Document: 442 U.S. 510 99 S.Ct. 2450 61 L.Ed.2d 39 David SANDSTROM, Petitioner,v.State of MONTANA. No. 78-5384. Argued April 18, 1979. Decided June Syllabus Based upon a confession and other evidence, petitioner was charged under Montana statute with "deliberate homicide," in that he "purposely or knowingly" caused the victim's death. At trial, argued that, although killed victim, did not do so knowingly," therefore guilty deliberate homicide. The trial court instructed jury "[t]he law presumes person intends ordinary consequences his voluntary acts," over petitioner's objection such instruction had effect shifting burden proof on issue purpose knowledge. found guilty, Supreme Court affirmed, holding to defendant by means presumption is prohibited, allocation "some proof" permissible. Finding question sole produce " evidence intend acts, disprove acted held violate due process standards. Held: Because may have interpreted challenged as conclusive, like presumptions Morissette v. United States, 342 246, 72 240, 96 L.Ed. 288, States Gypsum Co., 438 422, 98 2864, 57 854, persuasion, Mullaney Wilbur, 421 684, 95 1881, 44 508, because either interpretation would violated Fourteenth Amendment's requirement State prove every element criminal offense beyond reasonable doubt, unconstitutional. Pp. 514-527. (a) determined way which juror could it, state court's its legal import. Pp.514,517. (b) Conclusive "conflict overriding innocence endows accused extends crime," Morissette, supra, at 275, 255, they "invad[e the] factfinding function," 446, 2878, case assigns jury. announced well exactly these consequences, since finding one crime (causing death), facts insufficient establish second (the voluntariness "ordinary consequences" action), reasonably concluded it directed find against intent. thus forced "beyond DOUBT . EVERY FACT NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTe charged," re Winship, 397 358, 364, 90 1068, 1072, 25 368, deprived constitutional rights. 521-523. (c) A which, persuasion petitioner, suffered from similar infirmities. If this manner, slaying, additional themselves establishing intent, then shifted lacked requisite mental state. Such constitutionally deficient Mullaney, supra. P.524 (d) Without merit State's argument word "intends" referring only "purpose," convicted solely for "knowledge" without considering might relied tainted all. First, clear "intends". More significantly, even if ignored presumption, cannot be certain what do, verdict general one. 525-526. (e) Since whether jury's reliance constituted, ever harmless error are issues were considered Court, will reach them an initial matter. 526-527. 176 Mont. 492, 580 P.2d 106, reversed remanded. Byron W. Boggs, Helena, Mont., petitioner. Michael T. Greely, Atty. Gen., respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 presented whether, intent charged, instruction, "the violates doubt. 2 * On November 22, 1976, 18-year-old Sandstrom confessed slaying Annie Jessen. corroborating December Mont.Code Ann. § 45-5-102 (1978), knowingly death Jessen." App. 3.1 Sandstrom's attorney informed client admitted killing Jessen, homicide" but lesser crime. Id., 6-8. basic support contention testimony two court-appointed health experts, each whom described time incident. demonstrated personality disorder aggravated alcohol consumption, kill Jessen knowingly."2 3 prosecution requested judge instruct acts." Petitioner's counsel objected, arguing has of" knowledge defense, "that impermissible Federal Constitution, law." 34. He offered provide number federal decisions objection, including Court's 508 (1975), told judge: "You can give those overruled." delivered, homicide, id., 38, sentenced 100 years prison. 4 appealed Montana, again contending disproving violation In 368 (1970), Patterson New York, 432 197, 97 2319, 53 281 (1977). conceded cases prohibit "do ofsome circumstances." 497, 109 (1978). view, "[d]efendant's 5 some 'purposely' 'knowingly,' does standards defined Constitution ." Ibid. (emphasis added). Both courts held, variety rationales, giving here fatal validity conviction.3 We granted certiorari, 439 1067, 832, 59 31 (1979), decide important instruction's constitutionality. reverse. II 6 threshold inquiry ascertaining analysis applicable kind determine nature describes. See Ulster County Allen, 140, 157-163, 2213, 2224-2227, 60 777 (1979). That determination requires careful attention words actually spoken jury, see 157-159, n. 16, S.Ct., 2225, been accorded rights depends instruction. 