Legal Document

372 U.S. 293 83 Supreme Court Reporter 745 9 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 770 Charles TOWNSEND, Petitioner,v.Frank G. SAIN, Sheriff of Cook County, et al. Number 8. Reargued Oct. 8 and 9, 1962. Decided March 18, 1963. [Syllabus from pages 293-295 intentionally omitted] George N. Leighton, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Edward Judge Hladis, respondent. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case, in its present posture raising questions as to right a plenary hearing federal habeas corpus, comes us once again after tangle prior proceedings. In 1955 petitioner, Townsend, was tried before jury murder Criminal Illinois. At his trial through court-appointed counsel, public defender, objected introduction confession on ground that it product coercion. A held outside presence jury, judge denied motion suppress. He later admitted into evidence. Further evidence relating issue voluntariness introduced jury. The charge permitted them disregard if they found involuntary. Under Illinois law admissibility is determined solely by judge, but question voluntariness, because bears credibility, may also be presented See, e.g., People versus Schwartz, 3 Ill.2d 520, 523, 121 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 758, 760; Roach, 369 Ill. 95, 15 873. petitioner guilty affixed death penalty verdict. affirmed conviction, two justices dissenting. 11 30, 141 729, 69 American Law Reports, 371. writ certiorari. 355 850, 78 76, 2 60. Petitioner next sought post-conviction collateral relief State courts. County dismissed petition without holding an evidentiary hearing. order affirmed, coercion res judicata, this 358 887, 79 128, 115. pressed at all stages these Having thoroughly exhausted state remedies, Townsend petitioned corpus District Northern That court, considering only pleadings filed course proceeding rendered direct appeal, writ. Appeals Seventh Circuit appeal. 265 Federal 660. However, granted certiorari, vacated judgment remanded decision whether, light state-court record, required. 359 64, 655, 634. 4 On remand, no petition, finding 'Justice would not served ordering full or awarding any (the) Petitioner.' stated he satisfied 294-296 records him courts challenged have been freely voluntarily given correct, there had denial due process law. appeal concluded '(o)n district court's inquiry limited study undisputed portions record' record showed deprivation constitutional rights. 276 324, 329. We certiorari determine whether below correctly applied standards governing hearings corpus. 365 866, 81 907, 5 859. case first argued during October Term 1961. Two Justices were unable participate decision, we subsequently ordered reargued. 834, 82 864, 7 841. now decision. adduced trial-court suppress following. arrested Chicago police shortly a.m. New Year's Day 1954. They received information one Campbell, then their custody robbery, connected with robbery Jack Boone, steelworker victim case. 19 years old time, confirmed heroin addict user narcotics since age 15. under influence dose administered approximately one-half hours arrest. It practice take injections three five apart. about 2:30 taken second station and, arrival, questioned period variously fixed hours. During period, committing crimes. Thereafter 19th where remained, being questioned, until 8:15 p.m. evening. time returned placed line-up several other men so could viewed Anagnost, another robbery. When Anagnost identified man, rather than assailant, scuffle ensued, details which disputed police. Following incident subjected questioning. interrogated more less regularly 8:45 9:30 officers. Assistant State's Attorney arrived. Some nine o'clock, arrival attorney, complained Officer Cagney pains stomach, suffering withdrawal symptoms, wanted doctor, need narcotics. clutched convulsively stomach number times. Cagney, aware narcotic addict, telephoned physician. There some dispute between Attorney, both prosecution witnesses, questioning continued doctor testified did contrary. event, symptoms commenced appears unresponsive appeared 9:45. gave combined dosage injection 1/8-grain phenobarbital 1/230-grain hyoscine. Hyoscine same scopolamine claimed properties 'truth serum.' left four 1/4-grain tablets phenobarbital. told evening remainder following day. medications purpose alleviating symptoms; officers know what departed 10 10:30. medication alleviated discomfort promptly responded 6 As events succeeding point January 1, testimony witnesses irreconcilably conflicts. purposes sides agree occurred. After left, Fitzgerald joined room 25 minutes. went room; court reporter took down petitioner's statements. turned Boone 11:15. minutes transcribed. 