Legal Document

373 U.S. 61 83 Supreme Court Reporter 1053 10 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 195 Ford T. JOHNSON, Jr.,v.STATE OF VIRGINIA. Number 715. April 29, 1963. PER CURIAM. 1 The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the judgment Appeals Virginia reversed, and case remanded proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. 2 petitioner, Johnson, Jr., was convicted contempt Traffic City Richmond, Virginia, appealed his conviction to Hustings Court, where he tried without jury again convicted. refused grant error on ground that from 'plainly right,' but Chief Justice court stayed execution pending disposition certiorari. 3 evidence at petitioner's trial in summarized an approved statement facts. According statement, witnesses State testified as follows: Negro, seated section reserved whites, when requested move by bailiff, do so. judge then summoned petitioner bench instructed him be right-hand courtroom, Negroes. moved back front counsel table remained standing arms folded, stating preferred indicating would comply judge's order. Upon refusal obey further direction seated, arrested contempt. At no time did behave boisterous or abusive manner, there disorder courtroom. State, its Brief Opposition filed concedes Richmond spectators, seating space 'is assigned basis racial designation, seats one side aisle being use Negro citizens other white citizens.' 4 It clear totality circumstances, particularly fact peaceably whites before bench, arrest rested entirely segregated requirements imposed particular Such cannot stand, it longer open question may constitutionally require segregation public facilities. See, e.g., Brown versus Board Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873; Mayor Council Baltimore Dawson, 350 877, 76 133, 100 774; Turner Memphis, 369 350, 82 805, 7 762. State-compelled justice manifest violation State's duty deny equal protection laws. 5 Reversed remanded.

Classification Label: 1