Legal Document

368 U.S. 443 82 Supreme Court Reporter 498 7 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 442 Morgan C. CHEWNING, Petitioner,v.W. K. CUNNINGHAM, Jr., Superintendent of the Virginia State Penitentiary. Number 63. Argued Dec. 4 and 5, 1961. Decided Feb. 19, 1962. Daniel Judge Meador, Charlottesville, Va., for petitioner. Reno S. Harp, III, Richmond, respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was sentenced to 10 years in prison under Virginia's recidivist statute. Va.Code, 1950, § 53—296. This statute provides that when it appears a person convicted an offense has been previously 'to like punishment,' he may be tried on information alleges 'the existence records prior convictions identity prisoner with named each.' The goes provide deny any such records, or is same therein, both. 2 If denied, court determines whether they exist. so finds denies mentioned remains silent, jury impaneled try issue. if one conviction, sentence him additional term not exceed five years. twice sentenced, impose as 'may deem proper.' 3 Petitioner, then imprisoned Virginia, charged having three times felony. He accordingly statute; now serving imposed at trial. brought this habeas corpus proceeding courts challenge legality sentence. crux his complaint without had benefit aid counsel, though requested one.1 Law Equity Richmond denied relief; Appeals refused writ error. While grounds action are disclosed, wrote opinion, making clear ruled federal constitutional claim: 'As mandate Fourteenth Amendment Constitution States, here relied upon, converse adjudicated. In Gryger versus Burke, 334 728 (68 1256, 92 L.Ed. 1683), where release (on) sought ground petitioner counsel hearing, Jackson said, part, follows (at Page 731 1256)): 5 "* * State's failure plea fourth offender charge did render conviction invalid.' 6 'This holding adhered Chandler Fretag, 348 (75 1, 99 4), decided that, while required furnish cannot defendant repeater hearing right heard by own choice.' Court, conceding 'criminal' accused entitled most protections afforded defendants criminal trials, concluded have appointed assist him, since 'only connected measure punishment last-committed crime.' Cf. Fitzgerald Smyth, 194 Va. 681, 689—690, 74 South Eastern Reporter, 2nd 810, 816. 8 We put side 728, 68 1683, which relied. case, only issue specialized circumstances seemed majority require appointment counsel. Under present statute, situation quite different. As we seen, 'existence' kind described tendered Virginia. said Reynolds Cochran, 365 525, 531, 81 723, 727, 754, '* allowed assistance first asked it, know could found defects 1934 would precluded its admission multiple-offender proceeding.' case also pointed out 'identity' difficult local law issues, example 'whether second-offender applied reimprison who completely satisfied upon second discharged from custody.' Id., 532, 727. 9 supra, lawyer continuance. But applies equally faced no lawyer. It 'The nature charge' (Tomkins Missouri, 323 485, 488, 65 370, 89 407) underlines need trials labyrinth is, be, too intricate layman master. Pages 488—489, 370; Williams Kaiser, 471, 474, 363, 398. held validity convictions, used bring into play, inquired into. See, e.g., Wesley Commonwealth, 190 268, 272—274, 56 362, 364. These involve judgments state Nation. Counsel, whom represent here, shown wide variety problems tendered. trial questions rendering jurisdiction over offenses these were punishable penitentiary 273, S.E.2d, excess power 'void only.' See Royster Smith, 195 228, 235, 77 855, 858—859. considering proper basis invoke considered whether, trial, represented fair impartial Willoughby 267, 271, 72 636, 639. appeal charge. White 79 611. And there question two rendered day both prosecution. Commonwealth Welsh, 57. Dye Skeen, 135 W.Va. 90, 102—103, 62 688—689, 24 American Reports, 1234. Double jeopardy ex post facto application which, indicated 529, well imaginative lawyer, looks critically layer rests. intimate arise petitioner's nor, so, merit. conclude being habitual serious (Chandler 3, 75 issues presented complex, potential prejudice resulting absence great rule followed concerning other types trials2 applicable here. 11 Reversed. 12 (For HARLAN, concurring result, see Nos. 57, Oyler Boles Crabtree Boles, 457, 501, 506. apparently appear conviction. however, allows deprivation raised corpus. supra; Tomkins Townsend 736, 1252, 1690; Hudson North Carolina, 363 697, 80 1314, 1500; McNeal Culver, 109, 413, 445.

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