11:45 terminated, cell. day, Saturday, 2, office prosecutor read, signed, transcriptions statements made night before. experienced Sunday evening, summoned. Monday, 4, coroner's inquest called witness stand advised testify, confessed. counsel. defender appointed represent arraignment 12. version detention. initially excess Upon return who line-up, person accompanied hall wrong person. Another officer entered room, hit knew robbed Anagnost. fell floor vomited water little blood. spoke later, sick use drugs, offered call 'cooperate' tell truth murder. Five changed tack; thought innocent implying give narcotic. arm pills. immediately. Although felt better, dizzy sleepy distance vision impaired. brought asked someone him. thing sitting desk. asleep awakened handed pen; signed name believing going released bond. cell back see 'a lot lights flickering,' hold head up. minute so, morning much clearer, although really remember occurred previous An robberies murders. 'I believe & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions said yes them.' hear very well sleepy. afternoon, pills, Attorney. Half paper contents. six seven pills different color kept awake night. Monday Later day inquest. do so. Essentially contradicted above. hour, scuffled man officer, vomited. coherent throughout 1st relevant times thereafter, 1st. follow statement read Attorney's office. Finally threats promises sort testify above counsel provided considerable concerning probable effects hyoscine Dr. Mansfield, prescribed when confessed, prosecution. therapeutic 1/100 grain; 1/230 'phenobarbital * reacts (hyoscine when) you want quiet' person; combination will 'pacify' 'it has effect mind'; put sleep cause amnesia impairment eyesight mental condition. disclose latter familiarly known Petitioner's expert physiology, pharmacology toxicology. formerly senior toxicological chemist professor pharmacology, chemotherapy toxicology Loyola University School Medicine. upon hypothetical subject, obviously assumed 'would such nature range absolute drowsiness, extreme, extreme incorporate complete disorientation excitation *.' And, assuming subject 1/2-grain orally depressive accentuated. suffer partial total eight loss near summarily reporter's transcription findings fact wrote stating grounds decision.1 Thereafter, testing credibility confession, additional noteworthy elicited. identity established (but mention drug's serum' made). low intelligence defective 'just moron.' slapped occasions threatened shoot Finally, Corcoran p.m., Friday doctor's confessed assault response propounded Officers Fitzgerald, Martin himself. But Corcoran, extensively suppress, none mentioned confession. Furthermore, flatly trial, corroborate phase Corcoran's testimony. 12 homicide December 1953. crime, probation pathologist performed autopsy Boone. Campbell 'middle' 8:30 seen walking street vicinity brick hand. fix exact date, far revealed, reason suspect done anything unlawful meeting. 13 caused 'severe blow top (Boone's) Contrary wounds 'located manner inflicted house 45, 737. characterized meagre noted out cross-examination informed defendant obtain own release custody.' 44, Prior Schaefer, Klingbiel dissent, Campbell's 'inherently incredible.' 49, 739. 14 theory application rest allegations physical Rather, relied hitherto alleged: (1) blood became ill narcotics; (2) trial; (3) 'either alone Phenobarbital, proper (and that) (t)he intravenous produce physiological psychological condition adversely affecting mind (and) psychic removes thus injected scope reality; treated removed contact environment, able feel properly, loses eye-sight, sense perception ability withstand interrogation'; (4) willfully suppressed scopolamine, knowledge things, intention inject producing susceptible interrogation resulting confessions *'; (5) confess; (6) immediately murders specifically to. Initially, answer, respondents stated: 'Respondents admit factual pleaded, deny Respondents violation constitution laws argument nothing alleged merely position face, insufficient entitle either release. remand Court, 'if are true, entitled seeks *,' least crimes 'petitioner influenced (the hyoscine's) administration extent obtained involuntarily'; 'Hyoscine serum'; 'the surgeon concealed pertinent, material facts'; improper circumstances. Despite respondents' concession facts existed, opportunity support dismiss petition. 16 Before most recent requested submit directed certain submitted 'additional answer corpus' drugs. Specifically Joseph Thomas Johnson, Johnny Stinson, Willis Thompson. revealed respecting Townsend's person, assailant. death, injury accident. even bother transcribe respect Thompson's 'because recall led Thompson inquest, deputy coroner committed complained: 'Why shouldn't credit Clean-ups.' circumstances conviction Johnson murders, best, remote possibility, indicted acquitted sentenced murder, prosecutor, indictments dismissed. 