Legal Document

547 U.S. 518 (2006) HOUSE v. BELL, WARDEN No. 04-8990. Supreme Court of United States. Argued January 11, 2006. Decided June 12, *521 Stephen Michael Kissinger argued the cause for petitioner. With him on briefs were George H. Kendall, Theodore M. Shaw, and Jacqueline A. Berrien. Jennifer L. Smith, Associate Deputy Attorney General Tennessee, respondent. her brief Paul G. Summers, General, E. Moore, Solicitor Gordon W. Alice B. Lustre.[*] JUSTICE KENNEDY delivered opinion Court. Some 20 years ago in rural Carolyn Muncey was murdered. A jury convicted petitioner Gregory House crime sentenced to death, but new revelations cast doubt jury's verdict. House, protesting his innocence, seeks access federal court pursue *522 habeas corpus relief based constitutional claims that are procedurally barred under state law. Out respect finality state-court judgments courts, as a general rule, closed courts would consider defaulted. In certain exceptional cases involving compelling claim actual however, procedural default rule is not bar petition. See Schlup Delo, 513 298, 319-322 (1995). After careful review full record, we conclude has made stringent showing required by this exception; hold action may proceed. I We begin with facts surrounding Mrs. Muncey's disappearance, discovery body, House's arrest. Around 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 1985, two local residents found body concealed amid brush tree branches an embankment roughly 100 yards up road from driveway. had been seen last evening before, when, around 8 p.m., she childrenLora Muncey, aged 10, Matthew 8visited their neighbor, Pam Luttrell. According Luttrell, mentioned husband, William Hubert Jr., known community "Little Hube" family "Bubbie." As Luttrell recounted comment, Mr. "had gone dig grave, he hadn't come back, all right, because [Mrs. Muncey] going make take fishing next day," App. 11-12. returned home, some time later, before 11 at latest, "heard car rev its motor it went down road," something customarily did when drove way home. Record, Addendum 4, 5 Tr. Evidence 378 (Crim. Ct. Union Cty., Tenn.), pp. 641-642 (hereinafter Tr.). then bed. 1 a.m., Lora Luttrell's father, who said *523 wife missing. asked watch children while searched wife. left, talked Lora. Luttrell: "[Lora] heard horn blow, thought somebody if Bubbie mama, you know, told themno. And didn't know back sleep or not, mama steps crying am sure me sayoh God, no, me, day, do mother crying." 14-15. While talking, recalled, "Matt kept butting in, us saidsister they daddy wreck, wreck." Id., 13. At trial, repeated account night's events, referring "wreck" brother mentioned. To assist understanding Lora's account, should be noted father-in-lawLittle Hube's fatherwas sometimes called "Big Hube." "Paw Paw." refer Sr. Lora, Sr., deep voice, does House. testified after leaving house mother, "went bed." 18. Later, someone, perhaps different people, ask mother. events bed follows: "Q Laura [sic], point got home bed, anything happen caused your upset hear anything? "A Well, sounded like PawPaw saidwhere's at, digging grave. *524 Okay. Do sound PawPaw? It just PawPaw. what? That Had ever voice that? don't remember. that, else upset? wreck started cryingnext creek. Your crying. What said? wreck. Did say where? Down there creek." 18-19. describe hearing any struggle. left look no one answered knocked Luttrells' another Mike Clinton, her. according father came "fixed bologna sandwich took bit sayssissy, where mommy saidshe ain't here little while." 20. recalled outside and, seeing wife, so could further. The afternoon Billy Ray Hensley, victim's first cousin, disappearance Muncey. approached Munceys' street, Hensley allegedly "saw out bank, wiping hands black rag." 32. Just saw how well *525 have observed him, disputed trial. admitted cross-examination "walking climbing up" embankment, id., 39; rather, "[j]ust glance," 40, "appear nowhere," "next embankment," 39. On opposite area white Plymouth parked near sawmill. Another witness, Hankins, whom defense called, claimed same "boy" walking street away toward This put side driveway, embankment. turning onto continued turned into "I pulled driveway see Little house," testified, "and wasn't there, backed road, [the other way]." traveled traveling direction Plymouth. "flagged [Hensley] down" through windshield, ibid., cars met about 300 feet missing looking husband. 