Commonwealth v. Heckathorn
Commonwealth v. Heckathorn
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
On October 6, 1965, the body of Clair Heckathorn, a farmer and resident of Mercer County, was found shot to death in his home. Shortly thereafter, the defendant, aged 16 years, was arrested and committed to Mercer County jail. He submitted to questioning by the arresting officers for several two-hour periods, both on October 6th and 7th. On October 7, defendant was taken to his father’s home and, with his father’s permission, a search was conducted which uncovered a revolver later found to bear evidence of defendant’s fingerprints.
On the morning of October 8, James Heckathorn, the brother of the defendant, “voluntarily” appeared at the Mercer County station house, and in the presence of police gave a statement confessing complicity of both himself and his brother in the homicide. Later that
Thereafter, a bill of indictment which included the counts of murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter was found against defendant. Defendant was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment. He has appealed from the judgment of sentence.
I.
Charge of Court on Voluntary Manslaughter
Appellant contends that the trial Court committed error by failing to charge the jury on the law of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Defendant particularly objects to this portion of the charge: “. . . At the present time, the only duty before the jury is to determine whether the defendant is not guilty or guilty of murder in the second degree, or guilty of murder in the first degree. That is all that you are required to do at this time.”
For over one hundred years it has been the well-settled rule in this Commonwealth that the jury has the right and power to decide the guilt or innocence of an. accused and- what crime or crimes, if any, he has been guilty of. Commonwealth v. Frazier, 411 Pa. 195, 202, 191 A. 2d 369; Commonwealth v. Steele, 362 Pa. 427, 66 A. 2d 825; Commonwealth v. Schmidt, 423 Pa. 432, 224 A. 2d 625; Commonwealth v. Meas, 415 Pa.
■Notwithstanding the aforesaid power of .a jury to find a defendant charged with murder guilty of voluntary manslaughter only, the law is likewise well settled that a defendant is entitled to a charge on- the law of manslaughter only when there is some evidence to support such a verdict. Commonwealth v. Pavillard, 421 Pa. 571, 220 A. 2d 807; Commonwealth v. LaRue, 381 Pa. 113, 112 A. 2d 362; Commonwealth v. Flax, 331 Pa. 145, 200 Atl. 632; Commonwealth v. Yeager, 329 Pa. 81, 196 Atl. 827; Commonwealth v. Carroll, 326 Pa. 135, 191 Atl. 610; Commonwealth v. Miller, 313 Pa. 567, 569, 170 Atl. 128; Commonwealth v. Crossmire, 156 Pa. 304, 27 Atl. 40; Commonwealth v. Buccieri, 153 Pa. 535, 26 Atl. 228.
Thus, the important question for us in this appeal is whether there was any evidence which 'was sufficient to reduce this killing to voluntary manslaughter. In this appeal,. defendant contends that he was innocent of any crime, and that at the most the killing amounted to voluntary manslaughter. These contentions, and particularly thé latter one, are based upon the theory or contention that defendant spent the night in the home of his uncle and that his uncle was killed the following day as the, result of an altercation during which defendant’s gun went off. We note, incidentally, that defendant did not testify that his gun went off accidentally or unintentionally, or exactly how it went off. This contention was not presented in the lower Court, The only evidence cited to support it in this
In Commonwealth v. Pavillard, 421 Pa., supra, this Court said (pages-575-576) : “Defendant’s second allegation of an error in the Court’s • charge raises a serious problem. The problem, concisely stated, is whether the trial Court, in a murder case, must charge on the issue of voluntary manslaughter where no proof of a killing under the influence of legal passion or provocation exists.
“In Commonwealth v. Nelson, 396 Pa. 359, 364, 152 A. 2d 913, the Court, citing many authorities, thus defined voluntary manslaughter (page 364) : ‘In Commonwealth v. Donough, 377 Pa., supra, the Court quoting from Commonwealth v. Palermo, 368 Pa. 28, 81 A. 2d 540, said (page 52): “ ‘“Voluntary manslaughter is a homicide intentionally committed under the influence of passion.” Commonwealth v. Colandro, 231 Pa. 343, 350, 80 A. 571 (1911); Commonwealth v. Cargill, 357 Pa. 510, 513, 55 A. 2d 373 (1947) . . .’”
