Document: 354 U.S. 156 77 S.Ct. 1127 1 L.Ed.2d 1253 Caryl CHESSMAN, Petitioner,v.Harley O. TEETS, Warden. No. 893. Argued May 13, 1957. Decided June 10, Mr. George T. Davis, San Francisco, Cal., for petitioner. Deputy Atty. Gen. William M. Bennett, respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. Our writ certiorari in this case was limited to following question: 2 'whether, circumstances case, state court proceedings settle trial transcript, upon which petitioner's automatic appeal from his conviction necessarily heard by Supreme Court State California, petitioner allegedly not represented person or counsel designated behalf, resulted denying due process law, within meaning Fourteenth Amendment Constitution United States.' 353 928, 720, 722. 3 We believe that a mere statement facts long-drawn-out criminal litigation, material issue now before us, will suffice show why we have reached conclusion judgment Appeals, affirming divided court1 discharge habeas corpus herein, must be vacated, and remanded further proceedings. 4 In 1948, petitioner, jury Superior Los Angeles County, convicted series felonies under multi-count indictment, sentenced death two counts charging him with kidnaping purpose robbery, infliction bodily harm, violation § 209 California Penal Code. capital cases provides 'an is automatically taken defendant without any action counsel,'2 such 'the entire record shall prepared.'3 The affirmed court. People v. Chessman, 38 Cal.2d 166, 238 P.2d 1001. 5 At insisted defending himself, repeatedly refused court's offer counsel, although he did at disposal services deputy public defender, who acted as 'legal adviser' present table throughout trial. About month after trial, official reporter suddenly died, having time completed dictation into recording machine what later turned out 646 1,810 pages transcript. Following denial motion new trial,4 there ensued preparation settlement transcript constituting appellate subsequently appeal. It prepared settled give rise confronting us. 6 instance district attorney charge approval judge, one Stanley Fraser, former colleague deceased reporter, Perry, employed September 1948 transcribe uncompleted portion Perry's shorthand notes, amounting 1,164 finally transcribed. November unsuccessfully sought halt on ground notes could transcribed reasonable accuracy.5 Fraser accordingly went forward work, occupied it over next several months. A 'rough' draft submitted judge February 1949, but made available had requested furnished him. After been gone attorney, filed final form April 11, copy then sent Quentin Prison. Thereafter list some 200 corrections same moved 7 'a hearing ordered * enable (petitioner) determine actually ability read showing not, challenge as, usable point many inaccuracies omissions prove these omissions, matters *.' 8 papers stated 'not yet opportunity confer legal advisor during consequently has hesitant error certain instances until verified advisor.' 9 Petitioner's denied matter continued proceed an ex parte basis conclusion. hearings held 1, 2, 3, Fraser's testimony accuracy transcription allowing 80 listed heard. attacking adequacy proceedings, complaining, among other things, permitted appear While pending, August 18, reference record, witnesses were examined. Again, either counsel. sufficiency thus settled, upheld Court, first just mentioned, 35 455, 218 769, 19 A.L.R.2d 1084, conviction, 10 On October 17, 1955, reversing District application corpus, fraud summarily dismissed 350 76 34, 100 L.Ed. 4.6 This no shown. Judge Goodman reveals additional none disputed State, ably conscientiously here: substitute uncle marriage fact neither nor aware when approved preparing worked close collaboration prosecutor, also police officers, testified their testimony. latter episodes likewise unknown courts they officers concerned alleged confession, subject dispute inaccuracies, already related appeared destroyed obtain proceedings.7 11 Under summarized, hold violated constitutional right procedural process. think entitled those See Powell Alabama, 287 45, 68, 53 55, 63, 158; Snyder Commonwealth Massachusetts, 291 97, 105, 54 330, 332, 78 674; compare Dowdell States, 221 325, 331, 31 590, 592, 55 753; Schwab Berggren, 143 442, 449, 12 525, 527, 36 218; see Cole Arkansas, 333 196, 201, 68 514, 517, 92 644. If chose deny request propria persona, became incumbent appoint Cf. supra. cannot agree refusal constituted waiver proceedings.8 Moreover, least doubtful whether, process, would effective relieve duty connection necessary9 integral part compulsory provided cases.10 need decide question, however, fails ever waived record. Nor can regard Goodman, both personally present, curing lack considered our order restricted inquiry whether tainted fraud, such, proceeding.11 accept fully Goodman's finding fraud. Even so, remains never day controversial issues law involved affirmed. 