Case Name: STATE of Missouri, Respondent, v. Gurney Edward BUCKLES, Appellant
Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
Jurisdiction: Missouri
Decision Date: 1982-08-23
Citations: 636 S.W.2d 914
Docket Number: No. 63808
Parties: STATE of Missouri, Respondent, v. Gurney Edward BUCKLES, Appellant.
Judges: DONNELLY, C. J., and RENDLEN, WELLIVER, MORGAN and HIGGINS, JJ., concur.
Reporter: South Western Reporter Second Series
Volume: 636
Pages: 914–929

Head Matter:
STATE of Missouri, Respondent, v. Gurney Edward BUCKLES, Appellant.
No. 63808.
Supreme Court of Missouri, En Banc.
Aug. 23, 1982.
Amy Johnson Davis, Bloomington, Ill., for appellant.
Hon. John Ashcroft, Atty. Gen., Neil MacFarlane, Asst. Atty. Gen., Jefferson City, for respondent.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Gurney Edward Buckles was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to forty years in prison for the killing of Donald Stewart. An expanded panel of the Court of Appeals, Western District, affirmed the judgment; the case was certified to this Court by a dissenting judge in belief that the majority's decision on one of several points on appeal was in conflict with State v. Oldham, 618 S.W.2d 647 (Mo. banc 1981). The case is determined as an original appeal, Mo.Const. art. V, § 10; the judgment will be affirmed in an opinion which incorporates much of the majority opinion of Swofford, Senior Judge.
The statement of facts in appellant's brief is accepted by the state and upon comparison with the transcript and record is deemed to be in full compliance with the rule governing such statement.
On January 13, 1978, Gurney Edward Buckles was hitchhiking north on Interstate Highway 29 in north Missouri when he was picked up by Donald Stewart, the eventual victim of this homicide. Stewart told Buckles he was on his way to Sanborn, Minnesota, to purchase a newspaper operation, and asked Buckles to accompany him in case of automobile trouble. Buckles agreed, and over the course of the next two days, he and Stewart traveled to Sanborn and then returned to Buckles's "home territory" around Forest City, Missouri, on January 15, 1978. During the course of this journey involving two overnight motel stays, Stewart asked Buckles to participate in homosexual acts, which Buckles refused on two separate occasions. •
Upon arriving at the trailer of Buckles's friend, Jim Book, located eight miles south of Forest City, Missouri, Buckles opened his door, reached around to the back seat to retrieve his backpack, and turned around to find Stewart with a knife in his hand; Stewart insisted Buckles perform sodomy. After orally refusing but still encountering Stewart's insistence, Buckles swung his backpack around striking Stewart's arm. In the ensuing struggle, Buckles obtained the knife and stabbed Stewart a couple of times in the front, then jumped out of the car, pulled Stewart out, and stabbed him some more. Buckles testified he was scared, mad, and a little shocked at the time.
Following this stabbing, Buckles placed Stewart's body in the rear seat of the car, drove down to the bank of the Missouri River, which in January contained ice chunks, and put the body in the water. Buckles removed Stewart's identification and took $10.00 from his coat. He had considered rolling the entire car into the river, but decided to utilize it to rob "something" to enable him to leave that part of the country. He didn't call the authorities because he had long hair and a beard, the victim was a teacher, and therefore he felt he would not be believed. He drove the car to Oregon, Missouri and parked it across the block from Earl Nash's house, where he had been staying. On cross-examination, Buckles testified he hadn't discontinued the trip with Stewart after the homosexual advances because of the winter weather.
The next day, Buckles used Stewart's car in a robbery of the Farmers State Bank in Rosendale, Missouri. He fled to the state of California, where he was apprehended and was later returned to the Jackson County Jail on federal bank robbery charges.
On May 3, 1978, a body was discovered floating in the Missouri River on the Kansas side near St. Joseph, Missouri. This body was identified as that of Donald Stewart by means of dental records. An autopsy was performed in Kansas and the surgeon performing the same testified that he found "many knife wounds" on both the front and back of the body and lacerations of the palms of both hands. The surgeon stated his opinion that death was caused "by a laceration of the aorta caused by a sharp instrument" and that Stewart "was already dead when he was placed in the water."