33. Though only recently moved area, acquainted Munceys, attended dance them, visited He later law enforcement officials considered both Munceys friends. alcoholic, elsewhere "getting drunk." Ibid. off, "got thinking [him]selfhe's hunting Hube, Hube drunkwhat doing off bank ... ." His suspicion aroused, friend named Jack Adkins. checked spots *526 though nothing looked, Adkins Her lay across sawmill corner parked, dumped woods short leading midnight, Dr. Alex Carabia, practicing pathologist county medical examiner, performed autopsy. Carabia death between 9 eye, bloodstained wrists, bruises legs neck. described consistent "traumatic origin," i. e., fight fall hard objects. 7 985-986. Based neck injuries, concluded choked, ruled death. Carabia's view, severe blow forehead inflicted laceration penetrating bone inside skull, right-side hemorrhage, likely brain slamming skull impact. head injury either receiving fist instrument striking object. sheriff, informed Hensley's earlier encounter questioned shortly found. evening, further questions during voluntary interview jail. Special Agent Presnell Tennessee Bureau Investigation (TBI) prepared statement answers, which signed. Asked whereabouts previous claimedfalsely, out spent entire girlfriend, Donna Turner, trailer. whether wearing pants worn night replied again, falselythat was. probation time, having released parole following sentence five life aggravated sexual assault *527 Utah. scratches arms hands, knuckle right ring finger bruised. attributed Turner's cats recent construction work tearing shed. day gave similar TBI agent, Charles Scott. fact initially supporting alibi, Turner authorities trailer 10:30 10:45 go walk. trial testimony, latershe whenhot panting, shirt shoes. vehicle beside "called names belong anymore." 89. tried ignore taunts keep walking, behind "one them grabbed shoulder... [House] swung hand" "hit something." "he running hehe seemed forever running. fired shots assailants "grabbed ahold shirt," remembered "a blue tank top, trimmed yellow," "they tore wouldn't stay saidI throwed running." 91. noticing bruised knuckle, hurt it, "that's hit." 90. "thought maybe my ex-husband it." Although belonged insisted used night. No forensic evidence connected crime; inspected towel *528 covering driver seat clean. located miles hilly terrain, residence. Law officers also comments indication knew this, weekly recreation center mile half enforcementa counsel never saw early, trip package store buy beer. stated relations Saturday morning. Late Monday, 15two days murderlaw consent, Scott seized disappeared. heavily soiled sitting laundry hamper; "reddish brown stains" "suspected" blood. 274-275. 4 set Federal Washington, D. C., pants, blood samples autopsy, packed together box. They arrived 2 a.m. 17, initial FBI testing revealed human arrested. II State charged capital murder. presented testimony Adkins, officials. Through Agents Scott, learned false statements. Central State's case, what showedthat semen (or seemed) present nightgown *529 panties, small bloodstains appeared jeans belonging Regarding semen, Bigbee, serologist, source "secretor," meaning someone "secrete[s] ABO group substances fluids, such saliva"a characteristic shared 80 percent population, including 55. Bigbee gown blood-type A, own type. H blood-group substance, B secretors secrete along B, O-type exclusively. explained, howeverusing science amicus sharply disputes, Brief Innocence Project, Inc., Amicus Curiae 24-26that antigens "degraded" H, 57-58. thus deposits acknowledged antigen herself secretorsomething "was able determine," 58and himself (as wife), again "not determine secretor status," 57. saliva sample" sufficed secretor; provide sample, 62. blood, explained "spots blood" "on leg, bottom cuff, thigh pocket lower outside." 48. determined blood's type (the victim, Muncey). successfully tested enzyme phosphoglucomutase *530 serum haptoglobin, "are humans" carry "slight chemical differences" vary genetically "can grouped differentiate individuals those types different." 