williams pennsylvania argued february decided june petitioner williams convicted murder amos norwood sentenced death trial attorney philadelphia ronald castille approved trial prosecutor request seek death penalty williams next years williams conviction sentence upheld direct appeal state postconviction review federal habeas review williams filed successive petition pursuant pennsylvania post conviction relief act pcra arguing prosecutor obtained false testimony codefendant suppressed material exculpatory evidence violation brady maryland finding trial prosecutor committed brady violations pcra stayed williams execution ordered new sentencing hearing commonwealth asked pennsylvania whose chief justice former district attorney castille vacate stay williams filed response along motion asking chief justice castille recuse declined refer motion full decision without explanation chief justice denied williams motion recusal request referral joined state opinion vacating pcra grant relief reinstating williams death sentence two weeks later chief justice castille retired bench held chief justice castille denial recusal motion subsequent judicial participation violated due process clause fourteenth amendment pp due process precedents set forth specific test governing recusal judge prior involvement case prosecutor principles precedents rest dictate rule must control circumstances due process clause impermissible risk actual bias judge earlier significant personal involvement prosecutor critical decision regarding defendant case applies objective standard requires recusal likelihood bias part judge high constitutionally tolerable caperton massey coal constitutionally intolerable probability bias exists person serves accuser adjudicator case see murchison attorney integral accusatory process prosecutor participates major adversary decision result serious question arises whether judge served advocate state case asked adjudicate influenced improper inadvertent motive validate preserve result obtained adversary process circumstances neither involvement multiple actors case passage time relieves former prosecutor duty withdraw order ensure neutrality judicial process determining consequences earlier critical decision may set motion pp chief justice castille authorization seek death penalty williams amounts significant personal involvement critical trial decision failure recuse williams case presented unconstitutional risk bias decision pursue death penalty critical choice adversary process chief justice castille significant role decision without express authorization commonwealth able pursue death sentence williams given importance decision profound consequences carries responsible prosecutor deem significant exercise official discretion fact many jurisdictions including pennsylvania statutes professional codes conduct already require recusal circumstances case suggests today decision occasion significant change recusal practice pp unconstitutional failure recuse constitutes structural error amenable review regardless whether judge vote dispositive puckett appellate panel deliberations generally confidential neither possible productive inquire whether jurist question might influenced views colleagues decisionmaking process indeed one purpose judicial confidentiality ensure jurists reexamine old ideas suggest new ones seeking persuade open persuasion colleagues matter whether disqualified judge vote necessary disposition case fact interested judge vote dispositive may mean judge successful persuading members accept position outcome lessen unfairness affected party multimember must guarantee neutrality undermined appearance bias demeans reputation integrity one jurist larger institution part chief justice castille participation williams case error affected state whole adjudicatory framework williams must granted opportunity present claims unburdened possible temptation hold balance nice clear true state accused tumey ohio pp vacated remanded kennedy delivered opinion ginsburg breyer sotomayor kagan joined roberts filed dissenting opinion alito joined thomas filed dissenting opinion opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press terrance williams petitioner pennsylvania writ certiorari pennsylvania eastern district june justice kennedy delivered opinion case pennsylvania vacated decision postconviction granted relief prisoner convicted murder sentenced death one justices state district attorney gave official approval seek death penalty prisoner case justice question denied prisoner motion recusal participated decision deny relief question presented whether justice denial recusal motion subsequent judicial participation violated due process clause fourteenth amendment precedents set forth objective standard requires recusal likelihood bias part judge high constitutionally tolerable caperton massey coal quoting withrow larkin applying standard concludes due process compelled justice recusal petitioner terrance williams soon williams turned murdered amos norwood philadelphia trial commonwealth presented evidence williams friend marc draper standing street corner norwood drove williams draper requested ride home norwood agreed draper gave norwood false directions led drive toward cemetery williams draper ordered norwood car cemetery two men tied norwood clothes beat death testifying commonwealth draper suggested robbery motive crime williams took stand defense stating involved crime know victim trial prosecutor requested permission supervisors district attorney office seek death penalty williams support request prepared memorandum setting forth details crime information supporting two statutory aggravating factors facts mitigation reviewing memorandum attorney philadelphia ronald castille wrote note bottom document approved proceed death penalty app penalty phase trial prosecutor argued williams deserved death sentence killed norwood reason kind man offered ride home brief petitioner jurors found two aggravating circumstances murder committed course robbery williams significant history violent felony convictions criminal