Washington v. Texas

388 U.S. 14 (1967)

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Washington v. Texas

United States Supreme Court
388 U.S. 14 (1967)

RL

Facts

Washington (defendant) was convicted of murder after a jury trial. A coparticipant in the crime had already been convicted of the same murder prior to the time of Washington’s trial. Laws of the state of Texas (plaintiff) prohibited persons charged or convicted as coparticipants in the same crime from testifying on behalf of one another. If not prohibited by state law, the codefendant would have testified that he committed the murder and that Washington tried to prevent him from committing the murder. The state courts upheld Washington’s conviction on appeal. Washington petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Warren, J.)

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