Opinion ID: 2974443
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The interrogation of Bryant

Text: After having been read his Miranda rights while still at the trailer, Bryant agreed to talk with Melton, first in the presence of Whited and then alone. In the presence of Whited, Bryant admitted that he had thrown the crystal iodine and the digital scales into the trash can in the bathroom. Bryant hesitated, however, when Melton asked whether the white powder in the baggies found in the toilet was pseudoephedrine or methamphetamine. Only after consulting with and receiving permission --4-- No. 05-5958 United States v. Bryant to answer from Whited did Bryant admit that the powder was “ephedrine,” shorthand for pseudoephedrine. Later, outside the presence of Whited, Bryant insisted that he did not own either the crystal iodine or the digital scales that he had thrown in the bathroom trash can. He nevertheless told Melton that “I’ll take credit for it if it will keep everybody else out of trouble.” Melton responded by saying that because their conversation was now private, Bryant “should not claim something that’s not yours.” Bryant replied that “what goes on here in the house is, you know, adult decisions, and between adults, and the way I look at it, we’re not hurting anybody.” He became “very aggravated” with Melton shortly thereafter, telling Melton that “you’re not going to trick me with the friendly talk,” whereupon the conversation between the two ended. When later asked at trial to provide the context for Bryant’s statements, Melton said that by “adult decisions” he understood Bryant to have been referring to the manufacture and use of methamphetamine. Bryant did not object to this testimony. Finally, in another conversation with Melton that took place sometime after the April 22, 2004 search of Whited’s trailer, Bryant admitted that he had consistently used methamphetamine prior to that date in the amount of half an “eightball” per use, which is approximately 1.75 grams.