Legal Document

332 U.S. 596 68 Supreme Court Reporter 302 92 L.Ed. 224 HALEYv.STATE OF OHIO. Number 51. Argued Nov. 17, 1947. Decided Jan. 12, 1948. Mr. Edgar W. Jones, of Canton, Ohio, for petitioner. Messrs. D. Deane McLaughlin and Bernard Rodgers, both respondent. Justice DOUGLAS announced the judgment an opinion in which BLACK, MURPHY, RUTLEDGE join. 1 Petitioner was convicted Ohio court murder first degree sentenced to life imprisonment. The Appeals sustained conviction over objection that admission petitioner's confession at trial violated Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. 79 App. 237, 72 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd Series 785. Court, being view no debatable constitutional question presented, dismissed appeal. 147 St. 340, 70 905. case is here on a petition writ certiorari we granted because had doubts whether ruling below could be squared with Chambers versus State Florida, 309 227, 60 472, 84 716; Malinski People New York, 324 401, 65 781, 89 1029, like cases this Court. 2 A confectionery store robbed near midnight October 14, 1945, William Karam, its owner, shot. It prosecutor's theory, supported by some evidence it unnecessary us relate, petitioner, Negro boy age 15, two others, Willie Lowder, 16, Al Parks, committed crime, petitioner acting as lookout. Five days later—around 19, 1945—petitioner arrested his home taken police headquarters. 3 There contrariety testimony what then transpired. he beaten. He took stand so testified. His motor testified clothes wore when arrested, were exchangedt wo later clean ones she brought jail, torn blood-stained. She also saw him five after arrest bruished skinned. contrary entire line testimony. So put one side controverted evidence. Taking only undisputed (Malinski supra, page 404, 783, cited), have following sequence events. Beginning shortly 15-year old lad questioned about hours. or six relays each. During time friend counsel present. Around 5 a.m.—after shown alleged confessions Lowder Parks—the confessed. typed answer form police. At advised right counsel; but written started off statement: 'we want inform you your rights, law gives make statement not see fit. made understanding may used either against anyone else involved crime you, own free will accord, are under force duress compulsion promises whatsoever. 4 'Do still desire tell truth having above clause read you? Atlantic Yes.' jail 6 6:30 a.m. Saturday, 20th, signed. Between Tuesday, 23d, held incommunicado. lawyer retained mother tried twice refused allowed until Thursday, 25th. But newspaper photographer take picture early morning hours before magistrate formally charged 23d—three court, preliminary hearing voluntary character confession, admitted rights Amendment. instructed jury disregard if found did voluntarily will. 7 finding do foreclose independent examination our duty here. Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 143, 147, 148, 64 921, 923, 88 1192. If suggests coercion exact permit even though without there might been sufficient submission jury. cited. 8 We think methods obtaining can sequared due process commands. 9 What transpired would pause careful inquiry mature man involved. And when, here, mere child—an easy victim law—is us, special care scrutinizing record must used. Age 15 tender difficult any race. cannot judged more exacting standards maturity. That leave cold unimpressed overawe overwhelm teens. This period great instability crisis adolescence produces. lad, through dead night police, ready inquisition. Mature men possibly ordealf rom believe years match such contest. needs support become fear, panic. someone whom lean lest overpowering presence law, knows it, crush him. No stood working relays, hour hour, from dawn. guard sure went far farther, they stopped short point where became coercion. called during critical questioning. once broke gesture towards getting ever made. 10 decency underlined fact kept incommunicado three represent admission. once; closest friend—his mother—was arrest. said these events germane present problem happened show callous attitude safeguards respect ordinary human relationships compels grain salt their apologia five-hour grilling conducted fair dispassionate manner. When unmindful basic conduct public dealings, secret treatment behind closed doors becomes darkly suspicious. 11 grilled, duration quizzing, advise him, combine convince wrung child means should sanction. Neither nor condemned flout requirements law. 12 told signed that, knowing them, nevertheless assumes, however, fifteen, aid counsel, full appreciation advice facts freedom choice. indulge those assumptions. Moreover, give weight recitals merely formalize requirements. Formulas prevail contradict them. They cloak inquisitorial practices empty fought died obtain. 