Legal Document

408 U.S. 234 92 Supreme Court Reporter 2282 33 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 317 Johnny Daniel BEECHERv.State of ALABAMA. Number 71—6497. June 26, 1972. PER CURIAM. 1 In 1964 the petitioner was tried and convicted in an Alabama state court for first-degree murder. He sentenced to death. The conviction based large part on written confessions that he had signed five days after his arrest. objected introduction at trial these confessions. But held were made voluntarily properly received into evidence. 2 1967 this summarily reversed judgment Court. Beecher versus Alabama, 389 35, 88 189, 19 35. We said: 3 'The uncontradicted facts record are these. Tennessee police officers saw as fled open field fired a bullet right leg. fell, local Chief Police pressed loaded gun face while another officer pointed rifle against side head. asked him whether raped killed white woman. When said not, called liar said, 'If you don't tell truth & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am going kill you.' other then next petitioner's ear, immediately confessed. Later same day injection ease pain something described 'extradition papers' told 'it would be best . sign papers before gang people came there killed' him. taken by ambulance from Kilby Prison Montgomery, Alabama. By 22, leg, which later amputated, become so swollen wound painful required morphine every four hours. Less than hour one injections, two investigators visited prison hospital. medical assistant charge 'cooperate' and, presence, inform if did not 'tell them what they wanted know.' left alone with State's investigators. course 90-minute 'conversation,' prepared detailed statements similar confession given earlier gunpoint Tennessee. Still 'kind slumber' last injection, feverish, intense pain, thus him.' Id., 36—37, S.Ct., 190. 4 led 'the inescapable conclusion involuntary.' 38, 191. For '(t)he petitioner, already wounded police, ordered speak guilt or killed. From time until directed 'what know,' 'no break stream events'. Clewis State Texas, 386 707, 710, 87 1338, 1340, 18 423. still under influence drugs, complete mercy hospital authorities.' Ibid. Because 'were product gross coercion,' we their use violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. 5 Only three months Court's decision, reindicted retried crime. Again, introduced it shortly been shot arrested does morphine. 6 used second exactly ones first trial. It Instead, oral Teneessee only 7 One arrest, extreme gunshot blown most bone out brought There, doctor gave injections testified 'kinda me feel like love somebody; took away; relaxed.' on, could remember nothing. 'why (the crime).' According doctor, confession, Although area guarding doctor. 8 admissible evidence petitioner. State, 288 Ala. 1, 256 So.2d 154. do agree. years ago elicited scene arrest plainly involuntary.* also later, custody morphine, 'stream events' beginning infected 'gross coercion.' U.S., upon now relies, surely events.' 9 hold now—as before—that 'realistic appraisal circumstances case compels (confession was) coercion. Under Amendment, no tainted obtained can stand.' 10 Accordingly, motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition certiorari granted. is reversed. 11 Reversed. * who denied having explicit threat confess time, fact surrounded very angry mob holding guns even head enough support our original grossly coercive nature questioning

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