Document: 341 U.S. 50 71 S.Ct. 549 95 L.Ed. 740 SHEPHERD et al.v.STATE OF FLORIDA. No. 420. Argued March 9, 1951. Decided April Messrs. Franklin H. Williams, and Robert L. Carter, New York City, for petitioners. Mr. Reeves Bowen, Tallahassee, Fla., respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The judgment is reversed. Cassell v. State of Texas, 339 282, 70 629, 94 839. 2 Justice JACKSON, whom FRANKFURTER joins, concurring in the result. 3 On 16th July, 1949, a seventeen-year-old white girl Lake County, Florida, reported that she had been raped, at point pistol, by four Negroes. Six days later petitioners were indicted and, beginning September 1, tried offense, convicted without recommendation mercy, sentenced to death.1 Supreme Court reviewing evidence guilt, said, 'As we study testimony, only question presented here which set witnesses would jury believe, is, State's or testimony as given defendant-appellants.'2 4 But projudicial influences outside courtroom, becoming all too typical highly publicized trial, brought bear on this with such force conclusion inescapable these defendants prejudged guilty trial was but legal gestrue register verdict already dictated press public opinion generated. 5 Newspapers published fact, attributed information sheriff, confessed. No one, including repudiated story.3 Witnesses persons called jurors said they read heard statement. However, no confession offered trial. rational explanations its nonproduction court are story false obtained under circumstances made it inadmissible use inexpedient.4 6 If prosecutor courtroom told accused confessed did not offer prove confession, undoubtedly have declared mistrial cited attorney contempt. court, defendant right be confronted who claimed witnessed it, cross-examine them, contradict their testimony. allowed an involuntary placed before jury, hesitate consider denial due process law reverse. When events take place defendant's counsel can meet them evidence, arguments, requests instructions, least preserve his objections record. 7 neither nor control admission if unproven, probably unprovable, 'confessions' put newspapers radio. Rights against him thereby circumvented. It hard imagine more prejudicial influence than release officer charged defendants' custody stating confessed, just statement, unsworn to, unseen, uncross-examined uncontradicted, conveyed jury. 8 This has recently gone long way disable judge from dealing interference process, Craig Harney, 331 367, 67 1249, 91 1546; Pennekamp 328 331, 66 1029, 90 1295; Bridges California, 314 252, 62 190, 86 192, though noted none cases involved And Court, strict construction Act Congress, held contemptuous any kind unless takes immediate presence Nye United States, 313 33, 61 810, 85 1172, last where well-calculated obstruction justice attempted. doubt felt helpless give real protection out-of-court campaign convict. freedoms so abused make fair locality impossible, judicial must protected removing forum beyond probable influence. Newspapers, enjoyment constitutional rights, may deprive These convictions, accompanied events, do civilized conception law. That alone sufficient, my mind, warrant reversal. 9 all. Of course, crime stirred deep feeling exploited limit press. first taken county jail County. A mob gathered demanded turned over it. By order quickly transferred safekeeping state prison, remained until about two weeks Meanwhile, burned home Shepherd's father mother other Negro houses. Negroes removed community prevent being lynched. National Guard out July 17 18 19, 116th Field Artillery summoned Tampa. abandoned homes fled. 10 Every detail passion-arousing headlines as, 'Night Riders Burn Homes' 'Flames From Homes Light Night Sky County.' many articles prejudicial, cartoon time grand picturing electric chairs headed, 'No Compromise—Supreme Penalty.' 11 Counsel motions, one defer passion died change venue. denied. affirming conviction, observed 'The inflamed sentiment appellants rather race.'5 Such estimate seems charitable realistic, I cannot agree prejudice subsided 12 judge, anxious assure possible circumstances, evidently concerned violence He promulgated special rules limited number visitors those could seated, stand loiter hallways, stairways, parts courthouse thirty minutes convened after recessed, closed elevators except officers individuals sheriff gave permit, required each person entering countroom submit search, prohibited taking 'valise, satchel, bag, basket, bottle, jar, jug, bucket, package, bundle, item' floor courthouse, crutches, canes walking sticks inspection showed necessary aids, demonstrations nature various regulations, enforce end authorized employ deputies might necessary. precautions, however commendable, show reaction atmosphere permeated created mind judge. 13 situation record different, essentials, found Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 43 265, 543. Under reverse convictions upon sole ground method selection discriminated race, stress trivial ignore important. While discloses discrimination normal took conditions deny see, practical matter, how dared cause disagreement acquittal. chance acquittal courage decency some sturdy forthright sufficient standing face live down odium among neighbors vote, required, brought. To me, technical theoretical importance. case presents best examples worst menaces American justice. mercy Charles Greenlee, minor, he does appeal. fourth suspect, Ernest Thomas, killed resisting arrest. 46 So.2d 880, 885. An editor, explaining source statement article paper three said: '(T)he based daily papers, personal conversations people generally. * (I)f appear papers stood test correction, previous experience assume true. you attention appeared recollection denied period days. don't think ever denied.' defense offered, rejected completely irrelevant immaterial, brutal, inhuman beatings whose held. page 883.

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