17 contains constitute claim perjured himself, heart inadmissible simply must allegations, proved, establish I. 18 Numerous decisions If individual's 'will overborne'2 rational intellect free will,'3 coerced. These applicable intimidation pressure course, equally druginduced statement. difficult imagine situation intellect, voluntary, drug having serum.'4 significant persons unfamiliar hyoscine's serum,' exist. Any produces renders inadmissible.5 usually test. Stroble California, 343 181, 190, 72 599, 603, 96 L.Ed. 872: 'If involuntary, cannot And Blackburn Alabama, 361 199, 80 274, 242, irrelevant absence part indicated interrogating sane judged probability insane time. Thus conclude remaining required ascertain necessary predicate ultimate question. 20 problem power duty judges, hearings—that is, try issues fact6 anew—is recurring one. last dealt length Brown Allen, 344 443, 73 397, 97 469, opinions Reed Frankfurter, speaking majority Since then, touched it.7 1959 consider question, ultimately disposed immediate ground. Rogers Richmond, 534, 540, 735, 739, 760. become apparent supra, provide answers aspects lower courts, reached widely divergent, often irreconcilable, results.8 mean express correctness particular decisions. think appropriate elaborate considerations ought properly govern grant II. 21 broad bearing interpretation reviewed Court's Fay Noia, 391, 822, repeated here. pointed historic conception writ, anchored ancient common our Constitution efficacious imperative remedy detentions fundamental illegality, remained constant out, too, Act February 5, 1867, chapter 28, § Statutes-at-Large 385—386, extending prisoners described de novo largest terms, restated apparently common-law understanding. U.S., Page 416, S.Ct., 837, n. 27. provisions 1867 remain substantially unchanged codification. 28 Code KF62 2243. construing mandate Congress, plainly designed afford trial-type aggrieved unconstitutional detentions, consistently upheld claims 'Since Frank Mangum, 237 309, 331, 35 582, 588, 59 969, recognized convicted criminal offense procedure 'to safeguard liberty within jurisdiction against infringement Constitution,' though infringe appear face conviction.' Hawk Olson, 326 271, 66 116, 118, 90 61. Allen numerous cases this. 22 rule otherwise. whole history writ—its unique development—refutes construction courts' powers assimilate task appellate review. function different. test way original civil proceeding, independent normal channels review judgments, gravest allegations. proving detention violates liberties safeguarded action Constitution. Simply intolerable, redress, presupposes heard, argue evidence, never totally foreclosed. See 345—350, 594—596, 969 (dissenting Holmes). typical, rare, turn resolution contested issues. narrow view subvert Congress' specific aim passing affording forum determination language make clear plenary. Therefore, applicant alleges which, relief, receive anew. III. 23 exercise mandatory. standard considered supersede, inconsistencies, Allen—is this: Where dispute, fair proceeding. words unless trier reliably facts.9 24 unwise overly particularize judges intimately familiar justice, fact, we, sound discretion large experience proves too general standard—the 'exceptional circumstances' 'vital flaw' tests Allen—does serve adequately explain controlling criteria guidance particularization therefore useful. circumstances: merits resolved hearing; fairly supported whole; fact-finding employed adequate substantial allegation newly discovered evidence; developed semblance actually decided tendered defendant. Thus, impliedly facts. No merits. proceedings opinion, likely based procedural issue—that collaterally cognizable—and hand, trial—for example, allegedly instant case—it assume rejected 26 findings, still possible reconstruct plain indicia. impossible, compelled 27 Reconstruction unclear finder correct disposing claim. contentions. error adverse facts, Of possibility legal eliminated many situations articulated applied. coequal responsibilities may, ordinary articulation, incorrect applied.10 third-degree methods obtaining refused exclude being, necessarily coerced utilized standard, sometimes presents 'so-called significance (are) blended severed consideration.' 546, 742. 347, 595 (Holmes, J., dissenting). Unless can reasonably believed sure denying disbelieved prove rights those novel hypothesis determinations involves purest speculation. yet (erroneously) should denied. impossible held. 29 conclusive Fiske Kansas, 274 380, 385, 47 656, 71 1108; 208—209, 281, 242. infringed, carefully scrutinize record. supra; Moore Michigan, 155, 191, 167. exacting. 30 obligation goes farther Even hearing, factfinding reaching results. serious errors (respecting habeas) things burden proof, does violate Constitution, seriously inadequate ascertainment truth, judge's grave require directing applicant's grants new forthwith. Our concern serious, nevertheless enough deprive adequacy means finally determining depend. 