Document: 342 U.S. 55 72 S.Ct. 141 96 L.Ed. 86 GALLEGOSv.STATE OF NEBRASKA. No. 94. Argued Oct. 8, 1951. Decided Nov. 26, Mr. Robert G. Simmons, Jr., Scottsbluff, Neb., for petitioner. Messrs. Walter E. Nolte, Homer L. Kyle, Lincoln, the State of Nebraska. Justice REED announced judgment Court and an opinion in which The CHIEF JUSTICE, BURTON CLARK join. 1 Petitioner, Agapita Gallegos, was convicted a District Nebraska manslaughter sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, maximum penalty. charge slaying his paramour without deliberation or premeditation. This conviction sustained by Supreme over objection that introduction at trial petitioner's prior statements admitting homicide violated Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. 152 Neb. 831, 43 N.W.2d 1. In view certain undenied incidents giving color allegation unfairness prosecution, certiorari granted determine whether due process requirements were admission statements. 341 947, 71 1003, 95 1371. 2 On September 19, 1949, request United States Immigration Naturalization Service, petitioner, thirty-eight-year-old Mexican farm hand who can neither speak nor write English, arrested, together with brother, police officers El Paso County, southwest corner Texas, there booked on vagrancy. Gallegos had been itinerant worker this country before arrest recently returned here such work. 3 We gather from abbreviated record information sought Texas authorities as acts Nebraska, where he worked preceding year. After arrest, petitioner questioned regarding identity. He once gave false name. Thereafter, jailed small room next twenty-one hours. Further questioning establish identity 20, result. Following second interrogation, left alone forty-eight 22, removed cell interrogated. name reconfined; time confinement ran period twenty-four 4 23, disclosed details crime. A statement respect crime immediately prepared English. read Spanish, thereafter signed it. His detention continued until 27, 1949. During entire no filed against him any state federal court brought magistrate. 5 have Gallegos' evidence confinement, rooms placed in, their condition furnishings, food provided. testimony these points is met only part Chief Deputy Sheriff Paso, interrogator. There times when not under direct observation. other witness familiar conditions restraint. through interpreter concerning matters vague. From it one gathers convey impression cells, occupied hours bed, light poorly lighted, sparse, perhaps more than meal day. 6 four-day 19th 23d, says treated threatened violence. did last longer hour two day according conducted almost entirely state's witness, Sheriff. However, testifies told might be turned severe lie detector used upon him. shows flat denial assertions contained sentence, but does show, Sheriff, threats promises made reference authorities, if made, would Service who, turn, deliver Service. also spoke violence.1 7 sheriff reached took Scotts Bluff jail, arriving Thursday, 29, a.m. Saturday, October 1, interviewed three county officers. described convicted. transcript English interpreter's translations interview some days later back Spanish retranslation. confirmed record. claim mistreatment authorities. 8 By § 29—406, Neb.Rev.Stat., 1943, officer commanded take accused done 13, judge County preliminary hearing complaint charging murder degree. first magistrate court. As incident hearing, asked plead. pleaded guilty. These confessions plea introduced state. 15, trial, found entitled counsel appointed court, then appointed. 9 Petitioner presents brief following question: 'Are obtained prisoner during twenty-five illegal being assist admissible evidence?' 10 An answer requires examination into circumstances surrounding 11 Before basis facts urged inadmissible because they result 'physical torture torture, mental duress, transportation detention,' violation constitutions. acceptance voluntary character logically impossible, we assume jury, applicable instructions, voluntary. 837 840, 4—6. Evidently, jury accepted disputed coercion. Where contradiction unavailable unobtainable, disregarded minimized disbelieved extent prosecution best position know, denied coercion promise, threat criminal approved should set aside violative clear proof drastic action required protect constitutional rights. While our conclusion necessarily follow ultimate determinations judges juries defendant's better opportunity afforded those agencies appraise weight evidence, witnesses personally them, leads us accept insofar conclusions must are dispute. guilt examined standpoint undisputed state.2 That means admitted classified substantial challenge. 