Document: 421 U.S. 684 95 S.Ct. 1881. 44 L.Ed.2d 508 Garrell S. MULLANEY et al., Petitioners,v.Stillman E. WILBUR, Jr. No. 74—13. Argued Jan. 15, 1975. Decided June 9, Syllabus The State of Maine requires a defendant charged with murder, which upon conviction carries mandatory sentence life imprisonment, to prove that he acted in the heat passion on sudden provocation order reduce homicide manslaughter, case punishment is fine or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years. Held: rule does comport requirement Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment prosecution must beyond reasonable doubt every fact necessary constitute crime charged, In re Winship, 397 358, 90 1068, 25 368. To satisfy absence when issue properly presented. Pp. 691-704. 1 Cir., 496 F.2d 1303, affirmed. Vernon I. Arey, Asst. Atty. Gen., Augusta, Me., for petitioners. Peter J. Rubin, Portland, respondent. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. murder 'in provocation' manslaughter. We decide whether this comports due process requirement, as defined 364, 1072, 368 (1970), charged. 2 * 1966 jury found respondent Stillman Wilbur, Jr., guilty murder. against him rested his own pretrial statement and circumstantial evidence showing fatally assaulted Claude Hebert latter's hotel room. Respondent's statement, introduced by prosecution, claimed had attacked frenzy provoked Hebert's homosexual advance. defense offered no evidence, but argued was unlawful since lacked criminal intent. Alternatively, Wilbur's counsel asserted at most manslaughter rather than it occurred assault. 3 trial court instructed law recognizes two kinds homicide, these offenses are subdivided into different degrees. common elements both be unlawful—i.e., neither justifiable nor excusable1—and intentional.2 required proof doubt, only if they so proved consider distinction between 4 view drew particular attention difference After reading statutory definitions offenses,3 'malice aforethought an essential indispensable element murder,' App. 40, without would further instructed, however, established intentional unlawful, malice conclusively implied unless fair preponderance provocation.4 emphasized inconsistent things,' id., 62; thus, proving latter negate former from then concluded its charge elaborate 'heat passion'5 'sudden provocation.'6 5 retiring verdict, twice returned request instruction. It first sought reinstruction doctrine aforethought, later definition passion.' Shortly after second reinstruction, 6 Respondent appealed Supreme Judicial Court, arguing been denied because suden provocation. He under murder—indeed sole distinguishing contended, therefore, Court's decision Winship existence doubt. 7 Court rejected contention,7 holding distinct crimes but, rather, degrees single generic offense felonious homicide. v. 278 A.2d 139 (1971). stated more century repeatedly held could rest presumption require With respect decided respondent's trial,8 noted did anticipate application principle factor such 8 next successfully petitioned writ habeas corpus Federal District Wilbur Robbins, 349 F.Supp. 149 (Me.1972). ruled statutes offenses, offense. '(m)alice made expressly excluded manslaughter.' Id., 153. Thus, concluded, doubt; cannot rely malice, 9 Appeals First Circuit Affirmed, subscribing general analysis construction law. 473 943 (1973). Although recognizing 'within broad limits state one interpret laws,' nevertheless 'a totally unsupportable leads invasion constitutional federal matter.' 945. equated 'premeditation,' 947, 10 Following decision, Lafferty, 309 647 (1973), sharply disputed Circuit's entitled make independent determination also reaffirmed earlier categories signle Accordingly, proves burden shifts receive lesser penalty prescribed manslaughter.9 11 Lafferty we granted certiorari remanded reconsideration. 414 1139, 94 889, 39 96 (1974). On remand, again applied time construed 1303 (1 Cir. 1974). Looking 'substance' law, presence results significant differences penalties stigma attaching conviction. For reasons principles enunciated control, establish act 12 Because importance issues presented, certiorari. 