Document: 351 U.S. 454 76 S.Ct. 965 100 L.Ed. 1331 UNITED STATES of America ex rel. David DARCY, Petitioner,v.Earl H. HANDY, Warden Bucks County Prison, et al. No. 323. Argued May 1 and 2, 1956. Decided June 11, Mr.Charles J. Margiotti, Pittsburgh, Pa., for petitioner (on appeal only). Mr. Frank P. Lawley, Jr., Harrisburg, respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion Court. The question before us is whether accused, who under a sentence death, imposed by Pennsylvania court jury murder committed during course an armed robbery, was tried such prejudicial circumstances improper influences that he denied due process law guaranteed Fourteenth Amendment to Constitution United States. charges in this federal habeas corpus proceeding are atmosphere hysteria prejudice prevailed at state trial, including conduct frequent presence courtroom another judge same court, recently had presided over trial two associates which resulted like conviction committed. For reasons hereafter stated, we agree with considered judgments Commonwealth Darcy v. Claudy, 367 Pa. 130, 79 A.2d 785; Federal District Court, 130 F.Supp. 270; Court Appeals, 224 F.2d 504; holding accused not law. 2 Late on December 22, 1947, three associates, Foster Zeitz Capone, revolves, held up tavern Feasterville, near Doylestown, County, Pennsylvania.1 During robbery patrons were shot severely wounded. As his companions left scene, fired killed bystander, William Kelly. About half hour later, shots also but no one injured. Before a.m., they arrested Philadelphia police. While custody, voluntarily admitted their participation only above robberies seven others since November 30. In these total persons been or otherwise 3 On January 5, 1948, brought charged Kelly committed, without bail, await action grand jury. February 10, all four being present represented counsel own choice, severally indicted murder. Attorney moved continuance because counsel, prosecution witness critical condition from wound received time robbery. granted. March 1, Capone severance separate trials. Judge Keller nisi prius (Court Oyer Terminer General Jail Delivery County) suggested advisability combination granted motions when insisted right them. 3, Boyer, appointed local attorneys represent Foster. 4 March, defense advised Foster-Zeitz case would be called first, petitioner's following week, then Capone's case. 5 When it became apparent began 24, continue into week directed sheriff's office notify prospective jurors summoned appear until 7. They so notified exception, did duty latter date. trials, waited outside main courtroom, individually subjected searching examination voir dire. neither Foster, nor exercised peremptory challenges, extra venires order complete juries. No sat both cases. Once accepted, respective juries kept together each supervision officials. permitted see newspapers, listen radios, television programs, free any influence contact. 6 At either filled capacity there need call order. outbursts, disturbances untoward incidents occurred elsewhere county.2 proceedings reported daily press and, occasion, radio. reporting factual, some editorials.3 news coverage diminished few weeks after increased subsided again grand-jury proceedings, just 7 Pennsylvania, fixes penalty first degree.4 raised as identity strategy trials seek keep punishment down life imprisonment. Friday, 4, returned verdict guilty fixed death. After receiving verdict, judge, was, quoted newspaper having said jury: 8 'I don't how you could, evidence, have reached other verdict. Your may very wholesome effect young men vicinities come realize seriousness folly many indulge days. hope stemming tide crime youth enforce indicated your decision." pages 291—292. 9 A moments earlier, Keller, discharging remainder 24 panel, had, commended them satisfactory verdicts, last acquittal charge rape. 10 Monday, 7, began. opened Boyer presiding. usual, miscellaneous business unrelated impending dispused court. Petitioner arraigned. He pleaded upon Keller's direction, selection commenced. various times although attendance, sitting bench within enclosure reserved attorneys, parties press. connection, found that— 11 'By long established tradition morning afternoon opening judges take entertain matters Criminal, Common Pleas—law equity—and Orphans work completed, judges, if engaged room, remains bench; leaving perform duties room chambers. practice used courts * continued matter what session nature (but) (trying Zeitz); 10. 12 'The criminal docket record individual shows 10:00 A.M. 9:30 *. reporter's notes testimony show instance taking part whatsoever i.e., sidebar discussion out hearing shortly convened Saturday morning, Under consideration difficult admissibility evidence offenses view Act July P.L. 1239, 19 P.S.Pa. § 711 note. thinking matter. Upon objection ended; ruled; return trial. It listened express similar discussion. 13 'Honorable Hiram throughout has certified 'On several occasions remained brief periods while presented *', exception incident (noted above), 'At time, assist, volunteer make suggestions aid undersigned case.' 14 testified, find fact, attempt suggestion manner against Darcy; pass note message kind connection use Keller. 15 trial—not Friday evening intervals chair inside door judges' chambers, apparently listening proceedings. 16 'During sit table press; Attorney; next anywhere occupied Attorney. 17 'Throughout chairs assistant purpose, immediately front 18 than noted (above) trial.' 296—297. 14, went subsequent case, extending eight years, summarized margin.5 Those uniformly sustained State, certiorari review now made process. 