Legal Document

361 U.S. 199 80 Supreme Court Reporter 274 4 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 242 Jesse BLACKBURN, Petitioner,v.STATE OF ALABAMA. Number 50. Argued Dec. 10, 1959. Decided Jan. 11, 1960. Mr. Truman Hobbs, Montgomery, Ala., for petitioner. Paul T. Gish, Jr., respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Blackburn was tried in Circuit Colbert County, Alabama, on a charge robbery, found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. By far most damaging piece evidence against him his confession, which he persistently maintained had not been made voluntarily.1 The record seemed provide substantial support this contention, we granted certiorari because grave doubt whether judgment could stand if measured mandate Fourteenth Amendment Constitution States. 359 1010, 79 1147, 3 1035. Plenary hearing has hardened into firm conviction: deprived liberty without due process law. 2 crime with charged robbery mobile store April 19, 1948. that date Blackburn, 24-year-old Negro, suffered lengthy siege mental illness. He served armed forces during World War II, but discharged 1944 as permanently disabled by psychosis. thereupon placed an institution given medical treatment over extended periods until February 14, 1948, when released from Veterans Administration hospital ten-day leave care sister. failed return consequently May 24, stands convicted occurred period unauthorized absence ward. Blackburn's records further disclose 1946 classified 100 percent 'incompetent' at time discharge both diagnosis 'schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type' characterization remained unchanged. This does any means end history arrested shortly following some after confession 8, Sheriff reported circuit judge exhibited symptoms insanity. examined three physicians, receiving their report concluded there 'reasonable ground believe defendant insane either commission (the) offense or present time.' In accordance procedure prescribed Alabama law,2 then directed Superintendent State Hospitals convene lunacy commission. When unanimously declared insane, committed Hospital mentally ill should be 'restored right mind.'3 escaped once, only apprehended another charge, second judge, sent back hospital. Before set doctors who diagnosed condition 'Schizophrenic 'Insane, incompetent, (an) hospital.' Except brief interlude, four years, July 1948 October 1952, competent trial. At trial, entered pleas guilty reason testified remember nothing about alleged crime, circumstances surrounding it, arrest, commitment Hospital, early there. denied truth admitted signature it appeared his. According Army report, one aspect illness recurrent 'complete amnesia concerning behaviour.' 5 prosecutor proposed introduce evidence, attorney objected, held determine its admissibility. counsel submitted depositions two observed Hospital. These incorporated copies significant documents. first court order directing examination mentioned previous ward prior commitments institutions. paper commission's state-employed expressed admission 29, Finally, forth addition attesting accuracy these doctuments, deponents detail condition. Dr. Harry S. Rowe, Assistant worked since 1923 exclusively psychopathic patients, stated member participated investigation submission report. Rowe also said interviewed many occasions still thought believed 'most probably (had been) incompetent' confessed. opinions were seconded Judge Tarwater, psychiatrist Hospitals. 6 To counter introduced deposition third commission, Atlantic M. Richards, general practitioner spent twelve years treating patients staff doctor's answers petitioner's interrogatories harmony Drs. Tarwater Rowe: Richards acknowledged signed concurred finding crime. disclaimed having other information value, noted response cross-interrogatory 'up criminal such nuisance & N Immigration Nationality Decisions didn't see often.' cross-interrogatories, however, executed astonishing about-face opining 'normal' saw him, 'good' never seen suffer 'psychotic episodes.' Even portion is incongruity, Richards' did experienced lucid intervals. 7 Evidence making supplied Deputy Sheriff. interrogation consumed 'something like, maybe five six hours' no threatened way. composed statement narrative form basis various questions asked officers, days later. behavior, witness responded 'answered like normal person have examined.' After ruled would admitted, before actually described somewhat greater detail—this jury—the manner obtained. It developed begun approximately o'clock afternoon continued ten eleven evening, hour's break dinner. Thus established questioning went eight nine hours rather than six. Apparently took place closely confined quarters—a room feet—in officers times Blackburn. conceded patient institution, claimed released, avowed 'talked sensible give (sic) answers,' clear-eyed, appear nervous. 8 again objected statement, objection overruled jury. Appeals affirmed require exclusion petitioned certiorari.4 constitutional issue raised, decided, presented review. 9 according all deference trial judge's decision compatible our duty questions,5 are unable escape conclusion can fairly characterized involuntary. Consequently conviction must aside, Court, line decisions beginning 1936 Brown versus Mississippi, 297 278, 56 461, L.Ed. 682, including cases now too well known numerous bear citation, principle grievously breached involuntary obtained state prosecution culminates conviction. 