Billy Hill v. Dr. George J. Beto, Director, Texas Department of Corrections

This is an appeal from denial of a writ of habeas corpus following conviction and appeal in the Texas state courts.

Petitioner raised but one issue. In a pre-trial hearing on the voluntariness of his confession, held outside the presence of the jury, with petitioner represented by counsel, the prosecutor was permitted to cross-examine as to the truth or falsity of the confession. Petitioner acknowledged that the confession was correct. In arguing admissibility the prosecutor urged that truth of the confession was a consideration to be taken into account.

In his habeas petition appellant urged…