Opinion ID: 2996793
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Gillaum’s Interrogation

Text: Gillaum next argues that his statements to Greiber, particularly his statements that he knew the handgun was in the apartment and that he had handled the handgun, should be suppressed as they were obtained in violation of his Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Because we have concluded that Gillaum’s Fourth Amendment rights were not violated, we consider only the Fifth Amendment challenge. Whether a confession or statement to the police is voluntary is a matter of law that this court reviews de novo. United States v. Jordan, 223 F.3d 676, 683 (7th Cir. 2000) (quoting United States v. D.F., 115 F.3d 413, 419 (7th Cir. 1997)). However, this court reviews “the determination of historical facts of the case . . . for clear error.” Id. Gillaum argues that Greiber violated his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Gillaum maintains that he invoked his right to remain silent by allegedly telling Greiber after the interrogation in the bathroom that he did not want to talk to Greiber anymore. Because Gillaum told Greiber he no longer wished to talk, “it was incumbent upon the police to scrupulously honor [his] assertion of his right to remain silent.” 12 No. 02-4015 Gillaum principally relies on the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Michigan v. Mosley, 423 U.S. 96 (1975). In Mosley, the Court held that the admissibility of statements obtained after a defendant invokes his right to remain silent is dependent on whether the defendant’s right was “scrupulously honored.” 423 U.S. at 103. The Court set forth several non-exclusive factors to determine whether interrogation was properly resumed. Id. These factors include “an inquiry into the amount of time that lapsed between interrogations; the scope of the second interrogation; whether new Miranda warnings were given; and the degree to which police officers pursued further interrogation once the suspect had invoked his right to silence.” United States v. Schwensow, 151 F.3d 650, 658 (7th Cir. 1998) (citing Mosley, 423 U.S. at 104-05). Gillaum’s argument that his right to remain silent was not “scrupulously honored” has a fatal defect: he never invoked his right to remain silent. The magistrate judge heard the testimony of Greiber and Gillaum. Greiber testified that Gillaum did not invoke his right to remain silent. Gillaum testified that he did invoke his right to remain silent. The magistrate judge, with the advantage of having the wit- nesses before him, made an explicit credibility determination finding that Gillaum never invoked his right to remain silent. The district court adopted the report and recommendation of the magistrate judge. That finding is supported by the record and is not clearly erroneous. See United States v. Huerta, 239 F.3d 865, 871 (7th Cir. 2001) (quoting United States v. Hardamon, 188 F.3d 843, 848 (7th Cir. 1999)) (“Under the clearly erroneous standard, ‘if two permissible views exist, the fact-finder’s choice between them cannot be clearly erroneous.’ ”); id. at 872 (defendant made no showing that a district court’s credibility determination was “exceedingly improbable; she merely presents a contradictory statement of facts. That is not enough.”). No. 02-4015 13 Gillaum also argues that his confession was not voluntary because of the coercive atmosphere of the interview. Gillaum argues that the forcible entry of the task force into his bedroom where he was sleeping, early in the morning, the first interrogation in a small bathroom, his diabetic condition and low blood pressure, together with statements by Greiber that Gillaum would be better off if he provided information concerning another drug dealer and that his wife would be taken into custody if Gillaum did not cooperate, contributed to an atmosphere that made his statements to Greiber involuntary under the totality of circumstances. This court has held that “[a] confession is voluntary if, in the totality of circumstances, it is the ‘product of a rational intellect and free will and not the result of physical abuse, psychological intimidation, or deceptive interrogation tactics that have overcome the defendant’s free will.’ ” Huerta, 239 F.3d at 871 (quoting United States v. Dillon, 150 F.3d 754, 757 (7th Cir. 1998)). “Coercive police activity is a necessary predicate to the finding that a confession is not ‘voluntary’. . . .” Id. (quoting Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 167 (1986)). Factors relevant to a determination that police conduct is coercive include “the defendant’s age, education, intelligence level, and mental state; the length of the defendant’s detention; the nature of the interrogations; the inclusion of advice about constitutional rights; and the use of physical punishment, including deprivation of food or sleep.” Id. Considering these factors, we conclude that Gillaum’s statements to the police were voluntary. Gillaum was thirtyseven at the time of his arrest and from past arrests was personally familiar with the criminal justice system. He was read the Miranda warnings and was asked whether he understood the warnings. Gillaum told Greiber he under14 No. 02-4015 stood the warnings, and told Greiber that he had been arrested on five or six previous occasions and had the warnings read to him. Prior to his interrogation, members of the task force learned that Gillaum was diabetic and asked Gillaum if he was feeling all right and if he needed insulin or something to eat. Gillaum was also told to tell someone if he developed problems. Gillaum indicated that he did not need his medication. Additionally, both interrogations together lasted less than 45 minutes and Gillaum was not handcuffed while being questioned. Greiber testified that Gillaum was coherent and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Greiber also testified (and Gillaum does not dispute) that he did not use physical force or yell at Gillaum. The parties differ as to whether Greiber threatened Gillaum. Gillaum, as indicated above, claims that Greiber threatened to take Mary into custody and promised to ensure Gillaum was treated leniently if he provided information concerning a drug dealer. Greiber testified that he never threatened Gillaum. Greiber testified that although he did ask if Gillaum was willing to cooperate and talk about the other drug dealer, Gillaum was not willing to provide any information and Greiber did not suggest that Gillaum would be treated more favorably if he cooperated. Once again, the magistrate judge who received this tes- timony chose to accept Greiber’s version of events and we cannot say that this decision was clearly erroneous. Under the totality of circumstances, Gillaum’s statements to Greiber were voluntary.