Stovall v. Denno
United States Supreme Court
388 U.S. 293 (1967)
Theodore Stovall (defendant) was arrested for murdering a man and repeatedly stabbing the man's wife, who was in serious condition and could not leave the hospital. Police brought Stovall, handcuffed to an officer and the only Black person present, to the hospital room so the wounded woman -- the only witness who could identify her attacker -- could identify him, including by voice after he spoke at police direction; she also identified him again at trial. Stovall was convicted and sentenced to death; after his conviction was affirmed on direct review, he sought habeas relief, which was denied, and the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Whether an in-person confrontation between a single suspect and an eyewitness for identification purposes violates the suspect's due process rights if the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that the confrontation was necessary.