history included previous conviction murder committed age jury found mitigating circumstances sentenced williams death period years williams conviction sentence upheld direct appeal state postconviction review federal habeas review williams filed successive petition pursuant pennsylvania post conviction relief act pcra cons stat et seq petition based new information draper refused speak williams attorneys draper told williams counsel informed commonwealth trial williams sexual relationship norwood relationship real motive norwood murder according draper commonwealth instructed give false testimony williams killed norwood rob draper also admitted received undisclosed benefit exchange testimony trial prosecutor promised write letter state parole board behalf trial prosecutor elicited testimony draper indicating agreement prosecution plead guilty exchange truthful testimony mention made additional promise write parole board philadelphia common pleas identified proceedings pcra held evidentiary hearing williams claims williams alleged petition prosecutor procured false testimony draper suppressed evidence regarding norwood sexual relationship williams hearing draper trial prosecutor testified regarding allegations pcra ordered district attorney office produce previously undisclosed files prosecutor police documents included trial prosecutor sentencing memorandum bearing attorney castille authorization pursue death penalty based commonwealth files evidentiary hearing pcra found trial prosecutor suppressed material exculpatory evidence violation brady maryland engaged prosecutorial gamesmanship app stayed williams execution ordered new sentencing hearing seeking vacate stay execution commonwealth submitted emergency application pennsylvania time almost three decades passed since williams prosecution castille elected seat state serving chief justice williams filed response commonwealth application disclosure trial prosecutor sentencing memorandum pcra proceedings alerted williams chief justice castille involvement decision seek death sentence case reason williams also filed motion asking chief justice castille recuse declined refer recusal motion full decision commonwealth opposed williams recusal motion without explanation chief justice castille denied motion recusal request referral two days later pennsylvania denied application vacate stay ordered full briefing issues raised appeal state vacated pcra order granting relief reinstated williams death sentence chief justice castille justices baer stevens joined majority opinion written justice eakin justices saylor todd concurred result without issuing separate opinion see chief justice castille authored concurrence lamented pcra lost sight role neutral judicial officer stayed williams execution valid reason efore condemning officers chief justice stated tribunal aware substantive status brady law believed pcra misapplied addition chief justice castille denounced perceived obstructionist penalty agenda williams attorneys federal community defender office ibid pcra courts throughout pennsylvania need vigilant circumspect comes activities particular advocacy group wrote lest defender office lawyers turn postconviction proceedings circus ringmasters parrots puppets sideshow two weeks pennsylvania decided williams case chief justice castille retired bench granted williams petition certiorari ii williams contends chief justice castille decision district attorney seek death sentence barred chief justice later adjudicating williams petition overturn sentence chief justice castille williams argues violated due process clause fourteenth amendment acting accuser judge case due process precedents set forth specific test governing recusal judge prior involvement case prosecutor reasons explained however principles precedents rest dictate rule must control circumstances holds due process clause impermissible risk actual bias judge earlier significant personal involvement prosecutor critical decision regarding defendant case due process guarantees absence actual bias part judge murchison bias easy attribute others difficult discern oneself establish enforceable workable framework precedents apply objective standard usual case avoids determine whether actual bias present asks whether judge harbors actual subjective bias instead whether objective matter average judge position neutral whether unconstitutional bias caperton particular relevance instant case determined unconstitutional potential bias exists person serves accuser adjudicator case see murchison objective risk bias reflected due process maxim man judge case man permitted try cases interest outcome due process guarantee man judge case little substance disqualify former prosecutor sitting judgment prosecution made critical decision conclusion follows analysis murchison case involved jury proceeding conducted pursuant state law judge called witnesses testify suspected crimes course examinations judge became convinced two witnesses obstructing proceeding charged one witness perjury weeks later tried convicted open judge charged witness contempt days later tried convicted well overturned convictions ground judge dual position accuser decisionmaker contempt trials violated due process part accusatory process judge nature things wholly disinterested conviction acquittal accused attorney integral accusatory process prosecutor participates major adversary decision judge served advocate state case asked adjudicate serious question arises whether judge even diligent effort set aside personal interest outcome furthermore risk judge psychologically wedded previous position prosecutor judge consciously unconsciously avoid appearance erred changed position withrow addition judge personal knowledge impression case acquired role prosecution may carry far weight judge parties arguments murchison supra see also caperton supra pennsylvania argues murchison lead rule due process requires disqualification judge earlier role prosecutor significant involvement making critical decision case facts murchison acknowledged differ many respects case like one