Legal Document

444 U.S. 1 100 Supreme Court Reporter 7 62 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 Richard Earl PILONv.Donald E. BORDENKIRCHER, Warden. Number 78-6932. Oct. 9, 1979. PER CURIAM. The petitioner was convicted in a Kentucky court on charge of first-degree manslaughter, and the judgment conviction sustained direct appeal. Pilon versus Common- wealth, 544 South Western Reporter, 2nd 228 (Ky.1976). then filed habeas corpus petition Federal District Court, alleging that supported by evidence insufficient to afford him due process law. federal denied relief. Applying "no evidence" test Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 4 654 (1960), concluded "[a]lthough this close case evidence, we believe not devoid an evidentiary basis for petitioner's conviction."* Appeals Sixth Circuit, also relying test, affirmed denial 593 264. 2 Thereafter, Jackson Virginia, 443 307, 99 2781, 61 560 (1979), held is constitutionally inadequate such as this. An earlier decision had made clear Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment prohibits criminal any person except upon proof guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In re Winship, 397 358, 90 1068, 25 368 (1970). constitutional requirement can be effectuated only if court, assessing sufficiency support state-court conviction, inquires "whether, after viewing light most favorable prosecution, rational trier fact could have found essential elements crime doubt." U.S., at 319, S.Ct., 2789 (emphasis omitted). 3 It thus dispute applied incorrect resolving claim his rested evidence. Although it quite possible against will survive challenge under correct standard, he entitled application considered standard. motion leave proceed forma pauperis certiorari are granted, vacated, remanded so may consider Virginia. 5 ordered. * opinion unreported.

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