Legal Document

379 U.S. 466 85 Supreme Court Reporter 546 13 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 424 Wayne TURNER, Petitioner,v.STATE OF LOUISIANA. Number 53. Argued Nov. 19, 1964. Decided Jan. 18, 1965. Allen baron Pierson, Jr., Ponchatoula, La., for petitioner. Leonard E. Yokum, Hammond, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner, Turner, was indicted in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, upon a charge murder committed during course robbery. After three-day trial jury found him guilty as charged. He sentenced to death. conviction affirmed by Louisiana,1 and we granted certiorari2 consider claim that circumstances attending were such deprive Turner right secured Fourteenth Amendment. 2 two principal witnesses prosecution at Vincent Rispone Hulon Simmons. Both deputy sheriffs Parish. On direct examination described detail an investigation he said had made scene murder. further testified Simmons later took into custody, led them place woods where cartridge clip from weapon recovered. corroborated Rispone's testimony about apprehending finding clip, also told certain damaging admissions which been time his apprehension. In addition, under prevailed make written confession. This confession introduced evidence. cross-examined length with respect all aspects their testimony. did not take witness stand own behalf.3 3 members sequestered accordance Louisiana law trial,4 'placed Sheriff' judge. practice, this meant jurors continuously company Parish three days lasted. deputies drove restaurant each meal, lodgings night. ate them, conversed errands them.5 4 Two who close continual association Turner's counsel moved mistrial when prosecution, same motion testified. brief hearings on these motions established both fact freely mingled out courthouse trial.6 court denied motions, however, ground there no showing either talked any member case itself. 5 or cease associating jury, and, so far record shows, continued remainder trial. returned its verdict guilty, filed new substantially urged support earlier mistrial—that 'were actual jury; they physically present room, automobiles eating places members, mingling * *.' without evidentiary hearing, death electrocution. 6 bill exceptions court, appeal based, clearly included Amendment claim.7 affirming conviction, State said: 7 'As have pointed out, jurisprudence unless is prejudice, will be set aside simply because officers are charge. inclined look practice disapproval, cases may prejudice kind exceedingly difficult establish. should especially condemned where, instance, officer accused conflict called weigh credibility each, prosecuting witness.' 244 454, 152 So.2d, 557—558. 8 While thus casting judgment terms state law, court's affirmance necessarily rejected conduct violated Amendment.8 We hold otherwise federal constitutional issue, accordingly reverse before us. 9 does involve question whether requires accord defendant charged murder.9 question, rather, goes nature commands what has purported accord. occasion basic less than four years ago Irvin versus Dowd, 366 717, 81 1639, 751. That itself, could constitutionally infected proceedings commenced. But controlling here: 10 'In essence, guarantees criminally fair panel impartial, 'indifferent' jurors. failure hearing violates even minimal standards due process. re Oliver, 333 257, 68 499, 92 L.Ed. 682; Tumey Ohio, 273 510, 47 437, 71 749. 'A tribunal requirement process.' Murchison, 349 133, 136, 75 623, 625, 99 942. ultimate analysis, only can strip man liberty life. language Lord Coke juror must 'indifferent stands unsworne.' Co.Litt. 155b. His based evidence developed Cf. Thompson City Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654. true, regardless heinousness crime charged, apparent guilt offender station life occupies. It our early 1807 Chief Marshall Burr's Trial 416 U.S., 722, S.Ct., 1642. 11 jury's 'must trial' fundamental integrity embraced concept jury.10 'The essential instrumentality—an appendage—of body ordained pass innocence. Exercise calm informed proper enforcement law.' Sinclair States, 279 749, 765, 49 471, 476, 73 938. Holmes stated more truism observed 'Any judge sat juries knows that, spite forms extremely likely impregnated environing atmosphere.' Frank Mangum, 237 309, 349, 35 582, 595, 59 969 (dissenting opinion). 12 sense, criminal implies very least 'evidence developed' against shall come public courtroom full judicial protection defendant's confrontation, cross-examination, counsel. What happened operated subvert jury. emphasized confined some uncontroverted merely formal aspect prosecution. contrary, attached key inevitably determined sent To sure, assailed through cross-examination open court. potentialities went outside well little hollow formality. Rideau 373 723, 83 1417, 663. true nothing show discussed conversations thereafter. And if it assumed never discuss directly would blinking reality recognize extreme inherent throughout between deal here encounter, but continuous intimate trial—an gave opportunity, put it, renew old friendships acquaintances among jury.11 14 undermined permit sheriffs. role played prejudicial. For relationship one foster jurors' confidence those official guardians entire period trial.12 fate depended how much placed witnesses. 15 reversed remanded inconsistent opinion. ordered. 16 Judgment remanded. 17 CLARK, dissenting. 18 regret & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions dissent case. If sitting vote do everything possible stop permitting testifies 19 However, cannot say whatever shown—as here—the reaches process proportions. understand approval highest courts number other jurisdictions1 recognized Wharton, American Jurisprudence Corpus Juris Secundum.2 Indeed, similar Tenth Circuit,3 certiorari 1951, upheld testifying sheriff acted irregularly performing custodian 20 view widespread acceptance violative Amendment's Due Process Clause. my 663 (1963). La. 447, So.2d 555. 376 949, 84 972, 969. Out presence testify issue voluntariness confession, stating things sleep eat 48 hours confessed, custody period. advised 'legal rights' confessed. 'From moment until rendition entry mistrial, be, kept together way secluded communication; provided capital may, discretion, separate delivery charge.' Rev.Stat.La. § 15:394. adjourning after first day trial, jury: 'Anything you need obtain Deputy, calls want Deputies you.' part follows: 'Q. Have assisting retiring Jury caring needs? Atlantic have. As Deputy Sheriff's staff? much. Isn't vicinity trial? fact. spoken Jurors? About anything? 'By Counsel: Yes. connection providing needs seeing comfortable go Room et cetera? Yes.' Dy. yes sir. many occasions, know? can't answer that. A occasions? around Speaking various sundry matters? Yes ever them? No Made acquaintance knew most them. But, acquaintances? yes. One didn't know. Do get along Members? try everbody (sic). There friction your last days? Not know Sir. stayed night watched over Jury? several meals Sitting table correct. You ridden restaurant? Deputy? Criminal position superior Staff? words, considered boss supervisor, Deputies? effort supervise job? job. this? sir, so. Sheriff handling designate Jury. yourself? correct.' reciting shown Simmons' fraternization 'that state's witnesses, not, itself prejudicial rights Defendant seemingly rely decided Appeals Circuit, Odell Hudspeth, 189 Federal Reporter, 2nd 300. case, district denial habeas corpus prisoner convicted Kansas held facts apparently violation appears every constitution provides See, e.g., Alaska Const., Article 1, 11; Idaho 7; Nevada I, 3; North Dakota see Columbia University Legislative Drafting Research Fund, Index Digest Constitutions, 579 (1959). Sixth provides: prosecutions, enjoy speedy impartial wherein (Emphasis supplied.) See note 6, supra. notes E.g., Hendrix State, 200 Ark. 973, 141 South Western 852 (1940); Hart, 226 N.C. 200, 37 Eastern 487 (1946); Newby Okl.Cr. 291, 188 Pacific KF135 P2 124 (1920); Underwood 118 Tex.Cr.R. 348, 39 45 (1931). Wharton's Law Procedure 2109, 290, n. (Anderson ed. 1957); 53 Am.Jur., Trial, 858, 625; 23A C.J.S. 1352, 946. Ann.Cas.1912C, 882; Ann.Cas.1917B, 254. 300, cert. denied, 342 873, 72 116, 96 656 (1951).

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