Legal Document

356 U.S. 560 78 Supreme Court Reporter 844 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 975 Frank Andrew PAYNE, Petitioner,v.STATE OF ARKANSAS. Number 99. Argued March 3, 1958. Decided May 19, Mr. Wiley Atlantic Branton, Pine Bluff, Ark., for the petitioner. Throp Thomas, Little Rock, respondent. Justice WHITTAKER delivered opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, a 19-year-old Negro, was convicted by jury in Jefferson County, Arkansas, first degree murder and sentenced to death electrocution. On appeal Arkansas he pressed two main contentions: (1) that trial court erred overruling his motion suppress, receiving evidence over objection, coerced false confession, error takes deprives him life without due process law violation Fourteenth Amendment Constitution, (2) quash panel petit jurors upon ground Negroes were systematically excluded, or their number limited, selection panel, equal protection laws law, Constitution. The held these contentions merit affirmed judgment. 226 Ark. 910, 295 South Western Reporter, 2nd 312, 313. He then applied us writ certiorari, based on contentions, which we granted because constitutional questions presented appeared be substantial. 353 929, 77 721, 723. We will consider petitioner's contention confession coerced, its admission objection denied Amendment. 3 use state criminal defendant's obtained coercion—whether physical mental—is forbidden Amendment.1 Enforcement rests principally with courts, generally findings fact, fairly made substantial conflicting testimony as circumstances producing contested confession—as distinguished from inadequately supported conclusions drawn uncontroverted happenings—are not this Court's concern;2 yet where claim is prisoner's product coercion are bound make our own examination record determine whether meritorious. 'The performance duty cannot foreclosed finding court, verdict jury, both.'3 question decision coerced. That can answered only reviewing under made. therefore proceed examine those shown record. 4 Near 6:30 p.m. October 4, 1955, Judge M. Robertson, an elderly retail lumber dealer City found office dead dying crushing blows inflicted head. More than $450 missing cash drawer. Negro fifth-grade education,4 who had been employed Robertson several weeks, suspected crime. interrogated night at home police, but they did arrest him. 11 a.m. next day, 5, arrested warrant placed cell floor city jail. statutes provide may when officer 'has reasonable grounds believing person has committed felony,'5 'shall forthwith carried before most convenient magistrate county made,'6 brought such it latter's 'state charge (against accused to) inquire * desires aid counsel (and allow him) opportunity' obtain counsel.7 It admitted petitioner, though warrant, never taken magistrate, mentioned complied with. 5 Petitioner incommunicado any against time until after afternoon 7, counsel, advisor friend being permitted see Members family sought turned away, police 'make practice letting anyone talk (prisoners) while questioned.' Two brothers three nephews were, knowledge, jail questioned during evening arrest, one overnight. asked permission telephone call request denied. 6 given lunch lodged missed meal day chief police. morning, 6, breakfast, also shoes socks,8 trip distance about 45 miles, further questioning lie detector test, arriving there 7:30 breakfast city, gave test extended At sandwiches—the food received more 25 hours. returned Bluff evening—too late meal—and second floor. breakfast—which, except sandwiches Rock before, 40 7 come now even vital matter. testified,9 concerning conduct immediately induced follows: 'I locked up upstairs Chief Norman Young came (about 7) told me & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions all story—he said 30 people outside wanted get me, if would tell truth probably keep them coming in.' When again what occasion petitioner testified: 'Chief thirty forty wanting try out.' cross-examination, substance statement petitioner,10 confess 'in private.' In setting, agreed chief. took private office, almost place knock door. opened door stepped outside, leaving ajar, heard say "He fixing now,' like have alone.' know persons how many re-entered began orally confessed Thereupon Sergeant Halsell State Police Sheriff Norton room, details Soon afterward reporter called businessmen room. requestioned answers shorthand. After transcribed reporter, typed transcription room read signed witnessed officers referred to. Thus 'confession' obtained. 