On February 3, 1978, while incarcerated at the Jackson County, Missouri jail on the federal bank robbery charge, Buckles was visited by FBI Agent Joseph Holtslag; Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Robert Anderson; Holt County Sheriff Melvin Hayz-lett; and Andrew County Sheriff Reed Miller. After introductions and Buckles's indication he would see what the officers wanted, an interview took place. Buckles informed these officers he had been advised by his federal defense counsel not to talk with law enforcement officers. The officers then asked: "about the bank robbery?", to which Buckles responded "Yes." The officers then said they were there concerning the whereabouts of Donald Stewart, and then furnished and read aloud a printed Miranda warning and waiver of rights, which Buckles refused to sign. Buckles said he did not know any Donald Stewart. Upon his request to see a picture of Stewart, Buckles was shown a photograph of Stewart and was informed the Minnesota trip had been traced. Buckles became emotional and tearful and asked, "Can we make a deal?" When told "No," he signed the Miranda waiver and then confessed his relations with Stewart and the homicide.
On February 4, 1978, the Holt County prosecutor filed a felony complaint charging Buckles with murder. On February 21, Buckles wrote a letter to the magistrate judge informing him of his indigency and requesting appointed counsel. On April 25 of the same year, Buckles pleaded guilty to the federal bank robbery charge, was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment, and his federal defense attorney sent a letter on this date to the state prosecuting authorities requesting a speedy trial of the state charge. Thereafter, Buckles was incarcerated in a federal penitentiary in El Reno, Oklahoma, and an initial detainer was lodged in Washington, D. C. with the attorney general's office on May 5, 1978. On December 29,1978, Buckles was returned to Holt County for the homicide proceedings and counsel was appointed. On that day motions to suppress evidence and to dismiss were filed.
On February 14, 1979, the motions to suppress and to dismiss were overruled after a preliminary hearing, and the case was ordered to the circuit court for trial. On March 5, 1979, an information charging Buckles with capital murder was filed. He was arraigned and counsel was appointed on March 7, 1978. He filed an application for prohibition, a motion to remand to the magistrate court for a new preliminary hearing and a motion to dismiss. On March 26,1978, motions to suppress confession and any police testimony in relation thereto, and to dismiss on constitutional grounds were filed.
On April 6, 1979, a hearing was held on the various motions and they and the application for prohibition were overruled; the motion to suppress evidence was taken under advisement.
On April 25, 1979, further motions were filed to remand, dismiss, quash, force disclosure, and suppress evidence, which after hearing were overruled except for the motion to suppress any evidence of the bank robbery which was taken under advisement.
On April 26,1979, a jury panel was called and during voir dire discharged on the motion of defendant. A second jury panel was summoned and exhausted on challenges for cause. A mistrial was declared and the cause reset. On May 7, 1979, defendant filed an application for change of venue and the case was transferred to Grundy County. The trial commenced in Grundy County on June 13, 1979, resulting in the verdict and judgment.
I
Appellant charges the court erred in submitting any first degree murder instruction (No. 7), asserting there was insufficient evidence to support such submission because it was not shown that the killing occurred during the commission of another felony, and that the court erred in rereading the instruction to the jury after a correction of wording.
The record shows that this case was submitted to the jury under instructions on capital murder, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and manslaughter. As noted, the jury found defendant guilty of murder in the second degree and, under the present procedure of bifurcated trials, assessed his punishment at forty years imprisonment, upon which verdict the judgment was entered.
During the reading of the instructions to the jury the court discovered that Instruction No. 7 on first degree murder, through clerical or typing error, omitted the required finding, "If you find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt," etc. before the first paragraph of the instruction. The court amended the instruction so as to include this language and reread it to the jury.
By the verdict and judgment these contentions became moot. In this state of the record the appellant is in no position to complain of the giving of an instruction on a certain degree of murder when he was not convicted of that offense. State v. McQueen, 399 S.W.2d 3, 6, [3] (Mo.1966), cert. denied 384 U.S. 977, 86 S.Ct. 1873, 16 L.Ed.2d 687; State v. Eldridge, 564 S.W.2d 603, 605[6] (Mo.App.1978), and cases cited. Similarly, the correction of the error in Instruction No. 7 by the court and rereading it to the jury so that it could be properly instructed with respect to first degree murder is moot.
