Document: 520 U.S. 899117 S.Ct. 1793138 L.Ed.2d 97 William BRACY, Petitioner,v.Richard B. GRAMLEY, Warden. No. 96-6133. Supreme Court of the United States Argued April 14, 1997. Decided June 9, Syllabus * Petitioner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death before then-Judge Thomas J. Maloney, an Illinois judge who later convicted on federal charges taking bribes from criminal defendants. In this habeas petition, petitioner claims that Maloney had interest in his conviction deflect suspicion other murder cases during around time petitioner's trial, violated fair-trial guarantee Due Process Clause. The District denied both claim a supplemental discovery motion. affirming, Seventh Circuit held, inter alia, not shown "good cause'' for prove claim, as required by Rule 6(a) Rules Governing §2254 Cases. Held: has made sufficient factual showing, under Habeas Corpus 6(a), establish actual judicial bias case. Pp. ____-____. (a) Before addressing whether is entitled discovery, claim's essential elements must be identified. See v. Armstrong, 517 ----, 116 1480, 1488, 134 687. process requires fair trial without against defendant or outcome particular Maloney's acceptance defendants only rendered him biased State those cases, but also induced compensatory did bribe him, since he want appear "soft'' There no question that, if proved, such compensatory, camouflaging own case would violate due process. (b) good cause appropriate claim. usual presumption public officials have properly discharged their official duties been soundly rebutted here. show thoroughly corrupt. A Government proffer details corruption attorney judge. Additional evidence supports His former associate law practice familiar comfortable with corruption, announced ready just few weeks after appointment requested additional prepare penalty phase alleges appointed understanding object to, interfere with, prompt so could camouflage negotiations being conducted another Government's confirms sandwiched tightly between trials fixed. Although may unable obtain support finding showing discovery. Although, given facts case, it abuse discretion permit any provides scope extent matter confided Court's discretion. 81 F.3d 684 (C.A.7 1996), reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Gilbert H. Levy, Seattle, WA, petitioner. Barbara A. Preiner, Wheaton, IL, respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 Bracy role execution-style triple murder.1 cases. bribed "fixed'' trial. contends therefore here, Fourteenth Amendment's We hold cause,'' 2 one many dishonest judges exposed through "Operation Greylord,'' labyrinthine investigation Chicago. 71 645 1995), cert. denied, 519 117 295, 136 214 (1996); see generally Tuohy & R. Warden, Greylord: Justice, Chicago Style (1989). served 1977 until retired 1990, appears dubious distinction ever fixing case.2 bench, criminal-defense close ties organized crime often paid off App. 54-56; 684, 696 1996) (Rovner, J., dissenting) (" [B]y ascended bench 1977, well groomed art corruption''). Once judge, exploited relationships connections developed while bribing solicit himself. For example, Lucius Robinson, bailiff whom practice, Robert McGee, associates, "bag men,'' intermediaries, lawyers looking fix. Two lawyers, Cooley Swano, were key witnesses at supra, 650-652. 3 Federal conspiracy, racketeering, extortion, obstructing justice 1993. Four months later, filed petition Northern Illinois, claiming, among things, because "in order cover up fact [Maloney] accepted some [he] prosecution oriented cases.'' ex rel. Collins Welborn, 868 F.Supp. 950, 990 (N.D.Ill.1994). sought Specifically, (1) sealed transcript trial; (2) reasonable access prosecution's materials case; (3) opportunity depose persons associated Maloney; (4) chance search rulings pattern pro-prosecution bias.3 rejected motion concluding " [petitioner's] allegations contain insufficient specificity justify further discovery.'' Id., 991. 4 Appeals affirmed divided vote. court conceded "appearance impropriety'' reasoned appearance require new "provide[d] weak basis supposing original unreliable test issues presented decision it.'' F.3d, 688-689. Next, agreed theory-that "permeate[d] conduct''-was "plausible,'' id., 689, found "sufficiently compelling [an] empirical proposition'' presuming 690. Finally, held 28 U.S.C. 6(a). This because, court's view, even uncover sometimes came down hard "it followed '' 691 (emphasis added). event, added, failed "the probability slight program depositions aimed crooks accomplices . will yield evidence.'' Ibid.4 granted certiorari address whether, should judicial-bias 726, 643 (1997). now reverse. 5 petitioner, unlike civil litigant court, ordinary course. Thus, Harris Nelson, 394 286, 89 1082, 1088-1089, 22 281 (1969), we concluded "broad provisions'' Civil Procedure apply proceedings. however, All Writs Act, §1651, gave courts power "fashion modes procedure,'' U.S., 299, S.Ct., 1090, including dispose petitions "as require,'' 300, 1091. then recommended rule-making machinery invoked formulate rules respect corpus proceedings.'' n. 7, 1091, 7. Accordingly, 1976, promulgated Congress adopted Of relevance which provides: 6 SU22S"A party shall invoke processes available if, exercise grants leave do so, otherwise.'' 