Document: 367 U.S. 433 81 S.Ct. 1541 6 L.Ed.2d 948 Emil RECK, Petitioner,v.Frank J. PATE, Warden. No. 181. Argued April 19, 1961. Decided June 12, Mr. Donald Page Moore, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. William C. Wines, respondent. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On night January 2, 1936, Dr. Silber Peacock, a Chicago physician, left his Edgewater Beach apartment in response to an emergency telephone call attend sick child. He never returned. The next day lifeless body was found automobile on street. It apparent that he had been brutally murdered. Wednesday, March 25, petitioner, Reck, and three others were arrested by police suspicion stealing bicycles. Late following Saturday afternoon Reck confessed participation murder Peacock. signed another written confession. At Reck's subsequent trial Criminal Court Cook County, Illinois, two confessions were, over timely objection, received evidence against him. jury guilty murder, sentenced prison term 199 years. 2 conviction affirmed Illinois Supreme Court, People v. 392 Ill. 311, 64 N.E.2d 526. Several years later filed petition under Post-Conviction Hearing Act, S.H.A. ch. 38, § 826 et seq., alleging procured coercion their use as at hix had, therefore, violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment.1 After hearing, County denied relief. Court's finding due process not trial. People, 7 Ill.2d 261, 130 200. This certiorari 'without prejudice application writ habeas corpus appropriate United States District Court.' State 351 942, 76 838, 100 L.Ed. 1469. 3 then Northern Illinois. issued, hearing transcripts all relevant proceedings courts.2 In reviewing detail circumstances surrounding confession, held 'the instant case.' 172 F.Supp. 734, 747. Appeals Seventh Circuit affirmed, one judge dissenting, 274 F.2d 250, we granted certiorari, 363 80 1629, 4 1725. only question presented is whether Amendment using which coerced into making. there has violation introduction involuntary confession it ultimate responsibility this determine. See Malinski New York, 324 401, 404, 65 781, 783, 89 1029; Thomas Arizona, 356 390, 393, 78 885, 887, 863; Watts Indiana, 338 49, 51—52, 69 1347, 1348, 93 1801. thoroughly record cs e, are satisfied district judge's summary undisputed facts accurate complete. Neither brief nor oral argument did respondent take issue with these findings. No useful purpose would be served attempting paraphrase words: 5 '* * time horrible crime but nineteen old. Throughout life repeatedly classified mentally retarded deficient psychologists phychiatrists Institute Juvanile Research Chicago. committed institution feebleminded, where spent year. dropped out school age 16, having completed 7th grade, have intelligence child between 10 11 Aside from retardation, behavior problem bore no criminal record. 'Reck without warrant 11:00 a.m. shuttled North Avenue Police Station Shakespeare until 1:15 p.m., returned interrogated mainly about bycycle thefts 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. taken Warren night. During fed ham sandwich coffee bologna sausage Station. 'On Thursday, 10:00 a.m., brought back some six seven hours various crimes District. Afterwards, sent evening downtown Detective Bureau exhibited so-called 'show-up.' does indicate shows egg glass milk Thursday apparently nothing else. 8 'The silent Friday morning clear interrogation resumed sometime early afternoon. hundred people congregated second floor. Shortly after fainted Hospital examined intern who marks bruises upon rejected him treatment. directly immediately again placed exhibition. became unfurnished handball room, Sergeant Aitken, assigned Peacock investigation, questioned short period time. Abraham called testified extremely nervous, exposed shirt unbuttoned hanging outside pants. rubbing abdomen complaining pain region. examination 60 90 seconds, intermittently civilians approximately 9:30 when ill vomited considerable amount blood 9 10:15 ward given injections morphine, atropine, ipecac twice during evening. 2:00 physicians, Doctor Scatliff Day, members Medical Society assisting came request Prosecutor Kearney see if any brutality Reck. They door room barred officer. securing permission one, Captain O'Connell, they went asleep therefore made cursory x amination dark revealed conclusive. 9:00 Saturday, told Zachary Felsher beating stomach. also Weissman same hospital beaten chest three-day period. first since arrest 70 before conversed civilian presence officers. His father attempted Hospital. Each refused. 