Opinion ID: 1740260
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Relationship of Evidence to Delay

Text: In order to suppress evidence taken during confinement, under Duncan , a causal connection between the delay and the confession must be shown. No connection has been shown in this case. As the trial court pointed out, appellant waived his rights and agreed to give a statement before any judge would have been available. Consequently, appellant's statement to the police was not attributable to the delay. In Ryan v. State, 303 Ark. 595, 798 S.W.2d 679 (1990), confronted with a similar argument, we found that inculpatory statements were not related to a delay of comparable duration, but rather to the desire of the accused to negotiate a favorable plea bargain with authorities. This was evidenced by Ryan's request at the first available opportunity, and before the delay, to talk to federal authorities. By like token, Prince Johnson made it clear at the outset that he was willing to talk to the police about crimes he had been involved in and the trial court correctly found that there was no causal connection between appellant's statements and any delays.