II
Appellant charges error to admission of evidence relating to the bank robbery on the day after the homicide. Evidence of an independent and unconnected crime is inadmissible to prove the crime charged, unless it tends to establish motive, intent, absence of mistake or accident, common scheme or plan embracing the commission of multiple related crimes, or the identity of the person charged. State v. Reese, 457 S.W.2d 713 (Mo. banc 1970). The test of admissibility is whether the logical relevancy of the separate crime to a particular exception tends to prove a material fact in issue, a judicial question. If this requisite degree of relevancy cannot be clearly perceived, the accused should enjoy the benefit of the doubt and the evidence of a separate crime rejected. State v. Tillman, 454 S.W.2d 923, 926[5] (Mo.1970); State v. Frazier, 550 S.W.2d 590, 596-97[5-6] (Mo.App.1977).
The record shows the following which supports the admission of the evidence in question.
Prior to the homicide, defendant told friends he was going to rob a bank, although it is not clear whether the Rosen-dale Bank was specified; he had no automobile available; he would need transportation to and from Rosendale because it was approximately 20 miles from where he lived or usually stayed; he killed Stewart by means of multiple stab wounds and robbed the bank the next day using the Stewart car, having parked it the night of the homicide in the vicinity of the bank for use as a "getaway" car; he exhibited the car keys to his friends prior to the robbery and stated to them that he was too far into the robbery plans to get out; and, using the money obtained in the robbery he proceeded by air to flee to California. This evidence is competent to prove a "related crime" and was also evidence from which a reasonable inference could be drawn as to intent, motive or premeditation to dispose of Stewart in order to obtain his car to carry out the planned bank robbery.
Ill
Appellant asserts his constitutional right to a speedy trial was not accorded him and that his right to due process and counsel under both the United States and the Missouri constitutional provisions were violated.
A
The record shows that defendant's trial occurred approximately fifteen months after the filing of the original complaint in the magistrate court. This alone, however, does not support the charge that the trial court erred in failing to dismiss the proceedings. Each case where this constitutional point is raised must be viewed against its record.
The courts have established well-defined guidelines for the initial consideration by the trial court and review by appellate courts.
In Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), the court set forth the basic considerations to be employed and balanced in such situation: (1) the length of delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) the defendant's assertion of his right to a speedy trial; and (4) resulting prejudice to the defendant. These guidelines have been followed and applied in Missouri in cases where it is claimed a violation of defendant's rights to a speedy trial occurred. State v. Haddix, 566 S.W.2d 266, 274[9] (Mo.App.1978). See also State v. Hollis, 584 S.W.2d 137 (Mo.App.1979). As to the matter of resulting prejudice to the defendant, the court in State v. Haddix, supra, declared that the principal factors to be considered are: (1) prevention of undue or oppressive incarceration; (2) minimization of anxiety; and (3) limitation of defendant's ability to defend himself.
Appellant claims that after he had demanded a speedy trial of the state charge a period of 15 months elapsed until he was first brought to trial. The record discloses that he directed a letter dated February 21, 1978, to the magistrate before whom the original complaint was filed requesting that counsel be appointed to represent him. On April 25, 1978, after guilty plea and sentence on the bank robbery charge, the assistant federal public defender who had represented defendant in the federal case wrote the then prosecuting attorney of Holt County and asked that in view of the lengthy federal sentence that dismissal of the state charge be considered and, if dismissal was declined, that defendant be given a speedy trial. Respondent argues that the defendant at no time asked for or demanded a speedy trial, and the federal public defender was not representing the defendant in the state court action and had no authority to act in his behalf.
While this argument is interesting and somewhat ingenious, it, by no means, is decisive of the appellant's contention. The passage of 15 months between the charge and trial is not ipso facto an inordinate or unconstitutional delay. Longer lapses of time have been held not a denial of the constitutional right to a speedy trial. See for example Barker v. Wingo, supra, (61 months); and State v. Hollis, supra, (21 months).
