Document: 360 U.S. 315 79 S.Ct. 1202 3 L.Ed.2d 1265 Vincent Joseph SPANO, Petitioner,v.PEOPLE OF THE STATE NEW YORK. No. 582. Argued April 27, 1959. Decided June 22, Mr. Herbert S. Siegal, New York City, for the petitioner. Irving Anolik, respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered opinion of Court. 1 This is another in long line cases presenting question whether a confession was properly admitted into evidence under Fourteenth Amendment. As all such cases, we are forced to resolve conflict between two fundamental interests society; its interest prompt and efficient law enforcement, preventing rights individual members from being abridged by unconstitutional methods enforcement. Because delicate nature constitutional determination which must make, cannot escape responsibility making our own examination record. Norris v. State Alabama, 294 587, 55 579, L.Ed. 1074. 2 The State's reveals following: Petitioner Spano derivative citizen this country, having been born Messina, Italy. He 25 years old at time shooting had graduated junior high school. record regular employment. took place on January 1957. On that day, petitioner drinking bar. decedent, former professional boxer weighing almost 200 pounds who fought Madison Square Garden, some petitioner's money followed him out bar recover it. A fight ensued, with decedent knocking down then kicking head three or four times. Shock force these blow caused vomit. After bartender applied ice his head, left bar, walked apartment, secured gun, eight nine blocks candy store where frequently be found. entered friends least whom were ex-convicts, boy supervising present. fired five shots, decedent's body, causing death. only eyewitness; did not see person shot. disappeared next week so. 4 February 1, 1957, Bronx County Grand Jury returned an indictment first-degree murder against Accordingly, bench warrant issued arrest, commanding he forthwith brought before court answer indictment, or, if adjourned term, custody Sheriff County. See N.Y. Code Crim.Proc. § 301. 5 3, called one Gaspar Bruno, close friend 8 10 years' standing attended school him. Bruno fledgling police officer, yet finished attending academy. According Bruno's testimony, told 'that terrific beating, deceased hurt real bad dropped couple times dazed; didn't know what doing went shot him.' intended get lawyer give himself up. relayed information superiors. 6 following 4, 7:10 p.m., petitioner, accompanied counsel, surrendered authorities front Building, both office Assistant District Attorney ultimately prosecuted case court-room tried located. His attorney cautioned no questions, officers. promptly taken 7:15 p.m. questioning began, conducted Goldsmith, Lt. Gannon, Detectives Farrell, Lehrer Motta, Sgt. Clarke. persistent continuous. Petitioner, accordance attorney's instructions st eadfastly refused answer. Detective Motta testified: 'He talk me.' just looked up ceiling Farrell 7 'Q. And you started interrogate him? A. That right. What say? said 'you would have my attorney. I tell nothing but name.' 9 Did continue examine Verbally, yes, sir.' asked Ciccone, could speak attorney, request denied. Ciccone testified find name telephone book.1 given sandwiches, coffee cake 11 At 12:15 a.m. morning 5, after hours it became evident instructions, Attorney's orders transferred 46th Squad, Ryer Avenue Police Station. also station extent continued participate interrogation. arrived 12:30 resumed 12:40. character revealed testimony Farrell: 12 Who leave room with? With Sergeant Clarke came Goldsmith Inspector Halk in. It back forth. People in, spoke few words defendant they listened minutes left.' 13 But persisted refusal answer, again requested permission Lehrer. 14 those charge investigation decided friend, use. around although connected Squad Precinct any way. Although, fact, job way threatened, call gotten 'in lot trouble,' should seek extract sympathy pregnant wife children. developed theme without success, sought unavailingly first session directed Gannon play sympathies, forthcoming. Lieutenant third ordered falsely importune confess clung advice. Inevitably, fourth Lieutenant, lasting full hour, succumbed friend's prevarications agreed make statement. 3:25 Attorney, stenographer, several other enforcement officials questioned, statement form asking questions. completed 4:05 15 end. 4:30 detectives Headquarters Manhattan. attempted bridge thrown weapon. They crossed Triborough Bridge Manhattan, arriving a.m., Manhattan 5:40 via Willis Bridge. When recognized neither as weapon, re-entered Third Bridge, stated right one, well During trip officers elicited always 'on (his) back,' 'always pushing' 'not sorry' deceased. All trial. 16 Court opened morning, arraigned 10:15. 17 trial, introduced over appropriate objections. jury instructed rely found voluntary. guilty verdict sentenced Appeals affirmed conviction dissents, N.Y.2d 256, 173 N.Y.S.2d 793, 150 N.E.2d 226, granted certiorari serious problem presented 358 919, 293, 238. 18 Petitioner's contention absolute counsel capital case, Powell 287 45, 53 55, 77 158, operative return him, every sense criminal grand sufficient cause believe committed crime. argues accordingly obtained absence can used violating seeks distinguish Crooker California, 357 433, 78 1287, 1448, Cicenia Lagay, 504, 1297, 1523, ground returned. We unnecessary reach contention, use here inconsistent Amendment traditional principles. 