419 823, 39, 42 47 now affirm. II 13 reject outset position follow initial Circuit, Maine, absent latter. argues should deemed binding marks radical departure prior law,10 internally results, transparent effort circumvent Winship. This has courts ultimate expositors see, e.g., Murdock City Memphis, Wall. 590, 22 L.Ed. 429 (1875); Winters New York, 333 507, 68 665, 92 840 (1948), bound their constructions except extreme circumstances present here.11 accept III 14 bears case, can succinctly: Absent justification excuse, all criminally reckless killings homicides. Felonious punished murder—i.e., imprisonment—unless committed provocation, manslaughter—i.e., exceed $1,000 requiring hear accords process. A. 15 Our may illuminated placed historical context.12 16 At early those homicides ommitted enforcement justice were considered justifiable; others death. Gradually, severity common-law abated. Between 13th 16th centuries class expanded include, example, accidental self-defense. Concurrently, widespread use capital ameliorated extension ecclesiastic jurisdiction. Almost any person able read eligible 'benefit clergy,' procedural device effected transfer secular And who executed; instead received one-year sentence, thumb branded forfeit goods. turn century, English rulers, concerned accretion jurisdiction expense secular, enacted series eliminating benefit clergy cases 'murder prepensed.'13 Unlawful designated 'manslaughter,' perpetrators remained clergy. 17 Even eliminated persisted. said 'manslaughter, voluntary,14 arises passions, wickedness heart.' W. Blackstone, Commentaries *190. Malice distinguished crimes, recognized well evidence. resulted sufficiently violent provocation,' 'presumed malicious.'15 *201. presumption, authorities, relying King Oneby, Eng.Rep. 465 (K.B.1727), once accused 'incumbent prisoner out, satisfaction jury' 'all . justification, alleviation.' See M. Foster, Crown Law 255 (1762). appears have defendant.16 18 country concept took meanings: some jurisdictions came signify substantive intent, intended kill inflict great bodily harm; other policy indicating contrary presumed passion. Rollins, 295 914, 918—919 generally Perkins, A Re-Examination Aforethought, 43 Yale L.J. 537, 548—549, 566—568 (1934).17 landmark Commonwealth 50 Mass. 93 (1845), Chief Shaw Massachusetts passion.18 Initially, York adopted Maine19 several jurisdictions.20 1895, context deciding question procedure, explicitly unanimously approach articulated York. Davis United States, 160 469, 353, 40 499.21 And, past half large majority States abandoned LaFave & Scott, Handbook Criminal 539—540 (1972).22 19 review establishes important points. First, here—the provocation—has been, almost inception determining degree culpability second, clear trend toward ruquiring bear fact. Fletcher, supra, n. 16; H. Packer, Limits Sanction 137—139 (1968). B Petitioners, warden Prison argue despite considerations extended case. They note formal matter 'fact crime' Maine. U.S., S.Ct., 1073 (emphasis supplied). relevant, according petitioners, facts criminality instance, whereas here come play until already determined least situation, petitioners maintain, defendant's critical interests liberty reputation longer paramount concern since, irrespective likely lose certain stigmatized.23 short, limit which, proved, wholly exonerate defendant. 21 fails recognize like jurisdictions, guilt innocence abstract culpability. chosen distinguish factor. less 'blameworth(y),' A.2d, 671, 673 (concurring opinion), subject substantially severe penalties. By drawing distinction, while refusing turns, denigrates safeguards rendered unavailing simply reached stigmatize might lead impairment personal liberty. remains consequences resulting verdict compared differ significantly. Indeed, viewed terms potential restrictions attendant each conviction, greater many crimes. 23 Moreover, limited undermine protect effecting change redefine characterizing them factors solely extent punishment. An example fashioned challenged divides three categories—murder, voluntary involuntary Only homicidal either result conduct. 670—672 opinion). But intent Brief Petitioners 5. Instead, appropriate category. petitioners' argument accepted, impose homicide—even traditionally manslaughter—unless reckless.24 24 substance kind formalism.25 rationale looks 'operation effect enforced state,' St. Louis S.W.R. Co. Arkansas, 235 350, 362, 35 99, 102, 59 265 (1914), affected allocation proof. societal reliability verdicts:26 26 stake immense importance, possibility certainty stigmatized 27 'Moreover, reasonable-doubt standard command confidence community applications moral force diluted leaves people innocent men being condemned.' 