13 By means are understood saying shown inaccurate incomplete. All that, consistently California's affirmance seriously whose voice determining, allowed stand.12 Without blinking history presents sorry chapter annals delays administration justice,13 allow circumstance deter us withholding relief so clearly called for.14 occasions found necessary say requirements Due Process Clause respected, how heinous crime question guilty accused may ultimately guilt established accordance procedure demanded Constitution. Evidently needs repeated overriding responsibility late exist. disregard because others, eve execution. deaf all suggestions valid Constitution, even man, comes too late, courts, including earlier able enforce demands. proponent States. 14 given careful consideration nature granted. affording review litigated satisfying do simply remand acted. task properly courts. federal position might decisive particularly view unusual character here involved. conclude, therefore, proper course vacate judgments Appeals instructions enter orders appropriate take inconsistent opinion, failing discharged. Dowd 340 206, 209—210, 71 262, 263—264, 95 215. ordered. 15 Judgments vacated instructions. 16 BURTON dissents believes accorded 17 CHIEF JUSTICE took decision case. 18 DOUGLAS, whom CLARK concurs, dissenting. I general principle announced But misapplied here. Its results, fear, needless detour appeals.1 20 like innocent, complaint timely tardy. should respect man's whenever however presented My difficulty announces. dissent based substance, satisfied, require more exalt technicality. 21 To technically accurate. whole story. Chessman settled. lawyer, again state-appointed lawyer represent played active role early suggestions. That fine-footh comb evident reading odd prepared. Of proposals, about adopted rest refused.2 Some proposals specific, calling attention use wrong word phrase. Many specific. merely said reported version garbled incomplete inaccurate. These generalized criticisms When criticism, once indicate omitted prejudice shown, episode distorted where date name confused account Errors minor inconsequential major fatal. From says impossible conclude important, significant prejudicial taken. Certainly pointed none. Only vague assertions made. Not finger placed crucial attempted Chessman's prejudice. irresistible playing game stalling while grow cold. 22 Much prosecutor reconstructing talked State. Those conceivably Yet does way words witness critical cause know connivance between Teets, 138 F.Supp. 761. And findings challenge, grant certiorari. What told—and told—is Error presumed represented. presume contrary, since submit errors reconstructed came up single omission, distortion, falsification, mistake, reasonably prejudicial. 23 good illustration concerns main appeal—the so-called confession obtained Chessman. admissible California. 178—182, 1001, 1008—1011. petition brought 1951 Term. problem effect prolonged detention voluntary type Haley Ohio, 332 596, 302, 224; Watts Indiana, 338 49, 69 1347, 93 1801; Turner Pennsylvania, 62, 1352, 1810; Harris South Carolina, 1354, 1815. 343 915, 72 650, 96 1330. 24 claimed claims now—that asserted if wholly accurate, obvious involuntary, debatable. 25 shows incommunicado hours arraignment. During beaten extent. interrogated off police. oral arraigned. paper rebut He example, allege longer than hours. often severely shows. assert periods subjected greater ordeal states. certainly knows not. 26 advances fact, assertion, evidence case—and my mind most important one—the distorted. accuracy, error, insist make inaccuracy send back reconstruction. 27 long specifically omission His set predicated conspiracy expunged specific remarks mentioned And, contentions, found: 28 '8. 21, correctly accurately Fraser. instruct statements false perjurious. 29 '9. allegation instructing them, 'this worse (sic) criminals statement. Hence correct statement.' 765—766. 30 repeat, helpless man participate real, vivid sense term. entered appointment stage utterly helpless, idea required sending criticism. accepted.3 not.4 Since power requires. declined asking only hearing. jurisdiction greatly fire recent years. hate abolished curtailed Congress. done high service justice. uncommonly darkly obliquely issue. Perhaps, Massey Moore, 348 raised Perhaps failed clearly. full known. poorly focused charge. developed; perhaps basic defect laid bare. Such, situation Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 43 265, 67 543; Wade Mayo, 334 672, 1270, 1647; Leyra Denno, 347 556, 74 716, 98 948, miscarriages justice prevented through corpus. Pollak, Proposals Curtail Federal Habeas Corpus Prisoners: Collateral Attack Great Writ, 66 Yale L.J. 50. 