Document: 350 U.S. 85 76 S.Ct. 167 100 L.Ed. 77 Amos REECE, Petitioner,v.STATE OF GEORGIA. No. 112. Argued and Submitted Nov. 9, 1955. Decided Dec. 5, Rehearing Denied Jan. 1956. See 943, 297. Mr. Daniel Duke, Atlanta, Ga., for petitioner. Messrs. Eugene Cook, Robert H. Hall, E. Freeman Leverett, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, Reece, a Negro, was convicted rape white woman in Cobb County, Georgia. He contends here that Georgia's rule practice requiring him to challenge composition grand jury before indictment violates Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed his conviction, 211 Ga. 339, S.E.2d 773, we granted certiorari because important issues involved, 349 944, 75 877. 2 Reece arrested on October 20, 1953, held county jail until three days later. On 24, day after indictment, two local attorneys were appointed by trial court defend him. 30, arraignment, moved quash ground Negroes had been systematically excluded from service jury. This motion overruled hearing. same day, petitioner tried, sentenced be electrocuted. properly denied because, practice, objections must made is returned, 210 578, 82 10, but reversed case another ground, not pertinent here, remanded it new trial. 3 Before second filed special plea abatement which alleged systematic exclusion commission, indicted petit about put upon also stated neither knowledge nor benefit counsel indictment. State's demurrer this sustained, again It judgment review. 4 At outset State us did apply writ within 90 first contention clearly without substance. A timely application review made, here. 28 U.S.C. § 1257, U.S.C.A. 1257. We have jurisdiction consider all substantial federal questions determined earlier stages litigation, Urie v. Thompson, 337 163, 172—173, 69 1018, 1025—1026, 93 1282, our right re-examine such affected ruling decision state became law case, Davis O'Hara, 266 314, 45 104, 105, 303. 5 over past 50 years has adhered view valid selection constitutionally protected right. defendant grand-jury members race denial equal protection laws. Patton Mississippi, 332 463, 68 184, 92 76; Norris Alabama, 294 587, 55 579, 79 1074; Rogers 192 226, 24 257, 48 417; Carter Texas, 177 442, 20 687, 44 839. Where no opportunity afforded defendant, may asserted or United States Gale, 109 65, 72, 1, 6, 27 857. Of course, if controverted supported evidence, supra; Martin 200 316, 26 338, 497. 6 mention these principles since contests merits Reece's claim exclusion. In hearing trial, he presented uncontradicted evidence support following facts: Negro served County previous 18 years; 1950 census showed population 55,606 6,224; 16,201 male citizens 21 age, 1,710 age. Petitioner's alleged, contradicted, there 534 names list number only six Negroes. Negroes, one reside other five testified proceeding. Two 80 age: partially deaf poor health. remaining 62 Each witnesses lived at least 30 years. None ever heard any serving county. Clerk Deputy boxes revised 1952, discrimination list, known serve County. 7 more, sufficient make strong showing sizeable county, fact all-white juries as long could remember, relatively few who would probably disqualified actual point 'ingenious ingenuous,' Smith 311 128, 132, 61 164, 84. placed burden refute it, supra, mere assertions public officials will suffice. Hernandez 347 475, 74 667, 98 866. However, do decide issue. say petitioner's prima facie constitutional claim. 8 provides when an 'accused commission penal offense committed jail, apprised charge against undergo investigation, incumbent raise competency jurors they find him.' State, 10. goes back 1882, Williams 11, consistently followed State. similar requirement considered Texas Code Criminal Procedure provided array impaneled anyone confined time would, request, brought into challenge. arraignment. Since indicted, 'never jury, entitled present objection relied quash.' U.S., page 447, 689. Carter, object presupposes exercise Michel Louisiana, 91, 158. 9 now turn see opportunity. sworn eight arrest. adjourned arrest reconvened later order whom presented. semi-illiterate low mentality. need whether, with assistance counsel, during But utterly unrealistic indicted. Powell 287 45, 53 55, 158, assignment prosecution under circumstances preclude giving effective aid preparation capital due process law. member Union disregard. should its merits. 10 disposition, necessary raised 11 cause further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 12 Reversed.

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