13 course followed White Texas, 310 530, 1032, 1342, prohibits using private, custody device wringing 14 Reversed. FRANKFURTER, joining reversal judgment. 16 In recent series cases, beginning Brown Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, 80 682, has set aside convictions coming courts based circumstances offended 'due process' exacted States rationale ruled this, dispose per curiam citation cases. rule it. Since best Court' court's always involves delicate exercise power since sharp division propriety case, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions deem appropriate state explicitly possible why, although difficulties, affirmance conviction. 17 difficulties derive very nature us. arise frequently obliged definiteness 'the vague contours' Due Process or, change figure, spin upon action out gossamer concept. Subtle elusive criteria are, escape judicial review. duty, makes especially important humble exercising Humility context alert self-scrutiny avoid infusing into vagueness Constitutional command one's private notions. Like other mortals, judges, unaware, grip prepossessions. way relax grip, Constitution personal bias placed explore influences shaped unanalyzed views order lay bare 18 lifetime's preoccupation criminal justice, prosecutor, defender civil liberties scientific student, naturally leaves views. Thus, disbelieve capital punishment. judge impose few who bitter experience abolished punishment all States, proscribes Again, offenses boys fifteen dealt according conventional procedure. would, bald usurpation hold violate subjecting minors Haley State, consistently Amendment, try procedure, say youth never capable choice which, eyes 'voluntary.' hardly justifiable Clause outlawry admissibility statements accused officer however much legislation effect seem me wise. See Indian Evidence Act 1872, § 25; cf. 26. 19 'voluntary' admissible, 'coerced' thus wanting process, matter mathematical determination. Essentially invites psychological judgment—a reflects deep, inarticulate, feelings society. Judges divine feeling relevant light bring bear confident issue, every endeavor detach themselves (It noteworthy while American drawn framing constitutions democratic countries, copied. See, also, illuminating debate proposal amend Irish Home Rule Bill incorporating Clause. 42 H.C.Deb. 2082 2091, 2215—2267 (5th ser., Oct. 22, 23, 1912).) 20 While issue formulated appears impalpable, too often repeated limitations prosecute narrowly conceived. freest scope procedures include fairly deemed conflict deeply rooted feei ngs community. concurring opinions 412, 787, Louisana ex rel. Francis Resweber, 329 459, 466, 67 374, 377. Of most test apply, apply must, warily, case. 21 brings precise Suspecting fifteen-year-old complicity resulting attempted robbery, least officers interrogated more. About o'clock procedure culminated regarded whereupon reduced writing. interrogation talk, chose word, entitled benefit help family. Bearing Chief Police knew 'had remain mute questions' know apprise fact. Unquestionably, whole Only night-long questioning resulted disclosures satisfactory documented, giving formula withhold stating 'own will.' Do uncontested justify boy's 'voluntary,' preclude deliberate responsible exercised came end questioning? 22 answer, already intimated, depends evaluation factors, accurately stated, persuasive society regarding factors. Unfortunately, draw expression existence feeling. Nor available experts matters guide Our system Court's interpret legal protection. Because inherent tests guided unsatisfactory, 23 denied precludes voluntary. Their denial carries weight, course. requires overborne. does matter. Against comes trials pass review An impressive admonishes temptations abuse endeavors secure suspects, protracted carried secrecy, inevitable disquietude fears interrogations engender individuals incommunicado, unprotected inquiry. Disinterested zeal good assure wisdom pursues. report President Hoover's National Commission Law Observance Enforcement gave proof fact, unfortunately, potentialities imaginings mawkish sentimentality, tolerance desirable necessary stern policy crime. Legislation throughout country similar belief detention purposes eliciting secret, pes istent, longcontinued violates sentiments embedded people. McNabb United 318 332, 342, 343, 63 608, 613, 614, 87 819. 24 suggested Haley's guilt easily established elicited sweating night's interrogation. affords guarding misuse enforcement effective detection prosecution criminals furthered hampered. Such restraints reliance resources intelligence dealing discourage unimaginative crude force, brutally employed. 25 cherish part faith strength well-being rational, civilized simply product sentient 'Conduct choice,' Union Pacific R. company Public Service Commission, 248 67, 70, 39 24, 25, 131, devoid physical pressure leaving reflecting constraint. 