Bram v. United States

168 U.S. 532 (1897)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Bram was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. At trial, D twice objected to questions of the conversation that had taken place between D and a witness being introduced at trial. At the time the statement was made, D was in the custody of the chief of police at Halifax; that the witness, in an official capacity, directed the police authorities to bring the defendant as a prisoner to his private office, and there proceeded to take extraordinary liberties with him. He stripped him. The defendant understood that he was a prisoner, and he obeyed every order and direction that the witness gave. Under these circumstances, the counsel submitted that no statement made by the defendant while so held in custody, and his rights interfered with to the extent describe, was a free and voluntary statement, and no statement as made by him bearing upon this issue was competent. 'The objection was overruled at trial. D contends that the statements were erroneously admitted, as they were not shown to have been voluntary.