Document: 394 U.S. 478 89 S.Ct. 1138 22 L.Ed.2d 433 Billy Don Franklin BOULDEN, Petitioner,v.William C. HOLMAN, Warden. No. 644. Argued Feb. 26, 1969. Decided April 2, William B. Moore, Jr., Montgomery, Ala., for petitioner. David W. Clark, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner was convicted in Circuit Court Morgan County, Alabama, first-degree murder, and sentenced to death accordance with verdict jury. After Alabama Supreme affirmed conviction, 278 Ala. 437, 179 So.2d 20, instituted this habeas corpus proceeding United States District Middle Alabama. Judge Frank M. Johnson denied relief, 257 F.Supp. 1013, Appeals Fifth affirmed. 385 F.2d 102, rehearing denied, 393 932, 395 169. We granted certiorari. 822, 224, 21 93. I. 2 Although there substantial additional evidence petitioner's guilt, his conviction based part on a confession he had made some days after arrest. His request relief rested claim that introduction into violated rights under Constitution.1 Since trial antedated our decisions Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 478, 84 1758, 12 977, Miranda Arizona, 384 436, 86 1602, 16 694, 10 A.L.R.3d 974, is essentially contention constitutional standards prevailing prior those decisions, involuntarily. See New Jersey, 719, 1772, 882; Davis North Carolina, 737, 1761, 895. 3 holding full hearing regarding issue considering state court record, Court, an applying proper standards, unable conclude 'other than voluntarily made.' confession, found, 'simply not coerced.' F.Supp., at 1017, 1016. Appeals, likewise appropriate similarly could 'find from record here no plausible suggestion Boulden's will overborne * *.' F.2d, 107.2 4 Little purpose would be served by extensive summation proceedings court. question whether necessarily turns 'totality circumstances'3 any particular case, most relevant circumstances surrounding are set out opinions Appeals. uffice it say we have independent study entire record4 determined although relatively close one, conclusion reached justified. II. 5 In seeking challenged only admission evidence, petition certiorari limited claim. brief oral argument merits, however, has raised question: jury him selected principles underlying decision last Term Witherspoon 391 510, 88 1770, 20 776. 6 held 'a sentence cannot carried if imposed or recommended chosen excluding veniremen cause simply because they voiced general objections penalty expressed conscientious religious scruples against its infliction.' 522, 1777. present indicates less 15 prospective jurors were excluded prosecution statute provides: 7 'On offense which may punished capitally, good challenge person fixed capital punishmen(t) *.'5 8 That statutory standard been construed authorize exclusion potential who, 'opposed punishment, hang men.' Untreinor State, 146 33, 41 So. 285, 287. 9 However, as emphasized Witherspoon, 'The critical how phrases employed area courts commentators. What matters might understood—or misunderstood—by jurors.' 516, n. 9, 1774. can demanded venireman regard,' said, 'is willing consider all penalties provided law, irrevocably committed, before begun, vote regardless facts emerge course proceedings. If voir dire testimony given case broader basis this, Id., 21, clear '(u)nless states unambiguously automatically imposition punishment matter what reveal, assumed position.' It appears two acknowledged 'never' impose penalty.6 Eleven veniremen, appear excused their affirmative answers whether, language, against' punishment. following excerpt typical instances: 11 'THE COURT: Do you punishment? 'MR. SEIBERT: Yes, sir. 13 HUNDLEY: challenge. 14 Defendant? CHENAULT: No questions. Stand aside. You excused.' 17 Two other seem merely virtue statements did 'believe in' punishment.7 Yet entirely possible who does nevertheless perfectly able juror abide existing law—to follow conscientiously instructions judge fairly case. 18 appears, therefore, upon constitutionally stand Illinois. do not, finally decide here, several reasons. First, Appeals,8 filed A further directed conceivably modify fashion so strongly suggested now us. Further, exhausted remedies respect issue. Finally, event out, must ordered, local federal far better equipped frame decree due regard available procedures. 