Legal Document

339 U.S. 660 70 Supreme Court Reporter 910 94 L.Ed. 1188 QUICKSALLv.PEOPLE OF STATE MICHIGAN. Number 33. Argued Feb. 6, 1950. Decided June 5, Motion for Leave to File Petition Rehearing Denied Oct. 9, See 71 13. Mr. Isadore Levin, Detroit, Mich., petitioner. Edmund E. Shepherd, Lansing, respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner is in custody State Michigan under a sentence life imprisonment first-degree murder, confirmed upon collateral attack by judgment Michigan, here challenged. He claims that he was deprived his right counsel extent Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment secures right. The generalizations are relevant such claim no longer call elaboration. They have been set forth series recent opinions.1 It now settled as its administration criminal justice, State's duty provide counsel, so far United States Constitution imposes it, but one aspect comprehending guaranty fair hearing on an accusation, including adequate opportunity meet it. And we turn facts this case. 2 By information filed Circuit Kalamazoo County, July 16, 1937, Charles Quicksall, petitioner, charged with murder Grace Parker. She married woman, and Quicksall her paramour. had hospital patient, police guard, between time Mrs. Parker's death 15, when taken before Municipal where, after waiving examination, bound over trial. On arraignment next day pleaded guilty charge murder. There evidence at plea petitioner requested or appointed offered him. circumstances attending were thus formally stated judge who received it: 3 'The record may show respondent (petitioner) has just plead murder; full statement response numerous questions open private interview chambers, both which freely frankly discussed details homicide claimed him, being clearly satisfied made freely, understandingly voluntarily, order entered accepting guilty.'2 4 As required local law, court then proceeded inquire into degree crime. Mich.Stat.Ann. § 28.550 (Henderson 1938), Comp.Laws 1948, 750.318. course inquiry shown summary what developed. forty-four years old time, divorced twice. served penitentiary terms Ohio Michigan. lived Parkers Kalamazoo, become 'intimate' agreement if 'ever got caught' their 'unlawful intimate relationship' they 'would die together.' About week 2, asked husband leave house, day, request, returned see her. told him threatened divorce her, she keep together. Thereupon produced revolver, shot himself. Neighbors reached Parker house shortly thereafter saw Parker, very near death, lying bed, revolver replied, 'Charley did.' floor, unconscious, bed. A deputy sheriff searched premises found note dresser bedroom reading: 'July 1937. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am dying, together, because cannot live apart. Quicksall.' 5 At conclusion these proceedings stated: 6 'In case, having arraigned charging thereto said accepted Court, exhaustive examination witnesses determine crime, testimony Horace Cobb, Jesse Pierce, Cora Ketter Conner, respondent, himself, unsworn, regarding it appearing from killing deliberate premeditated, himself pursuance suicide pact, so-called, finds determines first degree, is, therefore, ordered adjudged be degree.' 7 well known, long ago abolished capital punishment, sentenced solitary confinement hard labor life. 28.548 750.316. 8 Almost ten sentence, April 18, 1947, County vacate grant new constitutional infirmity did not assistance prevented communicating choice while hospitalized. also induced misrepresentations part prosecuting attorney who, asserted, against manslaughter would two fifteen years. 9 motion heard same whether desired lawyer proceeding, replied not: 'Well, your Honor, took me prepare motion, figure qualified present myself.' In answering propounded judge, admitted knew charge. recalled informed guilt determined given say imposed, nothing say. Cf. Canizio versus New York, 327 82, 66 452, 90 545. However, professed able recall illness time. guarded during hospitalization shooting testified following him: 'How will lay here? wish Christ effect like If get mean anyway.' Notes contemporaneously supported testimony. sentencing reason paralysis unavailable witness. neither nor attorney, knowledge, refused permission communicate family, friends, lawyer. cross-examined sheriff, declined question sheriff. 10 trial stock reconstructing memory denied motion. affirmed. 322 Mich. 351, 33 North Western Reporter, 2nd Series 904. We brought case out zealous regard due observance safeguards enforcement penal code. 336 916, 69 635, 93 1079. exacts holding failed sustain burden proving disregard fundamental fairness imposition punishment alone justify invalidate Clause. 11 makes know assisted 28.854 763.1, view 'intelligence, age, earlier experiences court,' rejected notion aware represented attorney. 351 page 355, 904 906. Gryger Burke, 334 728, 730, 68 1256, 1257, 92 1683. Since courts disbelieved petitioner's allegations allowed friends lawyer, request legal aid, only whether, failure offends 12 least 'when crime subject involved, each depends own facts.' Uveges Pennsylvania, 335 437, 441, 184, 186; Betts Brady, 316 455, 462, 62 1252, 86 1595. To prisoner must establish 'for want benefit ingredient unfairness actively operated process resulted confinement.' Foster Illinois, 332 134, 137, 67 1716, 1718, 91 1955; Gibbs 337 773, 781, 1247, 1251, 1686. Here consequences misrepresented tribunal especially sit credibility. Wade Mayo, 672, 683, 684, 1270, 1275—1276, 1647. light emerged proceeding scrutiny place earlier, tendered accepted, stultify find any infringed incurred.3 supra, 138, 1718; Bute 333 640, 670—674, 763, 778—780, 986. 13 Affirmed. BLACK dissents 14 DOUGLAS consideration decision 1595; 545; Carter 329 173, 216, 172; De Meerleer 663, 596, 584; Gayes 145, 1711, 1962; Marino Ragen, 561, 240, 170; 986; 1647; 1683; Townsend 736, 1690; 184; 1247. 28.1058 768.35, provides: 'Whenever person shall court, pronouncing plea, investigation deem necessary purpose respecting nature knowledge without undue influence. whenever doubt truth guilty, same, direct issue formed.' Assertions concerning irregularities urged courts. considered even supposed bearing counsel.

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