Opinion ID: 1718692
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Admissibility of Statement; Waiver of Miranda Rights

Text: In this assignment of error, defendant argues that the statement made by him occurred without a knowing and voluntary waiver of his Miranda rights, and the trial court's ruling allowing admission of this statement is error. It is well-settled that for a confession or inculpatory statement to be admissible into evidence, the State must affirmatively show that it was freely and voluntarily given without influence of fear, duress, intimidation, menace, threats, inducements, or promises. LSA-R.S. 15:451; State v. Simmons, 443 So.2d 512 (La.1983). The State must also establish that an accused was advised of his constitutional rights, state and federal, and that he understood and knowingly waived those rights. State v. Simmons, supra . In Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), the United State Supreme Court recognized the coercive atmosphere created by police custody and established a procedural mechanism to safeguard the exercise of a defendant's Fifth Amendment rights. Before questioning a suspect in custody, Miranda requires that law enforcement officials inform the suspect that he has the right to remain silent, that his statements may be used against him at trial, that he has a right to an attorney, and that if he cannot afford an attorney, one would be appointed for him. The admissibility of a confession is, in the first instance, a question for the trial court; its conclusions on the credibility and weight of the testimony relating to the voluntary nature of the confession are accorded great weight and will not be overturned unless they are not supported by the evidence. See State v. Jackson, 381 So.2d 485 (La.1980); State v. Patterson, 572 So.2d 1144, 1150 (La.App. 1st Cir. 1990), writ denied, 577 So.2d 11 (La.1991); State v. Sanford, 569 So.2d 147, 150 (La. App. 1st Cir.1990), writ denied, 623 So.2d 1299 (La.1993). Whether or not a showing of voluntariness has been made is analyzed on a case by case basis with regard to the facts and circumstances of each case. State v. Benoit, 440 So.2d 129, 131 (La. 1983). The trial court must consider the totality of the circumstances in deciding whether a confession is admissible. State v. Hernandez, 432 So.2d 350, 352 (La.App. 1st Cir.1983). Low intellect, moderate mental retardation or diminished mental capacity does not, per se, vitiate capacity to make a free and voluntary statement or a knowing and intelligent Miranda waiver. State v. Brooks, 93-3331, pp. 11-17(La.1/17/95), 648 So.2d 366, 373-75; State v. Benoit, 440 So.2d 129, 131 (La.1983); State v. Lindsey, 404 So.2d 466, 472 (La.1981). Voluntariness is determined on a case by case basis, under a totality of the circumstances standard. State v. Brooks, 648 So.3d at 372; State v. Benoit, 440 So.2d at 131. In the present case, the trial court held a hearing on defendant's motion to suppress his confession. The state presented testimony from Detectives James Clark and Doug Tarver of the Monroe Police Department. Det. Clark testified that he arrested defendant on October 2, 2000 pursuant to an arrest warrant. The detectives advised defendant of his Miranda rights and had defendant follow along on a waiver of rights form. After the officers explained his rights to defendant, defendant initialed and signed the waiver form and agreed to give a voluntary taped statement, which was about one hour in duration. Defendant's statement was audiotaped, and a transcript of that interview was introduced at the motion hearing. In the transcript of the recorded interview, Detective Clark confirmed that defendant had been advised of his rights, and re-read the rights waiver form aloud. Defendant confirmed his initials and signature on the rights waiver form. During the interview, defendant never requested an attorney. In addition, the officers provided defendant with something to eat and drink, and he was given opportunities to use the restroom, as needed. Both officers testified that defendant did not appear to be under the influence of any alcohol or other substance. Defendant assured the officers that he did not feel hungover or confused, and that he understood his rights. Moreover, both officers reiterated that they exerted no threats, promises or coercion to get defendant to give a statement. At the hearing on the motion to suppress, the State introduced the sanity commission reports of Dr. George Seiden and Dr. Frank Weinholt as further evidence that defendant's waiver of rights was knowing, intelligent and voluntary. Following the testimony, the trial court found defendant's waiver of his rights was knowing and intelligent, free and voluntary, and denied defendant's motion to suppress. Defendant's custodial statement appears to be the product of his voluntary waiver of his constitutional rights, which he repeatedly indicated that he fully understood. No lack of understanding or voluntariness is demonstrated, and the trial court's ruling denying defendant's motion to suppress his statement appears well-founded. This assignment of error lacks merit.