Wong Sun v. United States

371 U.S. 471 (1963)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Hom Way was arrested, and heroin was found in his possession. Hom Way then led police to Blackie Toy. They went to a laundry described by Way as Toy's place of business. When Toy answered the door, police identified themselves to him and chased him through his house. No narcotics were found. Toy then narced on Johnny Yee. The police located Yee and then arrested him because of the heroin in his house. Toy and Yee were taken to the police station. Yee then narced on Wong Sun and Wong Sun was arrested. Toy, Yee, and Sun were arraigned and later released. A few days later, they were all interrogated at the police station. They were advised of their rights. After interrogation, statements were prepared, but Toy would not sign his. Sun had difficulty understanding and refused to sign but admitted to the accuracy of the statements. At Sun's trial, Way did not testify. Yee was excused after he invoked the Fifth Amendment. The evidence the government possessed was Toy's statements, the heroin surrendered by Yee, Toy's unsigned statement and Sun's similar statement. The Court of Appeals found that Toy's arrest had no probable cause.