'At removed wheelchair soon transferred O'Connell's car transported Station, questioning continued afternoon, State's Attorney's office 'Previously this, evening, boys, Nash Goeth, implicating other boy, Livingston. 3:00 Livingston agreed sign (Upon arraignment, pleaded alleged subjected physical abuse police.) 12 whereabouts gun Goeth possessed. intensive interrogation, admitted murder. About 4:30 front group officers prosecutors, confronted Goeth. story crime. statement telling truth implicated point stated present struck 5:55 28, 13 joint taken, very weak looking. point, custody almost counsel, contact family, court appearance charge bail. text reveals mostly yes answer case deal used 14 Sunday, individual more less reiteration boys washed up clean clothes. Thereafter, formal ceremony numerous prosecutors well twelve invited civilians, statements read duly cautioned signed. know ans permitted counsel. solid food sandwich. diet doctor hospital. 15 Monday, Tuesday 30 through 1. Why, arraigned open guilty. seen relatives lawyer entire period.'3 16 As further noted, 'carries unexpressed import *.' length beatings inflicted each four days confessed. testimony corroborated. police, however, and, view conflict evidence, proceed premise, inflict deliberate injury custody.4 402—403, 891—892, Stein 346 156, 183—184, 73 1077, 1092, 97 1522; Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 143, 152—153, 921, 925, 88 1192; Ward Texas, 316 547, 551—552, 62 1139, 1141—1142, 86 1663. 17 But hardly necessary state extracted depend simply resorted crude tactic abuse. '(T)he accused hallmark unconstitutional inquisition.' Blackburn Alabama, 361 199, 206, 274, 279, 242. defendant's will overborne Chambers Florida, 309 227, 472, 84 716; 52, 53, 1348—1349, 1801; Leyra Denno, 347 556, 558, 74 716, 717, 98 948. If so, cannot deemed product rational intellect free will,' Blackburn, supra, page 208, 280. resolving attendant must account. Fikes 352 191, 198, 77 281, 285, 246; Payne Arkansas, 560, 567, 844, 849, 975. Physical mistreatment such circumstance, albeit circumstance itself weighs heavily. may combine produce effect just impellingly coercive third degree. Such, think, case, set 18 nineteen-year-old youth subnormal intelligence. prior experience police. nearly eight judicial hearing. Four those preceded six- seven-hour stretches relentless incessant interrogation. conducted groups For ranged wide variety crimes. detention turned petitioner stands convicted. four-day forth stations rooms. addition, public exhibition 'show-ups.' while display hospital, station put display. When 'show-up,' windowless 'handball court' relentlessly grew faint Once influence drugs. wheel chair, resumed. Some aftr noon second. 19 preceding adequate food, assistance family friends. was, practical purposes, incommunicado. physically weakened intense pain. We conclude total combination 'is so inherently its existence irreconcilable possession mental freedom lone suspect whom full force bear.' 154, 926, 1192. 20 true lacks Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 682, threat mob violence 975, thirty-six consecutive 1192, threats Harris South Carolina, 68, 1354, 1815, deception employed Spano 360 315, 79 1202, 1265, Nor mentality irrational However, equally youth, intelligence, lack previous make impossible equate powers resistance overbearing tactics defendants Lisenba California, 314 219, 280, 166. 21 Although decision area, most, requires than mere color-matching cases, inappropriate compare Turner Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 62, 1352, 1810, inadmissible disclosing compelling. Decision rested basically factors: detention, manner fact incommunicado nights five intermittently, much day, sometimes several twenty-three hours. time, circumstances, twenty-four concentratedly longer stretches. periods 'show-ups,' factor Turner. illness, pain, food. Finally, unlike Turner, regarded least borderline retardation. here thus presents totality far aggravated dictated our Johnson 340 881, 71 95 640; 246. 22 fairly said '(t)he inward consciousness robbery being guilt (petitioner) could neither deny explain seems enough account here.' 185, 1093, 1522. that, Stein, confess incriminating companions. beyond circumstancs bear little resemblance involved case. thirty-two-hour detention. Part working 'bargain' defendant 'young, soft, ignorant timid.' 1093. 