Legal Document

338 U.S. 62 69 Supreme Court Reporter 1352 93 L.Ed. 1810 TURNERv.COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. Number 107. Argued Nov. 16, 17, 1948. Decided June 27, 1949. Mandate Conformed to Aug. 4, See 67 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd Series 441. Mr. Edwin Pacific KF135 P2 Rome, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Colbert C. McClain, respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER, announced the judgment of and an opinion in which MURPHY RUTLEDGE join. 1 Our ruling Watts versus State Indiana, 49, 1347, is decisive present case. It also a capital case petitioner claims that his conviction first-degree murder resulted from use incriminatory statements obtained under circumstances should have barred their admission. The Pennsylvania, affirming conviction, rejected this claim. 358 Pa. 350, 58 61. We brought here measure against requirements due process giving rise 334 858, 68 1521, 92 1778. Again we take conflicts testimony as they were resolved by State's adjudication. 2 For six months Philadelphia police had been investigating felonious death one Frank Andres. At 10:30 morning 3, 1946, arrested Aaron Turner, petitioner, on suspicion homicide took him office Homicide Division at City Hall Building. officers making arrest no warrant did not tell why he was being rested. These began question soon reached station. One them examined three hours afternoon again night eight eleven o'clock. From time other joined interrogation. Petitioners persistently denied any knowledge murder. 3 next morning, booked records held questioning. Later day questioned about four more. On 5 interrogated another 6th sessions totaling hours. questioning conducted sometimes officer times several working together; it appears, fact, whenever interested investigation free would cell 4 7, when confession finally obtained, continued who during returned with others resume examination Despite fact falsely told suspects 'opened up' him, repeatedly guilt. But finally, o'clock, stated killed person whose later arraigned. nine o'clock following same reduce statement writing, interrupted bring preliminary hearing before magistrate sitting building, transcript completed noon. permitted see friends or relatives entire period custody; informed right remain silent until after pressure long interrogation actually yielded it. With commendable candor district attorney admitted withheld produced confession. delay five days thus accounted violation Pennsylvania statute requires persons be given prompt hearing. 6 trial, objected introduction ground product conduct nature condemned our previous cases. trial judge overruled petitioner's objection but jury disregard if found involuntary. He common sense 'not send (suspects) you sufficient information hold alleged culprit Grand Jury.' refused charge considering voluntariness prolonged considered. 7 verdict guilty recommended penalty. affirmed stressing probable guilt assuming alternatives either approve turn 'loose upon (society) has confessed guilt.' page 367, 69. 8 Putting beside considerations set forth leaves open possible conclusion than made its denial process. must, accordingly, reverse remand 9 There remains, however, additional complication. two men, Johnson Lofton, suspected co-principals Turner Andres confessions involving well themselves. signed introduced trial. Since new called for, issues raised these call notice. 10 Clearly bar admission over own name extend contemporaneous adoption Lofton confessions. may co-principals. In event may, matter local evidentiary law, hearsay rule exclusion Assuming, law are admissible, there then arise whether Fourteenth Amendment coerced excluded into stage, wholly hypothetical which, constitutional issue, ought hypothetically answer. could answer it, event, without Johnson's Lofton's coerced, facts necessary determination us. 11 Such contentions magistrate's accused counsel disposed cases, reasons fail retrial See, e.g., Commonwealth Lenousky, 206 277, 55 977, cited approval Westwood, 324 289, 188 304. 12 Reversed. 13 BLACK concurs authority Chambers Florida, 309 227, 60 472, 84 716; 14 dissenting JACKSON 1357. 15 record us view consideration evidence state courts conclus reached, CHIEF JUSTICE, REED BURTON believe djQ DOUGLAS (concurring). 16 undisputed surrounding follows: 17 Petitioner committing crime committed. taken magistrate, required law. lawfully committed custody. During confinement aid family, counsel. rights outset detention. 18 subject continual interrogations number officers, individually small groups. evening. afternoon. intensified subjected both evening sessions. 7th June, confessed, intensive, once guilt, even issued incriminating him. About evening, interrogation, indicated wished make statement. This down paper day, magistrate. 19 least seven different officers. They office, room stand-up screen where put identification. reason because answers wanted believed give. 20 vivid illustration illegal detentions exact governed 1347.

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