“In the. instant case there was absolutely no evidence of legal passion or provocation
“In Commonwealth v. LaRue, 381 Pa., supra, in a case very similar to the one at bar, the Court said (pages 121-122) : ‘Failure of the trial.Judge to submit to the jury voluntary manslaughter as a possible verdict was not error. Where there is some evidence which would reduce the crime to voluntary manslaughter, defendant is entitled to have the jury instructed upon the subject: Commonwealth v. Flax, 331 Pa. 145, 200 A. 632. But where there is no evidence of manslaughter, it is proper for the court to refuse to submit to the jury the issue of manslaughter. In Commonwealth v. Yeager, 329 Pa. 81, 85, 196 A. 827, Jus
II.
Constitutional Bight to Counsel
Appellant next contends that the statement or confession of his brother, which he admitted was true and correct, was obtained in violation of his Constitutional right to counsel, and consequently was inadmissible. Johnson v. New Jersey, 384 U.S. 719, 86 S. Ct. 1772, upon which defendant relies, aptly states the recent tests which are applicable. In Johnson v. New Jersey, the Court, speaking through Chief Justice Warren, reiterated the prior law that “coerced confessions are, of course, inadmissible regardless of their alleged truth or falsity. See Rogers v. Richmond, 365 U.S. 534 (1961)”; and, more importantly, said (page 721) : “We hold that Escobedo affects only those cases in which the trial began after June 22, 1964, the date of that decision. We hold further that Miranda
In this trial, which commenced on March 28, 1966, defendant-appellant is entitled (1) to the Escobedo warnings but (2) not to the Miranda warnings, which laid down additional warnings or guidelines (see Johnson v. New Jersey, 384 U.S., supra, page 734). In Johnson v. New Jersey, the Court said (pages 733-734) : “Apart from its broad implications, the precise holding of Escobedo was that statements elicited by the police during an interrogation may not be used against the accused at a criminal trial, ‘[where] the investigation is no longer a general inquiry into an unsolved crime but has begun to focus on a particular suspect, the suspect has been taken into police custody, the police carry out a process of interrogations that lends itself to eliciting incriminating statements, the suspect has requested and been denied an opportunity to consult with his lawyer, and the police have not effectively warned him of his absolute constitutional right to remain silent . . . .’ 378 U.S., at 490-491.”
In Commonwealth v. Schmidt, 423 Pa. 432, 224 A. 2d 625, the Court said (pages 440, 441) : “. . . In other words,, under Escobedo [v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478], supra, an individual is not unconstitutionally deprived of the assistance of counsel during police questioning, unless he requested such assistance and was not effectively warned of his right to remain silent [footnote omitted]. ... In the present case, it was established by; credible and competent evidence, which the lower court accepted as true, that Schmidt never requested
In this case, it is clear that appellant never requested counsel either before or after he had become the “focus” of the investigation.
III.
Hearsay Testimony
Appellant next objects to the admission of hearsay testimony. It will suffice to say that -the challenged testimony was not prejudicial to appellant and, more important, it was not objected to, and hence was waived. Commonwealth v. Dessus, 423 Pa. 177, 186-187, 224 A. 2d 188; cf. also, Lewis v. Pittsburgh Railways Co., 386 Pa. 490, 126 A. 2d 454; Enfield v. Stout, 400 Pa. 6, 161 A. 2d 22.
IV.
Voir Dire
Appellant contends that the comments of the trial Judge during voir dire constituted reversible error. Upon examination of the second prospective juror, who stated that he would be more lenient in his judgment of a minor even to the extent of requiring “more evidence” to convict, the Court emphatically condemned such views while referring to the growing wave of juvenile crime in Mercer County. While this comment ánd condemnation were improper (Gallegos v. Colorado, 370 U.S. 49), they were adequately cured by the'subsequent and thrice repeated corrective statements made by the trial Judge.
Voluntariness of Confession and Due Process
Appellant contends that his statement or confession was procured from him involuntarily. According to the testimony of the police, defendant was questioned twice by two policemen for a period of approximately two hours each time, and after police officers had told him that anything he said could be used against him in Court and that he was entitled under the law to be represented by an attorney.