murchison course several weeks single official jury conducted investigation suspected crimes made decision charge witnesses obstruction investigation heard evidence charges lodged issued judgments conviction imposed sentence see petitioners objected trial judge time complainant indicter prosecutor contrast judge earlier involvement prosecution might one several prosecutors working case stage proceedings prosecutor immediate role might limited particular aspect prosecution decades might passed former prosecutor judge called upon adjudicate claim case factual differences notwithstanding constitutional principles explained murchison fully applicable judge direct personal role defendant prosecution involvement actors passage time consequences complex criminal justice system single case may litigated multiple proceedings taking place period years context heightens need objective rules preventing operation bias otherwise might obscured within large impersonal system individual prosecutor might still influence visible grand jury murchison nevertheless significant prosecutor may bear responsibility number critical decisions including charges bring whether extend plea bargain witnesses call even decades intervene former prosecutor revisits matter jurist case may implicate effects continuing force original decision circumstances remains serious risk judge influenced improper inadvertent motive validate preserve result obtained adversary process involvement multiple actors passage time relieve former prosecutor duty withdraw order ensure neutrality judicial process determining consequences earlier critical decision may set motion leads question whether chief justice castille authorization seek death penalty williams amounts significant personal involvement critical trial decision concludes significant personal involvement result chief justice castille failure recuse williams case presented unconstitutional risk bias initial matter doubt decision pursue death penalty critical choice adversary process indeed defendant charged crime whether ask jury end defendant life one serious discretionary decisions prosecutor called upon make doubt chief justice castille significant role decision without express authorization commonwealth able pursue death sentence williams importance decision profound consequences carries make evident responsible prosecutor deem significant exercise official discretion professional judgment pennsylvania nonetheless contends chief justice castille fact significant involvement decision seek death sentence williams chief justice commonwealth points head large district attorney office city saw many capital murder trials tr oral arg according pennsylvania approval trial prosecutor request pursue capital punishment williams case amounted brief administrative act limited time takes read memo ibid view characterization credited assume attorney castille treated major decision perfunctory task requiring little time judgment reflection part chief justice castille comments running judicial office refute commonwealth claim played mere ministerial role capital sentencing decisions chief justice election campaign multiple news outlets reported statement sent people death rows district attorney seelye castille keeps cool run philadelphia inquirer apr see also brennan state voters must choose next member legal intelligencer pp chief justice castille willingness take personal responsibility death sentences obtained tenure district attorney indicate view played meaningful role sentencing decisions considered involvement important duty office although necessary disposition case pcra ruling underscores risk permitting former prosecutor judge case pcra determined trial prosecutor chief justice castille former subordinate district attorney office engaged multiple intentional brady violations williams prosecution app indication chief justice castille aware alleged prosecutorial misconduct difficult judge position view pcra findings criticism former office extent leadership supervision district attorney potential conflict interest posed pcra findings illustrates utility statutes professional codes conduct provide protection due process requires caperton important note due process demarks outer boundaries judicial disqualifications aetna life ins lavoie questions recusal addressed stringent detailed ethical rules many jurisdictions already require disqualification circumstances case see brief american bar association amicus curiae see also aba model code judicial conduct rules judge may participate proceeding judge impartiality might reasonably questioned including judge served governmental employment capacity participated personally substantially lawyer public official concerning proceeding aba center professional responsibility policy implementation comparison aba model judicial code state variations available http last visited june adopted language similar aba model judicial code rule recusal required judge served governmental employment capacity participated counsel adviser material witness concerning proceeding time williams filed recusal motion pennsylvania example pennsylvania code judicial conduct disqualified judges proceeding served lawyer matter controversy lawyer previously practiced law served association lawyer concerning matter code judicial conduct canon amended fact jurisdictions rules place suggests today decision occasion significant change recusal practice chief justice castille significant personal involvement critical decision williams case gave rise unacceptable risk actual bias risk endangered appearance neutrality participation case must forbidden guarantee due process adequately implemented withrow iii determined chief justice castille participation violated due process must resolve whether williams entitled relief past cases decide question whether due process violation arising jurist failure recuse amounts harmless error jurist multimember jurist vote decisive see lavoie supra addressing question whether decision multimember tribunal must vacated participation one member interest outcome case member vote