Document: 373 U.S. 723 83 S.Ct. 1417 10 L.Ed.2d 663 Wilbert RIDEAU, Petitioner,v.STATE OF LOUISIANA. No. 630. Argued April 29, 1963. Decided June 3, Fred H. Sievert, Jr., Lake Charles, La., for petitioner. Frank T. Salter, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On evening February 16, 1961, a man robbed bank in Louisiana, kidnapped three bank's employees, and killed one them A few hours later petitioner, Rideau, was apprehended by police lodged Calcasieu Parish jail Charles. The next morning moving picture film with sound track made an 'interview' between Rideau Sheriff Parish. This lasted approximately 20 minutes. It consisted interrogation sheriff admissions that he had perpetrated robbery, kidnapping, murder. Later same day filmed broadcast over television station some 24,000 people community saw heard it on television. again shown to estimated audience 53,000 people. following station, this time 20,000 their sets. has population 150,000 2 Some two weeks later, arraigned charges armed murder, lawyers were appointed represent him. His promptly filed motion change venue, ground would deprive rights guaranteed him United States Constitution force trial after broadcasts there his sheriff.1 After hearing, venue denied, accordingly convicted sentenced death murder charge court. 3 Three members jury which stated voir dire they seen Rideau's televised at least occasion. Two deputy sheriffs counsel requested these jurors be excused cause, having exhausted all peremptory challenges, but challenges cause been denied judge. judgment conviction affirmed Supreme Court 242 La. 431, 137 So.2d 283, case is here writ certiorari, 371 919, 294, 9 229. 4 record contains as exhibit broadcast. What sets jail, flanked state troopers, admitting detail commission response leading questions sheriff.2 fails show whose idea make film, local we know from conceded circumstances plan carried out active cooperation participation law enforcement officers. And certainly no suggested idea, or even aware what going when being made. 5 In view take case, question who originally initiated interview is, any event, basically irrelevant detail. For hold denial due process refuse request exposed repeatedly depth spectacle personally confessing crimes charged. anyone ever watched conclusion cannot avoided spectacle, tens thousands it, very real sense trial—at pleaded guilty Any subsequent court proceedings so pervasively such could hollow formality. 6 Brown v. Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 L.Ed. 682, set aside convictions secured formalities fair procedures, based upon 'free voluntary confessions' fact preceded grossly brutal kangaroo while defendants held without counsel. As Chief Hughes wrote 'The free regulate procedure its courts accordance own conceptions policy * *. (But) does not follow may substitute ordeal.' U.S., 285, S.Ct., 464. Cf. White Texas, 310 530, 60 1032, 84 1342. That almost generation ago, era before onrush electronic age. 7 now us involve physical brutality. involved more subtle less deprivation law. Under our Constitution's guarantee process, person accused committing crime vouchsafed basic minimal rights. Among are right counsel,3 plead guilty, tried courtroom presided Yet heard, once times, 'trial' sheriff, where lawyer advise stand mute. 8 shows thing never took place Parish, Louisiana.4 Whether occurred elsewhere, do know. But hesitate hold, pausing examine particularized transcript examination jury, required drawn 'interview.' 'Due law, preserved Constitution, commands practice disclosed shall send death.' Chambers Florida, 309 227, 241, 472, 479, 716. Reversed. CLARK, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. 11 arrested confined Louisiana. arrest arose robbery kidnapping homicide. night petitioner detailed oral written confessions crimes, admitted crimes. 17, 18, 19, 1961. 12 March under capital entered plea robbery. Counsel immediately, permission withdraw granted. They then quash, State elect count wished proceed. elected count, 10, 13 defense moved hearing. Thereupon empaneled Louisiana reverses judgment, holding petitioner's Having searched Court's record, I am unable find Fourteenth Amendment therefore dissent. 14 At outset, matters should clearly established. First, believe within province officers actively cooperate activities tend difficult achievement impartial justice. Therefore, if federal court, exercise supervisory powers, vote reverse us. Marshall States, 360 310, 79 1171, 1250 (1959). goes saying, however, significant difference scope power reach level constitutional dimension. See, e.g., Stein People New York, 346 156, 187, 73 1077, 1094, 97 1522 (1953); Allen, 344 443, 476, 397, 417, 469 (1953). 