7 Respondent argues, first, merely permissive inference—that is, allowed require draw conclusions about defendant's actions—and inferences constitutional. Brief 3, 15. These arguments need detain us long, respondent admits "it's possible" believed required apply presumption. Tr. Oral Arg. 28. jurors They choice, infer conclusion; presumed it. It easily viewed mandatory. generally Wharton, 139 U.S.App.D.C. 293, 298, 433 F.2d 451, 456 (1970); Green 132 98, 99, 405 1368, 1369 (1968). also Rule Evidence 301(a).4 8 alternative, urges mandatory rather than inference, conclusively rebutted. satisfied trigger unless contrary. Moreover, according State, all rebut "some" contrary evidence; "prove" Thus, "[a]t most, placed production petitioner," "did shift respect any .." Again, contends limited pass muster. 9 review respondent's point either, however, we reject characterization well. concedes there "risk" once having act voluntary, interpret automatically directing 29. numerous "have differed when given further explanation use jury," more production, conclusive effect. 17. Nonetheless, authoritative reading resides Montana. And argues 497-498, added), decisively established most affected going forward intent—that production.5 10 course, final authority weight law, intended convinced misled given, requiring satisfy production. rebutted, simple presentation nor rebutted Given common definition "presume" "to suppose true proof," Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 911 (1974), lack qualifying instructions discount possibility stringent ways. 11 "conclusive," technically all, irrebuttable direction triggering Alternatively, actions (and their "ordinary" consequences), proved quantum considerably greater effectively Numerous warned type just 451 Berkovitz 213 468 (CA5 1954); Roberts, 88 Wash.2d 337, 341-342, 562 1259, 1261-1262 (1977) (en banc); War britton, 211 Kan. 506, 509, 506 1152, 1155 (1973); Hall 49 Ala.App. 381, 385, 272 So.2d 590, 593 (Crim.App.1973). Chiantese, 560 1244, 1255 1977). case, Montana's own Rules expressly overcome "by preponderance presumption." 301(b)(2).6 shifts ultimate intent.7 12 permissive, or, mandatory, come rebuttal. However, fact persuasion-shifting proceed latter interpretations. kinds constitutional, adjudged valid.8 U.S., 159-160, 17, 2226, 175-176, 2234 (POWELL, J., dissenting); Bachellar Maryland, 564, 570-571, 1312, 1315-1316, 570 Leary 395 6, 31-32, 89 1532, 1545-1546, 23 (1969); Carpenters 330 395, 408-409, 67 775, 782, 91 973 (1947); Bollenbach 326 607, 611-614, 66 402, 404-405, 350 (1946). line urged exemplified provides appropriate mode presumptions.9 III stated: 13 "Lest remain doubt stature reasonable-doubt standard, explicitly hold Due Process Clause protects conviction except necessary constitute charged." 1073 14 Accord, 210, 2327. committed purposely knowingly, 45-5-102(a) 42. homicide.10 Indeed, lone causing questions controverting, introduced points. "intent" sufficient element.11 before relieving enunciated Winship critical mind. conclude possible interpretations set out above, precisely result, represents error. 15 consider first This least prior occasions. 288 (1952), willful knowing theft Government property. Although 'the taking must felonious intent'," ruled '[t]hat act.' 249, 243. After concluding after declaring "[w]here ingredient existence issue," held: 16 "It follows withdraw prejudge raises act. often tempting cast terms 'presumption' conclusion thinks probable facts. [But] [w]e think presumptive no place case. overthrow eliminate offense. permit assume isolated should volition. make assumption together logically proven artificial fictional conflict crime." 274-275, 255-256. (Emphasis added; footnote omitted.) 17 Just last Term, 854 reaffirmed Morissette. defendants, who violations Sherman Act, following instruction: 18 "The natural acts. Therefore, exchanges pricing information raise, fix, maintain stabilize prices, parties presumed, matter result." 430, 2869. 19 determining included 20 "[A] mind antitrust taken trier through wrongful prices. Cf. 21 22 "Although prices inference probability consequence acted, free accepting rejecting inference. [U]ltimately decision left alone. invaded function." 435, 2872, 2878 Hickory 160 408, 327, 332, 40 474 (1896). 24 As "invade [the] function" consequences. Upon 1073, explicated Winship. defendant, (1975). charge murder, Maine malice. 'malice aforethought essential indispensable murder.' 686, 1883. homicide both intentional unlawful, malice implied fair heat passion sudden provocation. recounted Terms ago "[t]his unanimously agreed Appeals Wilbur's casting him proving provocation." 