reflected denigration rights involved. Instead, emphasized earlier Term: 16 "The doctrine recognizes central factual Nobles, 422 225, 230 [95 2160, 2166, 45 141] (1975), promotes public respect process focusing underlying fairness rather than virtually inevitable presence immaterial error. Cf. R. Traynor, Riddle Harmless Error 50 ('Reversal error, its encourages litigants abuse judicial bestirs ridicule it')." supra, 1436. Despite strong interests doctrine, recognized without regard 23, 8, 828, citing Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 844, 975 (1958) (introduction coerced confession); Gideon 372 335, 83 792, 799 (1963) (complete denial Tumey Ohio, 273 47 437, 71 L.Ed. 749 (1927) (adjudication biased judge). limitation render fundamentally unfair. course provide counsel help accused defend against State's charge, supra. Compare Holloway 435 475, 488-490, 1173, 1180-1181, 55 426 (1978), Cuyler Sullivan, 446 348-350, 100 1708, 1718-1719, 64 333 (1980). Without protections, cannot reliably serve function determination see Alabama, 287 45, 53 55, 77 158 (1932), punishment regarded fair. Harmless-error thus presupposes represented counsel, judge jury.6 1436 (constitutional "in terms factfinding ") (emphasis added); 828 (error if, "did contribute obtained") added). 18 Similarly, presumably apply prosecution jury. stated "a prohibited entering judgment directing come forward how overwhelmingly point direction." Martin Linen Supply Co., 430 564, 572-573, 1349, 1355, 51 642 (citations omitted). Accord, Carpenters States, 330 395, 408, 67 775, 782, 91 973 (1947). stems Amendment's clear command afford trials serious cases. Duncan Louisiana, 391 145, 1444, 20 491 (1968). Where altogether denied, contend deprivation established guilt; wrong entity judged defendant guilty. 19 emphasized, however, there apply, exception rule. 509, 1980. adjudicator, occurred subject analysis. thrust many rules ensure lead correct judgments. record developed establishes interest satisfied As stated, "the Constitution entitles perfect one." 1436; B Applying difficult. received full put make claim innocence. He fairly selected, judge. Apart challenged Placed conviction.7 therefore issue here—an malice—is 828. 21 Montana logical extension Court's holding re Winship, 397 358, 1068, 25 368 (1970), prove "every fact necessary constitute crime [the defendant] charged" 364, 1073; Sandstrom, 520, 523, 2457, 2458; 313, 1970. criminally punished. last Term "protects 'fundamental value society,' given voice Harlan's concurrence 'it far worse convict innocent man go free.' Ibid., quoting 372, 1077 (Harlan, concurring). When nothing promote serves. 22 State.8 73, 96-97, 969, 982-983, 74 823 (POWELL, dissenting). cases, conclusively establish intent, rational relevant act intend cause injury. See, e.g., Lamb Jernigan, 683 1332, 1342-1343 (CA11 1982), cert. 1024, 1276, 75 496 event simply superfluous: found, Winship § words, necessary" 97, dissenting); Jeffries & Stephan, Defenses, Presumptions, Burden Proof Law, Yale L.J. 1325, 1388, 192 (1979). 23 No doubts properly infer conduct. 314-315, 1971-1972; Ulster Allen, 140, 157-163, 2213, 2224-2227, 60 777 Indeed, where exactly established.9 For purposes deciding enough recognize inference overpowering. 613, 2054.10 It further neither justice nor reverse case.11 accordingly hold one.12 III 24 acknowledged square Chapman. concluded contests A-5. turn conceded bore. Rather, "Chapman mandates consideration prior reversing harmless." 7, 1981, 7. "on [is] 1981. ("[B]efore federal declare belief doubt"); 983, dissenting) (in presumption"). denied another," 186, dispose question. "plainly authority" "do sparingly." remand doubt.13 IV vacated, proceedings consistent opinion. 27 ordered. 28 Chief concurring. 29 I join although need remanding 30 stalked car After trapping victims' range Two girls, aged 6, witnessed slaying. Their mother my view, demonstrates acted 31 judgment. 32 correctly concludes agree, dictum regarding nature analysis." Ante, 579. statement stands sharp contrast itself. 34 principal presented "whether error," 20, 826. questioning view always sufficiently create favor reversal, refused "to all errors, circumstances, harmful." 21, 827. Far announcing general exception, language: "We conclude setting unimportant insignificant may, Constitution, requiring automatic conviction." 