Document: 407 U.S. 371 92 S.Ct. 2174 33 L.Ed.2d 1 George William MILTON, Petitioner,v.Louie L. WAINWRIGHT, Director, Florida Divisions of Corrections. No. 70—5012. Argued Jan. 12, 1972. Decided June 22, Syllabus Petitioner in this habeas corpus proceeding challenged on Fifth and Sixth Amendment grounds the introduction at his trial a post-indictment, pretrial confession he made to police officer posing as fellow prisoner. The denial relief is affirmed without reaching merits petitioner's claims; any possible error admission was harmless beyond reasonable doubt light three other unchallenged confessions strong corroborative evidence guilt. Harrington v. California, 395 250, 89 1726, 23 284; Chapman 386 18, 87 824, 17 705. Pp. 372—378. 428 F.2d 463, affirmed. Neil P. Rutledge, Durham, N.C., for petitioner. J. Robert Olian, Miami, Fla., respondent pro hac vice, by special leave Court. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion We granted writ certiorari claims under Amendments arising out use one number confessions, all which were received over objection. here obtained an accused person confined cell with 2 Milton presently serving life sentence imposed 1958 upon conviction first-degree murder following jury Dade County, Florida. During that trial, State called witness who, time when petitioner had already been indicted represented counsel, posed prisoner spent almost two full days sharing testified incriminating statements him during period. Contending involuntary standards violation rights subsequently interpreted Massiah United States, 377 201, 84 1199, 12 246 (1964), initiated present States District Court Southern Court, finding exhausted state remedies course several post-conviction proceedings courts, ruled against claim, holding not inadmissible claim could prevail since '(n)o has declared retroactive, will be first do so.' 306 F.Supp. 929, 933. Appeals petitioner, 463. 3 On basis argument case our examination extensive record we have concluded judgment review must claim. Assuming, arguendo, testimony should excluded, clearly reveals its doubt. 284 (1969); 705 (1967). jury, addition hearing testimony, presented overwhelming guilt, including no less than prior indictment. Those found admissible previous brought attempts set aside, they are here. 4 crime convicted occurred early morning hours 1, 1958. woman whom living asleep while riding passenger rear seat automobile driven petitioner; she died drowning car ran into Miami River windows closed doors securely locked from outside safety devices designed ensure accidental opening doors. Petitioner, who jumped shortly before it reached water, nevertheless propelled river car's momentum; recovered water seaman nearby heard cries help clinging boat moored near point automobile's entry. A few later car, victim's body still inside, retrieved bottom short distance downstream 5 day arrested manslaughter charges placed city jail. Ten after woman's death, having advised right remain silent, confessed deliberately killed accident simulated. He oral question-and-answer exchange preserved wirerecording device. then repeated another these taken down stenographer; stenographic recording converted transcript, read signed 11 p.m. 11.1 6 day, told would like make some clarifying additions writing night. suggested go photographer scene incident 'and reconstruct how thing . occurred.' agreed. He, officer, went where pointed route driving river, approximate entry river. back station statement night indicated parts wanted clarify. Once again, stenographer summoned transcribed petitoner signed.2 Approximately week secured services attorney engage further discussions anyone else. 7 Following this, indictment County jail awaiting State, reasons altogether clear, assigned named Langford detail order 'seek information' him. 8 entered late Friday afternoon himself investigation murder; assumed friendly pose toward cellmate, offering prison food their breakfast together next telling something own fictitious 'crime,' described robbery committed accomplice used Langford's gun kill victim. Finally, began boast mistake might serve witness; instead, said, 'perfect' surviving witnesses. By left Sunday afternoon, predicted much assurance soon released, collect lot insurance money, flee money ever being crime. essentially same those given 9 At court, wire played back, judge ruling admissibility, jury. Petitioner's written also evidence, photographs reconstructed occurrence. In addition, permitted testify amde men county Other highly damaging totality, For example, there acquaintance months disliked Minnie Claybon (the victim) interested only getting her. terms certain policies purchased about selling agents; provided payment $8,500 death Miss Claybon, agents faithfully maintained weekly premium payments policies. however, hard pressed murder, fallen behind rent sold personal clothing raise small sums. There drowned very crime, making cash $8; unlocked position former owner; put loosening screw, sliding locking device position, retightening screw; screwed After guilty degree, but recommended mercy; recommendation, imprisonment. 10 collateral attacks conviction, primarily courts response applications relief, Supreme issued corpus, voluntariness wire-recorded thereafter discharged reported decision upholding admissibility trial. Cochran, 147 So.2d 137 (1962), cert. denied, 375 869, 88, 95 (1963). issues raised now us must, purposes instant case, treated properly resolved Cf. Sup.Ct. Rule 23(1)(c). initiating sought aside ground admitted Our record, leaves verdict wihtout testimony. limited scope; federal sit re-try cases de novo but, rather, constitutional standards. process close eyes reality guilt fairly established court 14 years ago here; additional arguably open challenge was, doubt, harmless. Affirmed. 