12 has entrusted power interpret apply Constitution protection right trials, proper performance duty examine, cases us, form court's right. Kansas City Southern R. Co. v. C. H. Albers Comm'n Co., 223 573, 591, 32 316, 320, 56 556; Norris Alabama, 294 587, 594, 579, 582, 79 1074; Watts Indiana, 338 49, 51, 69 1347, 1348, 93 1801. contrary rule deny Federal Government authority redress courts charged applying standards process, recognition superior conflicting testimony, give deference essential issues what actually happened. See note 2, infra. Its compels Court, however, decide itself, undisputed, validity denies claimed 13 Controversies various forms. may reach verdict guilty although resolved subsidiary fact favor accused. case do know directly contradicted questionable true jury. It quite possible thought confession even though believed all testimony. cannot finding solely facts, weigh uncontradicted along facts. free, was, leave admissibility based.3 14 issue now tendered considered uncontroverted question presented depends Due Process Clause 23 given after while supervisory examinations present counsel. Circumstances well appraised trial. use reversal unchallenged adequate convict, remains. Malinski People New York, 324 401, 404, 65 781, 783, 89 1029. Both states require fugitives justice promptly taken extradition. Vernon's Code Criminal Procedure, Arts. 998, 999, 217. §§ 29—713, 29—715. weighed portion own harsh treatment answers factor. therefore limit inquiry admissions theretofore violates Amendment. 15 decision below law examination, appearance arraignment, exclusion involuntary.4 McNabb case, Carignan, 36, 97, limitation imposed Clause. States, 318 332, 340, 63 608, 612, 87 819; Lyons Oklahoma, 322 596, 597, 64 1208, 1210, 88 1481. Compliance its supervision procedure practices cases. trials vested Court. declared received violate 'fundamental principles liberty justice' protected infraction state.5 16 command furnish defendants matter course, Sixth prosecutions.6 Lack noncapital absence results essentials justice.7 certainly greater effect. supra, page 599, 1211, 'The mere custody render inadmissible.' 346, 615, cf. Carnignan, 39, 99. 17 Prolonged magistrate, lack before, during, private, are, elements determining confession, permitted relied process. 54, 1350, Of same way confessions. 18 So far affects defendant, test voluntariness.8 appraisal each particular open consideration recent cases, existed likely produce involuntary disagreement violated.9 support so convincing. 19 Certiorari serious case. carefully education familiarity law, experience life, need advice probable effect man interrogation confinement. about accommodations, limited amount assistant uncertain definiteness, lead place little Our reiteration charges except detention. 603, 1212, 20 say decency conviction. 21 Affirmed. 22 MINTON JACKSON, whom FRANKFURTER joins, concurring. 24 party summoned I begin, therefore, considering just itself said rights 25 pursuing Gallegos. They pressure pin someone. illegally country, transient beet fields woman children. whence whither comings goings community, disappeared how why. 26 came word Mexican, held confessed murdering body buried. corpus delicti, officers—from Texas—found grave decomposed ultimately identified living benefit clergy. Only discovery identification make charge. 27 slightest suggestion defendant officials abused, threatened, unduly contrary, willingly beat death fit jealousy. detained long arraignment. Even did, delay could sinister purpose coercing one, cause confession. not, ground inference voluntarily. 28 Upon proved earlier Texas. connection latter, vague allegations officials. Perhaps advised originally light. But chose lay whole failed doubt suppression. 29 coerced acting sense her agent. reverse conviction, heretofore answered recall, namely, merely foreign Insofar reason prevent convictions confessions, shown legal intrinsically unreliable, suppose defect origin inhere wherever offered. Insofar, deter attempting order bring convictions, hardly seek resolve difficult questions affirming find conduct every official involved. 30 immigration service. believe indeed illegal. himself beaten, questioned, shipped Mexico authorities—a which, patently true. 31 borne mind detaining apparently disappeared. solve local murder. theory trying obtaining flee pursueth.' For days, refused tell finally revealed identity, went all. holding knew did. custody, fear deeds known, conscience 33 appears scrupulously fair dispassionate. appear claims fairly found, see avoid finding, within meaning law. known directed fitted Nor altered embellished prolonged examination. story substantially identical recited detail. 34 Indeed contention involuntary. capable zealous them both convert so-called rule, courts, States. 819. claim, arraigned again arrival State, abuse it, detention, evidence. 'question presented' petition reads: unlawful him, Every specifications error based 'twenty-five detention' alone. 