Legal Document

337 U.S. 773 69 Supreme Court Reporter 1247 93 L.Ed. 1686 GIBBSv.BURKE, Warden. Number 418. Argued April 21, 22, 1949. Decided June 27, Mr. Frederick Bernays Wiener, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Karl W. Johnson, Media, Pa., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case raises question whether under circumstances pet tioner's trial larceny in a state court without counsel, Pennsylvania deprived him federal constitutional right, protected by due process clause Fourteenth Amendment. 2 Petitioner, man his thirties, was arrested 1947 certain clothing and other personal effects allegedly belonging to one James Blades. Upon return an indictment he pleaded not guilty, tried before jury which found sentenced term two one-half five years penitentiary. The record shows neither request counsel petitioner nor offer court. Petitioner conducted own defense. 3 On May 24, 1948, Gibbs filed Pennsylvania, petition habeas corpus alleged arrest, trial, conviction sentence, also stated that 'was denied through ignorance law fact forced act as counsel' Rights set forth Ten Original Amendments, Article VI.' issuance rule show cause, respondent answered, admitting formal allegations but alleging following concerning denial right counsel: 'The transcript notes testimony taken matter does disclose relator demanded requested be appointed represent him. * It is averred way answer relator's examination witnesses questions asked during course fully disclosed familiarity with legal criminal courts.' attached proceedings at petitioner's record. showed eight convictions nine acquittals, discharges, no true bills. July 6, writ. As raised grave doubts had been accorded we granted motion leave proceed forma pauperis writ certiorari. 335 867, 139. 4 Blades, prosecuting witness, Mrs. Lafield, mother, Constable Fleming, arresting officer, Silverstein, secondhand dealer, testified state. Briefly summarized, their tended prove came Blades' home on morning theft, looked room, where stolen articles were plain view, and, finding Blades absent, departed. When returned day noticed missing from room upon learning mother there, notified police. He Fleming some pawnshop taproom wearing watch. Later wallet jail cell incarcerated. dealer pawnshop, brought sold them means cross-examination, sought establish taken, sold, pursuant understanding between 5 Several events occurring are pertinent claim failure appoint violated Constitution. (1) Considerable inadmissible hearsay otherwise incompetent evidence allowed go objection Gibbs.1 (2) recalled witness further cross-examination judge accepted prosecutor's suggestion made purpose unfavorable, then elicited.2 Thus this binding although would seem adverse itness can so examined yet remain opposing party.3 (3) Although, have already noted, attempted defend himself ground took agreement prevented proving clearly relevant defense,4 i.e., previously baseless charge against similar circumstances.5 (4) advised presence jury, far shows, opportunity avail privilege againt self-incrimination law. In doing reference possible past convictions.6 So require safeguard was, claims, violation Cf. Philadelphia versus Cline, 158 Pa.Super. 179, 185, 44 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd Series 610; Commonwealth Valeroso, 273 Pa. 213, 116 828. Respondent otherwise. information given could lawyer beyond jury's hearing. (5) Finally, when sentencing petitioner, used language which, it claimed, evinced hostile thoroughly unjudicial attitude.7 6 Two procedural points brief attention. adequately if inartistically corpus. We consider insignificant these cited Sixth rather than Amendment Constitution.8 Meticulous insistence regularity foreign corpus.9 contest propriety considerations its merits.10 apparently concedes proper method testing constitutionality within original jurisdiction Pennsylvania.11 7 Since clear constitute waiver defendant know Uveges 437, 184, merits. theory upheld Betts Brady, 316 455, 62 1252, 86 1595, Constitution guarantee every person charged serious crime assistance regardless circumstances. Brady rejected contention automatically afforded such protection. doing, however, did not, course, hold or int mate never required noncapital cases courts order satisfy necessity basic fairness formulated 8 There arguments based long practice convince us may refuse furnish even needed accused felonies capital. Our decisions ignorance, youth, incapacity unfair, liberty contrary Amendment.12 Counsel necessary adequate defense lacking. 9 argues precedents leaves authorities uncertain all who funds charges courts. cannot panacea difficulty. Such interpretation unwarranted intrusion into control procedure. susceptible reduction mathematical formula.13 10 Furthermore, fair conduct depends largely wisdom judge. knows essentials trial. primary duty falls determine accused's need arraignment guide errors make trials unfair. supra. Failure protect properly rights offenses unusual. Obviously test necessitates appraisal facts each great deprivation works fundamental unfairness. recent discussion problem supra, makes elaboration unnecessary. think case, particularly reveal, light there cited, handicapped lack extent denied. type referred page 473, 63 1261, lacking because judicial guidance protection furnished 11 A pleads guilty elects usually more guilty. evidences helplessness, judge, defending larceny. take note tone comments time sentence. over. questionable issues pass unnoticed procedure, evidence, privilege, instructions detailed first part demonstrate measures up prescribed 12 Reversed remanded inconsistent opinion. 13 remanded. 14 BLACK DOUGLAS concur judgment They should overruled. If followed, they agree Court's insofar holds entitled relief doctrine. 15 MURPHY RUTLEDGE i result. Blades: 'Then she (witness's mother) tells me about (petitioner) being there.' Fleming: 'I got telephone call Chief Police, Miller, Lafield's investigate robbery occurred there. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Jim, suitcase. said, suitcase bed. *' went three pawnshops gave description Edward *.' District Attorney's unsworn proof follows: 'Mr. Johnson: want wallet, watch, identified found—The watch possession defendant. containing papers Blade, occupied Court: What radio? has recovered owner.' Defendant: prosecutor (Blades) back stand? desires witness.' 'In said episode: 'As presented own, except having called answers made; only presented.' Reeves, 267 361, 362—363, 110 158; Eisenhower, 181 470, 476, 37 521, 59 Am.St.Rep. 670. Farrel, 187 408, 423—424, 41 382; see Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed., 1940) § 950. 'Q. Updated: January fall, last year, didn't you wreck your automobile enter complaint stole car wrecked it? Objected to. Objection sustained. nothing do case. All right.' Now then, Gibbs, may, to, stand say anything say, warn do, any prior conviction, misdemeanors nature what crimen falsi, commonwealth had. am warning advance. You testify stand, comment unfavorably testify. stand. 'Do No, don't court.' 'By impose sentence? 'A. guess not. How jail? months half. you; why can't keep out trouble? know, sir. get drunk something, just ornery? Don't better sent Eastern Penitentiary? Do realize put away rest life? (No answer.) attorney doesn't indict it. indicted. comes again, will my job 1928 burglary, larceny, receiving goods, Judge Fronefield—one years, county jail. 1931, plead larceny—$100 fine costs, MacDade. 1932 $50 six jail, Morrow. That three. 1934 $100 jail; year parole; Fronefield. four. 1937, $10 sentence suspended five. 1938, larceny; half Crichton. believe anyone missed now. ago. March. beat that, Now, here seventh time. 'All give fourth offenders. 'Sentence. 'On 417 September Sessions 1947, undergo imprisonment State Penitentiary solitary confinement hard labor committed until complied with. life, 'Take away.' Price Johnston, 334 266, 292, 68 1049, 1066, 92 1056, cited. Tomkins Missouri, 323 485, 487, 65 370, 371, 89 407. Respondent's states: issue now determined offense, tried, convicted sentenced, laws United States, portion See ex rel. McGlinn Smith, 344 41, 24 1; Penland Ashe, 341 337, 19 464. 441, 1595; Bute Illinois, 333 640, 676, 763, 781, 986; Townsend Burke, 736, 739, 1254, 1690.

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