United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Turner v. Pennsylvania, 338 U.S. 62 (1949)

Turner v. Pennsylvania

No. 107

Argued November 16-17, 1948

Decided June 27, 1949

338 U.S. 62

Syllabus

Petitioner was arrested on suspicion and held for five days without arraignment, without the aid of counsel or friends, and without being advised of his constitutional rights. Meanwhile, he was interrogated by relays of police officers, sometimes during both the day and the night, until he confessed to murder. It was admitted that arraignment was purposely delayed until a confession could be obtained. At his trial in a state court, the confession was admitted in evidence over his objection, and he was convicted.

Held: the use at the trial of a confession thus obtained violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the conviction is reversed. Watts v. Indiana, ante p. 338 U. S. 49. Pp. 338 U. S. 63-66.

358 Pa. 350, 58 A.2d 61, reversed.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania affirmed petitioner's conviction for murder, notwithstanding his claim that his confession was procured under circumstances rendering its admission in evidence a denial of due process of law. 358 Pa. 350, 58 A.2d 61. This Court granted certiorari. 334 U.S. 858. Reversed, p. 338 U. S. 66.

Page 338 U. S. 63