Document: 390 U.S. 523 88 S.Ct. 1133 20 L.Ed.2d 81 William A. ANDERSONv.NELSON, Warden. No. 652, Misc. April 1, 1968. Rehearing Denied May 20, See 391 929, 1812. Charles Legge, for petitioner. Thomas C. Lynch, Atty. Gen. of California, respondent. PER CURIAM: 1 Petitioner Anderson was convicted after jury trial in California courts forgery and the State District Court Appeal affirmed, finding all errors nonprejudicial under State's harmless error rule. After Supreme returned to petitioner unfiled his petition hearing that court, with notation it not timely, sought habeas corpus relief Federal Court. The issued writ, holding prosecutor's comment on failure testify at trial, made violation Griffin v. 380 609, 85 1229, 14 106, error. appealed. One week oral argument, our decision Chapman 386 18, 87 824, 17 705, handed down. Applying standard, majority Appeals concluded 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' Wilson Anderson, 379 F.2d 330, 335. Judge Ely dissented. 2 We agree defendant's cannot be labeled case where such is extensive, an inference guilt from silence stressed as basis conviction, there evidence could have supported acquittal. find this case. 3 bookkeeper trucking firm had written $196 payroll check employee Michael Pittman placed firm's office. disappeared time either shortly before or office asking job. Two days later possession asked gasoline station operator Kernen cash him. According Kernen, told him he been working check. acquainted petitioner, knew Willy, brother Jim who charge account Kernen. did enough money hand check, but they agreed apply $112 Anderson's account, taking $84. Kernen's testimony, then borrowed pen endorsed name When by bank, met police identified 'mug shot.' 4 arresting officer testified about incident admitted cashing denied it. bar when unknown person came up said wanted took service substituted amount withheld 5 presented no evidence. court instructed inferences drawn petitioner's follows: 6 'As any facts against which defendant can reasonably expected deny explain because within knowledge, if does * may take into consideration tending indicate truth indicating among therefrom, those unfavorable are more probable.' 7 It conceded instructions violated Griffin. also comments* 8 While sufficient convict, allegedly forged presence acquaintance chose worthless place known openly major portion proceeds applied brother's yet, this, flee county viewed casting doubt prosecution's case, perhaps veracity. In posture, we say extensive argument overlook favorable invoked constitutional right was, words Chapman, 'harmless beyond 24, 828. Since entitled reason, do reach other questions seeks raise. Nor persuaded respondent's contention late filing constituted deliberate bypass state remedies, precluding federal courts. Fay Noia, 372 391, 83 822, 9 837. Cf. Henry Mississippi, 443, 564, 13 408. motion leave proceed forma pauperis writ certiorari granted judgment reversed. 10 Reversed. 11 Mr. Justice BLACK HARLAN would affirm Appeals. 12 APPENDIX TO CURIAM. prosecutor stated argument: 'Now, one thing will instruct you—he you touched were picking jury: defendant, has done, criminal doesn't stand. That's choice. He stand chooses. to. I can't call stand; demand get completely required to, law, testify. 'The consider that, testify, certain things, this. mean gotten you. 'No, didn't sign that,' or, 'I wasn't Calverts (trucking firm) somebody else me it, Sergeant Sonberg (the officer).' 15 'In words, know something tell what obviously must know, why, draw that. 16 'And, say, ladies gentlemen, behalf—that put here. 'So, only way attacked haven't proven out suspicions like showing another man, That hasn't 18 guess stand, heard You base your documents people If don't believe them, probably guilty; them—there contradiction, nobody contradicted them all—then led conclusion, simply fact passed guilty 19 'Remember, conflicting side. disbelieve Calverts, Pittman, rest them. 'No said, isn't it; somewhere else.' nothing gentlemen. 21 'There produced controvert Nobody come here else, anything went innocently pass it.' all. 22 give credit getting trying lie. At least ability sit anything, rather than try whole lot hogwash. I'll much credit. 23 some disputed showed 29th. 24 got innocent way, gave him, should us And think happened, have? would; would. beat path happened. But situation 25 story is, 26 'That's Sonberg, three phony, different versions 27 'You see up, hear today. might story, flying around Alaska, know.' Appendix opinion.

Category: 0