Document: 384 U.S. 737 86 S.Ct. 1761 16 L.Ed.2d 895 Elmer DAVIS, Jr., Petitioner,v.STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. No. 815. Argued April 28, 1966. Decided June 20, Charles V. Bell, Charlotte, N.C., for petitioner. James F. Bullock, Varina, respondent. Opinion of the Court by Mr. Chief Justice WARREN, announced BRENNAN. 1 Petitioner, Davis, was tried before a jury in Superior Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on charge rape-murder. At trial, written confession and testimony as to an oral were offered evidence. Defense counsel objected ground that confessions involuntarily given. The trial judge heard this issue, ruled made voluntarily, permitted them be introduced returned verdict guilty without recommendation life imprisonment, Davis sentenced death. 2 conviction affirmed appeal Supreme 253 N.C. 86, 116 S.E.2d 365, denied certiorari. 365 855, 81 816, 5 819. then sought writ habeas corpus United States District Eastern Carolina. evidentiary hearing basis state court record. 196 F.Supp. 488. On appeal, Appeals Fourth Circuit reversed remanded case issue voluntariness Davis' confessions. 310 F.2d 904. A held Court, following which Judge again voluntary. 221 494. Circuit, after argument resubmission en banc, with two judges dissenting. 339 770. We granted 382 953, 439, 15 358. 3 are not called upon proceeding pass guilt or innocence petitioner atrocious crime committed. Nor we determine whether obtained true false. Rogers v. Richmond, 534, 735, 760 (1961). sole presented review is voluntarily given result overbearing police authorities. Upon thorough record, have concluded freely but rather will overborne sustained pressures him. Therefore, constitutionally inadmissible judgment below must reversed. 4 Had us come our decision Miranda Arizona, 436, 1602, 694, would reverse summarily. taken into custody Charlotte interrogated repeatedly over period days. There no indication record advised him any his rights until he had confessed orally 16th day.1 This clearly improper under Miranda. Id., at 478—479, 492, 1630, 1637. Similarly, waiver could inferred from since it shows only alleged offense prior time finally confessed. 476, 499, 1629, 1640. also today, Johnson New Jersey, 719, 1772, 882, Miranda, delineating procedures safeguard Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination during incustody interrogation applied prospectively only. Thus present may solely warnings shown. As pointed out Johnson, however, nonretroactivity does affect duty courts consider claims statement circumstances violate standards begun evolve long decisions Escobedo State Illinois, 378 478, 84 1758, 12 977 (1964). has undertaken statements cases Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 L.Ed. 682 (1936). standard evolved Due Process Clause Fourteenth same general federal prosecutions—a grounded policies self-incrimination. Malloy Hogan, 1, 6—8, 1489, 1492—1493, 653 6 limited manner these decisions. contrary, defendant right remain silent respecting outset interrogation, now required significant factor considering later made. been recognized several dealing voluntariness. Haynes Washington, 373 503, 510—511, 83 1336, 1341—1342, 10 513 (1963); Culombe Connecticut, 367 568, 610, 1860, 1883, 1037 (1961); Turner Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 338 62, 64, 69 1352, 93 1810 (1949). See Gallegos Colorado, 370 49, 54, 55, 82 1209, 1212, 1213, 8 325 (1962). Thus, fact never effectively gives added weight other described involuntary. 7 almost invariably so involving through unobserved there conflict events surrounding interrogations. beaten, threatened, cursed told get hot bath something eat soon signed statement. flatly each officer who testified.2 further stated asked lawyer refused allow obtain one. denied. sister testified she twice came station see him, officers her having visitors. Police that, learning desire sister, they went home tell wanted her, informed busy children. These factual allegations resolved need specific findings here. It case, all question given, examine entire make independent determination ultimate E.g., 515—516, 1344—1345, Blackburn Alabama, 361 199, 205, 274, 279, 242 (1960); Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 143, 147—148, 64 921, 923, 88 1192 (1944). Wholly apart disputed facts, facts established view, leads plainly conclusion product overborne. 9 impoverished Negro third fourth grade education. His level intelligence such prompted comment below, even while deciding claim involuntariness, moral person mentality should executed. first contact child when mother murdered father, thereafter knew criminal beginning prison term served age 16. In September 1959, escaped camp near Asheville, where serving sentences 17 25 years. Mrs. Foy Belle Cooper raped Elmwood Cemetery City 21, neighboring county arrested Belmont, miles Charlotte. He wearing civilian clothes possession women's undergarments billfold identification papers one Bishel Buren Hayes. Hayes shoes lay drunken sleep 20. 