49-50. these traces type, 6.75 population "consistent" autopsy samples), "impossible" 48-52. expert, Chester Blythe, fiber analysis clothes pants. Blythe jean fibers nightgown, brassiere, housecoat, fingernail scrapings taken (scrapings contained trace, unidentifiable amounts blood), prosecutor questioning "blue material common material," "this doesn't mean over clothing necessarily [House's] pair jeans." 6 864-865. cotton garments transfer retain readily, neither hair nor clothing. case telephone 9:30 murder evening. brother, Ricky Green, witness. Green 2, weeks murder, "said wanting leave get scared." 1088. Christmastime 1982 strike returning drunk. *531 jury, shoes several months field authorities. learn (and either), none. closing argument suggested deceived . She [her husband] accident." 1226. emphasized FBI's analysis, noting "after many, many tests," tell defendant's every deceased's, Muncey's, ninety-three (93%) type... can't hundred (100%) But folks, can give pretty gooda good indication." 1235-1236. rebuttal, motive "to kill woman barely knew[,] [w]ho still dressed, clad clothes," 1274, referred obliquely stains. explaining legally "it difference God's heaven, was," 106, "you idea why it," ibid.: "The scene suggest subjecting lady kind indignity, house, late night, clothes, trick husband creek? want indignities *532 subjected to, unwilling fights against you, being indignities. words, telling done her, trying conditions, resistance. suggests motive." 106-107. addition government rag retrieved scene. prosecution reiterated importance "[D]efense counsel," said, "does start discussing client killed... introduced explains jeans, scientifically, completely blood." 104-105. guilty degree. advanced sentencing phase. aggravating factors support sentence, sought prove: (1) previously felony use threat violence; (2) homicide especially heinous, atrocious, cruel involved torture depravity mind; (3) committed committing, attempting commit, fleeing commission of, rape kidnaping. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-2-203(i)(2), (5), (7) (1982) (repealed 1989); cf. 39-13-204(i)(2), (2003). presenting status conviction, rested. mitigation, offered evidence, attempted suicide *533 guilt-phase Before attempt wrote letter professing innocence. urged find three impose kidnaping factor, "decoy[ed] entic[ed] family, confin[ed] will beaten death." 10 1410. "We think," added, "the proof shows strong molestation victim accompany taking murdering her." 1410-1411. Later argued, think record more than process violence, violence person, assault, defendant cannot benefit rehabilitation correction departments provide." 1413. unanimously "there mitigating circumstances sufficiently substantial outweigh statutory circumstance circumstances." 1454. recommended judge imposed. III affirmed conviction describing "circumstantial" "quite strong." 743 S.W.2d 141, 143, 144 (1987). Two court, filed pro se petition postconviction relief, arguing received ineffective assistance court-appointed amended raise issues, challenge instructions. conducted beyond transcript. dismissed petition, deeming adequate overruling *534 objections. appeal attorney renewed jury-instructions argument. unpublished Criminal Appeals affirmed, Court, 498 912 (1990), denied review. second reasserting ineffective-assistance seeking investigative and/or expert assistance. extensive litigation regarding defaulted held statute providing raised prior proceedings presumptively waived, § 40-30-112 (1990) 1995), grounds "which finds excluded waived determined," 40-30-111 1995). State, 911 705 certiorari. 