350 872, 115. 20 Petitioner's (a) prior Boyer's remarks created prevented him fair (b) notwithstanding severance, forced go companions, Zeitz, (c) light above, fairly effect, acted 'overseer judge' effectively guided influenced 21 given ample opportunity prove stands ready correct violations constitutional rights, holds 'it asking too much burden showing essential unfairness claims injustice seeks result set aside, speculation demonstrable reality.' Adams States McCann, 317 269, 281, 63 236, 242, 87 268. See also, Buchalter People State New York, 319 427, 431, 1129, 1131, 1492; Stroble California, 343 181, 198, 72 599, 607, 96 872. Holmes, speaking unanimous Holt States, 218 245, 251, 31 6, 54 1021, cautioned 'If mere corruption raise presumption exist, will hard maintain conditions day.' 22 We examined allegations, documentary support thereof, arguments. conclude most shown that, certain respects, existed. From asked infer prejudiced. recognizes infect provides protection it. example, provision dire challenges indicate addition, substantial number allowed. This gives party large discretion exclude deemed objectionable reason reason. Another available through defendants continuances Still means change venue proper cause. 23 instant fact competent dire, venue, asks impossible draw impartial community hold failure exhaust provided prevent drawing unfair allegedly infected petitioner, dispositive, significant.6 Here, issue almost years yet read reports find, contrary Supreme courts, create deprived justification warrant our finding. hand, familiar conditions, found, it, conducted calm judicial manner, disturbances, 'factual, occasional descriptive word phrase, words compassion commendation.' page 286. thorough examination. all, 49 challenged cause excused—14 bias. allowed him, eight. informed months motion continuance7 venue. Of service attended person There nothing show, 'demonstrable reality,' prejudice. Court's findings, Appeals supported record, dispose aspect 25 Nor do obtaining commendatory jury, days most, possible merit claim 'forced' should have, sua sponte, changed 292 295. 26 remaining rests largely facts him. alleges passed Attorney, interposed charge, corrected himself. argues recollection insufficient offset direct witnesses occur, press, Boyer. thus credibility determined trier facts. Hawk Olson, 326 271, 279, 66 116, 120, 90 61. positive findings (76 968, supra) record. justified upsetting 27 beginning disposed of, thereafter penalty. Except where participated conference jury,8 participate objected conference9 thereafter. 28 makes majority states showed 'striking manifestation extraordinary interest proceedings,' knew 'very probable' completed 508. attaches significance conduct. bench, particularly long-established business, amount denial cases cited earlier,10 must prejudiced way judge's presence. Aside contested note-passing incident, relies statement sentencing youth, 'hostile' recognized hostility. But could access source incident. Petitioner, thus, remark This, its context does question. speculate can more others. aware any, interest. However, took possibility infecting Accordingly, well deem necessary remote justify enter speculations. resting essentially sense reviewed error. judgment therefore, affirmed. 29 Affirmed. 30 HARLAN, whom FRANKFURTER DOUGLAS join, dissenting. I reverse below basis central viewed that: (1) actual killing based, (2) uncontested, real suffer death imprisonment which, statute, If mind, think presents violation process, lightly. 32 general prejudicial, questions, disturb alleged occur limited 'sidebar' episode. Accepting this, do, end me, still remain undisputed facts, inferences drawn them: antrocious one, shared outrage it.1 place small rural respected member presumably known jurors, least reputation. assume knew, bagan, crime.2 beyond duty, wholly unexplained. ordinary spectators, sometimes bar full conference, participated, sight court's charge. consider conscious unusual might concluded felt defendant dealt severely. 33 Having regard character confronted. them, require cannot say lent manifest tipped scales favor capital resolve doubt new my conclusion those Kalodner stated dissenting 504, 509. especially scrupulous seeing jeopardized judiciary. relevant procedural steps taken rendered constituting Middle Pennsylvania. 270. petition corpus. lasted More testified introduced. 283—285, 39—42. 285—289, 43—47. Purdon's Pa.Stat.Ann., 1945, Tit. 18, 4701. Motion denied; affirmed, Darcy, 362 259, 663; denied, opinion; judgments, 338 862, 70 96, 94 528; applications Board Pardons commutation sentence, second filed April 1951, raising questions us; day, Pennsylvania; 785 (after passing merits petition); dismissed, Handy, D.C., 97 930; writ corpus, 342 837, 61, 632; Third Circuit dismissal heard en banc, reversed divided remanded hearing, 203 407; rehearing Circuit, sought Maroney 346 865, 74 103, 98 375, Chief Watson Murphy, 4—3, 504. Throughout counsel. 193—194, 605, Counsel 17, ruling statements purpose approved appeal. 283, 663, 675. ground 'disqualified himself (petitioner).' 296, 54. 8, supra. imposing (as day): 'We propose nail property fast here county thieves want pick everything isn't watched. What place? Have what's going downstairs (referring trial)? Do wind that? tired Philadelphians know behave. bear expense stop it.' Since newspaper, affected indicative sentiments, reaction. day ended: 'JUDGE BOYER PRAISES JURY FOR VERDICT CONDEMNING KILLERS TO ELECTRIC CHAIR "I verdict,' said. "Your "The decision,' said.'

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