11 learned arrest contacted warden permission take their connection murder felonies. Having permission, took Belmont authorities brought detective headquarters From officers, beyond dispute reason securing suspicion committed murder.3 second floors building contain lockup cells used detention overnight occasionally slightly longer periods. kitchen facilities preparing meals. cell placed measures feet contains solid steel bunk mattress, drinking fountain, commode. located inside view daylight. ventilated exhaust fans ceiling top floor building. Despite jail equipped lengthy directly across street headquarters, incarcerated upper confessed.4 Jesse testified: 'I don't know anybody stayed city boy.' 13 When arrived sheet prepared giving various statistics concerning typed illuminating directive: 'HOLD FOR HUCKS & FESPERMAN RE-MRS. COOPER. ESCAPEE FROM HAYWOOD COUNTY STILL HAS YEARS TO PULL. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE SEE DAVIS. OR HIM USE TELEPHONE.' Both notation nearly uniform. Each did put directive sheet, did, it. captain order issued department talk anybody. cited example (after confessed). however: 14 know, possible I ordered boy communicating friends, relatives using telephone talking * No, want For simple convict rules regulations penal system if C prisoner anyone alone write letters trying conform regulations.'5 found 21 October 6, neither friend nor relative saw Davis. concluded, incommunicado because visitors requested finding, noted specifically But mention whatever captain. stark wording remains, Captain McCall's testimony. denials evasive cannot wipe evidence Even accepting allowed actually come, stands unassailably indicium purpose holding dissenting stated: 'The instruction permit access communicate outside world can mean custodians keep absolute control subject questioning extent fit, confess.' F.2d, 780. Moreover, uncontested than spoke days preceded During police, fed sandwiches, 'thin' 'dry,' day. fare supplemented peanuts 'stuff' cigarettes officer.6 food prisoners attempt weaken inadequate feeding. contends 'two sandwiches day 'and stuff' poor diet, idle doing work, constitute violation due process law.' Brief Respondent, p. 7. 18 readily agree show deliberate starve compare Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 78 844, 975 (1958), diet minimum necessary sustain Nonetheless, extremely well effect physical strength therefore ability resist. rebutted State, lost pounds detention. 19 detention, conducted daily sessions special room building.7 lasted 'forty-five minutes hour maybe little more,' according interrogating officers. McCall assigned force 26 29 men investigate case. group, Detectives Hucks Fesperman primary responsibility once throughout Three request Fesperman. Although night, periods directed some p.m.8 once. 20 According interrogations between 3. Between dates extensively respect stolen goods possession. clear related simply unrelated express line break down alibis articles. By destroying contention items homes distance scene crime.9 pressure point goods. houses along railroad Canton Asheville. To disprove story, aroused a.m. driven Canton. leg shackles removed walked tracks, handcuffed officer, unable recognize landmark way house burglarized, confronted accusation story lie. points day, agreed hike, physically exhausting coercive. coercive influence not, exertion march, avowed trek—to murder. 22 afternoon 3, planned carried ruse incriminate himself manner. They engaged conversation inquired like go 'some fresh air.' drove cemetery observe reaction. 23 excursions known drive cemetery, interrogators shifted tactics began about murder.10 why being held. believed pressed asking, 'Well, you do it?' continued next consistently knowledge crime.11 24 final time. Lieutenant Sykes, family, part away vacation, sit in. repeated earlier guilt, answer questions crime. 12:45 p.m., Sykes Cooper. said Sykes. others left room. reading testament holding. replied had. praying. how pray lieutenant short prayer. point, dissent aptly it, prayers answered—Davis re-enact back presence six two-page transcribed. based information earlier, dictated employing own choice format, wording, content. paused periodically ask far. acquiesced. statement.12 press stated, 'He broke today.'13 concluding paragraphs confession, contain, disclaimer free voluntary, unwittingly summarizes prolonged interrogation. read: 'In closing, say this. my mind (sic) people me for, lying jail, worrying me, sooner later, 27 voluntarily. W. Hucks, E. Fesperman, H. C. Gardner, Detective L. am glad over, going thru big strain.' 