517 1193 (1996). asserting numerous prosecutorial misconduct. States District Eastern granting summary judgment majority claims, evidentiary fell within "actual innocence" exception recognized substantive offenses sentences Sawyer Whitley, 505 333 (1992). Presenting greater detail below, attacked putative confession, suggesting nevertheless holding demonstrated *535 innocence established ineligible penalty Sawyer. Sixth Circuit granted certificate appealability 28 C. 2253(c) merits divided panel withdrawn en banc. banc certified state-law Bell, 311 F.3d 767 (CA6 2002). Concluding recognizing Herrera Collins, 506 390 (1993), assumed without deciding "in truly persuasive demonstration `actual innocence' render execution unconstitutional, warrant avenue open claim," 417, six-judge F.3d, 777-778. ascertain remains `state claim' case." 768. Four dissenting judges reached merits, rather certifying court; asserted obtain Schlup, let alone Herrera. F. 3d, 780-781 (opinion Boggs, J.). fifth dissenter agreed "presents least phase case," objected certification high court. 787 Gilman, Bell 539 937 answer Appeals' questions, so. Circuit. eight-judge Court's denial *536 relief. 386 668 (2004). Six dissenters actual-innocence standard overcoming entitled immediate release 708 Merritt, seventh separately decision) real-life mystery, authentic `who-done-it' wrong man executed." 709 grave uncertainty necessitated form 710. certiorari, 545 1151 (2005), now reverse. IV forfeited prisoner demonstrates prejudice error. Murray Carrier, 477 478, 485 (1986); Engle Isaac, 456 107, 129 (1982); Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 87 (1977). comity must accorded judgments. See, e. g., Engle, supra, 126-129; Wainwright, 89-90. unqualified. effort "balance societal interests finality, comity, conservation scarce judicial resources individual interest justice arises extraordinary U. S., 324, miscarriage-of-justice exception. "`[I]n appropriate cases,'" principles inform concepts `must yield imperative correcting fundamentally unjust incarceration,'" 495 (quoting 135). adopted specific implement principle. prisoners gateway establish *537 light reasonable juror doubt." U.S., 327. formulation, explains, "ensures petitioner's `extraordinary,' meaningful avoid manifest injustice." McCleskey Zant, 499 467, 494 (1991)). usual presumed guilt counsels claims. Yet supported convincing "raise[s] sufficient petitioner's] undermine confidence result assurance untainted error"; hence, claims" justified. 317. For purposes features bear emphasis. First, although "[t]o credible" requires "new reliable evidencewhether exculpatory scientific trustworthy eyewitness accounts, critical physical evidencethat trial," court's limited evidence. There dispute evidence; conceded much, infra, 540-541. addition, decision so, occasion elaborate Schlup's observation considering context request hearing, need "test motion judgment," "consider timing submission credibility affiants probable reliability evidence." 331-332. Our addresses inquiry, fully developed *538 inquiry makes plain "`all evidence,'" old new, incriminating exculpatory, regard "rules admissibility govern trial." 327-328 Friendly, Is Irrelevant? Collateral Attack Judgments, 38 Chi. Rev. 142, 160 (1970)). total probabilistic determination reasonable, properly instructed jurors do." 329. function independent factual occurred, assess impact jurors. Second, bears repeating demanding permits "`extraordinary'" case. 327 494); 324 (emphasizing vast cases, rarely successful"). though, require absolute certainty burden stage demonstrate doubtor, remove double negative, doubt. Finally, "by means equivalent Jackson Virginia, 443 307 (1979)," governs insufficient 330. When confronted presume resolved disputes reasonably long supports Because involves react overall, newly supplemented record. ibid. If requires, *539 include consideration witnesses Ibid.; (noting "[i]n assessments"). matter, argues Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act 1996 (AEDPA), 110 Stat. 1214, replaced stricter test Sawyer, successive, abusive, sentencing-related "show[s] clear error, eligible applicable law," 336. One AEDPA provision establishes successive petitions retroactively law, 2244(b)(2)(B)(ii); sets threshold obtaining failed develop 2254(e)(2). Neither issue here Thus, provisions inapplicable. Cf. Lonchar Thomas, 314, (1996) ("Dismissal particularly serious matter"). findings tie our precluding ruling favor absent error determinations. view overstates effect ruling. Deference given assessment instance. repeat, holistic 328 160), applying reasonable-doubt standard. turn discrete *540 points fact, "[i]t district exists addresses," Here, attentively managed complex proceedings, carefully reviewed drew conclusions clearly apply predictive shall explain, moreover, uncertain basis conclusionsa weakens reliance background mind proceedings. DNA direct contradiction panties conceding point, insists immaterial. least, contact elements offense, lack advance consequence. disagree. disclosure central importance. From beginning end crime. identity question, key. indeed, lost prosecution, relied final Referring "evidence scene," committed, "indignity" "nor House." 