outcome determinative reasons discussed holds unconstitutional failure recuse constitutes structural error even judge question cast deciding vote little trouble concluding due process violation arising participation interested judge defect amenable review regardless whether judge vote dispositive puckett emphasis deleted deliberations appellate panel general rule confidential result neither possible productive inquire whether jurist question might influenced views colleagues decisionmaking process indeed one purpose judicial confidentiality assure jurists reexamine old ideas suggest new ones seeking persuade open persuasion colleagues justice brennan wrote lavoie concurrence description opinion connotes merely opinion joined majority participating judges reflects fact judges exchanged ideas arguments deciding case reflects collective process deliberation shapes perceptions issues must addressed importantly must addressed influence single participant process never measured precision experience teaches us member involvement plays part shaping ultimate disposition considerations illustrate moreover matter whether disqualified judge vote necessary disposition case fact interested judge vote dispositive may mean judge successful persuading members accept position outcome lessen unfairness affected party see blackmun concurring judgment multimember must guarantee neutrality undermined appearance bias demeans reputation integrity one jurist larger institution part insistence appearance neutrality artificial attempt mask imperfection judicial process rather essential means ensuring reality fair adjudication appearance reality impartial justice necessary public legitimacy judicial pronouncements thus rule law objective risk actual bias part judge rises unconstitutional level failure recuse deemed harmless commonwealth points ordering rehearing pennsylvania may provide complete relief williams judges exposed disqualified judge may still influenced colleague views rehear case brief respondent inability guarantee complete relief constitutional violation however justify withholding remedy altogether allowing appellate panel reconsider case without participation interested member permit judges probe lines analysis engage discussions may felt constrained avoid first deliberations chief justice castille participation williams case error affected state whole adjudicatory framework williams must granted opportunity present claims unburdened possible temptation hold balance nice clear true state accused tumey ohio judge earlier significant personal involvement prosecutor critical decision defendant case risk actual bias judicial proceeding rises unconstitutional level due process entitles terrance williams proceeding may present case assurance member predisposed find marshall jerrico judgment pennsylvania vacated case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered roberts dissenting terrance williams petitioner pennsylvania writ certiorari pennsylvania eastern district june chief justice roberts justice alito joins dissenting ronald castille district attorney philadelphia authorized prosecutor office seek death penalty terrance williams almost years later chief justice pennsylvania participated deciding whether williams fifth habeas petition raised claim unconnected prosecution decision seek death penalty heard merits instead untimely holds chief justice castille made critical decision prosecutor williams case risk psychologically wedded previous decision violate due process clause decide distinct issues raised habeas petition ante internal quotation marks omitted according conclusion follows maxim man judge case ante internal quotation marks omitted majority opinion rests proverb rather precedent held presumption honesty integrity serving adjudicators withrow larkin overcome presumption majority relies murchison concluded due process clause violated judge adjudicates question based facts already considered grand juror case however williams allege chief justice castille previous knowledge contested facts issue habeas petition previously made decision questions raised petition accordingly hold due process clause require chief justice castille recusal petitioner terrance williams stood trial murder amos norwood prosecutors believed williams friend marc draper asked norwood ride directed cemetery beat death tire iron robbing andrea foulkes philadelphia assistant district attorney prosecuting case prepared page memo superiors homicide unit chief mark gottlieb district attorney ronald castille request ing actively seek death penalty app memo briefly described facts case williams prior felonies including previous murder conviction gottlieb read memo passed castille note recommending death penalty castille wrote bottom memo approved proceed death penalty signed name ibid trial williams testified never met norwood someone else must murdered hearing extensive evidence linking williams crime jury convicted murder sentenced death williams filed habeas petition pennsylvania state alleging trial counsel ineffective failing present mitigating evidence childhood sexual abuse among claims hearing related petition williams acknowledged knew norwood claimed norwood sexually abused petition denied williams filed two state habeas petitions dismissed untimely federal habeas petition also denied see williams beard case arises williams fifth habeas petition filed state petition williams argued entitled new sentencing proceeding prosecution trial failed turn certain evidence suggesting norwood sexually involved boys around williams age time murder crim phila common pleas app undisputed williams fifth habeas petition untimely pennsylvania law order overcome time bar pennsylvania law required williams show failure previously raise claim result interference government officials information relies obtained earlier exercise due diligence state habeas held williams met burden government withheld multiple statements williams trial counsel strengthened inference amos norwood sexually inappropriate number teenage boys williams unable access statements evidentiary