Document: 412 U.S. 205 93 S.Ct. 1993 36 L.Ed.2d 844 Francis A. KEEBLE, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 72—5323. Argued March 27, 1973. Decided May 29, Syllabus Petitioner, in Indian, was convicted of assault with intent to commit serious bodily injury on an Indian reservation, a federal crime under the Major Crimes Act 1885, after court refused instruct jury lesser included offense simple assault. The Court Appeals affirmed ground that since is not one th offenses enumerated Act, it would be exclusively 'a matter for tribe.' Held: An prosecuted entitled instruction offenses, if facts warrant. Such expand reach or permit Government infringe residual jurisdiction tribes by bringing prosecutions authorized statute. Pp. 1995—1999. 459 F.2d 757 and 762, reversed remanded. Mark V. Meierhenry, Rosebud, S.D., petitioner, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Richard B. Stone respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion 1 18851 authorizes prosecution charged commission reservation certain specifically offenses.2 This case requires us decide whether where crimes Act. 2 At close petitioner's trial injury, United States District South Dakota jury, as petitioner requested, they might convict him reasoned App. 15. A panel Eighth Circuit, judge dissenting, upheld determination strength court's earlier decision Kills Crow v. States, 451 323 (1971). (C.A.8, 1972). Following remand hearing unrelated issue,3 returned conviction affirmed. Id., at 762 (supplemental opinion). We granted certiorari limited question validity denying requested instruction,4 409 1037, 538, 34 485 (1972), we reverse. 3 events led death brother-in-law, Robert Pomani, hence this criminal prosecution, took place Reservation Creek Sioux Tribe. Petitioner deceased, both Indians Tribe, spent evening 6, 1971, drinking quarreling over alleged mistreatment his wife, Pomani's sister. argument soon became violent, ended only when having beaten Pomani severely left bleeding from head face, went bed. next morning he discovered lifeless body short distance house beating had occurred. He reported official Department Interior serving Captain Tribal Police Fort Thompson, Dakota. autopsy revealed died because exposure excessive cold, although contributing factor. inflict great sentenced five years' imprisonment. 4 Although doctrine developed common law assist cases evidence failed establish some element originally charged,5 now beyond dispute defendant rationally find guilty acquit greater. Federal Rules Criminal Procedure deal see Rule 31(c),6 defendant's right such has been recognized numerous decisions See, e.g., Sansone 380 343, 349, 85 1004, 1009, 13 882 (1965); Berra 351 131, 134, 76 685, 687, 100 L.Ed. 1013 (1956); Stevenson 162 313, 16 839, 40 980 (1896).7 5 In defending refusal offer instruction, does general proposition, nor argue incompatible presented trial. Cf. supra; Sparf 156 51, 63 64, 15 273, 277—278, 39 343 (1895). On contrary, explicitly concedes any non-Indian who committed same act have charge refused. Brief n. 16.8 maintain, however, precludes offering behalf before us. Specifically, contends represents carefully intrusion power into otherwise exclusive punish land. To grant would, Government's view, tribe's manner inconsistent Under approach, other words, interests individual obtaining must fall congressionally sanctioned tribe preserving its inherent jurisdiction. Since conclusion compelled neither language, purposes, history cannot agree. 6 passed Congress direct response Ex parte Dog, 109 556, 396, 27 1030 (1883). held there lacked try murder another chief Brule named Spotted Tail, country. recognizing confer courts,9 that, absence explicit congressional direction, retained offense. Talton Mayes, 163 376, 986, 41 196 (1896); Worcester Georgia, Pet. 515, 8 483 (1832). 7 prompt response—conferring courts offenses—reflected view tribal remedies were either nonexistent principles thought should controlling. Representative Cutcheon, sponsor described followed reversal Dog's conviction: 'Thus Dog free. feeling, Commissioner says, more important than chiefs tribe. result grew out that—a jr., upon White Thunder. And so these things go unless adopt proper legislation subject. 9 'It infamy our civilization, disagrace nation, anywhere within boundaries people can, absolute impunity, murder, being no tribunal which can brought punishment. present penalty inflicted except according custom tribe, simply 'blood-avenger' is, kin person murdered—shall pursue new him. . 10 'If commits against except, I said, just all.' Cong.Rec. 934 (1885).10 11 Secretary supported struck similar note: 12 character (the killing Tail) tried punished. Minor may punished through agency 'court offenses,' but will hardly do punishment exists consent reservation. If murderer old custom, becomes duty avenge relative kinsmen ..'11 short, extended land many 'be civilized sooner put (federal criminal) laws taught regard life personal property others.' 