1302-1303. Particularly was, observed, circumstantial, S. 2d, 144, *541 great weight. Quite apart motive, link society, ought do, demand accountability offense factor persuading free. sentencing, unanimous conclusion, doubt, course alleged motivation relates phase, advised assault. fluids might trekked nearly lured order commit offense. By contrast acting assumption necessary or, intent far speculative. drops too, theme narrative linking light, furthermore, odd walk statements authorities, potentially incriminating, appear less suspicious. Bloodstains relevant appears small, even minute, stains scattered places. due size, detect[,] [m]ight see, lab 11. *542 pocket, button, Due FBI, cuttings places evidently (The destroyed process, experts unable replicate tests.) "nothing 105. disputing presents alternative explanation credited, probative value During Cleland Blake, Assistant Chief Medical Examiner consultant pathology 22 years, chemically too degraded, collected placed tubes preservative. Under degradation. You degradation, marker degradation." Doc. 275, p. R275:80). problem decay, compounded body's exposure elements, better part summer day. contrast, preserved cloth, years," ibid.; Blake deliberately gauze autopsies preserve testing. judging Bigbee's tests, showed "similar deterioration, breakdown numbered enzymes" samples. 110. "[I]f spilled *543 alive dried," stated, deterioration occurred," expect jeans] tube," 113. samples, live killed) body. Other confirms spill vials. vials passed officers, transported tests. four vials, preservative proper seal. turn, stored styrofoam box, indicates box cool. Rather, protocol violation procedure, cardboard (apparently paper bag) (in separate bags). carried officers' 10-hour journey lab. hot conditions (such trunk summer) open; hemolyzed, spoiled, heat exposure. vial empty, most quarter vial. Blood, seeped packing below apparently packaged bag records one, contain plastic label listing Scott's nameand it. forked streak inches *544 wide bag's front. confirmed stain source. Speculations add confusion origins Faced indications best, poor control, spillage occurred examined Were course, detected spillwhich tend Blake's using infer guilt. theory spatter believed "majority" "transfer stains," is, resulting "wip[ing] surface pants" seeping spillage. 293-294. yellow "Tennessee Crime Laboratory" tape sides line box's aligned. inference opened resealed occurred. Reinforcing theory, signs contamination, policy return response assuming alignment occurring testing, occasions likely. declined accounted discovered spills, bulk blood-caked underneath *545 half-full vial, stained corner. immediately empty stained. tape, circled layers, other, spot underlying layer stops cleanly lid's edge, cut razor, continue below. clean layers resulted simply wrapping twice, claimed; possessing Lab tapeperhaps transporting pantsmust possibly creating opportunity Supporting inference, lid lists vaginal secretions contents, show envelope. practice always match policy. bra housecoat single bag, creating, risk "cross contamination," 286, them; note discrepancy "[b]lood secretions" customary labels contents upon opening 287. challenged conclusions, defended with, misconstrued term "inc" report, interpreting "incomplete" meant "inconclusive." 