214, 2329. "a defendant" 215, 2330. judge's constituting burden-shifting right IV 26 proposed alternative rationales affirming conviction, notes knowingly."12 35 provided "intends," "purpose." "knowledge," relevant "purpose", needed rely 27 accept argument. matter, bearing purpose. said 445, 2877, traditionally bifurcated concept embracing specific awareness." LaFave & A. Scott, Criminal Law 196 (1972). 28 But, do.13 one, basis unconstitutional "[i]t long settled submitted theories unconstitutionality aside. See, e. g., Stromberg California, 283 359, 51 532, 75 1117 (1931)." 1545-1546. 1315-1316; Brotherhood 782; 404-405. 29 Respondent's constituted Chapman 386 87 824, 705 (1967), psychiatrist's possessed 4-13. reply, state, amply supported Petitioner 15-16, event never error, 408 -409, 614, 615, 405-406. none decline here. Moore Illinois, 434 220, 232, 458, 54 424 (1977); Coleman Alabama, 399 1, 11, 1999, 2004, 387 (1970). will, remand desires. Accordingly, judgment reversed, remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 30 ordered. REHNQUIST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring. 32 Amendment prohibits depriving liberty guarantees charged. I am loath go into business parsing courts, consistently recognized, single judged isolation, context overall charge." Cupp Naughten, 414 141, 146-147, 94 396, 400, 38 (1973). surely had, "merely inference," ante 514, conceivably run afoul cited But majority my Brethren "it mandatory," ante, 515, oral 'it's possible' Ante, 514-515. 33 While continue doubts particular attentively attuned divined difference recognized lawyers between "infer" "presume," defer meaning concur judgment. provides: "45-5-101. (1) commits purposely, negligently causes another human being. "(2) mitigated negligent "45-5-102. Deliberate Except 45-5-103(1), constitutes if: "(a) initially filed notice "mental disease defect excluding responsibility" defense. defense "unable appreciate criminality conduct conform requirements 46-14-101 withdrawn "unable" form killing. Chappell 270 274 (CA9 1959); Bloch 221 786 1955); Wardlaw 203 884 1953); Warbritton, 1152 addition, Courts ordered District delete future cases. Garrett, 574 778 (CA3 1978); 1244 standard reference work instructions, E. Devitt C. Blackmar, Jury Practice Instructions (3d ed. 1977), describes "clearly erroneous," "reversible error," 448. "Rule 301. Presumption defined. made group otherwise action proceeding." added.) For purposes argument, applied note, quite differently rests prosecution. Vuitch, 402 62, 7, 1294, 1299, 601 (1971) ("evidence doubt"); McCormick, 338, p. 790, (2d 1972), 101, 34.1 (Supp.1978). note failure meet significantly different When fails favor results. failure, verdicts defendants Martin Linen Supply 430 572-573, 1349, 1355, 642 Mims 375 135, 148 1967). Code 26-1-602 (1978) states: '[D]isputable presumptions' controverted evidence. kind: "3. act." 301 "(b)(2) All presumptions, disputable controverted. Unless overcome, assumed accordance Monaghan Standard Motor 165, 173-174, 378, 379-380 (1934). Attorney General "admittedly states evidence." 30. not, cite dispute law. serves man—here, apparently, drafter Evidence—could potential removed trial. innocent until deceased knowingly. 34-35; 21. rhetorically sets indicating satisfied. example, 703 31, 1892, (1975) ("These procedural devices (in presumption) met satisfactorily facts"). our result presumptions. Another deals (1979); Barnes 412 837, 93 2357, 37 380 Turner 396 398, 642, 610 Romano, 382 136, 86 279, 210 (1965); Gainey, 63, 85 754, 658 Roviaro 353 53, 77 623, 639 (1957); Tot 319 463, 63 1241, 1519 (1943). involve variety. 157, 2224-2225, 16; 169, 2231 1892 (1975); 35, 1547; 629; 831 1972). older equally inapplicable. Agnew 165 36, 50, S.Ct 235, 41 624 (1897), stated problems cured whole. proffered simply involved comments presuming action. Radio Officers NLRB, 347 45, 74 323, 455 (1954); Cramer 325 65 918, 933, 1441 (1945). Reynolds 145, 167, 244 (1879) (religious polygamy defense). McKenzie, 177 280, 327-328, 581 1205, 1232 "In Sections 94-5-102(1)(a), 94-5-101(1), R.C.M.1947. statutorily elements offense, being you cause being." Collins, 178 582 1179, 1184 ("committing 'purposely knowingly' homicide"). agrees "purpose" roughly synonymous, contests relevance "knowledge." 18; 8-9. problem discussed Part IV, infra. instructed: "INSTRUCTION NO. 'Knowingly' follows: acts circumstance defining aware exists. highly conduct. high existence. Equivalent 'knowing' 'with knowledge' same meaning. 'Purposely' conscious object engage 35-36. surprising With assistance easier former, reason believe deliberately undertaken difficult task.

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