Document: 393 U.S. 5 89 S.Ct. 35 21 L.Ed.2d Henry Power ARSENAULTv.COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. No. 187, Misc. Oct. 14, 1968. F. Lee Bailey, for petitioner. Elliot L. Richardson, Atty. Gen. of Massachusetts, Howard M. Miller, Asst. Gen., and Richard Levine, Deputy respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 In February 1955 petitioner was arrested in connection with a recent homicide attempted robbery. The next morning at probable-cause hearing, but unassisted by counsel, he pleaded guilty to counts murder assault intent rob. Six days later his arraignment, again unaided not an indictment charging him first-degree murder. After being assigned counsel trial took the stand own defense indictment, asserting instead that lacked premeditation necessary On cross-examination, district attorney questioned about prior statements preliminary hearing introduced plea purpose refreshing memory. jury then returned verdict imposed sentence death, since commuted life imprisonment. direct review Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, as error admission plea. court rejected claim affirming conviction. 2 1966 sought post-conviction relief from Court on ground our supervening decision White v. State Maryland, 373 59, 83 1050, 10 193, rendered conviction void. While recognizing 'close similarity' between case White, nonetheless reaffirmed judgment below retroactive. Petitioner comes here petition writ certiorari. motion leave proceed forma pauperis certiorari are granted. 3 Maryland accused when arraigned time had no represent him. We held Hamilton Alabama, 368 52, 82 157, 7 114, applicable, only aid could have enabled know all defenses available plead intelligently. is indistinguishable principle present case; we hold it applicable although decided until after arraignment instant case. 4 right (Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 792, 9 799) appeal (Douglas People California, 353, 814, 6 811) other 'critical' stages criminal proceedings (Hamilton supra) been made retroactive, 'denial must almost invariably deny fair trial.'* See Stovall Denno, 388 293, 297, 87 1967, 1970, 18 1199. Reversed. * For distinction drawn right-to-counsel cases those arising under Fourth Fifth Amendments, see also Tehan United States ex rel. Shott, 382 406, 416, 86 459, 465, 15 453.

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