'inexperienced ways detection' 'dumb rights.' Id., 186, By contrast, young ignorant. inexperienced detection. Moreover, pressures greater Stein. Confrontation companions event seem useless not. record, hard independent significance. 23 effort distinguish Sunday confessions. properly do so. existed Sunday. remained custody, friends There suggesting act Saturday. Both subject infirmities. Under admissible 24 petitioner's Constitution States, entitled released. judgments vacated remanded latter. remand, should enter orders consistent allowing reasonable retry Cf. Rogers Richmond, 365 534, 549, 735, 744, 760; Irvin Dowd, 366 729, 1639, 1646, 751. 25 Vacated remanded. 26 DOUGLAS, concurring. 27 'high grade defective'1 defectives. sixteen. Though delinquency. arrest, 28 Wednesday morning, 1936. 26, asking son give information. allowed son. Later tried admission. 29 right again. hold magistrate late Professor Alexander Kennedy University Edinburgh illuminating words long-continued conditions stress can interrogator effective command prisoner.2 techniques—now explained vast literature—include (1) disorientation disillusion; (2) synthetic tension; (3) crisis conversion; (4) rationalization indoctrination; (5) apologetics exploitation.3 31 device 'synthetic tension' summarized follows:4 32 'Production conditioning methods psychological tension concomitant changes heart, respiration, skin organs, feeling unattached particular ideas. caused transfer conflicts created chosen subject's life-history, entirely irrelevant reasons object build anxiety limits tolerance invoke pathological mechanisms escape comparable Conversion Hysteria.' 33 Whether technique knows. quite passed blood. What actually transpired know. records coming us involve relations prisoner confinement unreliable. word side orderly procedure, nonoppressive conduct, meticulous regard sensibilities prisoner. voice persuasion. 34 long shut off world, recurring practice country—for lowly birth, status.5 secret inquisition successful Communist countries. matter:6 35 'From history Inquisition learn certain empirical discoveries recognized important thoughtful objective minority concerned. once induced detailed past discuss interrogators absence persuasion even interest, might emotional recant heresies. discovery lasting conversion produced torture. Torture infrequently opposite negative feel achieve attitude detachment immunity inquisition. most surprising feature genuine enthusiasm recant. While results necessarily ascribed Inquistadores, evident retrospect something happening often control. come light Russian political Leninist period, success immensely tedious method didactic similarly appeal Marxist doctrine reason. confinement, history-taking reference topics forming personal relationship wo subscribes system religious explanation, occur endogenous always predictable ideas beliefs interrogator.' 36 Television teaches touchstone law enforcement. Experience however born stress, confusion, 37 gushing carry earmarks reliability. end fraught evil inconsistent requirements society reflected Bill Rights. means whereby commands Fifth (which I deem applicable States) circumvented. interrogate arrest; interrogate.7 obtained inadmissible, unless prompt arraignment informed silence accorded opportunity consult judgment reversed. 38 CLARK, WHITTAKER joins, dissenting. 39 Twenty-five ago savage attempt upset nine sought error opinion. 1946, certiorari. 1947, 331 855, 67 1742, 91 1862. year discharge. likewise. Then, 1952, seq. test validity 199-year sentence imposed previously. court, unanimous 1955, Petition denied, filing Federal 1956, witnesses heard, relief D.C., affirmed. Cir., 250. 40 Today—25 conviction—this overturns original judge, findings post-conviction appeal, decisions both federal separate applications finally, All courts overruled ground 'a circumstances' surrounded second-guesses heard saw witnesses, impartially declare voluntary. 41 quoted approval judge. quote margin judges few weeks events,1 sixteen thereafter.2 A casual comparison judge—to say least—has imported conclusions added embellishments cold need cite example, finds 'cold carries Appeals, sub silentio, overturned findings, basic strenuously conclusory Perhaps explanation differences best himself, favorable' Reck; 'Reck's tested observe weigh fresh hand my basis ancient appear misleading.' (Emphasis added.) 