22, 35 Thereafter heavier ordinary noted original common-law beneficiary suffer erroneously judgment." fashioned reference decision Fahy Connecticut, 375 85, 84 229, 171 (1963), stating: 36 "There little, any, difference between 'whether possibility complained contributed conviction' obtained. We, therefore, more adhere meaning hold, now do, While appellate courts ordinarily task applying test, familiar courts, believe adoption will workable achieving result aimed case." 37 Rather broad, new analysis, then, merely notion impermissible articulated rigorous determining presumptively prejudicial could, fact, 38 "rule" review, reasons it, adequate explanation current law sound what jurisprudence be. recognizes, remains inappropriate certain violations matter ---- - ----. 8. suggests inapplicability rests concerns reliability accuracy, applicability not, be, protect important values unrelated truth-seeking trial. racial discrimination selection grand juries intolerable even subsequently trial.1 Racial petit actual impact forbidden practice.2 admission though completely overwhelming.3 short, recently system, besides innocence determination.4 A coherent similarly values. 40 addition giving inadequate reliability, adopting broad corrosive administration justice. An review encourage prosecutors subordinate respecting ever-present powerful obtaining case.5 particularly striking apparent willingness forgive redound prosecutor's benefit conclusive trivial obstruct ability raise meritorious arguments.6 41 proper evenhanded approach convince me sweeping unnecessary, unsound. 42 primary protected holdings (1985), accurate kind inherently imprecise ill advised.7 follows doubt.8 43 concur 44 whom MARSHALL join, dissenting. Clark deprived rights: guaranteed Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment compel crimes charged, peers met burden. Today, focuses entirely disregards totally latter. bearing actually determination. "To [defendants are] entitled validity convictions appraised issues determined court." Cole 196, 202, 68 514, 517, 644 (1948). unfair took place, compelled perform constitutionally required role, rendered retrospect amounts sufficiency evidence. dissent applied. 46 indicted charges pleaded charges. crime. killings, recall, amnesia, connected alternatively, culpable mental illness intoxication. Defense counsel's opening psychiatric experts possessed directly malice, well three days heard raising Clark's capacity form rebutted. ." 187.1 instruct voluntary manslaughter 188. agreed, infirm (1979).2 A-1, A-7. sole ante, 576. like here, requirement 521, 2458. majority assumes, 576, 49 recognition tangential overlooked. 827, (1967). class "necessarily unfair," 577, amenable "Harmless-error analysis," according majority, "presupposes jury." deny process" "never 578, 6. archetypal examples acts 577-578; (1963); (1927). salient feature share effective play roles Amendments entity. 578. What today fails comprehend interfered jury's performance mandated role involved analytically indistinguishable finds Framers chose defendants, primarily regulating substance establishing procedures Underwood, Thumb Scale Justice: Burdens Persuasion Cases, 86 1299, 1317-1318 (1977). obligation each supra; assigns "solely 2459. duty with, 169, 2231, (1979) dissenting), delegated "Findings cure deficiencies resulting 95, [103 982, 3, 823] dissenting)." Cabana Bullock, 376, 384-385, 689, 696, 704; 517. allow arrogate itself Amendment, demand performed receives flawed, is, effect, return defendant. 84, 976 (plurality opinion). Because finder 'a direction.' invites abdicate responsibility likely accept invitation "there reason deliberately undertaken difficult task" evaluating presumption, 526, 2460, 13; rarely capable verdict: way knowing treated 2460; 175-176, 2234 dissenting).3 52 verdicts aptly illustrate why rea. people, together killed. used Yet distinct shows focused closely culpability, precise gave defective charge. flawed instruction. certainly possible did: perhaps sufficient convicted manslaughter, required. intent; "[a]n disputed renders irrelevant evidence." 976-977 adheres instructions, Parker Randolph, 62, 2132, 2139, 713 opinion), "lay know disregard judge's bad misguides them." Bollenbach 326 607, 66 402, 405, 350 (1946). true "[w]hen 580. truism beside trigger occurred." sine qua non responsibility, dead body. body, Winship's finding, crime," essential convicted. years ago ask "is spelt out standards" Constitution. 614, 406. danger Faced incorrect guilty, lacks basis function. asks answers question, dissent. (1983), appropriate 84-87, opinion) (such functional verdict" concedes intent), 95-99, 981-984 (Chapman error). 88, 978 (STEVENS, judgment) (joining affirmance state-court ground law). Johnson plurality conflict issue. 