Legal Document

393 U.S. 314 89 Supreme Court Reporter 540 21 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 508 Donald Leslie BERGERv.CALIFORNIA. Number 221. Decided Jan. 13, 1969. Thomas C. Lynch, Atty. Gen. of California, William E. James, Asst. Gen., and Marvin Atlantic Bauer, Deputy for respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner was convicted robbery kidnaping the purpose robbery. The victim, one Carl Arthur Dunston, testified against petitioner at a preliminary hearing; there evidence that time trial Dunston in Colorado. A state investigator tried to contact on telephone; he got through some Dunston's relatives his employer, but not himself. Although two telegrams were received, allegedly from no subpoena served. At trial, transcript hearing testimony introduced into evidence. On appeal, Appeal Second Appellate District California held this procedure did deny Sixth Amendment right be confronted with witnesses him since absent State own free will petitioner's counsel had an adequate opportunity cross-examine hearing. 258 Cal.App.2d 622, 66 Cal.Rptr. 213 (1968). denied April 4, 1968. Nineteen days later we case Barber versus Page, 390 719, 88 1318, 20 255, absence witness jurisdiction would justify use unless made good-faith effort secure witness' presence. sole question is whether holding Page should given retroactive application. We think it should. 2 Clearly, inability may have significant effect 'integrity fact-finding process.' Linkletter Walker, 381 618, 639, 85 1731, 1743, 14 601 (1965); cf. Roberts Russell, 392 293, 1921, 1100 (1968); McConnell Rhay, 2, 32, As pointed out important objects confrontation guarantee fact finder assess credibility witnesses. U.S., 721, S.Ct., 1320. And California's claim countervailing interest based upon its reliance previous standards, see Stovall Denno, 388 297, 87 1967, 1970, 18 1199 (1967), most unpersuasive. clearly foreshadowed, if preordained, by Court's decision Pointer Texas, 380 400, 1065, 13 923 (1965), which handed down more than year before trial. Accordingly, can reason why fully 3 motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition writ certiorari are granted. judgment vacated remanded reconsideration light 255 4 It so ordered. 5 Judgment remanded.

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