254-256, 282. replied "[s]ame difference" change 256; 906 (Bigbee testimony) ("You notice INC written *546 transparent, symbol incomplete"). whereas view) construed results all, indicated identify whatever enzymes present. cross-examine resolve seems possible degraded permit conclusive typing. question basic premise durability chemicals deposited cottona accept matter. Given stands, then, discredited; objections adduced, await contains credible markers generally cloth poorly tubes, principle origin. attack showing, expert's surmise donned spread them. matter trier instance, refute position. correct opined smearing spillage; distribution "folded manner creased manner" transfers 296. pattern, lap staining, *547 understand hypothesis packaging transport folded creased. permissible, size stainsinside pantsfits bloody objects scene, proposes. (As noted, shoes.) discounted opinion, approach, indicating saw, "what removed hamper Ms. trailer." 348. however. reddish brownish [he] suspected blood"; "didn't thoroughly examine time." R276:113-114. extensively mud stains, portions sum, Rev., issue, disarray rebuttal prevent placing significant believes samples; unaccounted for; spill; indeed once *548 expert; bearing large name; containing bloodstains, raises Different Suspect favoring suffice more; post-trial troubling murderer. frightened phone call sister fighting, scared, wanted him. "smac[k]" victim. 1087-1088. produced multiple sources regularly abused example, witnessKathy Parker, lifelong resident animosity Munceyrecalled constantly eyes busted mouth." 235. Hazel Miller, Kathy Parker's acquaintance Miller's "tried daughter [Parker] him," R274:47. (Parker dated age 14.) "[h]e *549 rid other." 236. witnessMary Atkins, native "grew professed feelings, R274:10, 16claims "backhan[d]" very 226, 228. Atkins break dance, parking lot. backhanded "left walking." 229. Atkins' Artie Lawson. self-described "good friend" 231, Lawson morning Lawson, anyone inquired breakfasted o'clock early. Of Parker Penny Letner. confessed "some members friends [were] drinking" "just walked sit down." R274:37. drinking heavily, began "rambling [t]alking happened [an] slapped hit killed happen." 38. "freaked run off." Letner similarly "during before," 30, intruded *550 gathering Appearing "pretty blistered," talking saying 232. "[D]idn't what[?]," asked, R274:33, explained: "[S]he `bitching out' instead. smacked head. murder." 232-233. Letner, 19 child, "scared [her] quite badly," immediately." 233. reported incident frightened, know.... figured year listen say." R274:31. hand, (Parker) Sheriff's Department, listen: speak Sheriff real busy. sent deputy. deputy upstairs courtroom talk guy, remember name. really anybody." 234. discuss "[t]hey signed, sealed delivered. until reopened R274:45. driven courthouse, people 237. Dennis Wallace, *551 official provided security "around 10:00, 10:30, 10:30." R274:56-57. briefly returned, Wallace recall again. responded report fussing fighting"; "kidnapped." 58. disarray, knocked-over furniture, pay much attention" floor "let's search her" led weeds" (not found). 58, 60, 63. Letner) confession Muncey; (Atkins Lawson) suspicious behavior (a construct alibi) history abuse. impressed allegations wait ten forward evidence," kitchen corroborate [Mr. Muncey's] [his wife] there." explain delay coming forward, reason women, acquaintances frame help Furthermore, includes supposed *552 fatal fightthat complaining fishingfits husband's absence "all partial edge" corner," fist. R275:72. (Dr. object cause.) credibility. visiting killing confessing claimed, contrary Constable Wallace's statement, ended midnight. hitting itself impeach point. emphasis, finally, Letner's comparable sort eleventh-hour affidavit vouching conveniently suspect Justice O'Connor concurring "unfortunate" uncommon" 423; induced pressure interrogation. spontaneous eyewitnesses evident lie. than, inmates, suspects, accused. pointing conclusive. isolation, disregard combination, challenges *553 reinforce doubts Certain details hearing. testifying injury, photographs concluded, 35 years' experience monitoring development healing bruises, indicative "[g]etting mashed"; someone. R275:63. (That eliminate supposedly unidentified assailant.) daughter, (now Tharp), recollection grandfather's struggle parents, parents fighting physically. credible, certainly cuts State. essentially story getting road. found, demeanor, witness." Conclusion exoneration. aspects evidenceLora memory bizarre walk, lie enforcement, *554 appearance pantsstill connecting crimethe semenhas suspect. Accordingly, close, rare wherehad conflicting testimonyit viewing whole V shown freestanding imprisonment planned unconstitutional. Herrera, decided claim." 