32 fragile grounds rests jeopardize ancient prosecutions. states theory ideal cry against its received again. reviews every seven times. four times.5 vote failure let acting him, jurisdiction6 (as issue), granted 19, 1950. 9, 840, 29, 616. Nearly years return precisely 33 appeal, Carter Edmonds dissented stating necessity reqired 468—473, 776—780, 1084. me makes law. today ruling. order, delay, seems futility. remembered 1948—over nine ago. difficult how, lapse time, memory participant (if still alive) sharp enough meaningful. meddle mischievously today. act remedy injustice demonstrated. considered, seize technicality undo sustained guard jealously, using prevent gross miscarriage APPENDIX 34 Before augmenting correcting dismissal 1950, augmentation insofar added voir dire examination jurors prosecutor's opening Further denied. 12, opinion. July 31, 98, Misc., 1950 petition, urged objections Certiorari petitioned States Northern equitable relief. December 4, discharged petition. 27, leave forma pauperis, and, January 1951, certificate probable cause. Ninth Circuit pauperis. file contended enjoined deciding pending 14, 1951. 341 929, 800, 1359. 20, 1952. 371, manner factual contentions prepare introduced coerced, prosecution unfairly defense unreasonably hampered statute unconstitutional. March Rehearing 28, 937, 773, 1344. 37 1952, 1953. People, 205 F.2d 128. Petition 239, 1953 Here, below forced go unprepared, coerced confessions misconduct. determined inadequacies which, alleged, fraudulently giving 346 916, 278, 412. 1954. 908, 430, 1066. 16, 1954, written are: re 296, 273 263; 391, 274 645; 408, 645, 655. 285, 1954 judge. 25, 'without Court.' 864, 75 85, 681. 39 applied Division 30, 1955. 128 600. Chief Denman Application 219 162. Circuit, sitting en banc, 7, decision. 276. 1955 deleted result fraudulent prosecuting reporter. 'vital proceedings' 'summarily ignored.' granted, reversed, allegations 4. 40 Hearings commencing 1956. commenced continuances. lasted days. Finding judge's reported, 239 205. seventh 566, 1956 Term.* certiorari, limiting deprived excluding Cir., dissented. West's Ann.Cal.Codes, Code, 1239(b). Rules Appeal, Rule 33(c), 28. Where making civil becomes reason disability statutes empower aside Code Civ.Proc., 953e. contains comparable provision. stenographer consideration, Chairman Executive Committee Reporters' Association wrote Board Supervisors respecting matter, follows: 'We purported county exorbitant per se, reflect adverse publicity group serious doubts furnish notes. Other reporters number examined studied portions completely indecipherable because, toward each session, illness. feel your attention.' five previous occasions, petitions note infra. Petitioner alleges relevant explored asserts, proved inability secure records attendance outside quoted State's brief, hardly supports claim continuing waiver: 'I wish intention (to myself) continue legally am qualified court-appointed attorney.' Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 464, 58 1019, 1023, 82 1461. granting proceeding, noted: 'How regards (of proceedings) certification correctness) apparent certification, gives discretionary Civil Procedure, quirk legislation apply cases. However, reporter's fortiori importance transcribed, death. Likewise emphasized sentences. 1239(b).' 162, 164. Counsel representations challenged informed argument customarily appoints otherwise state, comments foundation. context concerned, slow 'findings' possessing conclusiveness proceeding holding ourselves concluded Court's holdings adequate event, changed reviewed developed see, 161, 1130, supra, facts, others disclosed adversary squarely lead different denials 616; 1359; 1330; 412; 681, foreclose Brown Allen, 344 443, 73 397, 97 469. noted surrounding developed. Mooney Holohan, 294 103, 340, 79 791, hesitate deal rights Price Johnston, 266, 291, 1049, 1062, 1356. Appendix include relate burglary, acquitted. resolved favor defendant. Thus ruled 'The amendment suggested appellant, recollection appellant benefit doubt matter.' typical ruling objection 'Going page 1048, lines suggestion ought there. check indicates correct. overruled.' Occasionally follows cast terms: 'Page 866, nothing being assistance amending disallowed. happens impressed themselves strongly mind, quite satisfied verbatim asserted.' (In Chessman), Cal.App.1954, 936; (People Court), 44 279 24. Hamley, below. 200—210, 2.

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