31 application, bear constitutionality detention; existence guilt prisoner Also, frivolous incredible 32 conventional notion kind permit reopening however, respects habeas. If, attributable inexcusable neglect 438, 848 (Part V), crucial consideration compelled. default set Noia protects legitimate interest orderly procedure, sanction needless piecemeal presentation form deliberate by-passing procedures. Compare Price Johnston, 334 266, 291, 68 1049, 1063, 92 1356: 'The primary unjustly imprisoned. justifiable previously assert unaware neither nor reasonable judicial relief.' 33 final category open-ended here anticipate wherein demanded. province necessities accordance rules. anew exists every IV. 34 add few observations outlined. First. indicate judge. concludes afforded reliable ordinarily should, accept not. power, constrained discretion, confident mindful delicate role maintenance federal-state relations, abuse discretion. fear used integrity justice waste claims. 36 Second. defer apply independently. conclusions binding weight settled 506, 445 (opinion Frankfurter). 37 Third. clearly compel production Ordinarily record—including transcript (or unavailable substitute, narrative record), pleadings, opinions, pertinent documents—is indispensable findings. ex rel. Jennings Ragen, 276, 321, 296; Sain, resulted vouchsafed, So also, convenient forthwith 38 Fourth. rests largely practical principles announced today. promiscuous swamp dockets Courts acute unnecessary friction organs while allow go forever uncorrected. accommodation competing factors front line, conscious paramount responsibility area. V. 39 Application foregoing litigation difficult. voluntary. remedies receiving further Twice now, denial, record.' formulation error. refuse law, fact. setting forth confessions. short, indicia ruling might admissible 'coherency' standard. '(s)o long accused (was) capable making past participation crime 43, 736. Part Possibly drug-induced standard.11 eliminated, ascertained applied, excluded involuntary faced difficulty. show successfully reconstructed. that, reason, compelled.12 40 disclosed hearing: substance trigger involuntary.13 vital admissible. To sure, medical hyoscine, inferred conclusion resistance debilitated. crucially informative characterization drug, enabled mere laymen, intelligently grasp inquiry, inexplicably omitted experts' circumstances, disclosure fair, rounded, development failure fully realistically regarded default. V). 41 not, sufficient unresolved exists, demeanor factor adjudging credibility. basic conflicts competent evidence,14 party choose rely contained State, testimonial documentary 42 deciding do, prejudge decide obliged 43 Reversed remanded. 44 GOLDBERG, concurring. 45 join comment dissenting my Brother STEWART. 46 STEWART instructions measure voluntariness—and hence admissibility—of view, excerpted support, anything, contrary constitutionally impermissible himself suppression suggested STEWART, exclusionary reflect dimension, affirming While THE CHIEF JUSTICE, Pages 319—321, adopted seemingly inducement prerequisite Both standards, intended similar elements, fail conform requisite 48 third paragraph quoted footnote 330, advises discount 'lose memory,' amnesia' questioning, control charged.' By conjunctive requirement control, instruction indicates overbearing memory, nonetheless acceptable guilt. buttressed concluding note STEWART'S disregarded asserted if, addition, affected consciousness 'he doing.' doing confessing suffered issue. propriety drug—whatever label it—so overbore resist confessing. Whether doing, could, wholly stop admitting guilt.* 49 indications, recognize misconception evidenced infected inference negatived instructions, induced force, mental, duress, promise reward. context whole, references 'voluntariness' meet problems raised vitiate exclusion dependent addition sterilization will. 50 For reasons basis misconceived lack indication utilize test, similarly erroneous below. 51 warrant criticism wisdom articulating essential disposition definition adjudicatory obligations. Particularly when, here, judiciary applying sensitive area involving federalism, careful discharge counsels '(i)n preclude individualized enforcement parts Nation, (we) lay permits directions applications sentence courts.' 501 502, 469 (separate 52 whom CLARK, HARLAN, WHITE join, 53 disagreement perhaps best explained define outset areas am entirely accord opinion. First, underlying completely drugs trial. Secondly, *' Thirdly, anew.1 54 differ important respects. strongly doubt using case—or other—as vehicle cataloguing advance inflexibly elaborates. 55 quarrel principle proceeding: 'Where proceeding.' Pacific KF135 P2 312. rightly says '(i)t test,' attempting erect detailed myriad applications, disregards wise admonition. 56 today supply phrases—imprecise uncertain meaning—for vocabulary judges. purport mandatory requirements guidelines, elaborated run risk becoming talismanic phrases, mechanistic invocation had. 57 More fundamentally, enunciation required, invited, us, cannot, therefore, justified terms dictum. advisory repeating late date. Marine Cooks Stewards Panama S.S. Co., 362 365, 368, 779, 797; International Association Machinists National Labor Relations Board, 411, 415, 825, 832 5. regard peculiarly persuasive context. hedge inflexible rules essentially extraordinary unpredictable situations. 