19 Accordingly, judgment vacated, remanded where belatedly brought attention properly fully considered. ordered. Judgment vacated BLACK, while still adhering dissent 532, 776, acquiesces Court's opinion. 23 FORTAS took consideration 24 HARLAN, whom CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL join, concurring dissenting part. 25 I agree determination question, therefore join Part II believe remand should also aspect coerced below completely ignore, pays passing attention. 26 '(t)wo confessions fact obtained second actually introduced evidence.' Ante, 479, 1. first these during hours interrogation Limestone County jail night arrest, May 1, 1964. re-enactment crime 6. examined both obtained, concluded voluntary. my exhaust 27 As compelled recognize, inculpatory on, two, but three different occasions. afternoon preceding jail.1 On afternoon, apprehended law enforcement officers near scene crime. According petitioner, officer Highway Patrol approached asked name: 28 'I told him; then me run wanting kill nigger long time *. (H)e run, throwed rifle up like getting ready shoot there.' Record Transcript 539—540. 29 Petitioner taken crime, placed, handcuffs, police car alone Captain Williams. He warnings.2 related: 30 'Captain Williams happened started tell cussed wasn't didn't it, lying again. And got mad start cussing. Well, called little bastard few more names Then about confess, me, going stop them. get wouldn't let them bother confess.' 31 Later, back car. One 'asked old was, him, enough die.' 544. 32 There ab ut scene, armed rifles shotguns. testified 'pretty size crowd' gathering—'I say, best judgment, twenty-five thirty cars people milling around road.' 647—648. admitted committed 33 Apparently hostile crowd, away convoy cars; another county precautionary measure. Thereafter treated 'first' confession. 34 course, obliged credit concerning officers' threats—some which, means all, controverted respondent's witnesses. But even address itself testimony. Indeed, except oblique statement '(t) protection afforded (Boulden) occasion inadequate,' 1014 (1966); 104 (1967), neither alluded to, examined, factual legal consequences events occurring 1964.3 35 Without speculating explanations disturbing lacuna below, broaden allow subjected improper coercion effect voluntariness trial. Darwin Connecticut, 346, 1488, 630 (1968); id. 350, 1490 (separate opinion). evidence. Both noted 'end product earlier' 'the accused (may been) acutely aware earlier admissions interest repeating ostensibly uneraseable (sic) words confession.' 106. 630; Beecher 389 35; cf. Bayer, 331 540, 67 1394, 91 L.Ed. 1654. Consequently, order determine admitted, passed well considered fashion. formal had, shortly killing deceased. controverted, such did, explicitly refer conclusions sustained. agree. consistently contended immediately arrest contributed involuntariness later confessions, assume referred event, own mind. affirming conclusion. 446—452, So.2d, 28—34. Fikes 352 191, 197, 77 281, 284, 246. Spano York, 360 315, 316, 79 1202, 1203, 1265. Ala.Code, Tit. 30, § 57. penitentiary 'JOHN L. NELSON hand. Challenge. NELSON: Capital think never inflict type case? aside, Nelson. 'E. O. MOON MOON: mean That's right. Moon.' your position COLLIER: don't State? Any questions, Chenault? excused. PATTON: I'll Patton answer, ground doesn't questions defendant? aside.' initial portion colloquy footnote indicate, authorizes 'fixed penitentiary' when responded affirmatively disjunctively phrased punishment.' thus discern objected likely assumption pass validity 'penitentiary' analogue death-qualification jurors, intimate today question. Appeals' rendered Witherspoon. This hearing, transcript stated: 'Billy, understand doing, just want talk you, us truth everything today. Now know talked repeat Lt. Watts Appendix (Emphasis added.) review cases manner decisions. contrary, defendant advised right remain silent respecting counsel outset interrogation, required Miranda, significant factor made. Thus, effectively gives added weight described involuntary.' 740—741, 1764, 895 (1966). additionally slight, sickly youth, I.Q. 83. denial en banc, Tuttle, joined Chief Brown, focused issue: 'It illegal prisoner shooting beyond doubt eliciting subsequently State valid much stress placed Boulden already confessed find impermissible. Here, repeatedly calling accused's sufficiently damaging wanted fill details.' 169 (1968).

Category: 0