Opinion ID: 1349782
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Arrest and subsequent statements

Text: The chase covered approximately 22 miles at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour. It ended when the suspect vehicle unsuccessfully attempted a left-hand turn at high speed, left the roadway, hit a utility pole and came to rest in a field. A number of officers drew their weapons and approached the vehicle. Jones, who was in the passenger seat, and Darrell Johnson, who was driving, both surrendered. [1]
While being led in handcuffs to Frank's squad car, Jones asked if he would be in trouble because the other guy shot the guy at the store. Frank said, What? and Jones repeated his statement. Frank then told Jones there could be no further conversation between the two of them. Once seated in the squad car, the suspect identified himself as Calvin Nivlac Jones, III. He also told Frank he was 17 years old. At approximately 11:22 p.m., Frank returned to the squad car and read Jones his Miranda rights. Jones indicated that he understood his rights and was willing to speak with Frank. Frank did not, however, tape-record the subsequent interrogation. During this interrogation, Jones made numerous statements about his relationship to the other suspect, including the fact that Johnson had disposed of the gun during the high-speed chase. Jones also described the gun and its location. [2] Jones subsequently claimed he was dizzy and tired and that he had hit his head in the car accident. Frank summoned paramedics, who examined Jones but discovered no injuries. During the transport to Chisago County Jail, Frank stopped at a gas station in Wyoming, Minnesota, where he discussed with Jones the location of the weapon alleged to have been used in the crime. At the omnibus hearing, Jones did not contest the admissibility of the spontaneous statement he made upon his arrest, nor the admissibility of statements he made regarding his age and identity while in the back seat of Frank's squad car. He did, however, contest the admissibility of the remainder of the statements he made while in the back seat of Frank's squad car. The trial court granted Jones' motion to suppress all statements made in response to Frank's custodial interrogation on the grounds that the police failed to record the interrogation. See State v. Scales, 518 N.W.2d 587 (Minn.1994).
At approximately 1:40 a.m. on December 7, 1994, police took Jones to an interview room where he was interrogated by Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) agents Eugene Leatherman and John Hermann. Agent Hermann advised Jones of his Miranda rights, and Jones indicated he understood those rights and agreed to give a statement. Despite being aware that Jones was 17 1/2 years old, the agents did not ask Jones if he would like to speak to one of his parents or another responsible adult, and Jones did not request to speak to his mother until the conclusion of the interrogation at approximately 2:59 a.m. During the interrogation, Jones told the agents that he and Johnson had gone to the casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, on December 6, 1994. Jones also said that Johnson was angry about losing a considerable amount of money at the casino. Jones said Johnson turned off Interstate 35 at the Stacy exit to purchase gas and get something to eat. According to this version of the facts, Jones said Johnson pulled the car into Tim's Country Cupboard. Jones said he fueled the car and both men eventually went inside. Jones said he then went to the back of the store to get some soft drinks. After returning to the counter area, Jones stated that he had turned away from the counter to get some chips when he heard a bang. Jones hesitated, turned and saw Johnson exiting the store. He then looked behind the counter and saw the clerk lying on the ground. Jones followed Johnson to the car where Johnson told Jones he had replenished his lost money. Jones then described the flight from the store and his subsequent apprehension. He also told the agents that Johnson had thrown the gun from the car during the chase. When Agent Leatherman told Jones that there were surveillance cameras in the store and that there would be a videotape of the crime, Jones changed his story. He stated that he had shot the clerk at the direction of Johnson. Jones then stated that Johnson gave him the gun in the parking lot and told Jones to stand behind him when they walked into the store. Jones said that once they arrived at the counter, Johnson stepped out of the way and instructed Jones to shoot the clerk. Police concluded the interrogation at 2:59 a.m. At approximately 4 a.m., police became aware that there had been no videotape inside the VCR connected to the surveillance equipment inside Tim's Country Cupboard. The trial court admitted these statements over Jones' objections, concluding that Jones had knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived his rights to remain silent and consult an attorney.
On the evening of December 7, 1994, Jones requested to speak with authorities to provide additional information about the incident. Deputy Todd Rivard arranged to interview Jones at the Chisago County Sheriff's Office on December 8, 1994. At the inception of the interrogation, Rivard again advised Jones of his Miranda rights and Jones said he would talk. At the outset of the interrogation, Jones asked if the police had recovered the surveillance videotape and Rivard said, yeah cause then we'll see exactly what happened. Rivard then said the authorities had not yet received the videotape because of a mixup at the store. Despite his awareness that Jones' mother was in the building, Rivard did not ask Jones if he would like to speak with his mother. Jones did not ask to speak with his mother until the conclusion of the interrogation. During this interrogation, Jones added to his prior version of events by claiming that Johnson had pointed the gun at him before they entered the store and threatened to kill him if he did not agree to shoot the clerk. The trial court admitted these statements over Jones' objections, concluding that Jones had knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived his rights to remain silent and consult an attorney.
On December 13, 1994, Jones once again asked to speak with police regarding the incident. Jones at this point had retained counsel and, prior to any further interview, Deputy Ronald Butcher left a voice-mail message with the attorney. After not hearing from the attorney for approximately five minutes, Butcher proceeded with the interview and read Jones his Miranda rights. Five minutes later, Jones' counsel telephoned Butcher and requested that the deputy suspend the interrogation until the attorney could attend. Butcher complied with this request and recommenced the interview when the attorney arrived 45 minutes later. Jones added to his prior statements by claiming that Johnson also had been armed with a.25 caliber pistol, and that Johnson pointed the second weapon at Jones during the robbery. Shortly thereafter, Chisago County authorities organized and carried out a search for a second gun, but could not find one. After the snow had melted in April of 1995, authorities conducted another search for a second gun, but, once again, found no second gun. Jones later admitted that he fabricated the portion of the story relating to a second gun. The trial court admitted these statements over Jones' objection, and Jones does not appeal that ruling.