26 Unhappily neither intellectual weights measures determine pressures securing reach coercive intensity calls exclusion secured. course, meant talk. purpose concluding results exerted talk keep silent situation contrived thereby asserting them effectively withheld express finding, believe, fundamental notions fairness justice determination innocence lie people enshrined To remove inducement resort repeatedly use fruits illicit methods. 27 Accordingly, excluded stand. 28 BURTON, CHIEF JUSTICE, REED JACKSON concur, dissenting. 29 narrow turning largely credibility witnesses whose material points direct witnesses. rendered today authorized person offense se holds application amounted violation record, refusal exclude particular convinced involuntary confession. disputed: 30 midnight, storekeeper shot death boys, Alfred aged 17. accused, John Harvey Haley, months senior high school, waiting outside shooting occurred. 'all sudden heard hl lered, scared ran.' ran away immediately fired. soon met home. These together evening. Early evening, Parks waited home, get pistol joint use. Without knowledge Mack, owner pistol, trunk .32 caliber automatic Year's Day and, another place handful ammunition pistol. loading turned thereafter possession day shooting, asked done gun. 'They got rid it.' story substantially abandoning first, admittedly false, friends gone Colt sent Canton Federal Bureau Investigation identification, bullet killed cartridge shell scene uncontradicted expert witness F.B.I. fired bullets compared microscopic markings basis, positively identified weapon fatal deceased supplied nothing suggest 'looked like' given companions. 31 After foregoing evidence, including disputed guilty attempting perpetrate robbery. verdict recommendation mercy automatically statutory penalty considering whole, particularly reaching conclusion examined coerced making note left comparatively little need Haley. substance, added rob remained serve lookout warn tapping window approached. 32 information follows: 33 On Friday, again up returned evening football game, four policemen cars. headquarters, handcuffs. 'booked' 12:30 From between room detective bureau, usually officers. leading oral, signed, subject directly contradictory roughly handled manner believed hand, everyone examint ion detail, positiveness, abused presented normal appearance examination. Immediately oral evidently Parks. Thereupon, front sergeant detectives consumed half. Before taking clearly distinctly, statement, quoted introduction, desired truth. completed, prepared, civilian Acting Police, himself member Bar requested done, capacity notary public, administered oath contained therein true correct verily believed. Lowder. Either Monday, date disputed, back described city removed county jail. day, complaint filed Common Pleas Stark County, Division Domestic Relations, Juvenile Department, charging delinquent child. 34 29, pursuant motion prosecuting attorney, assigned above-mentioned Relations appointed doctor mental accused. 35 November 1, hearing, 'that act (it) adult, felony; competent physician, qualified examination, ordered shall personally appear next term thereof erm act.' 36 transcript docket Pleas. Thereafter, indictment January 8, 1946, proceeded arraignment 11, March 25—April 3, returned, mercy. new overruled appealed unanimously affirmed 1946. Appeal made, appeal right, Ohio. appeal, unanimous judges sitting reason dismissal case.1 37 shows represented counsel. forma pauperis, same courts. arriagnment, employed nearest approach discosed stipulation parties Leroy Contie, Mrs. her son. Contie occasions unable authorities. latter transferred that. apparently attorney 38 behalf uncoercive proper circumstances. circumstances, safeguarded carefully, eqully clear serious obligations rest discover promptly unprovoked committed. Likewise, comparative now recognition constitutionality applied done. recognized expressly proceedings Department local court. Those markedly differentiated ordinarily adult. Undoubtedly thought reflected jury's mercy, preparing signature seeing understood connection recognize, juvenile offense. kind. consequence lawabiding citizen adult offenders. obligation rests perpetrators determine, release. common many felonies currently attaches officials punish, prevent well adults. reasonably suspected commission deserved severe criticism ad night. rested later, 19. As resolves itself consideration turn primarily determining contested valid usual, generally fairest kind Often obtainable mind encouraged interest concerned. justified seek confessions. time, primary coercion, intimidation, evident worthless constitutes duty. 40 simple one—was voluntary? difficult, conflicting testimony, controlling absolutely certain Self-serving perjury, passkey mandatory jury, even-handed factual issues. lawful 41 states differ each state. adopted criticized sole validity tested handicap appraise, printed living record. unaccompanied how secured, sorts conditions conjectured rely conjecture, favor justice. definition. Similarly, falsely puts false. perjury. itself, therefore, falsity resolved nearly chance enjoyed exhibits. Furthermore, Appellate Courts familiar general long-established industrial civic center 100,000 community appraised. suggestion racial discrimination prejudice existed attiu de witnesses, Canton. determined basis published reports, authentic, communities years. 