Bachellar v. Maryland, 397 U.S. 564 (1970)
U.S. Supreme Court
Bachellar v. Maryland, 397 U.S. 564 (1970)
Bachellar v. Maryland
No. 729
Argued March 2, 1970
Decided April 20, 1970
397 U.S. 564
Syllabus
Petitioners' convictions for violating Maryland's disorderly conduct statute stemming from a demonstration protesting the Vietnam conflict must be set aside, as the jury's general verdict, in light of the trial judge's instructions, could have rested on several grounds, including "the doing or saying . . . of that which offends, disturbs, incites, or tends to incite a number of people gathered in the same area," and a conviction on that ground would violate the constitutional protection for the advocacy of unpopular ideas. Stromberg v. California, 283 U. S. 359. Pp. 397 U. S. 565-571.
3 Md.App. 626, 240 A.2d 623, reversed and remanded.