75, 971 (collecting cases). part views persisted. Compare, Tucker Kemp, 1496, 1501-1503 1985) (en banc) (applying analysis), 1022, 3340, 743 (1986), Hamilton, 721 1189, 1190-1191 (CA9 1983) (holding trial). that, almost immediately "presumption" charged: alleged you look circumstances If Defendant degree acquit offense." adequately informed jurors remained times. A-37 A-39. (1970). 523-524, decided shortly commenced. 296, reported 1006 unpublished. consider taken permissible decisions assume unconstitutional. Each cited aborted process, (use confession), altogether, (biased adjudicator). Unlike bias affect composition record. Evaluation prejudiced inquiries matters been, placed 490-491, 1181-1182, (1978). Consequently, inherent difficulty Frady, 152, 171-174, 1584, 1596-1597, 816 (evaluating "cause prejudice" Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 2497, 594 (1977)). "Because remove consideration, distinguishable instructional prevent considering issue." Jackson Virginia, 443 320, 14, 2781, 2790, 560 (suggesting reasonable-doubt harmless). Brooks 1383, 1423 (Kravitch, (emphasizing free conduct). offenses warranted claimed unintentional homicide during commission robbery. concluded: "It extraordinary perversion felon, engaged armed robbery, admits shooting back. supported intended victim, affirmatively negated victim. robbery warranted." 2054 (citation suggests, defy common sense execution-style violent torture-murder unintentionally. 99, 984, 5. think dissent, "asks question" Post, (opinion J.). agree progeny, court. addresses different question: theory, altered practice outcome? violations, affected considered—including mistaken silence, witness. All alter considered theoretically impair having dissent's argument—that forbids outcome, ----—logically implies immune contrary. (1986) (limitation cross-examination); improperly identification). beginning line improper 24-25, (finding silence harmful). These decisions, ignored strongly context contends count premeditated "aptly illustrate[s] inappropriate" merit. "intend[ing] take life" "with cool purpose." 185 (trial charge defining premeditation). malicious, premeditated, killing. Respondent's (and dissent's) theory led implausible face. remand. suggest killings prejudicial. parties disagree scope assessed particular, petitioner argues drunkenness murders, insanity disagrees. are, course, first instance, resolve them here. express assuming Vasquez Hillery, 254, 262, 617, 623, 598 ("[I]ntentional grave trespass, color authority, wholly within power prevent. remedy embraced over century—the violation—is disproportionate evil seeks deter"). Vasquez, explicitly suggestion reversed outcome prosecution." 269, 626 Rose Mitchell, 545, 2993, 739 Batson Kentucky, 476 79, 100, 1712, 1725, 69 ("If decides establish, prima facie, purposeful prosecutor neutral action, precedents reversed"). Turner Murray, 28, 37, 1683, 1689, ("The inadequacy voir dire [about prejudice] sentence vacated. unacceptable risk infecting capital sentencing proceeding"). Turner, stand evident 47, 1697 ("Nothing played jurors' deliberations"). 568, 850, ("[T]his uniformly apart confession, conviction, objection, vitiates Amendment"); "coerced confession" example Miller Fenton, 104, 109, 445, 449, 405 (1985) ("This long interrogation techniques, isolation unique characteristics suspect, offensive civilized system condemned Amendment"). Allen Hardy, 255, 259, 2878, 2880, 199 ("By serving procedures, truthfinding serves well. ensures discriminate citizens summoned sit member own race strengthens confidence Batson, designed 'serve multiple ends,' truthfinding"); 375, 2988, 2995, 296 privilege self-incrimination enjoined Fifth enhance determination; independent reasons"). Jackson, 429 1368, 1373 (CA7 1970) (Clark, sitting designation) (" 'Harmless error' swarming around 7th bees. Before someone stung, enforce Miranda letter obey diligence; presently alarming situation"). Lane, 438, 450-451, nn. 725, 732-733, 814 authorities criticizing expansive jurisprudence). Smith 477 527, 2661, 491, 1182, (1978) (harmless-error assessing joint representation 'unguided speculation' "); 16, 732, protections. 701, 1446, 978, judgment). subject. wording definition differed slightly text. differences immaterial, below identical, A-10, A-12, majority. mandatory presumptions, once rebuttable unless rebuts 517-518, 2455-56, (1979); 314, 1971, involves latter type. Where, use superfluous, "reviewing confident verdict." 87, 977

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