Facts—William Wayne Thompson was tried and found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. At the time of the offense he was fifteen years old. Under Oklahoma law a boy of that age is a “child.” Under the law the…

Facts—McCleskey, a black man, was convicted in a Georgia court for armed robbery and the murder of a police officer. The jury recommended the death penalty. After unsuccessfully seeking relief in state courts, he sought a writ of habeas corpus…

Facts—Troy Gregg was convicted in a Georgia trial court of robbery and murder. The trial was in two stages, a guilt stage and a sentencing stage. Fred Simons and Bob Moore gave two hitchhikers (Troy Gregg and Floyd Allen) a…

Facts—Louisiana convicted Willie Francis, an African American citizen, of murder in September 1945 and sentenced him to be electrocuted for the crime. Upon a proper death warrant, Francis was prepared for execution on May 3, 1946, and was placed in…

Facts—A federal District Court in Connecticut (where there were numerous criminal penalties for gambling) convicted James Marchetti for violating federal statutes requiring the payment of an annual gambling occupational stamp tax and for failing to register before accepting wagers. These…

Facts—William Malloy was arrested during a gambling raid in 1959 by police in Hartford, Connecticut. He was convicted and given a suspended sentence. Later a state court held him in contempt for refusing to answer questions on the basis of…

Facts—A number of persons had been subpoenaed to testify at a hearing conducted by the Waterfront Commission concerning a work stoppage at the Hoboken, New Jersey, piers. Even though they were granted immunity from prosecution under the laws of New…