proceeding ordered app commonwealth appealed pennsylvania williams filed motion requesting chief justice castille recuse ground personally authorized office seek death penalty nearly years earlier emphasis deleted chief justice castille summarily denied recusal motion pennsylvania proceeded hear case unanimously reinstated williams sentence according pennsylvania williams failed make threshold showing necessary overcome time bar abundant evidence williams knew norwood homosexuality conduct teenage boys well trial sufficient present norwood unsympathetic jury pointed williams course personally aware norwood abuse raised issue trial instead chose disclaim ever met norwood also noted williams raised similar claims abuse first state habeas proceeding ibid chief justice castille concurred separately criticizing lower failing dismiss williams petition frivolous ii context criminal proceeding due process clause requires adopt practices fundamental principles liberty justice inhere idea free government inalienable right citizen government twining new jersey fair trial appeal one right see lisenba california aetna life ins lavoie ensuring right normally within power state regulate procedures laws carried unless procedure offends principle justice rooted traditions conscience people ranked fundamental internal quotation marks omitted clear judge direct personal substantial pecuniary interest case may preside case tumey ohio also held judge may oversee criminal contempt proceeding judge previously served grand juror case party charged contempt conducted insulting attack upon integrity judge carrying potential bias require disqualification mayberry pennsylvania internal quotation marks omitted see murchison prior decision caperton massey coal declined require judicial recusal due process clause beyond defined situations caperton however adopted new standard requires recusal probability actual bias part judge decisionmaker high constitutionally tolerable internal quotation marks omitted framed inquiry whether realistic appraisal psychological tendencies human weakness interest poses risk actual bias prejudgment practice must forbidden guarantee due process adequately implemented internal quotation marks omitted according majority due process clause required chief justice castille recusal significant personal involvement critical trial decision williams case ante otherwise majority explains unacceptable risk actual bias ante majority view conclusion follows analysis murchison ante murchison support majority new rule far murchison involved peculiar michigan law authorized person sit judge grand jury case internal quotation marks omitted pursuant law michigan judge serving grand jury heard testimony two witnesses corruption case testimony persuaded judge one witnesses committed perjury second witness refused answer questions judge accordingly charged witnesses criminal contempt presided trial convicted ibid reversed holding trial violated due process clause today acknowledging murchison differ many respects case like one ante earns full marks understatement fact fails recognize differences critical first murchison found due process violation judge sitting grand jury accused witnesses contempt sitting judge presided trial charge result judge made mind issue case trial even begun held prejudgment violated due process clause second murchison expressed concern judge recollection testimony heard grand juror likely weigh far heavily testimony given trial reason found judge risk calling personal knowledge impression occurred grand jury room rather evidence presented parties ibid neither due process concerns present chief justice castille involved decision seek death penalty perhaps reasonable murchison require recuse challenge casting doubt recommendation case case whether williams may overcome procedural bar filing untimely habeas petition required show government interfered ability raise habeas claim information relies obtained earlier exercise due diligence even williams overcome timeliness bar moreover claim sought raise merits prosecution failed turn certain evidence trial problem murchison judge part accusatory process regarding guilt innocence defendants wholly disinterested called upon decide issue case contrast neither procedural question williams merits claim way concerns pretrial decision seek death penalty abundantly clear unlike murchison chief justice castille made mind either contested evidence legal issues review williams fifth habeas petition neither contested evidence legal issues ever prosecutor page memo prepared assistant district attorney foulkes discuss evidence williams claims withheld prosecution trial also discuss williams allegation norwood sexually abused young men certainly discuss whether williams obtained evidence abuse earlier exercise due diligence williams assert chief justice castille prior knowledge alleged failure prosecution turn evidence argue chief justice castille previously made decision respect evidence role prosecutor even assuming chief justice castille remembered contents memo almost years later doubtful memo given chief justice castille special impression facts issues raised memo majority attempts justify rule based risk judge psychologically wedded previous position prosecutor judge consciously unconsciously avoid appearance erred changed position ante internal quotation marks omitted matter simple logic nothing chief justice castille might rule williams fifth habeas petition suggest judge erred changed position distinct question whether seek death penalty prior trial sum objective risk actual bias ante fundamentally unfair chief justice castille participate decision issue nothing prior participation case due process clause prohibit chief justice castille hearing williams case mean however appropriate williams cites number state decisions ethics opinions prohibit prosecutor later serving judge case prosecuted due process clause mandate recusal cases state authorities determine whether recusal required affirm judgment pennsylvania respectfully dissent contrary conclusion thomas dissenting