A search of this record in an attempt to fix the reason or fault for this 15-month delay, leaves some unanswered questions. Accepting the federal public defender's letter of April 25,1978, as an adequate request for a speedy trial, the only part of the 15-month delay that can be directly charged to actions of the state arose from unusual circumstances. On May 5, 1978, the then Holt County prosecuting attorney attempted to file a request for temporary custody of the defendant under the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Law, § 222.080, et seq., RSMo, who was then in the custody of the authorities at the federal penitentiary at El Reno, Oklahoma. Such request was improperly sent to the office of the Attorney General of the United States. The prosecutor left office and on October 22, 1978, a newly appointed prosecuting attorney of Holt County mailed a proper request to the federal authorities at El Reno. Defendant was returned to Holt County on December 29, 1978, counsel was appointed by the magistrate judge, and motions were filed on defendant's behalf. On February 14,1979, his motions were overruled, he was granted a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the circuit court. An information charging capital murder was filed March 5, 1979, and defendant was formally arraigned on March 7, 1979. After the filing of various motions, they were heard and disposed of, and his first trial, resulting in a mistrial, commenced April 25, 1979.
Thus it appears that of the 15 months, six months, May 5,1978, to October 22, 1978, was the result of the inadvertent and mistaken filing of the proper detainer papers with the wrong authorities. Under such circumstances, the first three tests or guidelines in Barker v. Wingo, supra, did not require the dismissal of this prosecution. The last or fourth factor in Barker v. Win-go, supra, prejudice to the defendant as further refined in State v. Haddix, supra, (1) prevention of undue and oppressive incarceration; (2) minimization of anxiety; and (3) limitation of defendant's ability to defend himself, must be reviewed in the light of the record.
The transfer of defendant from El Reno, Oklahoma, to Missouri under proper request in May, 1978, rather than October, 1978, would have in no degree prevented his incarceration in Missouri, since he was already serving a 15-year sentence, or in any way minimized his "anxiety."
Did the trial delay work to the prejudice of defendant (consideration 4 in Barker v. Wingo, supra) in that his ability to defend himself was thereby limited (consideration 3 in State v. Haddix, supra)l
The resulting prejudice to require reversal must be actual prejudice apparent on the record or by reasonable inference — not speculative or possible prejudice. United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 324, 92 S.Ct. 455, 465, 30 L.Ed.2d 468 (1971). Because defendant was the only witness to the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of the victim, he had confessed guilt prior to trial and was urging self-defense, and because he testified in substantial accordance with his prior confession, speculation must be employed to conclude that he was prejudiced by his incarceration in El Reno, Oklahoma, during the 6-month period involved instead of in Holt County, Missouri.
Further, defendant was represented by appointed counsel from December 29, 1978, the date when he personally appeared before the magistrate court in Missouri, to the present date. He was ably represented, both in the early proceedings, the trial, and on this appeal. His counsel displayed not only energy and ingenuity, but also afforded defendant every legal defense permissible under the law.
B
Appellant charges the court erred in overruling his motion to dismiss because of the failure of the state to bring him to trial within the time limits required by Section 222.160 RSMo, which provides that whenever a detainer is lodged against a defendant imprisoned in a sister (party) state, he must be brought to trial within 180 days of the date of his request for final disposition of the case delivered to the appropriate prosecuting officer and the court. Appellant asserts further that he complied substantially with the terms of that law and that the state failed to bring him to trial within the time specified by the statute.
He asserts further error in overruling his motion to dismiss as a deprivation of his federal and state constitutional right to counsel at every critical stage of the prosecution, because counsel was not appointed for him until (12/29/78) eleven months after his written request for appointed counsel (letter dated 2/21/78).
Involved here is the procedure to be followed under the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Law, Section 222.080, et seq., RSMo 1978. Section 222.160 thereof invokes the 180-day trial rule if triggered by a proper request followed by the proper procedures.
The request must: be caused to be delivered to the prosecuting officer and appropriate court where trial is sought; seek a final disposition of the charges; and, be accompanied by a certificate of the official having custody of the prisoner together with all pertinent information concerning his incarceration. The Act clearly provides that the petitioner deliver such notice and request to the official "having custody of him" who in turn is charged with the duty to forward the request, together with the supporting documents required, to the appropriate prosecuting official and court by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Section 222.160, Article III. Further, the Act specifically provides that these procedures are appropriate and effective to commence the running of the 180-day limit for trial only when "a detainer has been lodged against the prisoner." Section 220.160, Article III (1).
