Document: 426 U.S. 637 96 S.Ct. 2253 49 L.Ed.2d 108 Robert J. HENDERSON, Superintendent, Auburn Correctional Facility, Petitioner,v.Timothy G. MORGAN. No. 74-1529. Argued Feb. 24, 1976. Decided June 17, Syllabus Respondent was indicted for first-degree murder, but by agreement with the prosecution and on counsel's advice respondent pleaded guilty to second-degree murder sentenced. Subsequently, after exhausting his state remedies in an unsuccessful attempt have conviction vacated ground that plea involuntary, filed a habeas corpus petition Federal District Court, alleging involuntary because, Inter alia, he not aware intent cause death element of murder. The Court ultimately heard testimony several witnesses, including defense counsel original prosecution; transcript relevant state-court proceedings certain psychological evaluations respondent, who substantially below average intelligence, were made part record. On basis evidence thus developed found had been advised or court essential and, based this finding, held be set aside. Appeals affirmed. Held : Since did receive adequate notice offense which guilty, judgment entered without due process law. could voluntary sense it constituted intelligent admission committed unless received "real true nature charge against him, first most universally recognized requirement process." Smith v. O'Grady, 312 329, 334, 61 572, 574, 85 L.Ed. 859. Where record discloses purport stipulate requisite explain him would fact, no factual statement necessarily implying such intent, is impossible conclude unexplained voluntary. Pp. 644-647. 516 F.2d 897, Joel Lewittes, New York City, petitioner. Joseph E. Lynch, Auburn, N. Y., respondent. Mr. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 1 question presented whether defendant may enter being informed victim offense. 2 case arises out collateral attack trial Fulton County, 1965. Respondent, having sentenced indeterminate term imprisonment 25 years life. He appeal. 3 In 1970, initiated courts seeking involuntary.1 denied relief written record.2 Having exhausted remedies,3 1973, writ United States Northern York.4 alleged because (1) sentence might imposed upon (2) Based record, relief. reversed summarily directed "to conduct evidentiary hearing issues raised petitioner, whether, at time entry plea, crime scope punishment imposed." 4 Upon remand Judge witnesses two lawyers represented 1965, prosecutor, respondent's mother. addition, 5 At conclusion hearing, only specific findings fact.5 First, contrary testimony, expressly 25-year if guilty. Second, "was court, any time, design effect Murder 2nd degree." latter "as matter law" aside.6 This holding affirmed, opinion, Appeals.7 6 Before addressing correctly invalid as law, we review some facts hearing. 7 * April 6, killed Mrs. Ada Francisco her home. 8 When seventh grade, Rome State School Mental Defectives where classified "retarded." released become farm laborer went work Francisco's farm. Following argument, she threatened return custody. then decided abscond. During night bedroom knife, intending collect earned wages before leaving; awoke, began scream, stabbed her.8 took small amount money, fled car, became involved accident about 80 miles away. knife glove compartment car. promptly arrested police. 19 old intelligence.9 9 arraigned 15, Two concededly competent attorneys appointed represent him. indictment, charged "willfully" victim, read open court. His requested, granted, access earlier psychiatric reports. A new examination requested ordered. 10 stand trial. Defense series conferences prosecutors, members family. "thought manslaughter satisfy needs justice."10 They therefore endeavored reduced manslaughter, agree nothing less than minimum years. gave different sentences offenses, but, found, required intent. 11 8, appeared second degree full satisfaction indictment. direct colloquy judge stated attorneys, understood accused killing waiving right jury trial, sent prison. There discussion elements indication ever discussed reference kind victim. 12 sentencing week later explaining version offense, particularly noting "meant harm lady" when room knife.11 prosecutor disputed matter, discuss detail. After studying probation officer's report, pronounced sentence. 13 testified known indicate credited testimony.12 II 14 Petitioner contends applied unrealistically rigid rule Instead testing voluntariness determining ritualistic litany formal legal defendant, petitioner argues should examine totality circumstances determine substance charge, opposed its technical elements, conveyed accused. We do disagree thrust petitioner's are persuaded even under test espouses, finding defective. 