417; 419 (O'Connor, J., concurring) ("I disagree fundamental legal executing innocent inconsistent Constitution"). "[T]he extraordinarily high," "far trigger assumed, arguendo, exist." 418-419; 427 "[p]etitioner innocence," pass on, appropriately reserves, entertain innocence"). urges free-standing *555 one. decline issue. here, hypothetical require, satisfied sure, considerable guiltdoubt satisfy despite default. "extraordinarily high." 417. sequence decisions Schlupfirst unresolved establishing standardimplies Schlup. follows, closeness falls implied * forth proceed remand reversed, remanded opinion. ordered. ALITO CHIEF ROBERTS, SCALIA THOMAS join, part. overcome hurdle created failing violations alleges "ha[ve] probably *556 actually innocent," refusal "miscarriage justice." 326, (1995) (internal quotation marks omitted). requisite produce evidence" "must (emphasis added). prejudiced aware together, proves innocent, vote convict Considering giving reliable, accordingly dissent. believe higher claim, exists. 390, 417 (1993). therefore concur disposition claim. Implicit requirement expectation factfinder reliability. assessmentthe hearing *557 specifically may, unreliable." 331. "reviewing tribunal," tasked assessing "probative force" "may assessments." 327-328, Indeed, unusual step remanding "with instructions Court," "likely affiants" "probable reliability" 332. short, face value; tested. Critical conclusion pieces Court: House; implicating murder; container. door comprehensive rebutted witnesses' reliable. factfinding role familiar judge's major fulfilling comes expertise." Anderson Bessemer City, 470 564, 574 (1985). contest excluding clothing, strongly contested *558 sisters 14 earlier, drunkenly confess accidentally struck argument, causing 274, 28-29, 37-38. guidance evidence: force connection adduced Consistent guidance, sisters' credible. forward." fit larger web observing contradicted "very Tharp, consistently instead 323, engaged prove FBI. summarized various handled *559 recollections disagreed interpret genetic summary; Paulette Sutton. 339-347. reviewing stated: "Based concludes laboratory 348 Normally, appellate reviews Fed. Rule Civ. Proc. 52(a) ("Findings oral documentary aside unless erroneous, witnesses"); (clearly-erroneous applies "even rest determinations, inferences facts"). deferred findings, 668, 684 (2004), purport alterbut reaffirmed highlightedthe factfinder. asserts "overstates ruling," dismisses "uncertain about" stopping identifying Ante, 539-540. sharp departure contrasted motion. latter situation, weigh *560 determines genuine Assessing typical role, requiring determinations weighing "[o]bviou[s]" conducting check issues suspend normal important allow 490-491 (1991). surprisingly states inapplicable "fully record," conduct 537-538. applicable: required, whybecause engaging performing summary-judgment-type inquiry. precisely here. disregards finding casts women obvious lie, few *561 support, uncoerced confession. 551-552. express cloth," conjures Sutton's pattern transferred worn. 546-547 ("This [Ms. Sutton's] creased"); majority's inappropriate. casting reiterate Witnesses testify courtroom, theories ways spattered wiped jeans. painstakingly compile transcript photograph photograph, ourselves see. abundantly essential, make. defer situated reliability, erroneous. concerned exists," 329, *562 offer personal doubted controlling findings. Not testify, undermining tale accidental convinces injuries bump head: front neck, thighs, leg knee, wrists; traumatic strangulation. County, 984-987 And, Tharp deep-voiced visitor arriving 19, 270. abundant container leakage items submitted 277. assumes agent flatly lied, Moreover, Sutton determined, "front top bottom," mixed mud, presence fly, wipednot spilledon 291-293, 295; 293 ("[I]f tube *563 localized area"); 294 ("The originate soak soaking