Facts of the Case

Provided by Justia

Petitioners were indicted for the murder of one Raymond Stewart, whose death occurred on March 30, 1934. They were indicted on April 4, 1934, and were then arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Counsel were appointed by the court to defend them. T rial was begun the next morning, and was concluded on the following day, when they were found guilty and sentenced to death.

Conclusions

  1. Convictions of murder which rest solely upon confessions shown to have been extorted by officers of the State by torture of the accused are void under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 297 U. S. 279 , 297 U. S. 285 . 173 Miss. 542, 158 So. 339; 161 So. 465, reversed.