However, appellant further contends that he was denied due process because of the refusal of the trial Court to submit to the jury the question of the voluntariness of his confession. We must sustain this contention. Prior to Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S., supra, the law in Pennsylvania with respect to the voluntariness of a statement or confession did not require any warning (a) that the defendant or accused had a right to remain silent or (b) that what he said might be used against him at the trial. Commonwealth v. Bryant, 367 Pa. 135, 147, 79 A. 2d 193. However, this was changed by the Supreme Court of the United States in Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S., supra; Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368; and later in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S., supra. See also, Commonwealth v. Schmidt, 423 Pa., supra; Pa. Rules of Criminal Procedure No. 323. In Jackson v. Denno, the Court held (1) that there must be an independent pretrial or evidentiary hearing on the voluntariness of an alleged confession, and (2) that if such an evidentiary hearing is held and it
Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered.
Italics throughout, ours.
In Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S., supra, the Court pertinently said (page 479) : “. . . the following measures are required. He must be warned prior to any questioning that he has the right to remain silent, that anything he says can be used against him in a court of law, that he has the right to the presence of an attorney, and that if he cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for him prior to any questioning if he so desires. Opportunity to exercise these rights must be afforded to him throughout the interrogation. After such warnings have been given, and
The testimony is ambiguous as to whether he was advised of his right to remain silent, and is not as clear and as positive as it will have to be on a retrial.
Concurring Opinion
Concurring Opinion by
In my view the confession of Heckathorn was secured by the police under circumstances violative of Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478, 84 S. Ct. 1758 (1964), and therefore its use as trial evidence denied the defendant due process of law.
Hence, I concur in the order granting a new trial.
Concurring Opinion
Concurring Opinion by
I concur in the result reached by the majority. Pa. R. Crim. P. 323(e) does indeed require that, after a determination in an evidentiary hearing that a confession is voluntary, the voluntariness of the confession be submitted to the jury. This procedure was not followed in the instant case.
However, this procedure is not mandated by Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 84 S. Ct. 1774 (1964). Although Jackson required an independent pretrial evidentiary hearing, it left a choice as to the procedure to be followed thereafter. Either the orthodox (Wig-
Concurring Opinion
Concurring Opinion by
As to the issues involving appellant’s confession, I agree with the majority that Jackson v. Denno requires a new trial but that is the only thing I agree with. At least in my opinion, an examination of the events culminating in Herbert Heekathorn’s confession reveals that this confession was involuntary and, if not involuntary, procured under circumstances violative of Escobedo.
Assuming for the moment that Herbert was given the required Escobedo warnings, a chronology is necessary.
Taken immediately to a state police substation, he was' searched and questioned. Appellant was seated in a swivel chair, which he had to move to face various officers when questioned. After this period of questioning, Herbert was driven to the Mercer County jail and placed in the custody of the prison authorities at 11:00 p.m. The two arresting officers then proceeded to the home of Herbert’s parents (also his residence) to search for the murder weapon. Unsuccessful, they returned to the county jail. A second period of questioning began at 1:00 on the morning of the 7th. The record contains no indication of the length of either of these two periods of questioning.
At 8:45 on the morning of the 7th Herbert was removed from jail and taken to the chambers of Judge Rodgers. The judge was informed that appellant was a truant from school but not that he was a murder suspect. He was returned to jail and then, at 11:15 a.m., was again, removed, taken to his parents’ home for a second weapon’s search at which time a gun (not the murder weapon) was found. Herbert was then transported to decedent’s house and finally back to jail.
Herbert was confronted with his brother in the presence of five state policemen and the county coroner. James related his version of the events surrounding the murder. Asked if this version was true, appellant answered yes. He was then further questioned and an oral statement obtained (no written statement was taken) adding details not covered in James’ statement. Two officers then took Herbert for another automobile ride since appellant had promised during this interrogation period to show the officers where decedent’s wallet had been disposed of. The wallet was located and Herbert returned to the substation at 1:40 p.m. The first formal charge was filed at some time prior to 2:20 p.m., although Judge Rodgers began his attempts to obtain counsel for appellant at about 12:45 p.m.
Mrs. Heckathorn testified that the state police had visited her home over three times but not once prior
In sum, appellant was in police custody for over 40 hours before any formal action was taken. His parents were not informed, he was questioned at least three times, searched and fingerprinted. He was removed from jail at the will of the police and, despite judicial admonition to file charges, was not charged until after the crucial confession was obtained. These facts must be placed against the cases establishing standards to be applied in determining the voluntariness of a confession procured from an accused of sixteen.
I.