13 STEWART, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN, MARSHALL join, dissenting. Under guise 'harmless error,' today turns landmark precedent 40 ago. That precedent, controls Powell Alabama, 287 45, 53 55, 77 L.Ed. 158. I respectfully dissent. 15 grand Milton, firstdegree murder. This offense punishable law. indicted, remanded await retained lawyer, talk anyone. 16 Some weeks directed enter Milton's cell, Milton. evening. 'tried (Milton) up,' refused case. devoted efforts gaining confidence. shared gave candy. talked convincingly purported tried steer conversation charge repeatedly said did want it, lawyer. sometime between midnight a.m. Sunday, 36 prodding supposed prisoner, allegedly Langford. subsequent Langford, objection, allowed alleged confession. convicted, and, recommendation sentenced His appeals appellate unavailing, ultimately filed Florida, claiming invalid because deprived assistance counsel 18 Judge denied writ, apparently believing question whether Court's 246, 'retroactive': 19 'This six per se if induced officers or counsel. No so. Counsel argues retroactive far stating new principles law, merely restated derived 158 (1932). However, dealt appointment capital situation different knew what doing. wasn't intimidated police, didn't even know cellmate policeman. lawyer concerning chose follow advice.' 933—934. 20 Circuit curiam 'on Court's) opinion,' certiorari, 403 904, 91 2209, 29 679. 21 error. They mistaken, first, thinking anything 'voluntariness' second, real 'retroactivity' presented. third, supra, 'appointment case.' And fourth, Alabama inapplicable 22 decided ago, truly decisions It held Fourteenth man absolute right, 'to of,' restricted reversed convictions Powell, because: 'during perhaps most critical period defendants, say, arraignment until beginning consultation, thorough-going preparation vitally important, defendants aid sense, although entitled such itself.' U.S., 57, S.Ct., 59. 24 counsel1 violated when, indictment, defendant surreptitiously interrogated alone agent police. '(U)nder system justice,' 'the elemental concepts due law contemplate followed 'in orderly courtroom, presided judge, public, protected procedural safeguards law.' .' '(A) Constitution guarantees surely vouchsafe interrogation completely extrajudicial proceeding. view,' 'no more reflects principle long 45 158.' 204—205, 1202. 25 wholly spurious issue. marked departure upset accepted prosecutorial practice. Its effect wholesale deliveries. Tehan ex rel. Shott, 382 406, 418—419, 86 459, 466 467, 453. least countenanced kind post-indictment involved, let specifically upheld constitutionality interrogation.2 26 four decades recognized indicts offense, rudimentary require afforded effective counsel: 27 'Let emphasized outset questioning suspect investigating unsolved 28 'Under justice every stage lawyer's may imposed. Alabama.' Spano New York, 360 315, 327, 79 1202, 1209, 1265 (concurring opinion). So 'retroactive,'3 rule settled Alabama. 30 can find Officer 705, 'error admitting plainly relevant possibly influenced adversely litigant cannot, Fahy (v. Connecticut, 85, 229, 171), conceived harmless.' 23—24, 828. influenced, 'prove complained contribute obtained.' Id. 24, 31 Neither nor possibility good reasons. relies fact 'confession' introduced But fails mention each 18-day arrest incommunicado questioned often time. wife. session detectives working tandem continuously eight hours, confessed. one, detention. 32 circumstances, hardly surprising plant hope obtaining admissions tainted indicia unreliability surrounded statements. succeeded doing so, thus devastating defense referred prosecutor final argument. determined pre-indictment voluntary, issue, notes, us. weight affected circumstances obtained, ability discredit minds undoubtedly destroyed corroboration elaboration supplied unconstitutionally planted cell. Surely returned particularly lesser degree homicide distinct evidence. 34 To hold otherwise, absence previously violate restates today: 'The rather standards.' Ante, 733. 35 Despite admonition, refuses squarely great lesson ignored. ignore honor 'fundamental postulate 'that immutable inhere idea free government member Union disregard." 71—72, 65. reasons, reverse confession, statements: 'Minnie Lee myself policy together. started get happened happened. way other, so around car. whole with. drived killed. '. drove straight just got skidded kept rolling also. hurt my shoulder. couldn't move arm. hurting bad.' second writing, confirmed major part before, 'decided kill' 'about month happened.' stated, decision, instead habits associating men, drinking too much, staying reaffirmed express intention killing woman. involved noncapital felony charge, Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 58 1019, 82 1461. Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 799, non-capital criminal Amendments. guarantee extended. See Argersinger Hamlin, 25, 2006, 530. An issue unless marks sharp break web overrules clear past e.g., Linkletter Walker, 381 618, 85 1731, 601; Desist 394 244, 1030, 248; Williams 401 646, 1148, 388; disrupts practice widely relied upon, Jersey, 384 719, 1772, 882; Stovall Denno, 388 293, 1967, 1199; Cipriano City Houma, 701, 1897, 647. Even erroneous premise quite mistaken retroactive.' McLeod Ohio 356, 1556, 682, reversed, citing Massiah, voluntary indicted. antedated years.

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