Legal Document

416 U.S. 637 94 Supreme Court Reporter 1868 40 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 431 Robert or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 DONNELLY, Petitioner,v.Benjamin Atlantic DeCHRISTOFORO. Number 72—1570. Argued Feb. 20, 1974. Decided May 13, Syllabus During the course of a joint first-degree murder trial, respondent's codefendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which trial court advised jury, stating that against respondent would continue. In his summation, prosecutor stated and counsel had said they 'hope you find him not guilty. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions quite frankly think hope something little less than murder.' Respondent's objected later sought an instruction remark was improper should be disregarded. its instructions, court, after re-emphasizing prosecutor's statement argument evidence, declared challenged unsupported, admonished jury ignore it. Respondent convicted murder. The State's highest ruled remark, though improper, so prejudicial as warrant mistrial court's sufficed safeguard rights. District denied petition for writ habeas corpus. Appeals reversed, concluding comment implied respondent, like codefendant, offered plead lesser offense, but refused thus potentially misleading deprive constitutionally fair trial. Held: circumstances this case, where ambiguous in extended followed by specific disapproving no prejudice amounting denial constitutional due process shown. Miller versus Pate, 386 1, 87 785, 17 690; Brady Maryland, 373 83, 83 1194, 10 215 distinguished. Pp. 642—648. 1st Cir., 473 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1236, reversed. David Mills, Danvers, Mass., petitioner. Paul T. Smith, Boston, respondent. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 tried before Massachusetts Superior murder.1 recommended death penalty imposed, sentenced life imprisonment. He appealed Judicial contending, inter alia, certain remarks during closing deprived right affirmed.2 That acknowledged made remarks, determined were require reversal. 2 then corpus relief Massachusetts. relief, stating: '(T)he arguments (DeChristoforo trial.'3 First Circuit reversed divided vote.4 majority held deliberately conveyed false impression unsuccessfully charge conduct process. We granted certiorari, 414 974, 273, 38 216 (1973), consider whether such context entire sufficiently violate hold reverse. 3 * two companions indicted Joseph Lanzi, passenger car defendants riding. Police stopped at approximately 4 a.m. on April 18, 1967, discovered Lanzi's dead body along with firearms, one been fired. A second gun, also recently fired, found short distance away. companion avoided apprehension time, third defendant taken into custody. other defendant, Gagliardi, finally captured jointly. claim fired any shots argued he willingly assisted killing. Respondent, hand, maintained innocent passenger. At close evidence final argument, Gagliardi elected continue.5 did seek draw inference from plea, given. 5 claims error focus rather lengthy jury. first involved expression personal guilt,6 perhaps rebut somewhat personalized counsel. agreed declined rest holding violation remark.7 It turned it deemed 'more serious.' 6 directed motives standing trial: 'They (the counsel) murder.'8 immediately disregarded.9 gave following instruction: 7 'Closing are your consideration. . 8 'Now closing, Attorney, noted, statement: 'I don't know what want do way verdict. They There is whatsoever, course, instructed disregard Attorney. 9 'Consider case made.'10 Massachusetts, again disputing further judge's 'was sufficient defendant's rights.'11 Despite decision Court's corpus, 11 reasoned naturally curious about failure curiosity heightened Gagliardi's evidence. context, thought, hoped conviction offense suggest refused. Since position facts, may well have surmised already admitted guilt attempt secure reduced charges. This, Appeals, inverse of, parallel to, intentional suppression favorable misled even if thoughtlessly, 'in degree there must some duty thoughtful.'12 Therefore, erred denying petition. II 12 petitioner urged, review 'the narrow process, broad exercise supervisory power (it) possess regard (its) own court.'13 observation important every infirmity might call application powers correspondingly constitutes 'failure observe fundamental fairness essential very concept justice.' Lisenba California, 314 219, 236, 62 280, 290, 86 L.Ed. 166 (1941). only Term Cupp. Naughten, 141, 396, 368 when reviewing given state court: 13 'Before federal overturn resulting used, established merely undesirable, erroneous, 'universally condemned,' violated guaranteed Fourteenth Amendment.'14 14 This State has benefit provision Bill Rights, counsel, Argersinger Hamlin, 407 25, 92 2006, 32 530 (1972), prejudiced right, privilege compulsory self-incrimination, amount right. Griffin 380 609, 85 1229, 106 (1965).15 When guarantees Rights involved, special care assure prosecutorial impermissibly infringes them. But here expectations itself infected unfairness make believe examination proceedings supports contention. 15 Conflicting inferences drawn courts below. Although flatly prosecuting attorney plea telling stroke (DeChristoforo)'16 implying well, dissent 'far obvious.'17 considered same illogical: 16 'It logical conclude accept that, because men whom blamed guilty, firm assertion himself crime whatsoever.'18 Thus means clear engage hypothetical analysis suggested probable seize out attach particular meaning Five Justices least judge all confessed difficulty making speculative connection. 18 addition, took pains correct could statements case. prosecutor, customary, previously told evidence,19 specifically re-emphasized point. Then jury's attention particularly here, it.20 occurrences too clearly curative mitigate their effect, hardly character. 