363, 1072. 28 These implicated itself. Petitioner there faced 18-month maximum possible additional four one-half years, 360, 1070, faces differential sentencing ranging nominal sentence. Both community's administration consequence case,27 adjudication delinquency involved 'benevolent' intention, seeking provide generously conceived program compassionate treatment.' 376, 1079 (Burger, C.J., dissenting). 29 Not underlying protection afforded here. persuasion although reduced proponderance contrast, affirmatively shifted result, where dispute, increase likelihood erroneous Such directly contravenes Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525 526, 78 1332, 1342, 1460 (1958): 30 '(W)here party interest transcending value—as liberty—th(e) margin error placing (prosecution) persuading factfinder conclusion ..' 31 370—372, 1075—1076 (Harlan, J., concurring). C 32 suggested, 145, difficulties negating No often heavy satisfy. same controverted trial. traditional our system deems essential. 33 Main itself acknowledged 146.28 difficulty meeting exacting mitigated largely 'objective, subjective, behavioral criterion.' 920. respect, similar intent; adducing factual surrounding commission typically peculiarly within knowledge defendant, not, long recognized, justify shifting him. Tot 319 463, 63 1241, 1245, 87 1519 (1943); Leary 395 6, 45, 89 1532, 1552, 57 (1969). 34 Nor negative unique jurisprudence.29 self-defense Millett, 273 504 (1971).30 Satisfying imposes obligation that, practical effect, identical discern hardship carry culpability.31 IV Under given indicates deserves significantly intolerable society where, paraphrase Harlan, far worse murderer 372, 1076 therefore hold presented judgment below 36 Affirmed. 37 REHNQUIST, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring. 38 While I join opinion, somewhat peculiar posture comes us me add observations. objection court's instruction respecting Nonetheless, appeal merits correct point failure object court,* give consideration approved instructions judged artificial isolation, overall charge. Boyd 271 104, 107, 46 442, 443, 70 857 (1926); Cupp Naughten, 141, 147, 396, 400, likewise expressed whether, even though amounted error, harmless. Chapman California, 386 18, 824, 705 (1967). Its reason treating harmless because, points ante, 687, back midst deliberations requested through route corpus, highly unusual isolated 41 agree constitutes see inconsistency Leland Oregon, 343 790, 72 1002, 1302 (1952). shoulder sanity insanity offense, including mens rea, any, 792, 795, 1004—1005. 794—795, 1005—1006, relevant means rea present, nonexistence legal relationship mental crime. reason, Oregon's placement Leland, unlike Maine's redefinition instant unconstitutional shift State's 1005. concurring Harlan stress 'bottomed fundamental value convict man let go free.' 1077 Having met rigorous this, killed fellow human being, quite consistently conclude insanity, thereby escape whatever heinous crime, laboring oar issue. As examples excusable homicides, mentioned soldier battle, policeman circumstances, individual acting 38. elaborated find 'either death, calculated understood (a) do harm death resulted.' 37. statute, Me.Rev.Stat.Ann., Tit. 17, § 2651 (1964), provides: 'Whoever unlawfully kills express implied, shall life.' 2551 part passion, years explained 'premeditated design kill' manifesting 'general malignancy disregard proceeds heart void social duty bent mischief.' 40—42. Despite instruction, need Hence, unnecessary, subsequently held. 10, infra. 'Heat disturbed obscured (make) ordinary fair, average disposition liable irrationally deliberation reflection, judgment.' 47. '(H)eat will avail Sudden happening previous notice very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, precipitated, unlooked for. rage killing character close killing, moment master understanding.' 47—48. cognizable 'constitutional implications.' 