terrance williams petitioner pennsylvania writ certiorari pennsylvania eastern district june justice thomas dissenting concludes violates due process clause chief justice pennsylvania former district attorney trial prosecutor petitioner terrance williams case review williams fourth petition state postconviction review ante conclusion flawed specter bias alone judicial proceeding deprivation due process rather constitutionalize every judicial disqualification rule left rules legislatures bar associations judgment individual adjudicators williams moreover criminal defendant complaint instead due process protections state postconviction proceedings altogether new civil matter continuation criminal trial lacking ruling williams favor ignores posture precedents commanding less state postconviction proceedings criminal prosecutions involving defendants whose convictions yet final respectfully dissent reader majority opinion might mistakenly think prosecution williams ongoing majority makes mention fact williams sentence final years postconviction posture case crucial importance considering question presented begin protracted procedural history williams repeated attempts collaterally attack sentence years ago williams accomplice beat victim death tire iron socket wrench commonwealth williams williams williams later returned scene crime cemetery soaked victim body gasoline set fire trial williams commenced chief homicide unit district attorney ronald castille approved trial prosecutor decision seek death penalty signing piece paper see app castille involvement williams criminal case thereafter pennsylvania jury convicted williams murder sentenced death williams pennsylvania affirmed conviction sentence five years later williams filed first petition state postconviction relief commonwealth williams williams ii postconviction denied petition williams appealed raising alleged errors ibid pennsylvania included castille new capacity justice affirmed denial relief rejected claims procedural grounds denied remaining claims merits lengthy opinion mention possibility castille bias williams apparently never asked recusal williams filed two petitions state postconviction relief petitions dismissed untimely pennsylvania affirmed commonwealth williams per curiam williams iii commonwealth williams per curiam williams iv castille also presumably participated proceedings williams apparently ask williams made fourth attempt vacate sentence state williams vi williams alleged prosecution violated brady maryland failing disclose exculpatory evidence allegedly exculpatory evidence information williams motive according williams prosecution disclosed counsel knew williams victim previously engaged sexual relationship williams minor williams vi state postconviction agreed vacated sentence commonwealth appealed pennsylvania fourth time williams appeared castille williams ask recuse app castille denied recusal motion declined refer full shortly thereafter vacated postconviction order reinstated williams sentence first noted williams fourth petition filed years williams judgment sentence became final untimely face williams vi rejected trial conclusion exception pennsylvania timeliness rule applied reached inescapable conclusion williams entitled relief see also castille concurring writing separately address important responsibilities state postconviction trial courts serial capital state postconviction matters finally williams filed application reargument app denied application without castille participation castille retired bench nearly two months ruled procedural history illustrates question presented hardly majority makes majority incorrectly refers case us williams criminal case ended single case matter ante see also ante majority frames issue follows whether due process clause permits castille ac accuser judge williams case ante majority answers judge served advocate state case asked adjudicate serious question arises whether judge even diligent effort set aside personal interest outcome ante emphasis added accordingly majority holds judge earlier significant personal involvement prosecutor critical decision defendant case risk actual bias judicial proceeding rises unconstitutional level ante emphasis added wrong however single case castille acted prosecutor adjudicator castille still serving district attorney office williams criminal proceedings ended sentence death became final williams filing petition state postconviction relief continue resurrect already final criminal proceeding postconviction proceeding part criminal proceeding fact considered civil nature pennsylvania finley brings fewer procedural protections see district attorney office third judicial dist osborne williams case therefore presents much different question posited majority accurately characterized whether judge may review petition postconviction relief judge previously served district attorney petitioner criminal case pending reasons follow different question merits different answer ii settled usages modes proceeding existing common statute law england emigration ancestors touchstone due process tumey ohio see also murray lessee hoboken land improvement due process requires judicial proceedings pennsylvania postconviction courts therefore guided historical treatment judicial disqualification neither historical practice case law constitutionalizing practice requires former prosecutor recuse prisoner postconviction proceedings common law fair tribunal meant man shall judge case coke institutes laws england liquis non debet esse judex propiâ causâ conception fair tribunal narrow one judge decide case direct personal financial stake example judge reap fine paid defendant see bonham case eng opining panel adjudicators serve judges give sentence judgment ministers make summons parties moiety forfeiture adjudicate case party see earl derby case eng mere bias without financial stake case grounds disqualification biases judges challenged according blackstone law suppose possibility bias favour judge already sworn administer impartial justice whose authority greatly depends upon