Document: 333 U.S. 740 68 S.Ct. 880 92 L.Ed. 1055 ANDRESv.UNITED STATES. No. 431. Argued Feb. 5, 1948. Decided April 26, Mr. Oliver P. Soares, of Honolulu, Hawaii, for petitioner. Vincent Kleinfeld, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 On December 17, 1943, petitioner, Timoteo Mariano Andres, was indicted in United States District Court Territory Hawaii murder first degree. 18 U.S.C. §§ 451, 452, U.S.C.A. 452. The indictment recited that Andres 'on or about 23rd day November, at Civilian Housing Area 3, Pearl Harbor, Island Oahu, said 3 being on lands reserved acquired use America * did kill Carmen Gami Saguid *.' tried before a jury which returned this verdict: 2 'We, Jury, duly empaneled and sworn above entitled cause, do hereby find defendant, guilty degree.' He sentenced to death by hanging. appealed his conviction Circuit Appeals Ninth Circuit. That court affirmed judgment lower court, unanimously. 163 F.2d 468. A petition writ certiorari filed granted. 266. Four questions were presented certiorari. Three these we not consider sufficient doubt importance justify an extended discussion. We shall dispose them reach what is, us, decisive issue case. 4 contends § 567, 567,1 as interpreted Winston v. States, 172 303, 19 212, 43 456,2 requires trial explain scope their discretion granting mercy defendant. In case, judge had charged they could qualify verdict except '* cases commend themselves good jury,—cases have palliating circumstances would seem require it.' page 306, 213. This held instruction erroneous. read statute place question whether accused should be capitally punished entirely within jury; exercise based upon any consideration jury.3 h e case now gave instructions set forth margin.4 It is clear he left punishment imposed—death life imprisonment—to jury. hold judge's satisfied requirements statute. 5 next contended unfair because quoted below5 indicated against petitioner reflected finding Grand Jury probably crime Perhaps italicized language charge, out context, misleading it might been better omit completely. However, when complained seems us no ground complaint. No material error resulted from words. 6 also argues power sentence him 542, provides: 'The manner inflicting prescribed laws State imposed. If imposed make provision infliction penalty death, then designate some other such executed thereof.' phrase 'laws State' limits forty-eight states and, consequently, provides method where district sitting Territory.6 reject contention without merit. many contexts 'state' may mean only several States. Here, however, its meaning includes Hawaii. 7 last most difficult raised propriety those attempted unanimity verdict. composite two problems: (1) proper construction 567; (2) given clearly conveyed correct statutory meaning. 8 Section 567 U.S.C., reads follows: 'In all found crie degree adding thereto 'without capital punishment'; whenever return qualified aforesaid, person convicted imprisonment life.' returned, mandatory.7 Government properly construed unanimously decide guilt then, with same returned. As guilty, acts law exacts penalty. follows, if twelve jurors cannot agree add words punishment,' original stands must respect both can follows one juror prevent penalty, although there required refusal punishment.' instructions, requiring unanimity. 9 First Congress provided Act 30, 1790: 'That persons shall, fort, arsenal, dock-yard, magazine, country, under sole exclusive jurisdiction commit wilful murder, thereof suffer death.'8 federal law, respects here relevant, until 1897. year passed President signed January 15, 1897.9 provided: 10 rape sections fifty-three hundred thirty-nine forty-five, Revised Statutes, punishment;' aforesaid hard labor 11 language, substantially unchanged, construe case.10 12 reports Congressional Committees debates floor discuss particular problem are concerned.11 There are, expressions indicate general purpose limit severity old law.12 13 Unanimity verdicts Sixth Seventh Amendments apply.13 criminal requirement extends issues—character crime, punishment—which embodies single conclusions submitted it. think grant authority permits procedure whereby unanimous alleviate rigor. Therefore, interpretation urged proven erroneous certainty, since contains specifically brought in, conclude placed correct—that jury's decision unanimous. more consonant humanitarian history Anglo-American system than Government.14 14 remaining understanding charge 'the agreement necessary verdict.' Later, specific best understood colloquy, following took place: 15 '(At 3:45 o'clock, p.m., courtroom, occurred:) 16 Court: Note presence defendant together attorney. I am advised bailiff wishes ask question. Which gentlemen (sic) foreman—you, Ham? You 17 Foreman: members like know mandatory part Judge man hanging, own discretion. Just minute. want right my answer. sit down. Will counsel come bench, please? (Discussion off record.) Gentlemen statute, recall, answers question, but wanted look once again you positive answer that, absence verdict, degree, has discretion, event so offense—murder degree—shall death. told your another Federal enables add, uld repeat, man, course, imprisonment, recall 'Does question? 