42 says proceeds 'upon Reck,' nonetheless coerced. assume, bases reversal coercion. doing goes holding cases 43 shall repeat except note Wednesday; concerning Peacock's Friday, ill, hospitalized; confederates confessed; them Saturday—each accusing murder—he brutality, nor, 1949, ask indication desire showing, interest suffered stomach ulcers How now—25 later—find 'cold' amounted comprehension. agree score decided contrary. 44 Since keystone rationale, sets involving e.g., 682. dealt factors bearing defendants, distinguishes violence, wearing down b protracted questioning, practiced.3 defective, 1960, 45 relies heavily supra. significantly 'aggravated' situation here. reviewed Pennsylvania affirmance jury. claim codefendants' confessions, confronted, implicate 'was falsely suspects 'opened up' him.' 64, 1353. Such falsification, judgment, stronger because outset Pennsylvania's trickery. artifice tends prey mind, leading victim either resort countercharges assume 'further (is) useless,' abandonment claimed innocence course follow. 46 Further, voluntariness submitted jury, refused 'that considering prolonged considered.' 65, U.S., 1353 And appellate considered indifferent convicted murderer' jail. 358 Pa. 350, 356, 58 A.2d 61, 64. 'Supreme stressing probable assuming alternatives approve conduct turn 'loose (society) guilt." disagreed made, hesitation here, determinations constant numerous, reached conclusion. affirming judgment. Voluntariness inadequately standard refuses factors. 1961, 760. To contrary, proper successively applied courts, felt forced choose what undesirable results, whose lightly disagree. 47 Similarly, 1957, 196—197, 284, 246, relied wrung 'uneducated Negro, certainly mentality, ill.' weaker susceptible been.' Unlike local jail home location 'to weighed.' So, too, seeing him, counsel made. 48 Of course, Cor t resolved color-matching. Comparisons perhaps occasion unavoidable, proper, 'on fours' approach identity apposite. find however. view, today moves onto new ground, merely retread steps took elusive, measureless heretofore developed accretion ad hoc, case-by-case basis, disposition disagree impartial previously facts. Perhaps, indicate, minds differ gauging cumulative reversal, ask, dealing extrinsic facts, quarter century conviction, many judges, federal, grounds? legal unreasonable few? 49 Certainly, walk across shadowy field sure-footedly Brothers, reading whole opinions am unpersuaded combined somehow, way speak. is, said, confederates, knew 'dance pay fiddler,' quoting Jackson's 1953, So shows, raised issue. pre-trial sanity proceedings, admissibility factual denial findings: 'Petitioner week, frequently times, floor stretcher. week confined practically incommunicao .' 264, 200, 202. implicit interview taking place Mississippi big river, York city, Washington, capital, Hoover Roosevelt. unable divide 5; how year, feet yard, quarts gallon, Columbus discovered America, opponents Civil War, capitals England, France, Germany. Kennedy, Scientific Lessons Interrogation, Proc.Roy.Instn. 170 (1960). pp. 96—97. p. 96. law, majestic equality, forbids rich poor sleep bridges, beg streets, steal bread.' Anatole France Cournos, Modern Plutarch (1928), 27. 94. ordinary investigations interview, Typically, Grand Jury power compel testimony, limitations relevance privilege. Bufalino, 285 408, 415, 416, 420. allow substitute subpoena strip meaning. stated: listened attentively support exhibits exhibits. burden establish preponderance introduced voluntarily freely. promise reward making person abused striking threatening form abuse, voluntary 'After preliminary voluntary; established weight overwhelming evidence. Therefore, admit Now, jury.' conclusion 'Well, 25th 27th. all, Assistant Attorney now practicing law; P.M., phone Chief Aitken; everyone Office; Day go examine complained ill; member doctors Crowley, Judge gave answers. brutality. threatened Kearney. Office Hospital, didn't tell why. Then midnight asked what, anything, wrong middle That first, visual examination; arrived asleep, aroused, grunted. 'No.' trouble pointed looked over, Day; he, Scatliff, discolorations. pressed nothing. Again, bruises; mistreated eaten eaten. cross-examination stool urine; pain; bled mouth, station, bleeding mouth dental disorders, tumors, injuries stomach, gastric ulcer opinion, cause bleeding. recross blow aggravate dormant become active Aitken talking defendant, commenced bleed mouth; ulcers; recommended Blair Varnes testified, attorney, statements, complaint believe sufficient disturb E.g., 1958, 975; 1944, 1815; 1959, 1265.

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