Document: 398 U.S. 262 90 S.Ct. 1578 26 L.Ed.2d 221 William L. MAXWELL, Petitioner,v.O. E. BISHOP, Superintendent, Arkansas State Penitentiary. No. 13. Reargued May 4, 1970. Decided June 1, Anthony G. Amsterdam, Stanford, Cal., for petitioner. Don Langston, Little Rock, Ark., respondent. Albert W. Harris, Jr., San Francisco, the of California, as amicus curiae, by special leave Court. PER CURIAM. 1 In 1962 petitioner was found guilty rape an jury without a verdict life imprisonment, and trial court imposed sentence death.1 The Supreme Court affirmed judgment conviction. 236 Ark. 694, 370 S.W.2d 113. then sought writ habeas corpus in United States District Eastern Arkansas, claiming, among other things, that his conviction punishment were unconstitutional (1) had determined two issues guilt or innocence death single proceeding, thereby precluding him from presenting evidence pertinent to question penalty subjecting himself self-incrimination on issue guilt; (2) been given no standards directions any kind guide it is deciding whether impose imprisonment death. denied writ, 257 F.Supp. 710, Appeals Eighth Circuit affirmed, F.2d 138. We granted certiorari limited questions noted above. 393 997, 89 488, 21 462. 2 petitioner's took place long before this Court's decision Witherspoon v. Illinois, 391 510, 88 1770, 20 776. transcript makes evident several prospective jurors removed panel upon grounds held impermissible case. One juror, example, successfully challenged cause solely basis following exchange: 3 'Q. If you convinced beyond reasonable doubt at end defendant actions so shocking they would merit do have conscientious scruples about capital might prevent returning such verdict? 4 'A. I think do.' (Emphasis supplied.) 5 Another venireman answer: 6 Do entertain imposing penalty? 7 Yes, am afraid Still another member dismissed after colloquy: 8 Mr. Adams, feeling concerning make feelings if felt crime bad sentence? 9 No, don't believe punishment.' supplied.)2 10 As made clear Witherspoon, 'a cannot be carried out recommended chosen excluding veniremen simply because voiced general objections expressed religious against its infliction.' U.S., 522, 1777. reaffirmed doctrine Boulden Holman, 394 478, 1138, 22 433. we there observed, supposed once people take their oaths will unable 'to follow conscientiously instructions judge consider fairly imposition particular case.' 484, 1142. 'Unless states unambiguously he automatically vote matter what reveal, assumed position.' supra, 516 n. 9, 1774 9. 11 'The most can demanded regard willing all penalties provided state law, not irrevocably committed, has begun, regardless facts circumstances emerge course proceedings. voir dire testimony case indicates excluded broader than this, * *.' Id., 522 21, 1777 21. 12 It appears, therefore, constitutionally stand under Illinois. however, finally decide here. situation closely resembles presented Boulden, decision, raised Court, Appeals, petition filed reasons persuaded us remand apply with equal force here: 'A further hearing directed conceivably modify some fashion conclusion strongly suggested record now us. Further, exhausted remedies respect issue. Finally, event turns out, relief must ordered, local federal far better equipped are frame appropriate decree due available (Arkansas) procedures.' 1142.3 13 Accordingly, vacated, remanded where belatedly brought our attention may fully considered. action today, express view whatever originally specified grant certiorari.4 14 ordered. 15 Judgment vacated 16 Justice MARSHALL part 17 BLACK, dissenting. 18 Since still 776 (1968), erroneously decided, dissent opinion At time law only alternative sentences rape: 'Penalty rape.—Any person convicted shall suffer (or imprisonment).' Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41—3403 (1964 Repl.Vol.). 'Capital cases—Verdict imprisonment.—The right cases render penitentiary hard labor.' 43—2153 shows possible violations rule removal venire least four jurors. During oral argument reference statute: 'Reduction verdict.—The power, conviction, reduce extent duration assessed jury, if, court, proper, greater than, case, ought inflicted, not, reduced below limit prescribed cases.' 43—2310 No effort seek courts statute. There nothing otherwise reported indicate remedy available. today McGautha 936, 1846, 267 Crampton Ohio, 1847, 268, which these considered early date 1970 Term.

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