Opinion ID: 1859680
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: suppression of madere's statement

Text: ¶ 64. Madere contends that his taperecorded statement made to Officer Strong was not voluntary and should not be admissible as the product of a cross-examination which suggested answers. Madere also contends he suffered from diminished mental capacity, thereby, limiting his ability to withstand the threats and coercion. ¶ 65. This Court has held that a defendant's mental abilities are but one factor to be considered in determining whether the confession was knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily made. McGowan v. State, 706 So.2d 231, 235 (Miss.1997); Neal v. State, 451 So.2d 743, 756 (Miss.1984). The trial judge must determine from the totality of the circumstances whether there was an intelligent, knowing and voluntary waiver. McGowan, 706 So.2d at 235; Neal, 451 So.2d at 753. In Hunt v. State, 687 So.2d 1154, 1160 (Miss.1996), this Court held that a defendant/appellant bears a heavy burden in attempting to reverse a trial judge's unfavorable ruling on a motion to suppress. The determination of whether a statement should be suppressed is made by the trial judge sitting without a jury as the finder of fact. Id. Determining whether a confession is admissible is a finding of fact which is not disturbed unless the trial judge applied an incorrect legal standard, committed manifest error, or the decision was contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence . Balfour v. State, 598 So.2d 731, 742 (Miss. 1992); Palm v. State, 748 So.2d 135, 142 (Miss.1999). In other words, this Court has held that it will not reverse a trial court's finding that a confession was voluntary and admissible as long as the trial judge applies the correct principles of law and the finding is factually supported by the evidence. Palm, 748 So.2d at 142. See Greenlee v. State, 725 So.2d 816, 826 (Miss.1998)(citing Haymer v. State, 613 So.2d 837, 839 (Miss.1993)). Where, on conflicting evidence, the court makes such findings, this Court generally must affirm. Lesley v. State, 606 So.2d 1084, 1091 (Miss.1992). See also Dancer v. State, 721 So.2d 583, 587 (Miss.1998) (citing Morgan v. State, 681 So.2d 82, 87 (Miss.1996)). ¶ 66. The trial court conducted a lengthy suppression hearing on January 7, 2000, and January 10, 2000. The trial court overruled the motion to suppress the statement. At the suppression hearing, the trial court heard testimony from Officer Strong, Officer Hurt, and Madere before making a ruling on the suppression. ¶ 67. Madere testified he drew Social Security benefits for mental disability and a deteriorating backbone. However, Madere also testified that he had obtained his G.E.D. and attended some college courses. Madere also operated a maintenance and lawncare business under the name of Rebel Lawn Care, in addition to drawing his Social Security benefits, to supplement his income. ¶ 68. According to Madere's testimony at the suppression hearing, he had prior dealings and involvement with law enforcement on other charges. This was not Medina's first brush with the law or his first time being arrested. Madere testified that he had previously been charged with child molestation and served thirty-nine (39) months for burglary. Madere was asked at the suppression hearing, Did your mental condition have anything to do with your giving this statement? Madere responded by saying, I'm not sure. Madere could not definitely confirm that his alleged mental deficiencies caused him to give a statement to the officers. ¶ 69. Madere also alleged that he had been threatened with the fact there had been a hanging in that jail. Madere denied that he knew any circumstances of the hanging or that Officers Strong and Hurt had any connection with the hanging. Madere claims on appeal that the hanging is undisputed. However, the record does not clearly reflect that Madere's claim was substantiated or confirmed. ¶ 70. Madere further alleged at the suppression hearing that Officer Strong had threatened him with a cane. Officer Strong did not deny that a cane may have been in the office. However, Officer Strong testified he had a vertebra collapse and probably still had the cane in his office. Officer Strong further testified that he shared an office with Officer Hurt. He believed Officer Hurt was working a case that involved a stolen walking cane. Officer Strong was not positive of the location of that cane or whether it had been in the office. Officer Strong and Officer Hurt both denied that any force, coercion, coaching or threats were used against Madere to obtain the statement. The statement was tape recorded and transcribed. Officer Hurt acted as a witness to the questioning conducted by Officer Strong. ¶ 71. The trial court heard testimony from Madere, Officer Strong and Officer Hurt at the suppression hearing. The trial court, as the fact finder, determined the statement by Madere should not be disallowed. The officers testified that no one had hurt, threatened, promised anything to Madere or coerced him to make a statement. A voluntary statement of rights was signed by Madere before the tape recorded statement was made. The tape recorded statement did not indicate any sounds of threat or coercion. We find that, the trial court's finding was not manifestly wrong or clearly erroneous nor was the wrong legal standard applied. Madere has not met the burden of establishing that the trial judge abused his discretion in denying the motion to suppress. This issue is without merit.