139, 144 retroactively. decided, complete retroactive effect. Ivan 407 203, 1951, 659 (1972). connotes (such premeditation), presumption. interpretation 670—671 relies Bouie Columbia, 378 347, 84 1697, 894 (1964). reinterpretation statute novel 'unforeseeable' deprived defendants acts committed. new denial Brinkerhoff-Faris Hill, 281 673, 451, 74 1107 (1930). apparently concedes, 12, comparable prejudice century. See, Knight, Me. 11, 137—138 (1857). sure, aforthought, 4, stripped vitality shown considering whole, rare occasions re-examined state-court 'obvious subterfuge evade issue.' Radio Station WOW, Inc. Johnson, 326 120, 129, 65 1475, 1480, 2092 (1945). Ward Love County, 253 419, 64 751 (1921); Terre Haute I.R. Indiana ex rel. Ketcham, 194 579, 767, 48 1124 (1904). assuming novel, frustrate issue, 146, remainder makes clear. Generally Comment, Supremacy Foundations Adequacy Rule: Remains Federalism Mullaney, Me.L.Rev. Much history set out McGautha 402 183, 197—198, 91 1454, 1462—1463, 711 Stephen, History England 1—107 (1883); F. Pollock Maitland, 478—487 (2d ed. 1909). Hen. 7, c. (1496); 8, (1512); 1, §§ 3, (1531); Edw. (1547). Blackstone referred called accident course perpetrating another felonious, act. *192—193. defense, modification elaboration, country. R. 77 1969). Thus surplusage manslaughter; otherwise old Constitutionality Common Presumption 54 B.U.L.Rev. 973, 986—999 Two Kinds Legal Rules: Comparative Study Burden-of-Persuasion Practices Cases, 880, 904—907 (1968), disputes conclusion, reliance Oneby's misplaced. Oneby special making specific findings finding Fletcher maintains impossible determine failed going forward 'some evidence' jury. 20, Several divided degrees, limiting first-degree premeditation Keedy, Pennsylvania Statute Creating Degrees Murder, 97 U.Pa.L.Rev. 759 (1949); Wechsler Michael, Rationale Homicide: I, Col.L.Rev. 701, 703—707 (1937). Wilde dissented, suggestion ground '(n)o inferred mere killing. arbitrary unfounded.' Mass., 128. cited 16. 903 nn. 79. Some confusion developed, precisely what Youk required. Contemporary writers divide notion 'burden proof' producing probative Cleary, McCormick Evidence 336 1972). thus unclear production discussed People Morrin, Mich.App. 301, 315—323, 187 N.W.2d 434, 441—446 'the York's nothing shown, malicious murder.' Hawkins, 69 (1855) original). govern 'if jury, satisfied, (the homicide) done return murder; otherwise, 466. author quickly scope produce passion; is, burden. Other blurred burdens 'to Willis, N.C. (1868). (1952), declined apply Davis—that doubt—to States. Cuevas, 53 Haw. 110, 488 P.2d 322 (1971) (Winship doubt). Mancini Director Public Prosecutions, (1942) A.C. 1; Woolmington (1935) 462. Relying Williams 337 241, 1079, 1337 (1949), 196, 1461, seek buttress contention affects discretion body demands. cf. Tucker, 404 589, 592 There incompatibility today bodies. imposed If murderer, results. hand, finds exercise statutorily limits. Many sentences define assaults disprove aggravation—e.g., rob. Ferris, 249 523 (Me.1969) (prosecution aggravation assault invalidated juvenile proceeding formally 'crime' 365—366, 1073—1074, 373—374, 1077—1078 Lego Twomey, 477, 486, 619, 625, 618 'The vital role procedure cogent reasons. during Duncan Louisiana, 391 160, 88 1444, 1453, 491 (1968): authorized locality taken 'as gauge ethical judgments." Quoting Columbia Clawans, 300 617, 628, 660, 663, 81 843 696. Mo.L.Rev. 105 show before 539 (1972); 14, 50—51. supra. Nothing affect requirement. 30, generally, Wharton, Treatise 320 (9th 1884); Model Penal Code 1.13, p. 110 (Tent.Draft.No. 1955); 16, 883, 14. Millett 'majority rule' regarding rests prosecution. supported related line cases. instances, aided 499 (1895) (presumption sanity), permissible inference, Gainey, 380 63, 85 754, 658 (1965) (inference illegal still). devices (in presumption) permit inference) trier having satisfactorily facts. contesting Barnes 412 837, 846 2357, 2363, Since requirements. supra; Turner 396 398, 642, 610 (1970). cases, 845 2362; 484—488, 356—358. Shifting obviously places strain issue; demands standards persuasion. Ashford Risinger, Presumptions, Assumptions, Cases: Theoretical Overview, 165 Fay Noia, 372 391, 83 822, 837 (1963), holds constitutionally infirm bar subsequent relief proposed stand footing. thing fail utilize cure defect inheres forgo exception prevent ever occurring. Cf. 411 233, 1577, 216 Here, 688 7. contest propriety habeas.

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