Document: 385 U.S. 538 87 S.Ct. 639 17 L.Ed.2d 593 Isaac SIMS, Jr., Petitioner,v.STATE OF GEORGIA. No. 251. Argued Dec. 6 and 7, 1966. Decided Jan. 23, 1967. Jack Greenberg, New York City, for petitioner. Dewey Hayes, Douglas, Ga., E. Freeman Leverett, Atlanta, respondent. Mr. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, a Negro, has been convicted raping white woman given death penalty. He raises five federal questions1 consideration by this Court, among which is that his Fourteenth Amendment rights to fair trial were violated state judge's failure determine voluntariness alleged confession prior its admission into evidence before jury, as required rule in Jackson v. Denno, 378 368, 84 1774, 12 908 (1964). The Supreme Court Georgia ruled was not applicable affirmed petitioner's conviction, Sims State, 221 Ga. 190, 144 S.E.2d 103. We granted certiorari limited questions, 384 998, 86 1953, 16 1013. have determined case controlled Jackson, supra, therefore we do reach any other issues raised. I. 2 record indicates on April 13, 1963, 29-year-old driving home alone her automobile when petitioner drove up behind car, forced off road ditch, took from car nearby woods forcibly raped her. When he returned could start engine so left scene foot. Some four hours later apprehended some Negro workers who had alerted be watch him. told these Negroes attacked woman. They then turned over their employer him two patrolmen. taken office Doctor previously examined victim. Petitioner's clothing removed order test it blood stains. Petitioner testified while Jackson's knocked down, kicked right eye pulled around floor private parts. hospital owned adjacent office, where stitches forehead. Thereafter patrolmen Waycross, Georgia, 30 miles distant, placed county jail. During evening, saw deputy sheriff whom known 13 years duty same jail incarcerated. agreed make statement an interview room where, presence sheriff, police officers, signed written confession. Two days arraigned. 3 Prior filed motion suppress being result coercion. A hearing held court out jury. circumstances surrounding taking signing abuse received office. 'felt pretty rough about or three weeks (after incident), more my than I did face' 'was paining smart.' There no contradictory testimony taken. denied without findings admitted at trial. 4 At trial, witness State. On cross-examination down latter forehead but made mention testified. doctor stated abused refused say whether present all times there with In regard uncontradicted. II. 5 actual ruling finding showing judge Although evidence, appears only following long-standing practice 'State having prima facie freely voluntarily made, question jury conflicting made.' Downs 208 619, 621, 68 568, 570. Defense counsel called court's attention Denno 'know procedure followed time satisfies decided June 22nd, 1964, must judicial determination read jury.' charge directed actually disregard if voluntarily. III. appeal proper jurors instructions they should not, fact, made. Indeed, specifically found 'related facts admissible evidence.' 198, S.E.2d, 110. It seems clear highest applied own rather set procedural This conclusion buttressed fact below also 'Georgia presents giving them judgment judge.' Id., 200, 111. exact device proscribed Jackson. IV. 7 reasoned, however, because safeguards Georgia's laws erect use confessions. pointed under law, may corroborated given. addition, power aside verdict grant new if, opinion, error. concluded satisfied law 'It would difficult find complete satisfaction requirement provides.' 201, felt true, event, 'the unsound implications extended one iota cover cases explicitly covered such issue voluntariness. Without nothing try.' Ibid. cannot agree. definite, clear-cut here. physically suffering statement, thereby rendering involuntary office; helped disrobe knew treatment laceration presence. unable state, commit offenses against person during entire there. quite evasive none officers incident produced witnesses. claim mistreatment, therefore, went uncontradicted conflict physician. Under first decide conflicts discrepancies. failed do. 8 Furthermore, court, requirements overlooked offered procedures rejected constitutional laid hear unless until allows chooses, give absolutely weight determining guilt innocence defendant primary need formal write voluntary appear unmistakable clarity. Here impossible know throught considered guilt. 22, binding courts case, tried October 1964. Such is, said, upon States and, Supremacy Clause Article VI Constitution, obeyed. 9 reversed cause remanded provided 393, 396, 1789—1791. ordered.2 10 Reversed remanded. 11 Mr BLACK dissents reasons dissent U.S., 401, 1793. questions are: '1. Whether conviction sentence obtained basis inherently coercive within doctrine Fikes State Alabama, 352 191, 77 281, 246. '2. afford reliable coerced principle 908. '3. declared Escobedo Illinois, 478, 1758, 977 interrogation absence counsel, effectively waived. '4. Is where: '(a) local pursuant statute requires racially segregated tax books are selected books; '(b) number chosen 5% comprise 20% taxpayers; '(c) criminal defendant's offer prove arbitrary systematic inclusion exclusion based lists ten disallowed? '5. Where sentenced rape offers nineteen many whites executed effort show racial discrimination violating equal protection clause result, proof disallowed?' disposition keeping teaching 'a * voluntariness' occur initially 'in accordance valid considers direct review petition habeas corpus Federal District Court.' S.Ct., 1789.

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