10 Since Chambers Florida, 309 227, 60 472, 84 716, recognized coercion physical, blood accused hallmark unconstitutional inquisition. A number demonstrated, demonstration needed, efficiency rack thumbscrew matched, proper subject, more sophisticated modes 'persuasion.'6 prolonged ignorant rights cut off moral friends relatives infrequently effective technique terror. range inquiry type case broad, insisted each instance based upon consideration 'the totality circumstances.' Fikes 352 191, 197, 77 281, 284, 246. 11 forbids 'fundamental unfairness use true false.' Lisenba People California, 314 219, 236, 62 280, 290, 86 166. Consequently, rejected argument introduction immaterial where establishes guilt corroborates confession. E.g., Spano New York, 360 315, 324, 1202, 1207, 1265; Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 567—568, 78 844, 849, 850, 975; Watts Indiana, 338 49, 50, note 2, 69 1347, 1348, 93 1801; Haley Ohio, 332 596, 599, 68 302, 303, 92 224. As important persons crimes convicted, considerations transcend question innocence. Thus, involving confessions, enforces strongly felt attitude society human values sacrificed agency government, course securing conviction, wrings out will. insistence putting government task proving inquisition engendered historical abuses quite familiar. See supra, pages 235—238, 477, 478, 716; 54—55, page 1350, 1801. 12 But neither likelihood untrue nor preservation individual's freedom will sole interest stake. just last term, 'The abhorrence confessions * turns deep-rooted feeling police obey law while enforcing law; life much endangered illegal methods used convict those criminals actual themselves.' 320—321, 1205, 1206, 1265. complex underlies stricture which, way convenient shorthand, terms involuntary, role played situation varies particular case. 13 bar, indisputably strongest probability incompetent allegedly Surely stage civilization basic sense justice affronted spectacle incarcerating being insane; difficulty articulated unreliability lack rational choice accused, simply strong system enforcement operate so take advantage fashion. And pertinent considered—the eight-to nine-hour sustained tiny occasion literally filled officers; friends, relatives, legal counsel; composition Blackburn—the chances confession's product intellect free become even remote denial egregious. 14 is, course, dealing here probabilities. possible, example, confessed complete competence. Moreover, probabilities gauged primarily experts. novel insanity compelling, past reversed convictions psychiatric revealed 'of low mentality, ill,' 196, 246, 'history emotional instability,' 322, although facts youth education easily ascertained imbalance mind,7 cannot say appreciable bearing ultimate effect independence will, nature always 15 Of different respect—where genuine conflict great reliance finder fact. proposition respondent's principal rests, inviolable between hand other. We need consider relevance fact ourselves, opportunity demeanor doctors. sufficient observe hopeless internal raises unreasonable extreme base determination portions doctor proclaimed ignoring judged insane. Nor overlooked testimony sensible,' indicating bore relation disease remission illness, conclude inference drawn.8 illusory safeguard indeed raise 'conflict' preclude appellate review compelling here. 16 predicated solely indicated, consisted depositions, documents therein, Deputy. relevant included detailed later counsel, shows, request reconsider ruling additional data. decided under documentation not, law, material question. 17 meritorious same, ample establish involuntariness. reject notion scope thus restricted. Where involuntariness conclusively demonstrated entry An similar disposed words: 18 'That contention rests failure admissibility move they proved. proceeds misconception petitioners' complaint. That complaint mere error, wrong fundamental whole proceeding pretense rendered sentence wholly void. concerned practice, assigned petitioners mistakenly assumed objections sufficient. 19 'In instant case, fully advised undisputed procured. knew based. Yet proceeded permit pronounce sentence. void want essential elements *.' Id., 286—287, 465. Just Brown, clearly meaningful act volition. Therefore, transgressed imperatives find expression Due Process Clause Amendment, reversed. 21 Reversed. 22 CLARK concurs result. adverse significance tended prove others traveled Illinois around robbery; driving maroom Buick; drove maroon Buick license plate. Ala.Code, 1940, Tit. 15, § 425. members Richards. appears, critical importance wrote first, 38 Ala.App. 143, 88 So.2d 199, certiorari, 264 Ala. 694, 205, 924, 220, 160, vacated remanded uncertain passed federal 354 393, 1098, 1423. reaffirmed 40 116, 109 736, 268 699, 738. ripe review, once more. established, accord respect conclusions courts nature, responsibility scrutinizing ourselves. 316, 1203, Pierre Louisiana, 306 354, 358, 59 536, 538, 83 757; 228—229, 473, 716. 246; Turner Com. Pennsylvania, 62, 1352, 1810; Harris South Carolina, 68, 1354, 1815; Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 64 921, 1192. Lack factor frequently case; 15-year-old weighed heavily Court's' judgment. interesting 'Psychosis, manic depressive, phase,' yet answer 'relevantly coherently.' clear 'was suffering schizophrenia paranoic type. They entertain delusions

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