8 beginning moved suppress culminating threat mob violence. Following procedure (McClellan versus State, 203 386, 156 800), hearing judge chambers, facts above recited dispute. addition testified contain truth, why it, answered: 'Well, matter fact lawyer Branton afraid already way stated hadn't, didn't let in, conversation, me.' overruled supporess confession. same repeated petitioiner's objection. instructed disregard voluntarily general guilty charged assessed penalty Judgment accordingly entered verdict. 9 physically tortured affords no answer '(t)here torture mind well body; much affected fear force. A becomes forfeit must expression free choice.' Watts Indiana, 338 49, 52, 53, 69 1347, 1349, 93 L.Ed. 1801.11 undisputed case shows mentally dull youth, advised right remain silent required statutes, (3) (4) days, friend, members tried refused call, (5) long periods, and, finally, (6) 'that few minutes him,' created produced 'confession.' seems obvious totality course conduct,12 particularly violence, constitute 'expression choice,'13 deprived fundamental fairness essential very concept justice,'14 hence, guaranteed 10 Respondent suggests that, apart adequate sustain But where, here, constitutes part returned, credit weight And uniformly sufficient evidence, support judgment conviction, vitiates violates Due Process Clause Amendment.15 facts, set out above, applicable conclusion reached Chambers Florida, 309 227, 241, 60 472, 479, 84 716: 'Due preserved commands disclosed shall send death.' reversed unnecessary discuss decide other petitioner—whether Amendment—for assume issue present new trial. 12 cause remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 13 Reversed. 14 HARLAN, concurring. 15 join reversal Chief's testimony, quoted footnote opinion, require acceptance through 16 BURTON, record, accept voluntary. Therefore, affirm rendered. See dissent Moore Michigan, 355 155, 165, 191, 197, 167. 17 CLARK, dissenting. 18 believe courts properly Moreover, deemed guilt conviction authority Stein People New York, 1953, 346 156, 188—194, 73 1077, 1094—1098, 97 1522. Just five years ago established 'if relied confession,' 'rejected evidence.' pages 193—194, page 1097. For purpose making latter determination, assumed jury. makes difference determination here rather evident majority inquiry same—whether apply rule challenged confessions identical approved case. Nolan 205 103, 104, 167 503, 504; Dinwiddie 202 562, 570, 151 93, 95, 96. See, e.g., Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 682; 716; Lisenba California, 314 219, 62 280, 86 166; Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 143, 64 921, 88 1192; Malinski 324 401, 65 781, 89 1029; Haley Ohio, 332 596, 68 302, 92 224; 1801; Stroble 343 181, 72 599, 96 872; Leyra Denno, 347 556, 74 716, 98 948; Fikes Alabama, 352 281, 246. These cases illustrate settled view conviction. supra, 50—53, 1348, 1349; Cf. 153, 926; 404, 783; 598, 303; 558, 717. 237—238, 290, 291. 461; 228—229, 473, 474; 50, 1348. 'slow learn' fifth grade became age. Because age arbitrarily promoted seventh soon thereafter quit school. Ark.Stat.1947, § 43—403. 43—601. 43—605. His socks laboratory bloodstains. stand both chambers presence 'Q. defendant you going confess? Approximately 1:00 P.M. 7th. Now time? ready standing talking Were present? There not. anything effect him? possible many—it could many. Did promise opportunity private? did. go down your office? did.' 240, 478; 237, 291; 600, 304; 154, Ward Texas, 316 547, 555, 1139, 1143, 1663, announce principle. 284. 1350. 236, 290; Lyons Oklahoma, 605, 1208, 1213, 1481. 1348; 597, 1210. 1522, contrary, find Indeed recognized 'the ruling admitting review erroneous, least normally, should fall (R)eliance combines persuasiveness apparent conclusiveness judicial experience illusory deceptive evidence. forced foundation *.' Id., 191—192, 1096.

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