These procedures are reasonable and proper requirement in the interest of orderly jurisdictional and custodial process. State v. Patterson, 508 S.W.2d 304, 306[2] (Mo.App.1974); State v. Savage, 522 S.W.2d 144, 147[2, 3] (Mo.App.1975); State v. Soloway, 603 S.W.2d 688, 690[2, 3] (Mo.App.1980).
As shown by the record, the letters of February 21, 1978 (defendant's request that counsel be appointed) and the letter of April 25, 1978, (assistant federal public defender's advice of defendant's plea and sentence on federal charge, request for dismissal of state charge or for speedy trial) did not constitute compliance with the procedural requirements of the Act. This is apparent because the defendant on those dates was not in the custody of the El Reno, Oklahoma federal authorities nor, of course, had any detainer been filed against him by the state.
Appellant's contention is that his attempt at compliance by the letter of April 25 should be viewed as substantial compliance triggering the 180-day time period, especially because he was without state appointed counsel at the time of the request and during his incarceration up until December 29, 1978. He relies on State ex rel. Saxton v. Moore, 598 S.W.2d 586 (Mo.App.1980), clearly distinguishable and not authoritative here. Saxton was imprisoned with a de-tainer lodged at the time of his letter request for final disposition. The prosecution responded with a letter containing the appropriate forms for him to fill in. These were filled out and returned to the prosecution, but no copy was sent to the appropriate court. The prosecution then accepted temporary custody which was ineffective and caused delay because no offer of temporary custody had been issued by the prison officials. The court stated, 1. c. 590, that good faith substantial compliance, omitting "nothing essential to the Agreement's operation," was sufficient to trigger the Act. The failure to notify the appropriate court was held waived by the prosecution's acceptance of custody and stated intention therein to bring defendant to trial within the time specified by the Agreement. The preliminary writ of prohibition, a trial not being had within 180 days of the acceptance of temporary custody and waiver of notice to the appropriate court, properly was made absolute.
C
Appellant asserts in support of his alleged unconstitutional denial of the right to counsel at critical stages of prosecution, prejudice from the failure to locate potential witnesses, failure to obtain a second pathological opinion as to the nature of the knife used in the killing and to locate certain witnesses in Arizona who were not later available or could not be located.
The general rule of law is that the defendant is entitled to assistance of counsel at all critical stages of prosecution, and this right attached at the pleading stage. Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 53 S.Ct. 55, 77 L.Ed. 158 (1932); Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S.Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed.2d 799 (1963); Coleman v. Alabama, 399 U.S. 1, 90 S.Ct. 1999, 26 L.Ed.2d 387 (1970); United States v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218, 87 S.Ct. 1926, 18 L.Ed.2d 1149 (1967); Gilbert v. California, 388 U.S. 263, 87 S.Ct. 1951, 18 L.Ed.2d 1178 (1967); State v. Quinn, 594 S.W.2d 599, 604[10] (Mo. banc 1980); State v. Alberts, 519 S.W.2d 562, 565[3] (Mo.App.1975).
Appellant's claim is not persuasive. The purpose of the right to counsel is to ensure a fair trial. The transcript shows two appointed counsel who made extensive preparation, filed pretrial motions, took depositions, gave effective trial representation and effective post trial work. The prejudice charged by appellant to the temporary lack of counsel at any critical stage of the proceedings is speculative at most. That an additional pathological opinion or interviews with the unfound witnesses may have benefitted defendant, is not real prejudice, and to order a new trial on speculation that earlier-appointed counsel could have provided these benefits is unwarranted.
IV
Appellant urges this Court to abandon the rule in homicide cases involving an issue of self-defense which limits a homicide victim's character evidence to that which shows a reputation for known turbulence and violence as unduly restrictive.
