Document: 360 U.S. 1 79 S.Ct. 991 3 L.Ed.2d 1041 Johnny Ray SMITH, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 90. Argued Jan. 21, 1959. Decided June 8, Mr. William B. Moore, Jr., Montgomery, Ala., for petitioner. Leon Silverman, New York City, respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion Court. The petitioner seeks relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, U.S.C.A. fromhis conviction and sentence violation Federal Kidnapping Act, 18 1201, 1201. Briefly, kidnapping charge grew out following facts: Petitioner, a young man twenty-six, two seventeen-year-old boys, while in custody state charges, escaped from Florida jail on November 12, 1949. They were almost immediately pursued by men bloodhounds through swampy everglade terrain. On 14, 1949, they allegedly pre-empted an automobile seized its owner forcing him to accompany them into State Alabama where released victim without harming subsequently abandoned car. 18, defendants arrested federal authorities hiding place floor building. Petitioner claimed that he was weak lack food sleep his back had been injured course escape. taken promptly before United States Commissioner charged with transporting across boundaries. 2 day, interviewed at length government agent concerning both offense prior record. There conflict evidence what transpired this interview. testified promised leniency if would plead guilty assured juveniles be given no more than four years, imprisonment pleaded guilty. Government offered effect promises made. In any event, Monday morning, codefendants brought office Attorney discussion ensued waivers indictments, counsel, venue, pleas information which proposed file. While conference proceeding, who previously private out-of-court audience district judge chambers which, absence defendants, discussed contemplated proceedings informed about alleged other crimes Soon thereafter, and, words Court Appeals, '(a)fter judge's mind become thoroughly conditioned interview with, disclosures made by, (the agent) regarding defendants,' there followed open court 'a stilted formal colloquy consisting brief didactic statements judge' could have lawyer wished their cases submitted grand jury. 5 Cir., 238 F.2d 925, 927, note 5. including petitioner, stated did not wish attorney willing waive indictment prosecuted filed prosecutor. waived counsel venue.1 then wanted sentenced parents knew predicaments. thirty years penitentiary accomplices fifteen each. No appeals taken.2 4 Because these precipitous telescoped proceedings, case has long troublesome history Appeals Fifth Circuit. It three times court. after imposed, initial application 2255 vacate judgment. denied hearing appeal taken. March 1954 second, similar likewise hearing, but determined petitioner's allegations required hearing. Smith v. States, 223 750. After held, District again dismissed application. D.C., 137 F.Supp. 222. Again reversed, time finding deprived due process summary manner proceeded against him.3 930. First remanded cause 'with directions grant motion, set aside sentence, proceed further inconsistently' opinion. page 931. rehearing, however, modified as follows: 'The judgment is reversed inconsistently herewith, including, ends justice require it, permitting defendant withdraw waiver plea stand trial.' 240 347. 6 resentenced refused permission plea. affirmed decision, 250 842, over dissent Judge Rives believed court's action setting justified grounds necessarily vacation 843—844. He also dissented ground capital offense, pursuant Rules Criminal Procedure, Rule 7(a), requires prosecution regardless defendant's waiver, instant proceeding conferred convicting curt jurisdiction try case. We granted certiorari because serious statutory questions raised. 357 904, 78 1153, 1155. But view our belief point dispositive favor, we find it unnecessary reach presented. 7 precise question issue, therefore, whether Act indictment. A number constitutional provisions charging are relevant inquiry. Amendment provides part '(n)o person shall held answer capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless presentment Grand Jury,' except pertinent here. command may certain circumstances,4 provide 8 'An punished death An term exceeding one year hard labor or, waived, information. Any leave court.' (Emphasis added.) 9 These enactments particularly language statute convicted, that: 10 '(a) Whoever knowingly transports interstate * commerce, unlawfully kidnapped (1) liberated unharmed, verdict jury so recommend, (2) life, penalty imposed.' 11 'did transport commerce person, wit, Alan W. Spearman, seized, kidnapped, abducted, carried away safe conduct *.' Spearman harmed unharmed. 12 Courts indictments terms here sufficient support punishments despite victims harmed. Parrino, 180 613; Robinson 144 392. Cf. Parker, 103 857. contends holdings dispose make clear creates single prosecution, trial, shows condition. claims, specific constitutes examination determine unharmed; words, offenses: harm, punishable death. Further, mere filing eliminated element crime. 13 concerned uniformly construed create lines. agree construction. Under statute, proof introduced trial. When accused charged, here, lines, will tried anoff ense Although imposition depend harm during circumstance does alter fact itself thus must when sufficiently broad justify verdict, trial basis, even though later establishes such cannot sustained neither procedurally correct nor practical await conclusion being offense. For decisions punished. decide, among things, right obtain list veniremen witnesses, 3432, venue properly set, 3235, benefit twenty rather ten peremptory challenges, 24(b), necessary, 7, bail accused. 3141, 3141. 14 This has, recent upheld many convictions face sufficiency papers. Convictions longer minor technical deficiencies prejudice E.g., Hagner 285 427, 52 417, 76 L.Ed. 861; Williams 341 97, 71 576, 95 774; Debrow, 346 374, 74 113, 98 92. salutary development criminal law. substantial safeguards those eradicated guise departures rules. use all warranting punishment rule common Ex parte Wilson, 114 935, 29 89; Mackin 117 348, 777, 909. mandatory prosecutions recognition intervention safeguard oppressive arbitrary proceedings. Bain, 121 1, 781, 30 849; Hale Henkel, 201 43, 26 370, 50 652; ex rel. Toth Quarles, 350 11, 16, 4, 100 8. 