58 accepting toto, requires think, putting rigid formulations side, accepted prompt system affirmatively refers defects feels Court: 'indicia confession' involuntary.' lengthy extracts seem me issues, becomes sketch why mistaken 60 early 1954, Within hour arrest, various crimes, committed. 61 Shortly began, doctor. summoned, consisting cc.'s saline solution grain hydrobromide 1/8 dissolved. Slightly initialed copy night's offices General. killing. 62 Atlantic STANDARD OF FEDERAL LAW APPLIED BY STATE TRIAL COURT IN RULING UPON ADMISSIBILITY CONFESSION. 63 lawyer practice, produced temporary amnesia, produced. change suggesting faculties place result injection. licensed physician, thousands addicts 50% treatment memory. (who physician) behalf relieve symptoms. cross-examination, human treating addicts. evident accorded defense. 64 says, overruling explicitly spell applying. end credibility—since procedure—were couched applied.2 Nothing Given confession.' Where, devoid presumption surely it. Certainly presume commands follow. Yet precisely makes baron DISCLOSURE 'PROPERTIES' MEDICINE ADMINISTERED TO PETITIONER. 65 Much defense attempt diminish Additional prosecution, including identical scopolamine. unexceptionable instructions,3 death. reviewing detail conviction. 729. 60; rehearing denied, instituted court. His procured deliberately withheld consequently affirmed. unpublished follows: 67 'A appeal) discloses resolving validity (People vs. 35, 732, 736). *. matter identical. escape doctrine contends unknown Assuming moment statement, names extensive are, identical, same, regardless drug. effect, name. presented, 'suppressed' destroyed reference bill exceptions witness, 'Scopolamine same." choice conclude, examination proceedings, proper. shows foundation claim—i.e., surrounding experts testified. Their conflict. conflicting whatever scrupulously admissible.4 phrase serum'—a precise scientific meaning. hardly 70 administer justice. carrying duty, must, each Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. ago frustrate disrespect structure system, debase Great Writ Habeas Corpus. affirm. excused. transpired: 'Mr. Branion (a attorney): That's have, please. hearing? Branion: Defense rests. Anything State? McGovern: Judge. Gentlemen, proceed (to jury).' Reck Pate, 367 433, 440, 1541, 1546, 948. 208, 280, confess. Among addiction, 'near defective,' youth inexperience. fact—to bluntly shortly, it—if serum obtained, it.' generally doses break Dispensatory (25th ed. 1955) 1223: 'Many excessively toxic occur; alarming. marked disturbances intellection, ranging active delirium literature designated true suspects. E.g., House, Why Truth Serum Should Made Legal, Medico-Legal Journal 138 (1925). recently 1940 Dean Wigmore useful interrogation. Evidence (3d 1940) 998 642. commentators suggest scopolamine's said: 'Unfortunately, suggestible confess False misleading given, especially improperly phrased. tone 'You steal money, didn't you?', easily false affirmative answer.' MacDonald, Serum, J.Crim.L. 259, 259 260 (1955). Townsend. confessions, statements, inadmissible. 'issues fact' refer termed basic, primary, historical facts: 'in recital external narrators 446, So-called mixed historical-fact determinations, sense. Arizona, 356 390, 885, 863; 357 220, 1365, 1361 (denial accompanying statement); 296 (per curiam); 634 curiam) (vacating authority supra). Tillery Cavell, 294 (C.A.3d Cir.); Schlette People, 284 827 (C.A.9th Bolling Smyth, 281 192 (C.A.4th Chavez Dickson, 280 727 Gay Graham, 269 482 (C.A.10th 252 807 (C.A.2d Cir.), cert. 1361; Alvarez Murphy, 246 871 Tyler Pepersack, 234 Cranor Gonzales, 226 De Vita McCorkle, 216 743 Cir.). Note, Corpus: Developments Allen: Survey Analysis, Nw.U.L.Rev. 765; Comment, Corpus Review Convictions: Interplay Appellate Ambiguity Discretion, Yale L.J. 98. announcing imply satisfy governed exhaustion (announced Ex parte Royall, 117 241, 734, 868 codified 2254) lends always adjudication aid guided create necessary. concerned. relevance like conclusively showing coherent. dissent fails say reason. 'accepting standards' does, True instructed expert. notwithstanding expert's testimony, injected, along phenobarbital, Townsend) hyoscine) Cf. §§ 2245, 2247. initial guilt, sudden attitude, veritable flood him, 753—754, real overborne. Moreover, reliability ibid. Indeed, 2243 'proceed summary arguments, thereupon dispose require.' Walker 312 275, 283—284, 574, 577, 578, 85 830. (Emphasis added.) statute revised provides shall Revisers' notes 'phraseology' substance. issue, deference 318. following: 'There written charged you, find physically mentally, exerted arrest reward lose memory charged, amounted duress body mentally there. 'Expert Witness,' Mansfield Witness' impaired influence, any, him.' supra. 766—767,

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