7 first identify "essential elements'' 687 (1996). course, most questions concerning judge's qualifications hear are constitutional ones, Clause Amendment establishes floor, uniform standard. Aetna Life Ins. Co. Lavoie, 475 813, 828, 106 1580, 1588-1589, 823 (1986). Instead, these are, answered common law, statute, professional standards bar. See, e.g., Aetna, 820-821, 1584-1585; Tumey Ohio, 273 510, 523, 47 437, 441, L.Ed. 749 (1927); §§144, 455; ABA Code Judicial Conduct, Canon 3C(1)(a)(1980). But floor established clearly "fair tribunal,'' Withrow Larkin, 421 35, 46, 95 1456, 1464, 43 712 (1975), 821-822, 1585-1586; Tumey, 441. 8 happily, stuff typical judicial-disqualification disputes. accepts fix defendant's "biased'' basic sense word, directed State, defendant. contends, sort Maloney. latter, sense, argues, avoid seen uniformly suspiciously Appeals, its opinion, pointed out theory quite speculative; all, might equally likely "on take'' careful least favor all defendants, apparently wild unexplainable swings decisions philosophy. 689-690.5 difficulties proof aside, there part Amendment. turn 9 Court, contended "deprived right trial'' [t]here believe Judge discretionary influenced desire allay dishonesty.'' 5.6 support, submitted copy 1991 indictment, 16-35, newspaper article describing testimony Swano described additional, uncharged incident where 12 1, 36-38. codefendant Roger alleged [a] witness advised co-defendant Bracy's partner Maloney.'' 51. attached States' Proffer Evidence Aggravation describes considerable detail became 54 ("Although [it is] difficult imagine, life considerably more expansive than proved trial''). asserts, fixed serious felony regularly practicing attorney;7 continued corrupt same political organized-crime lawyer;8 firm, actively involved assisting himself, 55, 68-72. addition, fixed.9 10 As noted above, Maloney's, 51, defend 1981. lawyer later. He request penalty-phase death-penalty when outset introduce then-pending Arizona aggravation. Tr. Oral Arg., Apr. 1997, 43.10 At oral argument counsel suggested, associates-Robert McGee-was bribery, __, tried before, in, Chow 17-18, 43-44.11 is, point; supported solid lawyer's participation plan. It true, McGee coincided closely Rosario supra. 11 conclude Harris, stated [w]here specific reason may, fully developed, able demonstrate relief, duty provide necessary facilities procedures adequate inquiry.'' meant "consistent'' Harris. Advisory Committee's Note 6, U.S.C., p. 479. Ordinarily, presume ""properly duties.''' 1486 (quoting Chemical Foundation, Inc., 272 14-15, 131 (1926)). Were possible indulge agree submission compensatory-bias too speculative warrant But, unfortunately, rebutted: steeped conviction. emphasize, though, pointing bribe-taking evidence, discussed lends actually That presents "specific allegations'' attorney, take capital quickly rigged attract. be, predicted, makes clear judgment reversed, remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 13 ordered. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. People Collins, Ill.2d 237, 87 Ill.Dec. 910, 478 N.E.2d 267 (Collins I) (affirming convictions sentences), 474 935, 267, 88 274 (1985); 153 130, 180 60, 606 1137 (1992) II) denial postconviction relief), 508 915, 113 2355, 124 263 (1993). sentence two murders Arizona. Bracy, 145 Ariz. 520, 703 P.2d 464 (1985), 1110, 898, 932 (1986); Arizona, 497 1031, 110 3292, 111 800 (1990) (denying writ review state relief); 514 1130, 115 2005, 1005 (1995) (same). not, American Ohio McGettrick, 40 App.3d 25, 531 755 (1988); re Brennan, 65 N.Y.2d 564, 493 N.Y.S.2d 549, 483 484 (1985). research Aggravation, 67 [A] computer printouts listing [one attorney's] reveals [the attorney] obtained guilty results six Maloney''). dissenting insisted 696-699 (opinion Rovner, J.), went her relief impact 699-703. latter conclusion, render irrelevant discovery-related provided theory. 697 dissenting). According retaliated Swano's clients rare offer and, bag man admitted much. testified learned ""to front pay.''' Ibid. express correctness various cited examples bias. Brief 5-6. note, twice upheld, affirmed, government introduced Maurice Pompey Cook County Deputy Sheriff Robinson (who serve man''); numerous occasions, using connections, client Michael Bertucci; helped orchestrate underworld hit Harry Aleman. 54-66. lawyer, facilitated 645, 650-652 22-24; 54-55. proffer, "Maloney tied [sic] La Cosa Nostra prior major figures looked forward [his] friend' [and] elevation First Ward/organized several import crime.'' July October 1980, client, Wilfredo Rosario. excluded Rosario's confession May 1981, acquitted 650; 12, 53, 1. Also took throw Lenny Chow, Chinatown organization. August, dying declaration, unreliable, Chow. 20-22, 27. 1982, Owen Jones charged beating lead pipe. $4,000-5,000 Jones's mother, man,'' acquit felony-murder charge, convict voluntary manslaughter only. 651; 20, 22, 28. Petitioner's continuance 29, again 30. requests, sentencing hearing next day. Ill., 279-281, Ill.Dec., 911, N.E.2d, 694-695 ("Defense know [that] they wish gather mitigating circumstances ends, ends. defendants' dropped ball''); F.Supp., 986-987 (noting "no [petitioner co-defendant]''). "ha[d] exact previous occasion, record.'' 43. Cf. Reply [I]t impossible say confidence deliberately select less experienced represent motive, insure verdict high profile case'').

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