19 Cupp supra, ground 'presumption truthfulness' instruction, presumption innocence shifted burden proof himself. Holding although advisable, we stated: 20 'In determining effect validity conviction, outset well-established proposition single judged artificial isolation, viewed overall charge. Boyd States, 271 104, 107 (46 442, 443, 70 857) (1926). While does mean never rise level error, see Cool 409 100 (93 354, 34 335) recognize judgment commonly culmination includes testimony witnesses, receipt exhibits judge. many several components result conviction.'21 21 Similarly, admittedly one, moment instructions. line drawing necessarily imprecise, simply incident fundamentally unfair deny III 22 cases cited different result. 690 (1967), principal relied upon, prisoner entitled upon showing pair stained undershorts, allegedly belonging repeatedly described blood, fact paint. opinion, said: 23 prosecution known time shorts 24 '. record petitioner's reflects prosecution's consistent repeated misrepresentation People's Exhibit was, indeed, 'a garment heavily blood." Id., 6, S.Ct., 787. 25 long series decisions Court,22 'Fourteenth Amendment cannot tolerate criminal obtained knowing use evidence.' 7, 788. those controlling. 26 countenance retreat observing falls far embracing 'consistent misrepresentation' dramatic exhibit profoundly impress significant impact deliberations. Isolated passages billed advance matter reach proportions. Such arguments, seldom carefully constructed toto event; improvisation frequently results syntax left imperfect crystal clear. these general observations justify misconduct, lightly infer intends most damaging sitting through exhortation, will plethora interpretations. 27 Appeals' reliance likewise misplaced. Brady, withheld directly relevant extent involvement crime. testified done actual shooting since contesting seeking avoid penalty, participation highly primary issue. As Miller, manipulation likely determination. neither introduction chief nor nondisclosure valuable accused's defense. instead few brief sentences expectably hortatory bargain nothing easily denied. 28 reached leaves virtually meaningless distinction between ordinary sort egregious misconduct process.23 continue observed, reverse Appeals. 29 ordered. 30 Reversed. 31 STEWART, WHITE joins (concurring). agree my Brother Douglas new principle law presented, generally leave undisturbed appeals facts granted—or For reason mistake grant certiorari now dismiss improvidently granted. 33 bound however, 'rule four.' rule ordains votes four enough bring merits. If remain minded oral adherence requires me address merits however strongly feel belong See Ferguson Moore-McCormack Lines, 352 521, 559, 77 459, 478, 515 (separate Harlan, J.). Upon premise, join opinion. 35 DOUGLAS (dissenting). 36 function under Constitution tack skins victims possible wall. His vindicate people expressed laws give accused Berger 295 78, 88, 55 629, 633, 79 1314: 37 'The Attorney representative party controversy, sovereignty whose obligation govern impartially compelling all; interest, therefore, shall win justice done. such, peculiar definite sense servant law, two-fold aim escape suffer. prosecute earnestness vigor—indeed, so. But, while strike hard blows, liberty foul ones. much refrain methods calculated produce wrongful legitimate just one.' one; official. deal aspect implicit Due Process Clause bound. Chambers Mississippi, 410 284, 93 1038, 297; Sheppard Maxwell, 384 333, 1507, 600; Turner Louisiana, 379 466, 546, 424; Irvin Dowd, 366 717, 81 1639, 751. 39 charged offense. stipulated: '(A)t offense; Commonwealth solicit offer plea; times insisted trial.' 41 fact. 42 jury: honestly sincerely doubt none whatsoever.' 43 And went say: 44 These setting light knew subtle equivalent penalty. Counsel admonish tell statement, cover 45 withdrawn admissible Kercheval 274 220, 47 582, 71 1009. procedural Confrontation Sixth Amendment, applicable pointer Texas, 400, 1065, 923, bar person testifying unless cross-examination witness afforded, id., 406—408, 1069—1070. requirement sedulously enforced (save recognized exceptions dying declarations like, 407, 1069—1070) lest theory end justifies gains footholds here. witness; permitted add either gorss improprieties. Those who experienced full thrust government leveled them protection citizen assurance today's therefore hollow ring. 46 Activist judges brought disrepute present time. Constitution. built-in restraint judges—both federal; prosecutors officers court. Our activist tendencies promote order, order. Judges, too, can tyrants often been. Prosecutors eager take almost shortcut win, yet represent People. 'to one,' surpa, U.S., 633. is, submit, 'improper' insinuate existence introduced without cross-examination. 48 came direct appeal, Justices, included Chief Justice, dissenting,* DeChristoforo, 360 531, 277 North Eastern 100. divided, 1236. district closer administration respective Washington, D.C. responsible do. Their issuing Great Writ—or refusing so—would us certiorari. honors granting Writ solemn denies it, let there, save manifest error. 49 affirm 50 BRENNAN MARSHALL below reasons Part DOUGLAS. codefendants illegal possession received four- five-year sentence related issues Mass. (1971). App. 231. 1236 (1973). 'Mr. Foreman, madam gentlemen You notice dock. 'guilty,' disposed of. 'We will, go forward vs DeChristoforo.' 99. was: 130. noted: knows advocate expected, degree, discount seller's talk.' F.2d, 1238. 129. No apparently willing '(H)ad motion instruct lines eliminating minds, nature, certainly complied, beyond grounds complete propriety, being mistrial.' 133. 143—144. 538, N.E.2d, 105. 1240. 146, 400. confrontation. Pointer 923 (1965). merit, opinions persons unavailable questioning 1239. 1241 (Campbell, J., dissenting). 157. 119. n. 10, supra. 146—147, See, e.g., Mooney Holohan, 294 103, 340, 791 (1935); Napue Illinois, 264, 1173, 1217 (1959). not, decision, condone courts, admonition appellate proper power, discourage say Tauro dissent: instant conceded hoping verdict degree. diminished change greater publication newspaper background. Unlike newspaper, ostensibly speaks authority office. 'personal status role spokesman tend(ed) (said) ring authenticity tend(ing) impart stamp believability.' Hall 419 583—584 (5th Cir.). probably called mistrial. event adequately force eliminate serious fatal Moreover, routine instructions By deteriorated chances deliberation fate eliminated.' 549 550, 112.

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