20 Yes. 21 Don't problems here, retire room questions. 22 other. 23 Counsel asked me reread point amplification bear just moment instruction? will asked: 24 "You punishment' conferred solely connection extend prescribe definite rule defining power, commits entire matter judgment.' 25 "Even evidence beyond reasonable charged, may, penalty.' 26 "In connection, further instruct authorized regard existence mitigating circumstances.' 27 'And, finally, instructed punishment, must, regular unanimous.' 28 concedes petitioner's accepted, inadequate ourselves concession. below concluded mislead jury.15 conclusion factors common 'they legal compulsion join disagreement, either whole part; *'16 admonition verdict.'17 29 unanimous, later, response directed verdicts, first-degree desire it, doing, reasonably mercy, stand unqualified. men derive probable. doubts resolved favor accused. context does defy accurate precise expression. For example: An qualification, convinced inflicted, protected Or found. 30 fully protect reversed remanded new trial. 31 Reversed remanded. 32 FRANKFURTER, concurring. 33 Having difficulty brethren reaching result, deem state length Court's reasons outweigh doubts, wholly dissipated. 34 affords striking illustration task cast courts legislation ambiguous foresight draftsmanship justify. proves legislative clouded, called judicial inevitable element creation. Construction choice between meanings, equally sustainable rational analysis, considerations derived mere reading text. 35 years establishment Since 1897 jury, after 'guilty 1897, Stat. 487, amended, 1151, 1152, 330, Criminal Code, 567. 36 reflects movement, active during ninteenth century, sentence. movement impelled ethical arguments well practical reluctant bring inevitably infliction. Almost every legislation.1 Only five met disquietudes abolition. Most hands relieve But save bound give rise define explicitness. 37 legislature seeks retain policy imposition imperative main choices leave little construction: 38 Legislation duty remission sentence, remission. Any juror, deadlock sheer wilfulness unreasonable obstinacy. laid conscience guilt. doom. 39 effective majority vote or, Mississippi expressly provide 40 'Every who unless rendering fix penitentiary convict; certify disagreement (Miss.Code Ann. 2217 (1942).) 41 (3) specify Under pronounce 42 (4) traditional enable impose accomplished i ving discretionary simpliciter, recommendation None types Unfortunately, alleviating authoritative meaning, foregoing forms. expressed itself 44 rape, 45 fair spontaneous provision, 275 Code—'Every death.' 1143, 454, 454—would continued policy; reaches punishment;" action unanimity, attained order 'qualify verdict' 'adding' alleviation, already reached stand. Certainly, written Congress, interpret blindly literal defiance injunction letter killeth. contrary, heed dominant 'every death' thereto' terms 46 sort judges wrote though merely literary composition. Such agency justice document. While qualification entrusted time full consideration, adjudicated seventeen ago Courts Appeals. rejected contends. Smith Cir., 47 518. failure seek review significance, acquiescence important ruling administration particularly affecting carries intrinsic acquiesced obviously repelled presumably commanded. Moreover, dealing field much closer experience courts, guardians deep interests society predominantly concern States.2 strongest current ambiguity way momentum carry conclusion. History claims virgin analysis wide throughout country incidence far greater courts. approach 456, held, reviewing lei slation adjudication, circumstances. 48 And turn law. 49 A. four degree: Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Vermont. been, day, England despite persistent impressive efforts modify See, e.g., Minutes Evidence Report Select Committee Capital Punishment (1930). worthy note effort prevailed passage, free vote, abolishing experimental period years. See 449 H.C.Deb. (Hansard) cls. 981 et seq. (April 14, 1948), statement Home Secretary sentences suspended basis even measure gets Statute Books. Id., 1307 16, 1948). 