Legal Document

390 U.S. 593 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1229 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 154 Norman FONTAINEv.CALIFORNIA. Number 854, Misc. Decided April 8, 1968. Rehearing Denied May 20, See 391 929, 1813. Thomas C. Lynch, Atty. Gen. of California, and Derald E. Granberg Louise or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Renne, Deputy Attys. Gen., for respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The petitioner allegedly made two sales marihuana to an informer in June July 1963. He was not indicted until mid-October According the State, delay due State's desire use other narcotics cases. By time case came trial, had disappeared. Evidence as alleged purchases from consisted taped telephone conversations which claims are ambiguous, testimony police officials. Some observed transactions between informer, but under circumstances argues leave substantial doubt that seller fact petitioner. 2 jury found guilty, trial judge ordered a new because unavailable. California District Appeal reversed judge's ruling, 237 Cal.App.2d 320, 46 Cal.Rptr. 855 (1965). It held failure produce did deny fair trial. 3 At took place before our decision Griffin versus State 380 609, 85 1229, 14 106 (1965), prosecutor commented upon petitioner's take stand. His comment follows: 4 'How do we know defendant knew it marijuana? Well, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions guess if he didn't marijuana could have taken stand told us thereby subject himself cross-examination, chose to. 5 'His Honor will instruct you then on effect may have, any conclusions inferences draw wouldn't testify * *. 6 'Well, Ladies Gentlemen, is case. You heard evidence. arguments counsel. haven't defendant. ask into consideration, consideration inference choose defend what said respect.' Trial instructed adverse silence.* decided appellate decision. prosecutor's argument violated privilege against self-incrimination Griffin. However, constitutional error harmless harmless-error rule prevailing at time. declined review 7 Subsequently, Chapman 386 18, 87 824, 17 705 (1967), disapproved California's applied federal errors. Thereafter, granted petition writ certiorari instant case, vacated judgment below, remanded further light Chapman. 263, 1036, 18 45 (1967). On remand, reinstated its former opinion except rewrote portion dealing with error. This recited this 'beyond reasonable doubt'—the standard announced People Fontaine, 252 73, 60 325. 8 disputed issues centered principally whether knowingly transferred wax bags informer. claimed prejudice result unavailability We need decide this, standing alone, would entitle reversal below clear absence supporting version issues, court hold comments were doubt.' 9 These his self-incrimination. supra. been asked convict basis circumstantial evidence, agent who In these circumstances, has met burden proving beyond erroneous instruction contribute conviction. U.S., 24, 25—26, 828—829. 10 Accordingly, motion proceed forma pauperis reversed. 11 Reversed. 12 Mr. Justice BLACK HARLAN affirm state court. Constitutional right criminal be compelled testify. Thus, does rests entirely own As evidence facts him can reasonably expected explain within knowledge, if, though testify, fails such tending indicate truth indicating among drawn therefrom those unfavorable more probable.'

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