The Supreme Court of the United States has explicitly stated that a defendant in his early teens is not to be judged by adult standards. Gallegos v. Colorado, 370 U.S. 49, 53-54, 82 S. Ct. 1209, 1212 (1962); Haley v. Ohio, 332 U.S. 596, 599-600, 68 S. Ct. 302, 304 (1948). Speaking of Robert Gallegos, a 14 year old suspect, that Court stated (370 U.S. at 54-55, 82 S. Ct. at 1212-13) : “He cannot be compared with an adult in full possession of his senses and knowledgeable of the consequences of his admissions. He would have no way of knowing what the consequences of his confession were without advice as to his rights—from someone concerned with securing him those rights—and without the aid of more mature judgment as to the steps
Fourteen years earlier, the Supreme Court had this to say about an accused of fifteen (332 U.S. at 599, 68 S. Ct. at 303-04) : “What transpired would make us pause for careful inquiry if a mature man were involved. And when, as here, a mere child—an easy victim of the law—is before us, special care in scrutinizing the record must be used. Age 15 is a tender and difficult age for a boy of any race. He cannot be judged by the more exacting standards of maturity. That which would leave a man cold and unimpressed can overawe and overwhelm a lad in his early teens. This is the period of great instability which the crisis of adolescence.produces.” In Haley, the accused was questioned for five hours. After having been shown the confessions of his alleged coconspirators, he confessed. This five hour period alone was sufficient for the Supreme Court to declare the confession unconstitutionally obtained.
Although the record does not indicate that Herbert was at any one point questioned continuously for five hours, I am convinced that this alone is not probative. For the Supreme Court in Haley, supra at 6ÓÓ-01, 68 S. Ct. at. 304, tells, us that the following factors are significant: “The age of petitioner, the hours when he was grilled, the duration of his quizzing, the fact that he had no friend or counsel to advise him, the callous
Nor does the fact that Herbert was warned of his constitutional rights change this picture. Haley was given similar warnings, yet the Supreme Court gave short shrift to any argument based upon the presence of warnings (332 U.S. at 601, 68 S. Ct. at 304) : “But we are told that this boy was advised of his constitutional rights before he signed the confession and that, knowing them, he nevertheless confessed. That assumes, however, that a boy of fifteen, without aid of counsel, would have a full appreciation of that advice and that on the facts of this record he had a freedom of choice. We cannot indulge those assumptions. Moreover, we cannot give any weight to recitals which merely formalize constitutional requirements.” With the burden upon the Commonwealth to convince this Court that Herbert’s confession was voluntary, see Commonwealth ex rel. Butler v. Rundle, 429 Pa. 141, 239 A. 2d 426 (1968), I am totally unconvinced. On this basis alone I would exclude the confession at appellant’s retrial.
In an attempt to demonstrate that the warnings here given meet Escobedo standards, the majority has turned that decision upon its head. Its opinion states that the accused never requested counsel and that therefore Escobedo was not violated. However, our cases make clear beyond doubt that the initial inquiry is whether the accused was warned of his right to remain silent. If he was not, the lack of request for counsel is completely irrelevant and Escobedo has been violated.
With this in mind, I now turn to an examination of exactly what the police told Herbert at the time he was confronted with James’ statements.
The other officer, Trooper Balchunas, was positive that he told appellant “that he could remain silent. . . .” (Record at 665.) Putting aside the age of the accused,
Given the fact that the court below found this confession to be voluntary, I have considered only “the evidence of the prosecution’s witnesses and so much of the evidence for the defense as, fairly read in the context of the record as a whole, remains un
The majority’s position ignores the very basic fact that the right to counsel is merely a derivative of the right to remain silent. See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 468-69, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 1624-25 (1966). If an accused is not told of the basic right, it is folly to assume that he has knowledge of the derivative right sufficient to request the exercise of that derivative right.
In a footnote, the majority cryptically notes: “The testimony is. ambiguous as to whether he was advised of his right to remain silent, and it is not as clear and as positive as it will have to be on a retrial.” The import of this observation' is nowhere explained.
The rationale' of both Gallegos and Haley dictates that- stricter standards of clarity' aré required when examining the warnings given to an accused, youth. Yet I am convinced that stricter standards need not be applied here for even if Herbert was an adult this confession is invalid under Escobedo, See text, infra.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Commonwealth v. Heckathorn, Appellant
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