19 abhorrence society involuntary confessions does turn alone their inherent untrustworthiness. turns deep-rooted feeling obey while enforcing law; end life liberty much endangered illegal convict thought criminals actual themselves. actions obtaining come scrutiny series cases.2 Those suggest recent become increasingly aware burden share, along courts, protecting citizenry, including portion citizenry suspected facts recently quite approached brutal beatings Brown Mississippi, 1936, 297 278, 56 461, 80 682, 36 consecutive present Ashcraft Tennessee, 1944, 322 143, 64 921, 88 1192. more responsible, sophisticated, duty enforce federal protections cease. becomes difficult because judgments made. Our judgment that, facts, stand. 20 foreign-born young man past history violation subjection official interrogation, insofar shows. progressed one-half year indicates emotional instability.3 narrative statement, subject leading questions skillful prosecutor confession. subjected men, many. included Hyland Office, Deputy Halks,4 Lehrer, Marshal, Leira,5 Murphy, Murtha, Clarke, Patrolman Stenographer Baldwin. played part, effect massive interrogation felt. questioned virtually straight confessed, respite transfer arena presumably considered task hand. Nor during normal business hours, began early evening, night, bear fruition until not-too-early morning. drama out, final admissions obtained, sunrise. In circumstances slowly mounting fatigue does, calculated to, part. questioners face repeated refusals advice ignored reasonable requests contact local already retained personally obedience warrant. 21 characterized 'childhood friend' petitioner's, factor deserves mention totality situation. visible put trust Th ere bond friendship them going decade adolescence. material felt overcome will. state trouble, jeopardy, loss disastrous children, unborn child. part worried father, harried superiors, different acts, hour. Cf. Leyra Denno, 347 556, 74 716, 98 948. apparently unaware John Gay's famous couplet: 22 'An open foe may prove curse, pretended worse,' 23 yielded false entreaties. 24 conclude will overborne pressure, aroused considering post-indictment setting.6 Here require trial murder, eyewitness shooting. therefore merely trying solve crime, even absolve suspect. Compare supra, supra. rather concerned primarily securing undeviating intent patent. shown, has held examined most careful scrutiny, reversed less compelling than these. Malinski York, 324 401, 65 781, 89 1029. hold stand suggests, however, free reverse conviction, since there might guilt, relying Stein 346 156, 73 1077, 97 1522. Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 568, 844, 850, 975, authoritatively establishes sustained basis used, though limiting given. when involuntary, relied reversed. 26 Reversed. 27 DOUGLAS, BLACK BRENNAN join, concurring. 28 While join Court, add me important decision. 29 often divided suspect demanded benefit legal cited. deal formally charged Government accused secret case; rule entitled represented counsel. representation restricted upr a, page 57, 59: 30 'during perhaps critical period proceedings defendants, say, arraignment beginning consultation, thorough-going preparation vitally important, defendants aid sense, itself.' 31 Depriving person, prior damaging denial itself. 32 do mere suspects secretly interrogated nor witnesses administrative judicial re Groban, 352 330, 510, 376, Anonymous Nos. & Baker, 287, 1157. accused, scheduled judge jury, preliminary police. kangaroo procedure whereby produce vital useful necessary obtain conviction. deny effective seems flagrant principle announced extends Professor Chafee once said, 'A crime needs arrest probably time.' Chafee, Documents Fundamental Human Rights, Pamphlet (1951—1952), p. 541. deprived indeed denied stage help inquisition invasion continuance order employ Chandler Fretag, 348 10, 75 99 4. Avery Albama, 308 444, 446, 60 321, 322, 84 377, relevance here: 33 '* * opportunity appointed confer, consult prepare defense, convert appointment sham formal compliance Constitution's requirement assistance counsel.' 34 Judges Desmond, Fuld, Van Voorhis (4 266, 801, 232—233), asking, defendant's if, awaiting confesses? event precincts effectively supplants public guaranteed Bill Rights. 35 STEWART, DOUGLAS concur view enough render inadmissible 37 Let emphasized outset course investigating unsolved 1448; 1523. degree murder. 38 Under system justice supposed lawyer's ifthe death sentence imposed. 158. Indeed absolute, whatever offense 39 surrender law, all-night prosecutor's office, station, automobile. Throughout night repeatedly allowed send lawyer, finally induced secure sending electric chair. 40 Constitution guarantees orderly courtroom, presided judge, public, protected procedural safeguards law. Surely promises vouchsafe same midnight squad station. How so name, Tobias Russo, concededly book appear. objections designed delve mystery. E.g., 1523; Ashdown Utah, 426, 1354, 1443; 975; Thomas Arizona, 390, 885, 863; Fikes 191, 281, 246; 948; 1522; Allen, 344 443, 397, 469; Stroble 343 181, 72 599, 96 872; Gallegos Nebraska, 342 141, 86;Joh nson Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 340 881, 71 95 640; Harris South Carolina, 338 68, 69 93 1815; Turner 62, 1352, 1810; Watts Indiana, 49, 1347, 1801; Lee 332 742, 68 300, 92 330; Haley Ohio, 596, 302, 224; 1029; Lyons Oklahoma, 1208, 1481; 1192; Ward Texas, 316 547, 62 1139, 86 1663; Lisenba 314 219, 280, 166; Vernon 313 61 1092, 85 1513; Lomax 544, 956, 1511; White 310 530, 1032, 1342; Canty 309 629, 612, 988; Chambers Florida, 227, 472, 716; 682. Medical reports City's Fordham Hospital showed suffered cerebral concussion 1955. described private physician 1951 'an extremely nervous tense emotionally unstable maladjusted,' unacceptable military service 1951, Psychiatric disorder.' failed Army's AFQT—1 intelligence test. mother mental hospitals separate occasions. sometimes spelled 'Hawks.' Although each referred separately record, Leira person. 166, contrary. There, incest charge, later

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