50 B. abolished Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin. 51 C. States—39 them—leave withholding enactments greatly vary extent alleviation exercise, 52 I. three binding court: Delaware, New Mexico, Utah. 53 II. fifteen imprisonment: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 54 III. eight result reached, phrased suffers 'at jury': Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada. 55 IV. specifies penalty: Hampshire Washington. 56 V. Nine statutes less consideration: Louisiana, Maryland, Jersey, York, Ohio, Oregon, West Virginia, Wyoming. 57 VI. Two frankly recognize differences likely occur mitigate unanimous: Florida Mississippi. 58 examination shows abandoned consequence degree; retained sentencing traditionally court's function, true put keeping; recommending lighter thoroughly canvassed not, duty, automatically follow 59 Of nine enacted four—Louisiana, Wyoming—are virtually identical form. highest respective giving alternative punishments imposed, fairly runs counter obvious agreed punishment.'3 States—Ohio, Carolina—have providing recommends 'mercy' 'life imprisonment' imprisonment. These jury.4 similar Jersey espoused Government, State's serves underscore force decisions States.5 ninth State, 1937, amended legislation, made convictions felony 'may, recommend imprisoned term natural life. Upon recommendation, N.Y.Crim.Code Pen.Law 1045-a. People Hicks, 287 N.Y. 165, N.E.2d 482, 484, 138 A.L.R. 1222, erroneous: 60 'There agree. nevertheless report Is clear? Even recommendation. words, bait, determining innocence recommendation; proposition plain?' pages 167, 168, 483. 61 empowered life-imprisonment verdict; expressly, implication, render doing; determine 62 'First, charged; second, Both determined embodied considering longer influenced conscios ly unconsciously knowledge entail justified moral Each fails each parts. Until 171, 485. 63 real Should deliberations appropriate conscientiously adhered likelihood making due conscientious escape reporting disagreement. After considerable doubt, indicated, weight lies wider affords. 64 harmonious, appears accord our conclusion.' supra, 313, 215. significance drawn places into determination imprisonment,6 responsibility, thus, effect, content 65 'clear terms' accorded repudiate 330 Code 1931. claim section precludes opposed offers. significant proposed revision Code7 leaves form unchanged. doubtless expert scrutiny Department Justice,8 gloss case.9 66 care juries responsibility trials emphasized uncertainties regarding affect decision. fell power. Was us? was; not. permit minds differ issue, therein error.10 Charging abracadabra. conduct lays heavier presiding judge. exercises weightiest influence jurors. guide subjected confusion deflection relevant stiff partisanship counsel. 67 To avoid reversal appeal, err, should, side caution. caution often shelter meaningless abstractions devoid guiding concreteness. Clarity certainly broad hint hang murder. hand, guidance (they) found.' They simple, colloquial English possible conscience, unanimous; involves upona guilt; indivisible; guilt, means course degree,' wish followed express BURTON concurs opinion. Appendix 69 concerning murder.* 70 Conn. Gen.Stat. 6044 71 Mass. Gen.Laws c. 265, 72 N.C. 4200 (1939). 73 Vt. Pub.Laws 8376 (1933). Death abolished: 74 (5) Me. Rev.Stats. 117, (1944). 75 (6) Comp.Laws Mich.Supp. 1940, 17115-316, Mich. 28.548 (1938). 76 (7) Minn. 619.07 (1945), M.S.A. 77 (8) R.I. 606, (1938) (penalty conviction). 78 (9) Wis. 340.02 (1945). mandatory: 79 80 (10) Del. Rev.Code 5330 (1935). 81 (11) N.M. Stat.Ann. 105-2226 (1929). 82 (12) Utah Rev.Stat.Ann. 103—28—4 83 84 (13) Ark. Dig.Stat. 4042 (1937) (as courts). 85 (14) Colo. 48, 86 (15) Ill. Ann.Stat. 38, 360 87 (16) Ind. 10-3401 9-1819 (Burns 1942). 88 (17) Iowa 12911 89 (18) Kan. Gen.Stat.Ann. 21-403 90 (19) Ky. 435.010 431.130. 91 (20) Mo. 4378 (1939) (21) N.D. 9477 (1913). 93 (22) Okl. tit. 21, 707 (1937). 94 (23) Pa. 18, 4701 95 (24) S.D. Sess.Laws 1939, c amending 13.2012 (but 'may imprisonment'). 96 (25) Tenn. 10772 (Williams 1934). 97 (26) Vernon's Tex. Pen.Code art. 1257 (1936). ('The confinement two.'—Courts penalty.) 98 (27) Va. 4394 (1936) 99 jury: 100 (28) Ala. 318 (1940). 101 (29) Ariz. 43-2903 102 (30) Cal. 190 (1941). 103 (31) Ga. 26-1005 104 (32) Idaho 17-1104 (1932). 105 (33) Mont. 10957 106 (34) Neb. Rev.Stat. 28-401 (1943). 107 (35) Nev. 10068 108 109 (36) N.H. Rev.Laws 455, (1942). 