Ashcraft v. Tennessee
United States Supreme Court
322 U.S. 143 (1944)
Relevant factsFree
Police interrogated Ashcraft (defendant) in shifts for 36 continuous hours without a break, after which the state claimed he confessed to hiring a man to murder his wife; Ashcraft denied confessing and alleged threats and abuse, while the state claimed he was treated kindly and appeared normal, and the officers themselves needed shift breaks for rest during the marathon session.
IssueFree
Whether, under the Due Process Clauses, confessions obtained through inherently coercive means are deemed involuntary.