28 demonstrate substantial influences bear extort marked culmination efforts. Evidence extended atmosphere often resulted finding involuntariness Court. Fikes 352 191, 77 281, 246 (1957); use involved individual session relatively duration mitigate created surroundings So far known, might still today above, accuse eroding resist tangential reduce irrelevant consideration escapee camp. Of course entitled released. alleviate isolated everyone jail. 30 light factors discussed inevitable—Davis' involuntary end thus Accordingly, remand, enter orders appropriate consistent opinion, allowing reasonable retry 31 Reversed remanded. 32 BLACK concurs result. 33 CLARK, whom HARLAN joins, 34 rationale Court's opinion 'an education,' gave 35 39-year-old man, admits 'been lot jails.' indicates above grader. reveals highly retentive memory. detail numerous arrests, convictions, sentences, escapes 15-year span. Furthermore, showed awareness legal technicalities. prosecutor cross-examine convicted offenses.' objection lawyer, turned said: 'Your Honor, question? past.' After admissibility evidence, recessed give opportunity authority. sustained. 36 goes grain confesses rule adopted i.e., accused custodial retroactive apply 882. However, obtains requiring heavy failure afford 'a statements.' Through change pace handwriting stamped forgery 37 supports reversal cites three: (1949), treated terms process. distinguishable character place. 'mental defective moron class' mental institutions. previous schizophrenic suggestible.' conviction—for burglary. both more concentrated subjected continual relay falsely implicated family friends. admitted arraignment delayed, statute, secure confession. 38 hand, prison, properly custody. wrong conduct here ordinary suspect confesses. sporadic hardly denominated pressure. appears questioned couple detectives. protracted grilling. operate relays. 39 makes much 'arrest sheet' jailer convict. directed: 'Do Or telephone.' No witness able identify author notation. 'might' done so, merely notice and, therefore, anyone. incommunicado. request, arrest, custody, separate occasions invited visit telling wished her. few missing else. undenied churches schools entered scripture pamphlets. And booklets hands 40 Witnesses treatment 'very fine everybody courteous kind him.' hike clearly: 41 things, what up there, straightened out; place stuff couldn't locate understand, things off line.' 42 'prayer' 'coercive.' Indeed, witness, preacher, quoted saying 'that nothing praise especially dealt another parson 'Elmer appreciated prayer Sykes.' disregards copy scriptures hold talked. Sykes—a preacher—noticed testament, natural turn prayed entirely unsuggestive. 43 sufficient. uncontradicted complained meals received custody.* warrant improperly fed. contradict substantiate arrest. untruthful most paint black brush hearing, although length court. 44 Under circumstances, judge's erroneous. fully supported affirm. subsequently contained truth sign adds its brief: 'Surely, sensitive person, years 'cussing' 'Nigger' constituted degree fear coercion.' 8. Some idea except relation McCall, division Police, likely *. Gaston County making investigation reference case.' '(H)e primarily Cooper's *.' offenses included assault vicinity nearby. note 9, infra. exception incarceration spent infra, night Asheville Transcript Appeal. very similar. somewhat confusingly: 'Inasmuch convict, placing telephone. perfectly honest you, writing thing verbally. law. Elmer, permission. Nobody knowledge.' didn't knowing warden.' 16-day period, varied occasion hamburgers. explained: 'An void materials man complete quiet attention.' posed answered: 'Q. Well, he? 'A. I'll yes.' Another follows: Department, daylight dark? both, remember correctly. just leave way: that's is.' Further graphic obvious detaining period: 'Detective Capt. A. Sunday slaying. "We're him,' said.' Observer, Sept. 23, B—1. 'A seen crouching bushes shortly rape-slaying elderly widow afternoon, detectives Wednesday. 'Charlotte J. Monday night. "We today,' Wednesday conflicting information, we're checking alibis.' "We'll lie detector test necessary. positive results interrogaton." 24, "Everybody warrant.' words Thursday search killed 78-year-old local graveyard afternoon. 'But main emphasis 32-year-old raping woman 1949. 'Davis straight he's lies,' said. 'We're every alibi us, aren't true. enough yet test, though." 25, 'Being presently slaying Belmont. rape 1949.' 26, 1950, effort find week ago. closely times rapeslaying Cooper, 78.' 29, 14—A. 'City probing man's loopholes Friday white *' Oct. interrogate uniform point. confessed—October 2, 1959. 90, 367. Cot. 7, A—1, 8, tenor 4, 6. appeared treatment. response questioning, right. morning, minister read newspaper, indicated cooperated matters. A—1—2. morning walk 'if hungry,' reply 'yes.' breakfast.

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