Legal Document

357 U.S. 214 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1061 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1269 Tom ESKRIDGE, Petitioner,v.WASHINGTON STATE BOARD of PRISON TERMS and PAROLES. Number 96. Argued May 19, 1958. Decided June 16, Mr. Robert W. Graham, Seattle, Wash., for the petitioner. John Judge O'Connell, Olympia, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The Constitution State Washington provides: 'In criminal prosecutions, accused shall have * right to appeal in all cases *.' Wash.Const., Amend. 10. In 1935, after petitioner was convicted murder a state court sentenced life imprisonment, he gave timely notice State. law authorizes trial judge stenographic transcript proceedings furnished an indigent defendnat at public expense 'if his opinion justice will thereby be promoted.' Remington's Wash.Rev.Stat., 1932, § 42—5. Alleging substantial errors moved free transcript. denied this motion, finding that 'justice would not promoted defendant has been accorded fair impartial trial, Court's no grave Petitioner then writ mandate ordering prosecution appeal. petition simultaneously granted State's motion dismiss petitioner's failure file certified 'statement facts' 'transcript record.' 1956 applied habeas corpus charging furnish had violated Due Process Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. His without we certiorari. 353 922, 77 683, 719. does deny allegations poverty, substantiality alleges, or necessity him some record order prosecute properly. It argue might utilized notes compiled by someone other than official reporter. Assuming under circumstances such could adequate substitute reporter's there is nothing show any were available petitioner, courts appear proceeded on assumption effectively unless granted. concedes from 1935 still available. Griffin versus People Illinois, 351 12, 76 585, 100 L.Ed. 891, held denies constitutional guaranteed if it allows defendants appellate review except those who cannot afford pay records their trials. We hold here. conclusion reversible error full can do must every case involving defendant. But here, as case, that, '(d)estitute afforded money enough buy transcripts.' 591. 3 judgment reversed cause remanded further inconsistent with opinion. 4 Reversed remanded. 5 Justice HARLAN WHITTAKER, believing decided 1956, should conviction occurring affirm judgment. 6 FRANKFURTER, having heard argument, took part consideration disposition case.

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