15 assume, argues, overwhelming guilt available. also accept characterization competence wisdom their plead Nevertheless, cannot support constitutional sense.13 And clearly 16 never formally made. Had made, included assault "committed person killed."14 That proved objective actual mind consistent innocence15 manslaughter.16 But almost inevitably inferred from repeatedly Francisco, nevertheless draw inference.17 entitled appraisal incident involving degree. Therefore, does admit 17 can serve substitute either admission, fact; they these 18 affirmance will invite countless attacks judgments pleas since frequently contain complete enumeration pleads guilty.18 think fears exaggerated. Normally contains explanation judge, least representation has explained Moreover, express representation, appropriate presume cases routinely sufficient detail give what asked admit. unique fact unusually low mental capacity provides reasonable oversight; forecloses error harmless beyond doubt, lends modicum credibility homicide rather 20 21 Affirmed. 22 WHITE, whom STEWART, BLACKMUN, POWELL join, concurring. 23 essentially ways our system criminal justice established deprived liberty Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. verdict which, decision oa who, concludes doubt. defendant's own solemn "in charged," Tollett Henderson, 411 258, 267, 93 1602, 1608, 36 235 (1973) (emphasis added), I. e., emphasized "a federal purposes judicial Admission conclusively establishing guilt." Lefkowitz Newsome, 420 283, 299, 95 886, 894, 43 196 (1975) (White, J., dissenting) added). said Brady States, 397 742, 748, 90 1463, 1468, 747 (1970), "central foundation entering acts indictment." McMann Richardson, 759, 773, 1441, 1450, 763 "convicted counseled him"; "(a) rests charged." Id., 766, S.Ct., 1446.1 (Emphasis added.) problem neither doubt nor intended victim's (such stands convicted); construed implied told know kill charged.2 24 Accordingly, best strong trier lawyer probably convicted It hardly need saying how (or waived) judge) finds "harmless error" wholly deny one all charged. Similarly, too late day permit solely consent agent lawyer. Our make absolutely clear choice must defendant's: consequences waives pleads, Boykin Alabama, 395 238, 89 1709, 274 (1969); rest. fashion permitted Amendment. 26 dissent concedes violation however, aside apply constitution retroactively. argument is, event, untenable. order escape application particular case, nonretroactivity grounds, point occurring operative rule. deemed admits charged, enters knowing are. If rule, created I am loss other one, it. McCarthy 394 459, 1166, 418 (1969), so. construction Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 11, States. supra, mention method guilt. arguably addresses issue 749 n. 1469, 747, observed dictum: "(T)he importance assuring except understanding charges . heart recent decisions (1969)." However, rules law dicta footnotes. Either event address future retroactive or, believe true, long-accepted principle provide trustworthy believing so, govern similar us future. join 27 REHNQUIST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 28 Court's affirms directs release prisoner counsel, ago declares contention reviewing validity "the circumstances," Ante, 664. justified Constitution requires (be) defendant," Ibid., purports eschew.1 accomplishes result imposing courts, requirement, definition "voluntariness" announced interpreted provision Rules Criminal Procedure. Yet prospective courts. Halliday 831, 1498, (1969). 29 extended include "understanding ," U.S., 471, 1173. prior McCarthy, related Alaba, generally accepted standard valid forth Machibroda 368 487, 493, 82 510, 513, 473 (1962), turn relied Kercheval 220, 223, 47 582, 583, 71 1009 (1927). Though cases, certainly more stringent convictions. 30 " 'Out just consideration persons crime, careful shall voluntarily proper consequences.' quoting Kercheval, 583. 31 These three-pronged test: voluntarily, advice, consequences. "with consequences" so found. Nor there serious "voluntarily" used previous relies. 32 "voluntary" normal word. hint physical coercion, admittedly capable attorneys. While 1173, expands notion concept .," Halliday, supra. Even been, Rule terms applies 33 perusal Courts Boykin, indicates that, counseled, every admitted defendant2 enunciated. g., Cariola, 323 180 (CA3 1963); McGrady Cunningham, 296 600 (CA4 1961), cert. denied, 369 855, 944, (1962); Kennedy 259 883 (CA5 1958), 359 994, 79 1126, 982 (1959); Swaggerty, 218 875 (CA7), 349 959, 75 889, 99 1282 (1955); see 833, 1499. Thus, intends establish far 1969 those cases.3 34 refers "voluntary sense" stating includes 'real .' charge," 645, citing pre-Boykin 859 (1941). "uneducated" "without bewildered processes strange unfamiliar inveigled false statements enforcement officers into guilty." 574. further Smith's him." Ibid. pleading "simple burglary" 3-year tricked "burglary explosives" Thus "notice" accurate information pleading, received. 35 seems foregoing analysis "voluntarily made," undisputed consequences, remaining "properly advised," Machibroda, inquiry, turn, depends sort reasonably expected 756-757, 1473, 770, 1448, (1970). mechanically recited black letter horn-book, practices experienced day-to-day business representing defendants states "accept(s) murder." 