110 (37) Wash. 2392 111 112 (38) La. r im.Law & Proc. 409 113 (39) Md. 27, 481 114 (40) N.J. 2:138—4 115 (41) Crim.Code 116 (42) Ohio Gen.Code 12400 117 (43) Ore. 23-411 118 (44) S.C. 1102 119 (45) W.Va. 6204 120 (46) Wyo. Comp.Stat.Ann. 9-201 121 effect recommendation: 122 (47) Fla. 919.23 (1944) ('Whoever offense recommended life.') 123 (48) Miss. ('Every "without 487. part, earlier 312, 215: thus act prescribe, nor authorize circumscribing right, consciences limited which, view evidence, wise punishment. How age, sex, ignorance, illness, intoxication, human passion weakness, sympathy clemency, irrevocableness apprehension explanatory facts exist light, whatever, allowed deciding punished, committed congress sound alone.' 'I judgment. you, 'To grand entered plea guilty. say, denied stated himself Country burden o show satisfaction, gentlemen, doubt. change presumed innocent proof previously referred. presumption formality disregarded pleasure. substantive continues 'When opportunity present alone, created belief probable crime. 'Upon (which) heard, thereby indicating committed, disposed sides stage reached. advise frames assues case.' Petitioner complains language. amendment read: hanging.' 1151. changes prompted fact 'Many (d) humane methods execution, electrocution, gas *. (Therefore,) appear (ed) desirable likewise H.Rep. 164, 75th Cong., 1st Sess., 1. aware territories possessions, incongruous word cover areas. remedial: adoption local mode execution. intent frustrated construing create hiatus 454: *' 113. incorporated 1909 unimportant. 1152. Dissatisfaction over harshness antiquity led 1894 introduction N. M. Curtis York bill reduce number crimes (in cases) punishment." H.Rep.No.545, 53d 2d Sess. introduced divided degrees 1, H.R. 5836, Sess.; House substantial changes. Cong.Rec. 823. severe favorably reported Senate Judiciary. S.Rep.No.846, 3d amendments, bill, verdicts; became bill. Id. p. 3. committee, 'thought inadvisable attempt definitions.' Ibid. Consequently, struck concerned matters. leading object diminish limiting offenses denounced, latitude tribunal try withhold extremest deemed too severe.' later House. 11, supra; 2649, 2650, 3098—3111, 3651. American Publishing Co. Fisher, 166 464, 618, 1079. supported 518, exception 468, 471. references see Appendix, pp. 15—18. twenty-three continental territories, Columbia, six-year beginning July 1941, ending June 1947. Eight defendants (see Arwood 134 1007; Ruhl 148 173; Austin Nelson, Alaska, Division, 1947 (unreported)); commuted Paddy 143 847); (including here) stayed pending appeals Sam Richard Shockley Miran Edgar Thompson, Northern Dec. 1946 (unreported); Carlos Romero Ochoa, Southern May 19, (unreported)). indebted statistics Administrative Office Courts. Supreme Louisiana noted 'in cases, conviction. jurors, choose unqualified gives unquestioned other.' Henry, 196 217, 233, 198 So. 910, 915. Maryland opinion, empower unite punishments, leaving unrestricted fixing punishment; intended choice.' Price 159 491, 494, 151 409, 410. Virginia fixes therefore, reversible fail 'instruct find, hanged Goins, 605, 609, 199 S.E. 873, 875. Wyoming ' innocence, be. waived decided jury.' Best, 383, 389, 390, P.2d 1110, 1111; Brown, 379, 403, 950, 958 (where 'person life, trying case' upheld). differed views restricted Howell St. 411, 131 N.E. 706, 1108. Oregon Carolina Hecker, Or. 520, 559, 560, 221 808; McLaughlin, 208 462, S.E.2d 492. Prior 1916 Jersey. enactment 1919 Errors absolute close decision, confined Martin, N.J.L. 436, 385, 1090. dissenting 'by thereof, evidence.' N.J.Stat.Ann. Molnar, 133 327, 335, A.2d 197, 202, pronounced court. say imposes imprisonment.' Indeed, established 'simple flexible conferring 3190, 80th 1111(b), 12, 1947, 5049. id. 5048; Hearings Subcommittee Judiciary 1600 2055, 33—35. interesting different forms legislatures commission certain E.g., 2113(e) (murder bank robbery—'not ten years, direct'); 1992 (wrecking train results person—'death ini ts 1201(a) (kidnapping—'(1) kidnaped liberated unharmed, recommend, imposed'); 2031 (rape—'death, life'). nothing committee's reviser's notes substance. H.Rep.No.304, various Governmental agencies apt adverse preoccupation eager stop Solicitor General, take comprehensive sought. therefore special occupants General's office recognized, resist importunities agencies, divers unrelated merits ought situation, intention implication 'acquiescence' emphatically disavowed. 'before By unanimous' 'if qualification,' known adopted, we. warning attributed classification benefit adjudication. ascertainment treacherous business. Nor confident latest legislation.

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