Legal Document

394 U.S. 705 89 Supreme Court Reporter 1399 22 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 664 Robert WATTSv.UNITED STATES. Number 1107, Misc. Decided April 21, 1969. Joseph Forer, for petitioner. Solicitor General Griswold, the States. Ralph Judge Temple, Melvin L. Wulf and Lawrence Speiser, American Civil Liberties Union others, as amici curiae. PER CURIAM. 1 After a jury trial in District of Columbia, petitioner was convicted violating 1917 statute which prohibits any person from 'knowingly willfully * (making) threat to take life or inflict bodily harm upon President *.'* The incident led petitioner's arrest occurred on August 27, 1966, during public rally Washington Monument grounds. crowd present broke up into small discussion groups joined gathering scheduled discuss police brutality. Most those group were quite young, either their teens early twenties. Petitioner, who himself 18 years old, entered after one member suggested that young people should get more education before expressing views. According an investigator Army Counter Intelligence Corps present, responded: 'They always holler at us education. And now & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions have already received my draft classification 1—A got report physical this Monday coming. am not going. If they ever make me carry rifle first man want sights is L.B.J.' are going kill black brothers.' On basis statement, found had committed felony by knowingly threatening President. Appeals Columbia Circuit affirmed two-to-one vote. 131 U.S.App.D.C. 125, 402 Federal Reporter, 2nd 676 (1968). We reverse. 2 At close Government's case, counsel moved judgment acquittal. He contended there 'absolutely no evidence would be entitled find (petitioner) made against President.' stressed fact sta ement political debate, it expressly conditional event—induction Armed Forces—which vowed never occur, both laughed statement made. concluded, 'Now actually what happened here all kind very crude offensive method stating opposition What he saying, says, don't shoot because consider them enemy, if put hand hand, symbolized President, real enemy.' hold judge erred denying motion. 3 Certainly under constitutional its face. Nation undoubtedly has valid, even overwhelming, interest protecting safety Chief Executive allowing him perform his duties without interference threats violence. See H.R.Rep. 652, 64th Cong., 1st Sess. (1916). Nevertheless, such one, makes criminal form pure speech, must interpreted with commands First Amendment clearly mind. distinguished constitutionally protected speech. 4 judges differed over whether 'willfullness' requirement implied defendant intended out 'threat.' Some cases willfullness met speaker voluntarily uttered charged words 'an apparent determination execution.' Ragansky versus States, 253 KF105 F3 643, 645 (C.A.7th Cir. 1918) (emphasis supplied); cf. Pierce 365 292 (C.A. 10th 1966). majority below seemed agree. Perhaps interpretation correct, although we grave doubts about it. dissenting opinion below, U.S.App.D.C., 135—142, F.2d, 686—693 (Wright, J.). But whatever implies, initially requires Government prove true do believe hyperbole indulged fits within statutory term. For interpret language Congress chose 'against background profound national commitment principle debate issues uninhibited, robust, wideopen, may well include vehement, caustic, sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks government officials.' New York Times company Sullivan, 376 254, 270, 84 710, 721, 11 686 (1964). arena, like used labor disputes, see Linn Plant Guard Workers America, 383 53, 58, 86 657, 15 582 (1966), often vituperative, abusive, inexact. agree only offense 'a Taken context, regarding nature reaction listeners, how could otherwise. 5 motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition writ certiorari granted reversed. case remanded instructions returned entry 6 It so ordered. 7 Judgment reversed instructions. 8 Mr. Justice STEWART deny certiorari. 9 WHITE dissents. 10 DOUGLAS, concurring. charge ancient vintage. 12 federal traces ancestry Statute Treasons (25 Edw. 3) crime 'compass imagine Death King.' Note, Threats Take Life Pre ident, 32 Harv.L.Rev. 724, 725 (1919). said Walter Walker, 15th century keeper inn known 'Crown,' telling son: 'Tom, thou behavest thyself well, will three heir CROWN.' guilty compassing imagining death King, hanged, drawn, guartered. Campbell, Lives Justices England 151 (1873). 13 In time Edward IV, Thomas Burdet predicted king 'soon die, view alienate affections' indicted 'compassing imaging King,' 79 Eng.Rep. 706 (1477)—the constructive treason1 old reports filled. 14 Charles II, Brownlow 'for speaking these words, wished gentry land another, comminalty might live better.' Middlesex County Rec. 326 (1888). same year (1662) Thornell saying 'that Kinge did side Bishops, Divell Bishops too.' Id., 327. While our Alien Sedition Laws force, John Adams, en route Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Quincy, Massachusetts, stopped Newark, Jersey, where greeted committee saluted firing cannon. 16 A bystander 'There goes ass.' Luther Baldwin replying care 'if fired through court 'sedicious tending defame States' fined, assessed costs expenses, jail until fine fees paid. Smith, Freedom's Fetters 270—274 (1956). 17 constituted sorriest chapters; thought done forever.2 Yet hardly fared better. 'Like Treasons, section 871 passed 'relatively calm peacetime spring,' but been construed circumstances when intolerance free speech much greater than normally be.' Threatening President: Protected Dissenter Political Assassin, 57 Geo.L.J. 553, 570 (1969). Convictions Code KF62 § sustained displaying posters urging passersby 'hang (President) Roosevelt.' Apel, 44 F.Supp. 592, 593 (D.C.N.D.Ill.1942); declaring 'President Wilson ought killed. wonder some already. opportunity, myself.' Stickrath, 242 151, 152 (D.C.S.D.Ohio 1917); 'Wilson wooden-headed son bitch. wish hell, power there,' Clark 250 449 (C.A.5th 1918). sustaining indictment indicated enjoy shooting chance, explained thrust 871: 19 'The purpose protection also prohibition just statements alleged indictment. expression direful intentions desires, indicates spirit disloyalty nation bordering treason, is, sense, menace peace country. arouses resentment concern part 933 (D.C.E.D.Mich.1918). 20 Suppression effective measure device, outlawed Constitution. 21 FORTAS, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. holds, hearing, wrongly applied. Neither rulings assume correct. 23 trivial peculiar facts merely given suspended sentence. That does justify Court's action. induce certiorari, decide merits adjudicate difficult questions presents. 871(a) provides: 'Whoever deposits conveyance mail delivery post office letter carrier letter, paper, writing, print, missive, document containing President-elect, Vice other officer next order succession otherwise shall fined $1,000 imprisoned five years, both.' prosecution laid bare juries treasonous thoughts heart matter; 'the original proceeded imagination heart; itself High-Treason, albeit overt fact: being possessed abundance traitorous imagination, able contain itself,' burst forth vile Speeches, thence horrible heinous actions.' Trial Sir Perrot, Sow.St.Tr. 1315, 1318 (1592). '(T)he high treason charged, (in intending designing) king; mean NATURAL DEATH; hidden operation mind, act thing legally proves existence design intention—I say king's natural life, branch statute; evidence, intention, legal act; nothing embodied record.' Hardy, 24 How.St.Tr. 199, 894 (1794). 1057 (1708). adequacy mere overts acts W. Holdsworth, History English Law 293 (1927). 'In Act cases, tendency produce security community stretched utmost latitude. Likewise, juries, willingness presume evil intent Republican writers, largely nullified safeguards erected itself. Criticism Congress—in every indulges birthright—was severely punished; yet practice manifestly remote injure bring contempt short, become commonplace Ame ican ban Federalist lawmakers 1798.' Miller, Crisis Freedom 233 (1951).

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