presumption idea blackstone commentaries laws england blackstone see also brookes earl rivers hardres eng exch deciding judge favour shall presumed merely involved early american conception judicial disqualification keeping clear simple rule judge disqualified direct pecuniary interest nothing else frank disqualification judges yale frank see also flamm judicial disqualification recusal disqualification judges ed jurisdictions required judges recuse stood profit involvement broadly property involved see moses julian see also jim state mo deciding judge unlawfully interested criminal case slave defendant judge pecuniary interest directly implicated case see davis state tex deciding judge victim theft disqualified prosecution theft see also cooley constitutional limitations ed rejecting financial stake remote trifling insignificant may fairly supposed incapable affecting judgment moses supra creditor lessee debtor may judge case debtor landlord creditor except cases amount party property involved suit great ability meet engagements judge may depend upon success suit inhabitants readington twp hunterdon county dilley deciding judge previously paid survey roadway issue case disqualified shortly founding american notions judicial disqualification expanded important respects particular relevance national state legislatures enacted statutes constitutional provisions diverged common law requiring disqualification judge served counsel one parties first federal recusal statute example required disqualification judge concerned interest also ha counsel either party act may stat many followed suit enacting similar disqualification statutes constitutional provisions expanding rule see wilks state tex app fechheimer washington ind per curiam sjoberg nordin whipple saginaw circuit judge mathis state see owings gibson deciding judge choose whether fairly adjudicate case served lawyer plaintiff action courts applied expanded view disqualification cases involving judges previously served counsel private parties also previously served former attorneys general district attorneys see terry state tex crim app mathis supra expansion modest disqualification required newly appointed judge served counsel case carr fife example rejected argument judge required recuse previously served counsel defendants another matter left judge decide whether improper sit trial suit likewise taylor williams tex texas acknowledged judge common law disqualified sitting cause counsel concluded fact presiding judge counsel case necessarily render interested fortiori texas held judge interested case merely counsel another cause involving title emphasis added see also richmond cced la decisions far able find unanimous counsel means counsel party cause controversy either cause controversy identical disqualification exist wolfe hines cleghorn cleghorn cal limitation person must act counsel adjudicator case makes good sense least one state highest courts feared broader rule wreak havoc circumstance judge counsel parties case involving issues theretofore tried disqualified acting every case parties issues subsequently involved eminent members bar reason extensive professional relations large experience rendered ineligible useless judges blackburn craufurd md indeed broader rule odds historical practice past justices decided cases involving former clients private sector former offices public sector see frank examples legion chief among marbury madison cranch state john marshall sealed failed deliver william marbury commission newly appointed chief justice marshall decided whether mandamus available remedy require james madison finish job see paulsen marbury wrongness constitutional commentary next century entered fray judicial disqualifications handful times drawing longstanding historical practice announced due process clause compels judges disqualify narrow circumstances described time cautioned questions judicial qualification may involve constitutional validity tumey matters kinship personal bias state policy remoteness interest seem generally matters merely legislative discretion ibid see also aetna life ins lavoie due process clause demarks outer boundaries judicial disqualifications first tumey held due process tolerate adjudicator profit case convicted defendant holding paralleled rule certainly violates fourteenth amendment deprives defendant criminal case due process law subject liberty property judgment judge direct personal substantial pecuniary interest reaching conclusion case emphasis added see also ward monroeville deciding mayor adjudicate traffic violations revenue convictions constituted substantial portion municipality revenue later applying tumey rule aetna life held judge decided case involving insurance company direct personal substantial pecuniary interest brought similar case insurer opinion clear immediate effect enhancing legal status settlement value case alterations internal quotation marks omitted second murchison adopted constitutional rule resembling historical practice disqualification former counsel state law empowered trial judge sit man jury meaning compel witnesses appear secret testify suspected crimes secret proceedings trial judge suspected one witnesses lee roy murchison committed perjury charged another john white contempt refused answer judge questions without counsel present see judge tried men open convicted sentenced based part interrogation secret proceedings see defendants appealed arguing trial judge time complainant indicter prosecutor constituted denial fair impartial trial required due process agreed strange system law permitted judge act grand jury try persons accused result investigations broadly speaking murchison rule constitutionalizes early american statutes requiring disqualification single person acts counsel judge single civil criminal tumey murchison arguably reflect historical understandings judicial disqualification traditionally judges disqualified direct substantial pecuniary interest served counsel case historical understandings judicial disqualification resolve williams case castille serve prosecutor judge