'The render inadmissible.' 346, 615, any, readily distinguishable relied For example, claim unreasonably delaying arrignment delay delinquency given, transcribed 5:30 20, midnight. is, accordingly, contending jurisdiction insofar delay, relation Whatever occurred obvious unreasonable Mitchell, 65, 896, 1140, Cf. Anderson 350, 599, 829; 43 unequivocal consistent several believed, service inferences indulged in, inferred necessity uncoerced admissible principal examining detectives, nine eleven years' service. Every policeman witness. Each intimidation uncoerced. seated desk within arm's length other. rather than handcuffed subjected indignities. reporter, iceman accused's clothing photographed. severally observed respective periods but, together, covered voluntary, prove true, false testing therefore important. furthermore, laid opposing disbelieved substantial ground inference If, contrary, concluded win esses agreeing perjurers, 44 includes ample chooses strong specific enough greatly offset otherwise 45 reviewing major reading purely conjectural concepts. conjecture known proximity association actual hardened, smart boy, falsehoods necessarily se, unjustifiable assume, impressionable, innocent likely panicstricken surroundings accepted except assume policemen, Chief, civilians absence perjury officers, well-informed, tolerant thoughtful ideal judge. seems then, draw, meager balance callousness By disregarding instead choosing isolated items subsequent hampered trying likelihood examination.2 * *.' Recognition weigh 46 position, suspicion, error conclude sanction.' unequivocally punished invalidated, presumed exist face findings triers police' override sworn State's conclusions judge, first-hand knowledge, indicated open habitual 'attitude attitude, contrary. entrusted individual public. upset toward, of, obligations. 47 governing takes consideration. provides involuntary. ground. renewed denied. likewise close fully argued admission, advisement adjourned week end. Having decided excluded, submit instructions advising responsibility Testimony length, bearing voluntariness probable contents. final emphasized opportunity event one.3 48 stated Lisenba California, 314 219, 238, 62 280, 291, 86 166: 'There one, obtain conflicting, trial, question. accept unless lacking work unfairness war process.' (Italics supplied.) 49 properly reserves consider independently lower However, plays large rarely increasingly affirmed, Stae refusing presentation solely portions separately, disputed. acceptance version sharply admit reference to, spite implications colorless alone. appraisal allow reasonable rejection justified, holding confessor guilty, 'is woudl process.'4 50 facts. Until better juries wide discretion field distinguished logically entitles guideposts ourselves, heed seen County separately indicteda nd tried. juries. waived judges. degree, judgments single emphasizing separate (State Parks), 905; 102; 531, 81; lack arose District Columbia, said: 'But legality attending nullified, suggested, followed. eight Mitchell arraigned committing magistrate. illegal. Illegality illegality, guardians event, illegality Mitchell's retroactively disclosures. These, seen, illegality. Government wrongdoing Being relevant, punitive measure unrelated shaping rules relates admitting indie ct mode disciplining misconduct.' 71, 898, 1140. included following: 'You recall heretofore general, determines But, Monday just declarations claimed defendant, consisting declaration, Exhibit D, permitted introduced instruction finally, defendant declarations, will; further find mae will, accorded 'I attention claims denies asserts You decide questions Should entirely further. entitled. others reject others. apart statements, incident sometimes called, influence hopes fears, induced temporal threats disadvantage, weighed considered value. Statements probably true. Another provision required himself, compelled indirect method compelling afterwards proven interest, proofs guilt, infamy liability himself. offered admissions, made; burden proving obtained improper inducements, defendant.' 166.

Classification Label: 0