7(a) recognizes only noncapital. To construe loosely permit informations where, states do violence vulnerable treatment most crimes. traditional canon construction calls strict interpretation statutes rules favor rights involved. 15 urged result fail protect cases. see merit contention, opposite deprive protection Constitution 7(a). holding, reason believe surprised possible trickery prosecution. If allegation indictment, discovery afforded 7(f) authorizing bills particulars enable acquaint himself scope transaction proved. suggested mightbe interests speed can mustered instead should administered dispatch, essential ingredient orderly expedition speed. well very inordinate generated caused difficulties led below conclude Moreover, if, contrary sound judicial administration system, arrest incarceration delay may, appropriate circumstances, invoke Sixth Amendment. 16 authority file binding confer power hear supra. instructions dismiss 17 ordered. Judgment instructions. 19 CLARK, whom HARLAN STEWART join, concurring dissenting part. 20 Smith, presently inmate Alcatraz, began career crime juvenile. thereafter Correctional Institution Tallahassee, Florida. At age twice convicted violations Dyer 2312, serving 25 prison armed robbery, seriously wounded officer fleeing scene latter He, juvenile inmates, prison, burglarized house, stole shotgun, kidnaped shotgun point, sitting company's automobile. forced car line Alabama. There, release Each admitted guilt asked speedy advised Commissioner, Bureau Investigation, prosecutor want lawyer; kidnaping threw mercy words: 21 'Well, your Honor, I like you take consideration viciousness connection abduction boy. nice way transportation all.' 22 received 30-year sentence; sent Alcatraz series motions appearing testify considered now attacking points: Can charge, information; Is violated judge, entered outside presence confers FBI facts record accused? Court, reaching second question, says general sufficient. 23 attempting believes great reality wrong justice. Court's procedure allows secure dapital jury's knowing tat doing so. deprives professes enforcing. clouds meaning 7(b) carving noncapital offenses permissive terms. 24 Both Kidnaping 'the unharmed.' 1201(a), 1201(a). reasonable say namely, notice tried. holds 1201(a) 'single (which) reasons makes every requring action. consider unharmed' allege Thus knowledge capital. Hence complete ignorance suffered return shown puts law hands prosecutor, jury, lodged it. Nor strengthen 'substantial proceedings.' contrary, reference means acquainting proved' clearly fallacy position. returns otherwise, none exist By reasoning, proper says, '(i)t offense.' Despite language, just since compel specifically Turning procedural (b) remember adopted certified Congress, added sanction, promulgated them. simple clear. 'which may' begin information, waived. repeats receive 'may be' begun 'if defendant, nature rights, indictment.' forecloses seeking penalty. Amendment, prevent reneging bargain. would, years. full well, own testimony. Not told matter. His request sentencing points up understanding thereof. indicates requirements scrupulously followed. 27 superimposes new requiring beneficent subjects greater jeopardy insist leaves play evils flesh heir to, ambitions disfavor animosity malingerings post-indictment speculations. rural districts meets considerable hardship waiting empaneled.1 receives credit served expense local per diem basis. calling special solve problem. expensive burdensome called serve, taking pressing matters, either others suffer congested dockets. hand, fully society. enjoyment rights.2 And, finally, able, whim, superinduce short, done. true passed statute. However, issue 392, 396, 'beat, injure, bruise (Mrs. Stoll) liberate her is, entirely inapposite 857, construing 40 Judicial Code 'had county committed, done inconvenience,' decided change addressed discretion court, 'was abused.' '(w)hether averments (that condition) necessary (in indictment) demand need decide Id., 861. concluded 'since established unharmed condition,' ibid., case, imposed. last mentioned majority 613. That involved limitations not, said, 'relevant found time.' 615. contended 'c apital' might returned time. condition release. agreed 'that 'unharmed' order recommend death-penalty,' adequately (released harmed), pass upon (and that) enough gets season source.' Ibid. Certainly supports proposition season' claims 'harmed.' 'adequately Whether standpoint 'kidnaping' material. my view, offenses, event follow mandate supervision courts future outlined herein. brings me contention. discuss briefly. 'inordinate speed' present himself. anxiety fails indicate objection immediate sentence. disposition five days, occurred normal system. therefore put credence claim. instance Assistant Special Agent Investigation talked some Smith's background kidnaping. signed Neither representing contact covertly made, occurred. appears duty courts, McNabb 1943, 318 332, 63 608, 87 819, reversal deemed presumptively prejudicial Fed.Rules Crim.Proc., 32(c)(1),3 conducted reverse allowed provides: inconvenience.' U.S.C.A., provide: 'Except permitted rules, consists divisions division committed.' committed Dothan, Alaama , within Southern Division Alabama, located another Northern left still pending escaped. addition, apparently escaping. stated, 930: 'When comes controlling motion presents, undisputed plea, matter stands quite differently, accorded him, appealed reversed. 'This so, because, considering speed, incontinent haste, moved apace, prosecuting cause, privately regard defendants' imposed therefor, said unsaid undone doubt movant accorded, denied, process, against, stand.' Barkman Sanford, 162 592; Gill, 55 399. Amendment' 'arrest *' Such never heretofore awaiting meeting next strange doctrine additional confusion effective enforcement holding 'would 7(a)' overlooks 32(c)(1), '(c) Presentence '(1) Made. probation service presentence investigation report granting directs. contents disclosed anyone guilty.'

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