936 (1885) (remarks Rep. Cutcheon). That emphatically say, intended deprive defendants procedural rights guaranteed defendants, make easier defendant. Indeed, expressly provides provisions 'shall courts, manner, are all persons committing above States.' 18 U.S.C. § 3242 (emphasis added).12 face statutory conclude disqualify benefits those made available 14 Moreover, answer demand better off without instruction. True, established reasonable doubt every charged, offered, must, theoretical matter, return verdict acquittal. But instruction—in context other—precisely exposed substantial risk jury's practice diverge theory. Where elements remains doubt, plainly offense, likely resolve doubts favor conviction. us, example, necessary nature very much trial, could option presented. two options: convicting acquitting outright. say availability third option—convicting assault—could resulted different verdict. while never Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment guarantees instructed nevertheless clear construction preclude raise difficult constitutional questions. interpretation questions need face.13 Finally, emphasize today expands permits statute.14 hold require deprived protection afforded assuming course warrants No interest jeopardized decision. Accordingly, judgment remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. Reversed 17 STEWART, whom POWELL REHNQUIST join, dissenting. As demonstrates, §§ 1153, 3242, enacted Court's 1030. conferred district leaving intact crimes. equal rights, including burdens Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 31(c), dealing 19 respects, agree goes 'that .' Ante, 214. think holding correct Because did 'lesser offense' case, respectfully dissent.1 20 It commonplace jurisdiction, common-law States. 'The legislative authority Union first crime, affix it, declare shall offence.' Hudson, Cranch 32, 34, 259. axiomatic statutes creating defining intendment, act, however wrongful, statute clearly terms.' Todd 158 278, 282, 889, 890, 982. See J. Moore, Practice 0.60(7). also purported comes jurisdictional effect holds 31(c) implicitly operates circumstances respect seems me utterly support. states that: 21 found necessarily attempt therein offense.' (Emphasis added.) 22 thus phrased terms 'offenses.' 'offense' means confirmed fact virtue 'an attempt' itself crime. 23 possible violate providing For apply well instance divided between forum. DeFlumer Mancusi, Cir., 443 940 (criminal 16-year-old crimes). reservations. vested forums offenses. improper assault.2 323, 325. 24 Attorney seek indictment so, basis concluding motion defense. needs citation authorities show mere parties hear case.' People's Bank Calhoun, 102 256, 260 261, 26 101. 0.60(4). Were granted, supposed until set aside want Mar. 3, c. 341, 9, Stat. 385, 3242. enacted, provided: 'That immediately date passage Indians, following crimes, namely, manslaughter, rape, kill, arson, burglary, larceny Territory subject therefor relating said penalties respectively; hereby given cases; State limits laws, 385. By successive amendments, increased number seven 13, adding carnal knowledge, incest, dangerous weapon, resulting robbery. voluntariness confession, light requirements 3501. remand, concluded confession voluntary, notwithstanding lapse time arrest confession. petition asked consider admitting 5(a). Kelly 125 U.S.App.D.C. 205, 207, 370 227, 229 (1966); Markis, 352 860, 866 (CA2 1965); C. Wright, Procedure—Criminal p. 372 (1969). '(t)he rule codified pre-existing law, particular former 565 Tit. 18, June 1, 1872, 198. 134 688, (1956). also, Virgin Islands Carmona, 422 95, (CA3 1970); Comer, 137 App.D.C. 214, 218, 421 1149, 1153 (1970). course, enclave law. 1152. constitutionality Kagama, 118 375, 1109, 30 228 (1886), rejected state function. purpose evident most recent amendment 1968 addition list injury. S.Rep.No.721, 90th Cong., 1st Sess., 32 (1967): 'Without receive maximum sentence months. impose 6-month sentence, aggravated court, proportion gravity remark, Secretary's annual report, quoted Cutcheon during debate House Representatives proposed 935 (1885). making 10, supra, neglected add sections codified. failure 'probably oversight.' 17. intend provide Similarly, erred apparent defect indictment—a object—provides independent reversal. defined accordance committed.' rather S.D.Comp.Laws Ann. 22—18—12 (1967). code proscribe Whether required prove decide. argues ruling seeks principle mutuality, empower prosecutors, dissatisfied leniency prosecute marginal cases, knowing major proved minor courts.' 22. lower often ask (1966). mutuality refers. Nevertheless, Judge Wilkey, speaking Columbia recently 'despite patina antiquity, considerations justice good judicial administration warrant dispensing essential prerequisite defense's charge.' Whitaker, 144 344, 351, 447 314, 321 sound, least situation reversing conviction, and, accordingly, I. 'assault injury,' specified instead apparently injury' 'defined appears identically matching Laws relied here. 323. occurred, definition

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