Document: 340 U.S. 122 71 S.Ct. 146 95 L.Ed. 141 WHELCHELv.McDONALD. No. 109. Argued Nov. 10, 1950. Decided Dec. 4, Rehearing Denied Jan. 15, 1951. See 923, 356. Mr. Hugh Carney, Atlanta, Tex., for petitioner. John F. Davis, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, while on active duty with Army in Germany, was convicted by a general court-martial rape German girl. The sentence death, originally imposed, reduced to term years. This case arises petition writ habeas corpus filed District Court, challenging legality petitioner's detention under that sentence. That court denied and Court Appeals affirmed. 176 F.2d 260; 178 760. main point presented certiorari is whether military tribunal tried petitioner deprived Jurisdiction reason treatment insanity issue tendered We hold it not. 2 charges against were referred an investigating officer accordance Article 70 Articles War, 10 U.S.C. (1946 ed.) § 1542, U.S.C.A. 1542. reported he had no reasonable ground believing deranged. A neuropsychiatrist attached division reported, after examining petitioner, legally sane. Division Staff Judge Advocate recommended trial, stating there believe be temporarily or permanently defense not raised, however, either at pretrial investigation trial itself. After counsel wrote Commanding General requesting reopened given neuropsychiatric examination received information might have been epileptic fit time offense. request concurrence five six members accompanied similar letters from two officers sergeant division. record this condition when reviewed Eisenhower European Theatre Operations, Board Review Theatre, Assistant General. 3 There evidence hearing before may insane drunk crime. 4 put one side due process which respondent presses, we think plain law governing procedure must afforded defendant some opportunity tender insanity. It only denial goes question jurisdiction. here. Any error committed evaluating beyond reach review civil courts. 5 Manual prescribes ordinary test criminal responsibility, viz., accused able tell right wrong.1 Insanity defense.2 prescribed offers present Petitioner opportunity. provides reviewing authority (here Division) 'will take appropriate action where appears otherwise insane' crime, such raised trial.3 also provision applicable confirming authority4 charge Operations). other recommendations submitted it. does require halt proceedings, make further investigation, start over again. entrusts matter discretion those authorities. 6 consideration authorities sue tenders. By 53 revised Act June 24, 1948, 62 Stat. 639, 642, 1525, effective February 1, 1949, authorized 'upon application person, upon good cause shown, his grant new trial' any within limits. became filed. But pending appeal delayed final made 53. all both proceeding concluded 'I entertain doubt Whelchel so far free mental defect, disease, derangement as concerning particular acts charged distinguish wrong adhere right. * *' 7 would go jurisdiction, proceedings. 8 member named General's Department. since showing availability member, gross abuse has established. Hiatt v. Brown, 339 103, 109—110, 495, 498. 9 Under War now enlisted men included tries him.5 tried.6 fact composed wholly raise can gain support analogy jury guaranteed Sixth Amendment trials courts-martial commissions. Kahn Anderson, 255 8, 41 224, 225, 65 469; Ex parte Quirin, 317 40—41, 63 16—17, 87 3. Courts-martial adoption Constitution.7 constitution courts-martial, like matters relating their organization administration, see supra, pages 6—7, Swaim United States, 165 553, 556—559, 17 448, 449—450, 823; Mullan 140 240, 244—245, 11 788, 789—790, 35 489; Martin Mott, 12 Wheat. 19, 34—35, 537, congressional action. Affirmed. Paragraph 78a Courts-Martial (1928 provides: 'A person mentally responsible offense unless right.' 'The will inquire into existing whenever inquiry ought interest justice. Reasons include anything man accused's capacity understand nature proceedings intelligently conduct cooperate defense.' 75a 'If determines responsible, forthwith enter finding guilty proper specification.' 'Where exists responsibility charged, offense.' Id., paragraph 87. 88. U.S.C.Supp. III, 1475, 1475. At provided pertinent part follows: 'All service Marine Corps detached order President, shall competent serve persons who lawfully brought courts trial.' collection precedents Winthrop's Military Law Precedents, 2d ed., Reprint 1920: British 1765, p. 942; American 1776, 967; 1806, pp. 981—982.

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