35 Let mean applied alien entered illegally. But, obliged release obvious learn Then obviously arraign Was turn loose murderer occurred outside jurisdiction? seem me hold person arraignment unless prohibits society taking common-sense steps 36 complained too (just never told) pointed out, nothing investigation properly supported Certainly hurriedly recklessly. rural less forty thousand inhabitants, half concentrated towns, largest population twelve thousand. prosecuting staff maintain expected move speed Government, many agents countless attorneys, big city forces. What hurry about? already prejudiced delay. drawing papers getting delicti order. seems passion revenge work office town life leisurely simple effort go convenient speed. 37 if, members ardently desire, ever converted afford poor foundation concur affirmance. 38 BLACK, DOUGLAS dissenting. 39 Americans justly complain fellow citizens European countries pounced will police, jail incommunicado, incarceration. Yet part1 today affirms Nebraska's citizen understand 40 dispute all: working field arrested deputy warrant. excuse requested No warrant sworn out eight kept jail. incommunicado repeated deputies. Part windows, testifying referred 'dark room' 'punishment room,' 'docile prisoner' incarceration convict usual type deputies wholly 'voluntary'; engendered actions officers' happen correct, forbids kind secret inquisition conducted. 41 arbitrary arrests like this, followed imprisonment systematic obtained, still recognized permissible procedures. Trap Closes' A. Vogeler Leigh White, Saturday Evening Post, November 3, 1951, p. et seq. My belief departure interpreted America tolerate practices. Ashcraft Tennessee, 143, 154 155, 921, 926—927, 1192; Chambers Florida, 309 227, 60 472, 84 716; Bram 168 532, 556, 562—563, 183, 192, 194, 42 568. judgment. 'Q. At anybody talking you act scare you? 'A. Yes, sir. Tell was? When started investigate me. third day? tried get words my forcibly another there. Do don't is. Have seen room? No, do? eyes away seemed wanted hit frightened didn't do. (R. 84—85.) struck And raised arm going strike fellow. fellow? investigated that? investigating How threaten With hand. Did time? truth. me.' 90—91.) 1481; 1029; Haley Ohio, 332 68 302, 303, 92 224; Cf. Lisenba California, 314 219, 238—241, 62 280, 290—292, 166. 839, 5: 'While manner held, made; charge, factual situation freely voluntarily made. includes offered translated understood making thereto. nature degree charged. relate themselves doing consequently involuntarily made.' 839—840, 6: 'In regard soon Maher 144 463, 641, 650: precise length time, person, hearing. possible. permit.' '* * Here instance, heard relating thereto determined sufficient laid admission. character, involuntary, submitted instructions Nos. 12, 14. justified instance submitting Kitts (151 679, 283).' Hebert Louisiana, 272 312, 47 103, 104, 270; Adamson 46, 67 1672, 1676, 91 1903. Quicksall Michigan, 339 660, 70 910, 94 1188; Bute Illinois, 333 640, 763, 986; Foster 134, 1716, 1955. Uveges Com. Pennsylvania, 335 437, 441, 184, 185, 127; Betts Brady, 316 455, 462, 1252, 1256, 1595; compare Hawk Olson, 326 271, 278, 66 116, 120, 90 61. Brown Mississippi, 297 285—286, 461, 464, 465, 80 682; 236, 238, 476, 477, 290, 52, 1349, 1801: 'On 1947, Wednesday, suspected perpetrator alleged assault Later day, vicinity occurrence, dead suggesting course attempted assault. Suspicion quickly towards began Police Headquarters, relays eleven thirty night sometime between 2:30 o'clock morning. persistent 5:30 afternoon morning, relay six officers, pursued Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, 15th, Monday 17th. Sunday rest interrogation. About Tuesday 18, incriminating continuous since evening. satisfy prosecutor called interrogator twenty lawyer, prosecutor, yielded document. 'Until inculpatory secured, exclusive control solitary aptly enough 'the hole' physical State's witnesses. Apart five sessions, intermittently interrogated drove around town, eliciting identifications disclosures. Although Indiana prompt intended friendly professional aid Disregard rudimentary needs life—opportunities sleep decent allowance food—are relevant, aggravating treatment, total stamped character.' Turner 62, 63—64, 1352, 1810: why arrested. Hall station. One o'clock. joined persistently knowledge June 4, records questioning. four more. 6th sessions totaling sometimes several together; appears, fact, whenever interested free 7, others resume Despite falsely suspects 'opened up' repeatedly guilt. finally, o'clock, stated killed whose arraigned.' Harris South Carolina, 68, 69—70, 1354, 1355, 1815: earnest. least relays, relieving permit respite stifling heat cubicle Throughout evening Bennetts. 1:30 past morning hour's interval 5:30. Wednesday Constabulary, dozen men, hour, carried longer. 6:30 resumed. implication killings. mother handling stolen property. replied, 'Don't mixed up truth.' substance session ended midnight. 'Petitioner informed Carelina secure remain silent. contain consultation family friends surrounded dominant group positions authority. relevant illiterate.' reversed items secured guarantees. consider only.

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