case us even assuming castille supervisory role district attorney tantamount serving counsel williams criminal case case ended nearly five years castille joined pennsylvania castille participated separate proceeding reviewing williams petition postconviction relief discussed see part supra postconviction proceeding extension williams criminal case instead new civil proceeding see finley case law bears many distinctions two proceedings criminal case williams presumed innocent coffin constitution guaranteed counsel gideon wainwright powell alabama public trial jury peers duncan louisiana empowered confront witnesses crawford washington well requirements criminal proceeding postconviction proceedings presumption innocence disappear ed herrera collins postconviction petitioner constitutional right counsel finley supra see also johnson avery ever held right demand postconviction consider freestanding claim actual innocence herrera supra demand state turn exculpatory evidence osborne see also wright west plurality opinion cataloguing differences direct collateral review concluding hese differences simply reflect fact habeas review entails significant costs internal quotation marks omitted precedents due process rights parallel trial right rather must analyzed light fact already found guilty fair trial limited interest postconviction relief osborne supra castille act counsel judge case castille participation postconviction proceedings violate due process clause castille might personal ly involve critical trial decision ante trial williams criminal trial postconviction proceedings us perhaps castille participation williams postconviction proceeding unwise within bounds historical practice end case members decide time time whether process approved legal traditions people process pacific mut life ins haslip scalia concurring judgment today holding departs practice prior precedents ignoring critical distinction criminal postconviction proceedings chief justice castille direct personal substantial pecuniary interest adjudication williams fourth postconviction petition tumey although majority invokes murchison ante wrongly relies decision murchison judge acted accuser judge proceeding castille see part supra perceived bias majority fears instead outside bounds historical expectations judicial recusal perceived bias without recognized constitutionally compelled ground disqualification recent decision caperton massey coal caperton decided due process demanded disqualification extreme facts proved probability actual bias caperton course elicited questions answers roberts dissenting conclusion bias alone grounds disqualification constitutional matter represents complete departure common law principles frank see blackstone law suppose possibility bias favor judge therefore readily extend caperton probability actual bias rule state postconviction proceedings precedents demand far less process postconviction proceedings criminal prosecution see osborne supra see also cafeteria restaurant workers mcelroy concluding due process clause demand inflexible procedures universally applicable every imaginable situation state habeas petitioner entitled counsel constitutional matter state postconviction proceedings finley supra unreasonable think likewise entitled demand constitutional matter state postconviction consider case anew judge direct substantial pecuniary interest served counsel case failed recuse bias majority fears problem state legislature resolve federal constitution see aetna life need decide whether allegations bias prejudice judge type ever sufficient due process clause force recusal indeed appears pennsylvania set standard requiring judge disqualify served governmental employment capacity participated personally substantially lawyer public official concerning proceeding code judicial conduct see code judicial conduct rule west officials pennsylvania fully capable deciding judges participated personally substantially manner require disqualification without intervention due process requires especially state postconviction review ha flexibility deciding procedures needed osborne supra iii even assume error occurred williams state postconviction proceedings question remains whether anything left pennsylvania courts remedy majority remands case llo appellate panel reconsider case without participation interested member declares permit judges probe lines analysis engage discussions may felt constrained avoid first deliberations ante majority neglects mention pennsylvania might done entertained williams motion reargument without castille retired months denied motion pennsylvania free decide remand cured alleged deprivation due process williams postconviction proceeding considering motion reargument without castille participation case ante quoting tumey supra case due process rights already convicted whatever rights might include policing alleged violations state codes judicial ethics postconviction proceedings due process clause require conceivable procedural protections members think western liberal democratic government guarantee citizens monaghan perfect constitution rev emphasis deleted respectfully dissent footnotes williams also filed federal habeas petition federal courts ultimately rejected williams beard williams cert denied williams wetzel setting aside prosecutor violate brady failing disclose information defendant defendant motive kill worth noting allegation merely repackaged old arguments state postconviction hearing williams presented evidence prior sexual abuse including multiple sexual victimizations including sodomy childhood support ineffective assistance claim williams ii saylor dissenting argued victim engaged homosexual acts williams vi federal habeas proceedings williams admitted plan night murder threaten reveal victim wife victim homosexual contended attorney presented related evidence victim prior sexual relationship williams supra applied murchison later cases involving contempt proceedings litigant contemptuous conduct egregious judge become controversy judge party mayberry pennsylvania see also taylor hayes