inside. That, spill"). worth protected zip lock bloodstain bag. Pl. Exh. 10-6. exterior interior "extremely sensitive" test, positive 95-96. FBI: markings Trial 31, 36; route suppose theoretically contaminated lied spillage, sloshing contaminate did. unbridled speculation defeat inconvenient convince findingthat testingwas Lab" corners aligned, sometime destination *564 Respondent's 24; 276, 190-191 (testimony Sutton). container, 545; 23d. Even deduction true, County. arrival recognizes aligns not. 544. Courtwhich laboratoryhad notlike Courtsimply photograph. (district error). reading summary. summary, deteriorated extent. particular, GLO1 "incomplete penetration" 116. study. "`inc'" chart "inconclusive," *565 penetration," "inconclusive" present, bloodtype. 140. levels factorssuch heat, dirt, bacteria hampercould degrade cloth. 139, 167-170. fits whole, presided often presentation 110-115. concisely presented, dutifully observed. equipped second-guess invites straightforward application "more who, reasonably, key evidenceor threehe gateway. ante, 548 ("Were *566 relief"); 552-553 ("If Muncey]. guilt"). majority, picked trifecta realm choices juror, substantially unaltered perpetrator arrive 19. relayed 270, 323. police emerge discovered, recounting series television programs watched 963-965, 1031-1032. worked concoct alibi Bill Breeding, criminal investigator County Office, jail noticed abrasions "across knuckles hands," arm, chest, red swollen. 801-802. interviewing injuries. 78-80; 974-975. swollen porch, building, *567 cat. changed warned 1063. 1062-1063. panting sweating, shirtless shoeless, 88-91; 1154-1155. Also Earl Loy wore before. 845. "hesitated," shirt, conceal reasons become clear. dirty hamper. results. try existence police. 86. laterpanting, shoeshe men truck 88-91. assailants. 90; retold draw attention himself. 99, *568 108-109. hide facing charge, liedand caught escape solely unexplained difficulties officer. rejected "considered demeanor implicate wife's calling scared. marital problems, 1087. persuaded supplement Noticeably mention victory proving identifies "[c]entral case" 528, surprised characterization. secretor. 54-56. secretor, "[t]here eighty (80%) chance secretor." 55-56; 952 *569 40 secretors, males. 957. times clothed. 628; 1274. describes crime," speculative." 541. directed "central theme" case presumably highly ambiguous nature above. cataloging "[p]articularly incriminating" "[d]amaging" 135. focusing premeditation. 613-615. expose weakness 628. equivocal reference prompting highlight omission. 1274 ("[W]hy killed? know. motive? minds? knew? Who clothes"). disclaimed responsibility shifting focus premeditation: *570 says person's life, beat strangle succeed, blows head, massive causes brains crash bleeding itself, diethat is. shown, done, premeditated 106. followup explanation, almost defense's prodding, followed disclaimer: "Now, Why choke her? repeatedly scrapes body? motive. element consider, ignore. Whatever prefer. premeditation." *571 "obliqu[e]" bases assertion narrative." 531, entertained clearest aphoristically "[w]hen key." 540. all. Sometimes, oneand apart, fabricated girlfriend protect Scratches cat, indeed. Surely discredited People concern truth somehow disturb shed desperate live. "stronger needed prejudice." "reasonable probability respecting guilt." Strickland 466 695 (1984). becomes (if believed), accepted), combined revelation *572 (which House), 553-554. jury. NOTES [*] Briefs amici curiae urging reversal American Bar Association Greco, Rory K. Little, Seth P. Waxman; Former Prosecutors et al. Andrew Schapiro, Timothy Lambert, Miriam Gohara; David Goldberg. affirmance California Lockyer, California, Manuel Medeiros, Robert R. Anderson, Mary Jo Graves, Senior Patrick J. Whalen, Ward Campbell, Supervising Christopher Morano, Connecticut, Attorneys respective Beebe Arkansas, John Suthers Colorado, Jane Brady Delaware, Crist, Florida, Lawrence Wasden Idaho, Phill Kline Kansas, Foti, Louisiana, Jim Hood Mississippi, McGrath Montana, Thomas Corbett, Pennsylvania, Long South Dakota, Greg Abbott Texas, Rob McKenna Washington.

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