Case ID: mont_176/html/0070-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "MR. JUSTICE DALY MR. JUSTICE HARRISON,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. RONALD HARRIS, Defendant and Appellant.
    No. 13876.
    Submitted Jan. 25, 1978.
    Decided March 13, 1978.
    576 P.2d 257
    Mr. Justice Harrison dissented.
    Byron W. Boggs argued, Anaconda, for defendant and appellant.
    Michael T. Greely, Atty. Gen., Helena, Dennis Dunphy argued, Sheri K. Sprigg, Asst. Atty. Gen. argued, Helena, for plaintiff and respondent.
   MR. JUSTICE DALY

delivered the opinion of the Court.

On March 8, 1977, Ronald Harris, an inmate of Montana state prison, was convicted by jury verdict for the crime of possession of a weapon by a prisoner, a felony in violation of section 94-8-213, R.C.M.1947. The District Court, Powell County, subsequently sentenced Harris to a term of five years in the Montana state prison, such term to be served consecutive to the sentence Harris is now serving. Harris appeals from the judgment of conviction on the grounds the District Court erred in denying his motion to suppress and in admitting into evidence at his criminal trial incriminating statements made by Harris at an earlier disciplinary hearing conducted at Montana state prison.

On August 7, 1976, prison officials at Montana state prison discovered a handmade steel knife in a cell shared by Harris and another prisoner, John Hendricks. The knife had been concealed in a hollowed out portion of the wooden frame of a mirror. The mirror is supplied to inmates by the prison as part of the standard furnishings of each cell. Upon discovery of the knife, Harris and Hendricks were removed to the maximum security unit and charged for violating the Montana State Prison Inmate Rules and Guidelines, specifically Rule No. 215 — “Possession or introduction of a gun, firearm, weapon, sharpened instrument, knife or unauthorized tool.”

In compliance with the Inmate Rules and Guidelines, prison disciplinary hearings were scheduled for August 12, 1976. Harris and Hendricks were provided an inmate “lay-advisor” of their choice who assisted them in preparation for the disciplinary hearing. Hendricks’ disciplinary hearing was conducted first and Harris appeared as a witness. In response to questions posed by the inmate lay-advisor, Harris made statements tending to admit his possession of the knife. Following Harris’ admissions, the disciplinary hearing was adjourned. Harris was given his Miranda rights for the first time and removed to the maximum security unit of the prison.

On August 26, 1976, the county attorney for Powell County filed an Information charging Harris and Hendricks with violation of section 94-8-213, R.C.M.1947. Charges against Hendricks were subsequently dismissed. Harris entered a plea of not guilty and moved the District Court to suppress those statements made by Harris at the prison disciplinary hearing. Harris’ motion to suppress was denied and the District Court allowed the prosecution to introduce evidence of statements made by Harris at the disciplinary hearing. Subsequent to introduction of the evidence, defense counsel entered a motion to strike, which was also denied by the District Court.

In this appeal, we will not consider the issue of the prison disciplinary committee’s use of Harris’ admission. Our inquiry is limited to the admissibility of the incriminating statements at Harris’ criminal trial. Harris contends the introduction into evidence at his criminal trial of incriminating statements made by him when a witness at the prison disciplinary hearing, without a caution of his right to remain silent and his right to legal counsel, violated the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment, United States Constitution. Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694; Mathis v. United States (1968), 391 U.S. 1, 88 s.Ct. 1503, 20 L.Ed.2d 381; United States v. Redfield (4th Cir. 1968), 402 F.2d 454. Miranda, Mathis and Redfield required the exclusion of a defendant’s admission where the immediate objective of the officials was not to obtain evidence for use in criminal trials, but later it was decided to use the defendant’s self-incriminating answers in prosecutions.

We conclude such authority is controlling over the facts of this case, even though the incriminating statements were in response to the questions of the inmate lay-advisor and not a prison official. The prison disciplinary hearing was conducted by prison officials for the purpose of ascertaining inmate responsibility for prison offenses punishable under the Inmate Rules and Guidelines. No notice of potential criminal prosecution was announced to Harris until after he uttered the incriminating statements at Hendricks’ disciplinary hearing. The constitutional guarantees of the Fifth Amendment, as announced in Miranda, Mathis and Redfield, cannot be subverted under the guise Harris knowingly and voluntarily uttered the incriminating statements.

Further, the Montana State Prison Inmate Rules and Guidelines specifically protect against the very procedures which occurred in the present case:

“SECTION D

“RULES OF INMATE OFFENSES

"D-II. Application and Prosecution Thereunder

“2. Whenever a misdemeanor or felony is alleged to have been committed:

“a. It will be the duty of the Warden or his designate to report any violation of a federal, state or local law to applicable law enforcement authorities.

“b. After a violation of this nature has been reported to law enforcement authorities, the inmate shall not be questioned about the incident until after it has been determined that no prosecution will occur or until a findings of guilt is made.

“c. If a violation has been reported to law enforcement authorities, no institutional charges pertaining to the same charge shall be filed against the inmate until completion of the investigation and prosecution, if any, or if prosecuted, until the inmate has been found guilty of the charge.”

Since our holding is controlled by the above discussion, those issues raised by defendant which challenge the jury instruction need not be considered.

The judgment of the conviction is vacated and the case dismissed.

MR. JUSTICES HASWELL and SHEA concur.

MR. JUSTICE HARRISON,

dissenting:

I dissent to the opinion and would affirm the District Court.