644. 37 McMann, intelligently "is offered withstand retrospective postconviction hearing." 1448. client penalty go "detail" differences between first- interested. App. 57a. Now, later, magnitude. 38 originally indictment "willfully, feloniously malice aforethought, cut dangerous thereafter died wounds injuries, inexcusable unjustifiable." 85a. Respondent's attorney "many times" (Id., 67a), suggests consider "design death" dispute. deciding much same approach observed: 39 "The Court: Well it, infer mere hit multiple wounds, infer, decide premeditation man long way short woods. 40 "So satisfied plea." 78a. 41 advised" 42 motivated eminently tactical avoid possibility attendant penalties. both end matter. intimations vice Informed instead Admit elements. 646. quite North Carolina Alford, 400 25, 91 160, 162 standing alone, invalidate plea. Alford here, affirmatively Denied all. upheld tactically sound greater penalties conviction. placed great weight whose advantage." 31, 164. 44 645-646, Required significant. shot anyone. 2, 163. stabbing Alford. 45 "totality circumstances" shows counsel. coercion overreaching State, fully True, although first-degree-murder charging "malice aforethought" Given ample subscribe invalidation pre-1969 extremely defect. 46 adopting does, opens door similarly situated prisoners withdraw many entered. unlikely prosecutors able reassemble date try prisoners, practical ruling freely August 7, "Notice Motion Withdraw Guilty Plea" "Petition Writ Error Coram Nobis." arraignment relating impaneling affidavit denying nobis Trial Division Supreme May 29, 1971. March 1972, Appellate affirmed People Morgan, A.D.2d 1012, 330 N.Y.S.2d 1018; July permission jurisdiction invoked U.S.C. § 2241 Et seq. Memorandum Decision Order dated Oct. 1974, pp. 4-5, 116a-117a. "In connection claim find same; particularly, As 'a truly possesses relation facts.' 466 (89 418) foregoing, hold knowingly was, therefore, involuntary. unconstitutional." ordered discharged custody "unless takes steps necessary (him) County rearraignment; rearraignment within 60 days hereof. ." 117a-118a. 897 (CA2 1975). testified: struck her, didn't use knife? Witness: Not first. She stop screaming times. tell me allegation forty-five times knife." 67a. Apart hearsay, "stabbed thereby inflicting divers injuries. functioning I.Q. reported examiners range 68 72. 52a. described incident, part, words: "He awakened purpose obtaining money rightfully his, to. Of course unusual hour returned home late, thing returning School. So putting factors together, idea take get away transferred back. "Now, awakened. Apparently stayed house, fear open. No locks responding merely started scream. assume talked tone, happened. minute screamed, uncontrollable ungovernable temper, perhaps awaken people living apartment house wife working excitement tension all, occurred met death." Record Appeal 32-33. course, hypothetical. familiar evidently available sufficiently doubt; accordingly, precise persisted follows given good faith, sure refused following question. Indeed, anyway. Such assumption insufficient predicate understand protections waiving, see, Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 464-465, 58 1019, 1023, 1461, incomplete Without proof sense. 1965 defined former Penal Law 1046: "Such human degree, killed, another, deliberation premeditation." Although not, foreclose temporary insanity. "(i)n heat passion, cruel manner, means weapon." See 1050. plunged pointed knew vital body raise presumption Its natural destroy life, presumed consequence act aimed deceased fired gun. conclusive, simply presumptive, left given." Thomas People, 67 N.Y. 218, 225 (1876). intention act, this, principle, inference drawn jury, implication court." Stokes 53 164, 179 (1873). "(The) results produced it." Cooke, 292 185, 189, 54 N.E.2d 357, (1944). bound intentional stabbing." 190, N.E.2d, 360. nature, substance, always description offense; not. critical required. exists viewed third accompanied innocence. 37, 167, (1970): "(W)hile consist waiver guilt, imposition penalty. An individual knowingly, understandingly prison unwilling unable participation constituting crime." Intelligently interests require guilt" protestations acknowledging "counsel difference second- 28-29, concluded believed himself innocent bring State's incentive otherwise, consultation reliable defendant. Plainly, "intelligently" reach prove; ignorant document access. 467 20, 1171, well doing validly Admittedly performed proceedings, clear. disclaims holding. 647 18. "critical element" here accomplished effect, "critical" other. seem significant proof. 755, 1472, dealing pre-McCarthy "standard pleas" ' "(A) value commitments induced threats promises discontinue improper harassment), misrepresentation (including unfulfilled unfulfillable promises), relationship prosecutor's (e. bribes)." (Citations omitted.)

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