Opinion ID: 707552
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Voluntary Consent to Search and Confession

Text: 10 Magness also argues that the district court erred in finding that his consent to the search of his residence and his custodial statement were voluntary. A confession or a consent to a search is voluntary unless, in light of all the circumstances, pressures exerted upon the suspect have overborne his will. United States v. Martin, 28 F.3d 742, 745 (8th Cir.1994) (citing United States v. Jorgensen, 871 F.2d 725, 729 (8th Cir.1989)). We review the ultimate question of voluntariness de novo but uphold the district court's factual findings unless they are clearly erroneous. Id. (citing United States v. Bordeaux, 980 F.2d 534, 538 (8th Cir.1992)). 11 Magness alleges that on the day of his arrest, he had taken four or five times his prescribed dosage of anti-anxietal medication before and two additional dosages after his arrest. He also contends that one of the arresting officers was aware that he had taken the additional medication prior to his confession. The district court discredited Magness's testimony concerning his intoxication, however, noting Magness's ability to recall in detail the taking of the medication and to describe clearly the manufacture of explosive devices. Additionally, the court found no evidence of coercion on the part of the officers. Without credible evidence of intoxication or any evidence of coercive police conduct, Magness's argument that his consent and confession were involuntary must fail. United States v. Robinson, 20 F.3d 320, 322 (8th Cir.1994) (citing Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 167, 107 S.Ct. 515, 521-22, 93 L.Ed.2d 473 (1986)). 12 Thus, we are left with the following facts: the officers sought permission to search Magness's residence shortly after confronting him in the parking lot; Magness agreed to the search and signed a written consent form; the officers informed Magness of his Miranda rights at the time of his arrest; Magness read and executed a written Rights Form at the station; and Magness gave the officers a tape-recorded interview. We cannot conclude, given the record, that Magness's consent and confession were not voluntarily given. 13 The district court's findings are not clearly erroneous and we uphold its determination that Magness's consent to search and confession were voluntary.III. CONCLUSION 14 For the foregoing reasons, Magness's motion to suppress was properly denied. The judgment of the district court is affirmed.