Opinion ID: 162347
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Voluntariness of Incriminating Statements

Text: 12 Toles also alleges that the two statements he gave to Detective Nevil on July 2, 1999 were involuntary, in violation of his Fifth Amendment due process rights. He argues that the incriminating statement he gave to law enforcement in a courthouse restroom before his arraignment on the Kansas crimes was the result of law enforcement's high-pressure tactics, Toles' lack of sleep in the preceding forty-eight hours, and his youth and limited intelligence. 5 13 This court reviews de novo the voluntariness of a statement, although specific underlying findings of fact are reviewed for clear error. See United States v. Gonzales, 164 F.3d 1285, 1289 (10th Cir.1999). When the government obtains incriminating statements through acts, threats, or promises which cause the defendant's will to be overborne, it violates the defendant's Fifth Amendment rights and the statements are inadmissible at trial as evidence of guilt. See United States v. Glover, 104 F.3d 1570, 1579 (10th Cir. 1997) (citing Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1, 7, 84 S.Ct. 1489, 12 L.Ed.2d 653 (1964)). The determination of voluntariness is based on the totality of circumstances. Gonzales, 164 F.3d at 1289. Relevant circumstances embrace both the characteristics of the accused and the details of the interrogation. Id. Such factors include (1) the age, intelligence, and education of the defendant; (2) the length of detention; (3) the length and nature of the questioning; (4) whether the defendant was advised of his constitutional rights; and (5) whether the defendant was subjected to physical punishment. Glover, 104 F.3d at 1579 (citing Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 226, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973)). 14 After reviewing the entire record, this court concludes that Toles' statements on July 2 were freely and voluntarily given. At both the bathroom and SCADF interviews, Toles was advised of his constitutional rights and in each instance he signed a written waiver of rights. Although Toles alleges that the agents did not inform him about the nature of the charges against him and their consequences, a defendant's confession is not coerced merely because law enforcement did not inform the defendant of all the potential charges that could be brought. See United States v. Nguyen, 155 F.3d 1219, 1222 (10th Cir.1998). 15 In both instances, Toles was lucid and responsive to questioning. Toles concedes that there was no evidence of the use or threat of physical punishment. At the time of the interviews, Toles was twenty-one and had completed the ninth grade prior to receiving his Graduate Equivalency Diploma while incarcerated for other crimes. Detective Nevil testified at trial that, based on his interactions with Toles, nothing suggested that he had a limited intelligence. Moreover, Toles had previously been convicted of a felony, indicating that he had previous experience with the criminal justice system. Thus, there is no evidence indicating that Toles was unusually susceptible to coercion because of age, lack of education, or intelligence. Id. at 1222 (quotation omitted). 16 Furthermore, the district court's finding that there was no evidence of any threat, coercion, undue influence, or promise made in exchange for Toles' statements is not clearly erroneous. Detective Nevil testified that he did not make any promises to Toles in the courthouse restroom. Indeed, Nevil testified at trial that it was Toles who broached the subject of the Oklahoma crimes. Although Toles testified that he made the bathroom statement after discussing the benefits of cooperation and the possibility of having all the charges run concurrently, the district court's determination necessarily meant that it credited Nevil's testimony and discounted Toles'. Detective Nevil also testified it was possible that Agent Pritchett, who was present at the bathroom interview, discussed with Toles the consequences of cooperation. Pritchett did not testify at the suppression hearing or at trial. The possibility that Pritchett may have discussed the benefits of cooperation with Toles does not render his statements involuntary. Cf. Nguyen, 155 F.3d at 1222 (explaining that agent's testimony that another agent may have agreed to inform the prosecutor of the defendant's cooperation did not coerce the defendant's statement). 17 Toles' SCADF statement was also given voluntarily. Toles initiated contact with Nevil to discuss the Oklahoma robberies. Cf. United States v. Fountain, 776 F.2d 878, 885 (10th Cir.1985) (noting that defendant's initiation of contact with law enforcement is a factor in the voluntariness of statement). At the SCADF, Nevil reminded Toles that he had counsel and could have counsel available if he so wanted, but Toles did not request counsel's presence. Although Nevil acknowledged that he discussed the possibility of consolidation with Toles, it was Toles who raised the topic. Moreover, Nevil explained to Toles that any transfer of charges pursuant to Rule 20 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure must be initiated by defense counsel and wasn't something that the government is responsible for setting in motion. Nevil specifically suggested that Toles speak to his attorney if he wanted a more detailed explanation of the procedure or wished to pursue consolidation, but Toles did not seek the advice of counsel before giving an incriminating statement. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, we agree with the district court that Toles' incriminating statements were voluntary. 18