More specifically, he asserts that the state "opened up" the matter of the victim's "character" when the victim's dentist testified he had seen the victim in church and that, therefore, the court erred in sustaining the state's motion to limit testimony to the long-established rule in homicide-self-defense cases to known turbulent and violent reputation of the victim, which rule he characterizes as unduly and "unreasonably restrictive" and one that "should be abandoned." He asserts that under this rule the trial court precluded him from presenting evidence that the victim was "insane" at the time he was killed which corroborated the defendant's theory of self-defense and was admissible rebuttal evidence to the "state's evidence of victim's good character." On the issue of self-defense there can be no doubt of the rule that evidence of the deceased's reputation for turbulence and violence is admissible as relevant to show who was the aggressor and whether a reasonable apprehension of danger existed; but such evidence must be proved by general reputation testimony, not specific acts of violence, and defendant must show he knew of such reputation when the issue is reasonable apprehension. State v. Maggitt, 517 S.W.2d 105, 107[1] (Mo. banc 1974); State v. Robinson, 556 S.W.2d 73, 74[1, 2] (Mo.App.1977); and State v. Howard, 564 S.W.2d 71, 76[7] (Mo. App.1978).
Appellant contends the present rule operated to deprive him unfairly of corroborative evidence as to who was the aggressor in this homicide. In closing argument the state emphasized that self-defense was not plausible in view of defendant's larger physical stature, and further argued this was a planned killing. Appellant contends that his offer of proof, which included fellow schoolteachers' statements and a hospital record indicating the victim's instability and sometimes odd behavioral patterns, all of which offers dated back several years, deprived the jury of information making the defense of the victim's initial aggression more believable in light of the evidence already adduced as to his being seen at church. Appellant further asserts, that because the victim's mental state was not clearly pictured, defendant was unable to present a complete, coherent, and reasonable defense.
Appellant cites authorities for the proposition that in homicide cases involving self-defense, the rule should be expanded to allow evidence of the decedent's mental illness on the issue of who was the aggressor. In Evans v. United States, 277 F.2d 354[1-3] (D.C.Cir.1960), a conviction was reversed and remanded for exclusion of evidence of deceased's mental insanity known by the deceased's wife. This is one of a line of cases admitting specific acts of violence as well as general reputation evidence; however, the specific grounds of the reversal are that the testimony would show the deceased was aggressive when drunk. In State v. Shahane, 56 N.D. 642, 219 N.W. 132, 134[5] (1928), it was held that evidence that deceased was insane and dangerous when insane was similar to evidence of aggressiveness when intoxicated, and should similarly be admitted. Both of these cases involve the element of violence of the deceased, which does not directly appear in this record. Appellant's contention fails because none of the tendered offers of proof fit the requirement that the evidence be of deceased's tendency to be violent and turbulent. The present rule, based on relevancy, is well founded and generally accepted, and should not be abandoned.
V
This is the certified question. Appellant contends the admission of his confession was erroneous as, under the totality of the circumstances, he did not voluntarily, know-mgly, and intelligently waive his right to be silent or consult with an attorney before making the confession. The facts and sequence of defendant's interview by police officials on February 3,1978, at the Jackson County Jail have been noted above and need not be repeated.
Once the admissibility of a statement or confession has been challenged, the burden of proving its voluntariness falls upon the state, which must show voluntariness by a preponderance of the evidence. State v. Olds, 569 S.W.2d 745, 751[4] (Mo. banc 1978). The test for voluntariness is whether the totality of the circumstances deprived defendant of a free choice to admit, to deny, or to refuse to answer, and whether physical or psychological coercion was of such a degree that defendant's will was overborne at the time he confessed. State v. Higgins, 592 S.W.2d 151, 158[8] (Mo. banc 1979).
In the totality of circumstances in this case, it is established that defendant was counselled not to talk about the bank robbery charge, and this was respected by the officers. It is equally established that Buckles subsequently and voluntarily engaged in a discussion of Donald Stewart, distinct from the robbery charge. He asked to see a photograph of Stewart, became emotional, asked to make a "deal," and confessed to Stewart's murder, after which he executed a waiver of his rights against interrogation without presence of counsel. It was not improper for the officers to continue the interrogation of defendant with respect to homicide after clarifying they were not interested in the bank robbery. See United States v. Johnson, 529 F.2d 581, 584 (8th Cir.1975). This record provides a basis for the trial court's ruling in satisfaction of and free of conflict with State v. Oldham, supra. Conflicts, if any, in the evidence were for the trial court to resolve, and this Court defers to the trial court's superior position in which to determine credibility. Mo.Dig., Crim.Law, Key Nos. 414, 532(2) and 1153(1).
