Legal Document

405 U.S. 127 92 Supreme Court Reporter 785 31 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 86 Dennis Stephen DUNCAN, Petitioner,v.State of TENNESSEE. Number 70—5122. Argued Jan. 13, 1972. Decided Feb. 23, Rodger N. Bowman, Clarksville, Tenn., for petitioner. Everett or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Falk, Nashville, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 We granted certiorari in this case, 404 821, 121, 30 49, to consider questions seemingly presented under the constitutional guarantee against double jeopardy. After briefing and oral argument, it now appears that those are so interrelated with rules criminal pleading peculiar State Tennessee, constitutionality which is not at issue, as warrant exercise jurisdiction Court. See, e.g., Wilson versus State, 200 Tenn. 309, 292 South Western Reporter, 2nd 188 (1956); Young 185 596, 206 805 (1947). See U.S.Sup.Ct. Rule 19(1)(a). The writ is, therefore, dismissed having been improvidently granted. 2 Writ dismissed. 3 Mr. Justice BRENNAN, whom DOUGLAS MARSHALL join, dissenting. 4 In dismissing lets stand a conviction secured violation petitioner's right Fifth Fourteenth Amendments, be placed jeopardy twice single offense. infringement fundamental plain on record before us & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am compelled dissent. 5 Petitioner codefendant, Brooks, were brought trial Criminal Montgomery County, an indictment charging armed robbery 'by use deadly weapon, to-wit: A Gun pistol . .'1 jury was selected sworn, read, plea guilty entered defendants' behalf. State's first witness, officer investigating robbery, testified he had looking '22 rifle' used commission crime. Defense counsel immediately objected evidence immaterial charge pistol, after some discussion out jury's presence, his objection sustained. prosecutor then informed court word 'pistol' by mistake view court's refusal admit rifle, could proceed no further its case would move directed verdict acquittal ground erroneous indictment. motion over instructed 'to find, acquit Defendants error indictment.' 6 About eight months later, March 1969, defendants again same robbery. new identical old date, victim, amount money stolen differed only description weapon caliber rifle.' Nevertheless, overruled court, they convicted sentenced 10 years' imprisonment. Appeals sustained claim appeal, but Tennessee reversed. 224 712, 462, 491 (1970). It agreed rifle properly excluded trial, since Tennessee's 'strict' variance rule "an allegation impertinent foreign cause (such specifying pistol) must proved, though prosecution offense might supported without such allegation' ..' 717, 462 S.W.2d, 494 (italics omitted), quoting Hite 17 357, 377 (1836) (theft note payable Mechanics' Traders' Bank inadmissible Merchants' Bank). also (1956) (proof theft bronze rollers material from brass rollers). went hold, however, between 'rifle' sufficient render initial defective, likewise distinguish second purposes. "To entitle prisoner benefit autrefois acquit, necessary crimes charged last bill precisely first, good point law. true test question whether bar may tried support have procure legal upon first." 715, 493, supra, 375—376. Though recognizing application Double Jeopardy Clause States, Benton Maryland, 395 784, 89 2056, 23 707 (1969), concluded strict 'when consistently applied both jeopardy, will affect equally state defendant, our opinion offend Amendment.' 719, 494. petition rehearing based Court's decision Ashe Swenson, 397 436, 90 1189, 25 469 (1970), denied 'has there has where void variance.' 720, 495. 7 "fundamental American scheme justice," U.S., 796, S.Ct., 2063. designed ensure 'the all resources power should allowed make repeated attempts convict individual alleged offense, thereby subjecting him embarrassment, expense ordeal compelling live continuing anxiety insecurity, well enhancing possibility even innocent found guilty.' Green 355 184, 187—188, 78 221, 223, 199 (1957). Thus, we cautious eye any suggestion, denial below, particular once commenced, result attachment Constitution. As conceded suggestion sustainable here. Had gone than impaneling jury, itself served invoke guarantee, settled 'a defendant put if discharged consent cannot again.' Id., 188, 224. There exceptions rule, course, hung Perez, 9 Wheat. 579, L.Ed. 165 (1824), military emergency requiring withdrawal charges, Wade Hunter, 336 684, 69 834, 93 974 (1949), do apply 8 event, need rely calling find clear petitioner proceeding, fact acquitted direction court. His acquittal, being final competent jurisdiction, automatically precluded retrying though, below pointed out, arose defect long 'former includes one who duly rendered, although judgment verdict, defective protection peril punishment, offense.' Kepner 195 100, 130, 24 797, 805, 49 114 (1904) (emphasis added). Ball, 163 662, 669—670, 16 1192, 1194 1195, 41 300 (1896); Fong Foo 369 141, 82 671, 629 (1962) (directed 'egregiously erroneous,' bars retrial charge); 796—797, 2063—2064. Nor mere nicety abstract theory. number reasons wanting halt midpoint begin anew, offers fertile source discovery error. To permit obtain asserting own retry theory attached subject very dangers avoid. argument 'was trial.' Tr. Oral Arg. 23. question, then, argues strict-variance specification entirely different second, 'same evidence' prove charges. Whatever relevance doctrine determining proof within certainly does comport standards Amendments. my view, requires prosecution, except most limited circumstances, join charges grow act, occurrence, episode, transaction.' 453—454, 1199 (concurring opinion). This clearly failed do. At prepared witness apparently courtroom full jury. Following rifle. called testify about present courtroom. short, using 'pistol,' evidence, physical testimonial, eventually trial. Having obtained barred, opinion, bringing 'single act.'2 majority's address these issues inexplicable. did available ready means, law, amending thus choice end again. If so, remedy lies changing procedure, denying entitled. Jorn, 400 470, 488, 91 547, 558, 27 543 (1971) (Black Brennan, JJ., concurring). grant relief. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39—3901 (Supp.1970) provides: 'Robbery felonious forcible taking person another, goods value, violence putting fear. Every crime shall imprisoned penitentiary less five (5) nor more fifteen (15) years; provided, accomplished punishment death electrocution, commute imprisonment life period time ten (10) years.' two indictments offenses ex rel. Anderson Winsett, 217 564, 399 741 (1965), stated following regard statute, n. 1: 'When Legislature determined 1955 amend penalty statute obvious dangerous many reasons, act amended above, try prevent perpetration (But) adding increased gravity create separate distinct merely provides offender because presence aggravating circumstances.' 567—568, 743. Relying Winsett itself, contends, force either 'robbery,' imposed.

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