Document: 350 U.S. 116 76 S.Ct. 223 100 L.Ed. 126 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, et rel. Stephen J. HERMAN, Petitioner,v.Dr. John W. CLAUDY, Warden. No. 45. Argued Nov. 14, 1955. Decided Jan. 9, 1956. Mr. Herbert Monte Levy, New York City, Mrs. Marjorie Hanson Matson, Pittsburgh, Pa., for petitioner. Wray G. Zelt, Jr., Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In 1945 petitioner Herman pleaded guilty in a Pennsylvania state court to 8 charges burglary, 12 larceny, forgery, and 2 false pretense.1 He was sentenced serve 17 1/2 35 years penitentiary, 5 on each charges, some running consecutively, concurrently. Eight later, 1953, he filed this petition habeas corpus same court, asking that his conviction be held invalid as violation Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. alleged: (1) pleas were result coercion threats by officers (2) at no stage proceedings either advised right or given benefit counsel. The District Attorney an answer challenging materiality petitioner's allegations denying others, urging writ refused because tardiness judgment. asked summarily dismissed ground 'it would waste time very expensive Washington County have defendant go into hearing prove could raised Court.' without trial judge who had On appeal, Superior Court Commonwealth affirmed dismissal. 176 Pa.Super. 387, 107 A.2d 595. Supreme denied leave appeal opinion. We granted certiorari, 349 904, 75 584, summary dismissal face serious appeared out line with decisions 3 Our prior established that: following plea based confession extorted violence mental is under Federal Clause;2 where person convicted has not intelligently understandingly waived counsel circumstances show rights been fairly protected counsel, invalidates conviction;3 (3) denial these constitutional protections alleged appropriate proceeding factual patently frivolous consideration whole record, should merely prosecuting officer files all allegations.4 4 light our previous holdings we now consider officer's answer. Petitioner, school only 6 years, 21 old when arrested. His experience criminal procedure earlier, months jail. After arrest present incommunicado days. During period trooper grabbed him neck threatened choke if did confess, there against safety wife daughter. Petitioner finally confessed after 72 hours intermittent questioning taken justice peace. indictment agreed plead charges. More than month later before Common Pleas charged 30 offenses. assistant attorney demanded sign When what signing, said 'Sign your name forget it.' informed seriousness prosecutor judge; know maximum sentence 315 years; nor him. says innocent but one. Attorney's It immaterial limited educational background. Since from former case which guilty, understood barred alleging lack violated due process. necessary advice, support, assistance relatives friends even it assumed anything record such opportunity severity sentences might imposed upon There showing injured having deny told courtroom it,' 'that statements made Assistant order obtain involved.' defended State's confine 'an unreasonable length hold defendant.' charge daughter specifically untrue, neck. wholly voluntary. 7 foregoing narrative reveals sharp dispute facts material determination questions involved. treatment understanding nature consequences kind decided hearing. true shows 'I throw myself mercy Your Honor.' But neither any other time5 are themselves sufficient refute concerning matters shown record. See Palmer v. Ashe, 342 134, 137, 191, 193, 96 154. entirely possible caused him, absence enter plea. Moreover, number complexity petitioner, well their create strong layman accusations should, therefore, represented cannot agree mere fact had, offense showed capacity defend himself here. Gibbs Burke, 337 773, 69 1247, 93 1686, spite Gibbs' cases entitled Uveges Pennsylvania, 335 437, 9 184, 127, strikingly similar those presented here, representation required Clause. Nor presenting challenge passed action commenced. years. 438—439, 184. And prisoner validity 18 convicted. sound premise rested men incarcerated flagrant remedy. chief argument State here support court's this: 'Counsel argues since petition, must held. contradicted lower grant This contention sustained accept argument. Under relief can officers. judgment reversed cause remanded inconsistent 10 Reversed remanded. courts below so computed counts 27 casts doubt accuracy both computations. E.g., Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 682; Chambers Florida, 309 227, 60 472, 84 716; Watts Indiana, 338 49, 1347, 1801; Turner 62, 1352, 1810; Harris South Carolina, 68, 1354, 1815; Leyra Denno, 347 556, 74 716, 98 948. 127; 1686; Rice Olson, 324 786, 65 989, 89 1367; Von Moltke Gillies, 332 708, 68 316, 92 309; 154; Bute Illinois, 333 640, 763, 986; Betts Brady, 316 455, 62 1252, 86 1595. pointed minority contended persons crimes Sixth Amendments. Smith O'Grady, 312 329, 61 572, 85 859; Hawk 326 271, 66 116, 90 61; Chessman Teets, 3, 34; Cf. Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 92, 43 265, 267, 67 543; Walker Johnston, 275, 574, 830. brought talked about nothing imposed. Petitioner's part small. full participation: (Mr. Docktor (the attorney):) '* * How you now? 'By Defendant: Twenty-one. Docktor: Twenty-one age. Is wish case? I myself— Court: You will speak louder. Honor. informations prosecutions H. M. Jaynes Police. (addressing Defendant): Where worked paroled? Hazel. Have working paroled 1943? No, sir. 1944 believe was, wasn't it? sir; hospital, too. Sir? hospital At hospital? Yes. come there. that. fellow ran away while parole. That right; yes, Will explain me why extend leniency you? trusted twice never complied conditions on. tried to. didn't try continued work up wouldn't do job started down around town— Yes, Court:—while searching town working. secured parole promise good behavior. meantime, committed numerous burglaries forgeries various felonies? Now want mercy. end being merciful. 1944. *'

Category: 0