15 Second, agree fully deprived environment permeated hostility judicial can 'but formality.' proposition, my position regard thereto, established Irvin Dowd, 366 717, 81 1639, 751 (1961). point must part company Court, much because deviates principles applies all. simply stops point, establishing substantial nexus trial, months later. Unless adverse publicity have fatally infected basis inference publicity, epitomized interview, called up informal illicit analogy res judicata, making meaningless See Beck Washington, 369 541, 82 955, 98 (1962). 16 apparently realize necessity illustrated reliance 682 (1936). progeny* proposition constitutionally evidence including confession involuntarily There clear action officials itself than results trial. Here, course, neither nor read jury. While evidence, only argument exclusion obtained advised did present. answered decisions Cicenia Lagay, 357 504, 78 1297, 1523 (1958), Crooker California, 433, 1287, 1448 (1958). 17 controlling, recognized matter may, unusual circumstances, infect enters indelibly imbedded minds jurors. We found situation supra, continuous wave concerning offense past area 18 '(a)n 2,783-page 370 prospective 90% those examined entertained guilt ranging intensity mere suspicion absolute certainty. number that, accused's dock theirs opinions, want jury.' 727, 1645. 19 More important, finally placed box eight thought guilty. unanimously reversed caveat 'It required, totally ignorant facts issues involved. days swift, widespread diverse methods communication, important expected arouse interest public vicinity, scarcely best qualified serve will formed impression merits case. particularly true criminal cases. To existence preconceived notion innocence accused, more, sufficient rebut presumption juror's impartiality establish impossible standard.' Id., 722—723, 1642. 21 Thus, Irvin, complete permeation, imbedding opinions veniremen two-thirds actual tribunal. Compare supra. face whether and, determination, involved, hearing examination. 22 Initially, obstacle determining pervasiveness since circulation program susceptible determination newspaper. figures quoted representing 'saw heard' given Program Director represented typical viewers times broadcast, determined rating service conducted sampling previous broadcasts. testified 'an approximate say, way you prove communications intangible business *.' Of assuming arguendo accuracy given, mutually inclusive different occasions. give tangible indication effect venue. five witnesses get parish. Twenty-four stipulation testify 23 most crucial relates composition 12-man panel assert, show, guilt. testify, 24 'could lay opinion, defendant provided base decision solely apply judge per curiam: 'They notwithstanding anything case." 462, 295. 25 Further, honorary Deputy Sheriff's commissions department. Neither men connected department deputy, arrests received pay both used convenience. affect ability way, concluded tenuous relationship destroy qualifications serve. Frazier 335 497, 69 201, 93 187 (1948); Wood, 299 123, 57 177, 26 tribunal 'is requirement process,' re Murchison, 349 133, 136, 75 623, 625, 99 942 (1955), safeguarded vigilance. standard require laboratory, completely sterilized freed external factors. impartiality, demeanor plays part, discount influence factors meet imposed Amendment, assurance lightly discarded. When unusually compelling, assurances discarded, 'it asking too burden showing essential unfairness sustained claims injustice seeks result Adams ex rel. McCann, 317 269, 281, 63 236, 242, 87 268 (1942). Since met burden, affirm stated: 'That Defendant preferred against Calcasieu, travesty justice violation Defendant's every committed States.' summarized event follows: '(O)n interviewed entire (with track) KPLC—TV showings prior arraignment charge. ndicted.' 447, So.2d, 289. Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 792, 799. 'Q. Mazilly, work roughly years? 'A. Yes, sir. Were yesterday encompassing Reid Rideau? was. your years, similar parish Southwest charged allowed—that pictures general confessed crime? No, sir.' Ritz, Twenty-five Years Criminal Confession Cases Wash. & Lee L.Rev. 35

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