VI
Appellant argues that his confession was obtained in violation of Disciplinary Rule 7-104(a)(1), Rule 4, Code of Professional Responsibility; that the resulting evidence was illegally obtained, and therefore not properly available for use by the prosecution. Professional responsibility of attorneys is a factor to be considered in evaluating the admissibility of confessions, but once waiver is shown, the Code of Professional Responsibility has no role in admissibility. State v. McConnell, 529 S.W.2d 185, 189[4] (Mo.App.1975). Appellant's argument is that it was the trial court's duty under the Code to prohibit the state from using any evidence obtained from the statement obtained in violation of this rule.
Appellant applied for a writ of prohibition against the use of this statement and the evidence obtained on the same grounds. The motion was quashed; appeal taken to the Supreme Court and transfer to the Court of Appeals where order was entered sustaining the trial court's quashing of the motion without an opinion (State ex rel. Gurney Edward Buckles v. Wilson, WD 30, 873). Assuming presence of some disciplinary rule violation, no precedent is cited or found incorporating this type "fruit of the poisonous tree" approach to excluding the obtained evidence. The McConnell rationale excluding disciplinary rule considerations from admissibility questions where waiver and voluntariness appear is applicable.
VII
Appellant's contention that the trial court erroneously failed to sustain the motion for directed verdict of acquittal of capital murder for failure to prove premeditation is without merit. Under the prosecution's theory, the evidence clearly supported the inference that Buckles planned to kill, rob, and use the car of Stewart in the "planned" bank robbery. See State v. Smart, 485 S.W.2d 90, 93[2] (Mo.1972) for the proposition that premeditation for any duration, however brief, is sufficient. As pointed out in I, supra, error, if any, would not be prejudicial regarding this submission because defendant was not convicted of capital murder.
VIII
Appellant contends the state failed to meet its burden of proof regarding self-defense and second degree murder. Once a prima facie showing of self-defense is made, the burden is on the state to rebut by showing the killing was not justifiable. State v. Ford, 491 S.W.2d 540, 542[3] (Mo.1973). The state met this burden. Under the evidence favorable to the verdict, defendant was bigger and stronger than the victim, warned him he would take the knife away and use it on him, was not wounded by the victim, and after taking the knife defendant no longer experienced any fear. Nevertheless, he did not try to utilize any available avenue of escape or avoidance, ignored the victim's plea with defensively raised hands to stop, stabbed him repeatedly both in and out of the car, placed the victim's body in the river, and fled.
Similarly, the state met its burden of providing evidence that appellant did not kill out of fear, anger, or agitation suddenly provoked by the victim's unexpected acts. State v. Holt, 592 S.W.2d 759, 764[2] (Mo. banc 1980). The previously discussed evidence on lack of self-defense and premeditation is sufficient to support these submissions and orders overruling defendant's motions for acquittal.
The judgment below is affirmed.
DONNELLY, C. J., and RENDLEN, WELLIVER, MORGAN and HIGGINS, JJ., concur.
SEILER, J., dissents in separate dissenting opinion filed.
BARDGETT, J., dissents and concurs in separate dissenting opinion of SEILER, J.
. Compare
Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 68 L.Ed.2d 378 (1981). This Court finds Buckles's case inapposite on the facts surrounding the circumstances incident to the confession of Edwards and in that area not controlling here. A significant finding of the majority in Edwards states:
We further hold that an accused, such as Edwards, having expressed his desire to deal with the police only through counsel, is not subject to further interrogation by the authorities until counsel has been made available to him, unless the accused himself initiates further communications, exchanges, or conversations with the police.
Id. at 484-85, 101 S.Ct. at 1884-85. As set forth in the body of this opinion Buckles's conduct upon the occasion of the interrogation brings him squarely within the exception noted in the above quotation from Edwards.
State v. Oldham, 618 S.W.2d 647 (Mo. banc 1981). In Oldham the Court quoted with approval the above rule and exception in Edwards as the law in Missouri. Oldham refused to make a statement, requested an attorney and did not in any way initiate further communication from which the challenged statement was taken, in which circumstances it was improper to admit the statement.