Opinion ID: 2182404
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Issues I-III

Text: Appellant contends that the court below erred in finding that probable cause existed to arrest appellant and in not suppressing a statement of a witness and statements of his own obtained as a result of this arrest as fruits of the poisonous tree. He also argues that his own statements should also have been suppressed because they were not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently made. Initially, we note that in reviewing the rulings of a suppression court, we may not disturb factual findings supported by the record or legitimate inferences and conclusions based on those findings of fact. Commonwealth v. Sparrow, 471 Pa. 490, 370 A.2d 712 (1977). Our assessment of support in the record is to be made considering only the evidence of the prosecution's witnesses and so much of the defense evidence as fairly read in the context of the record as a whole remains uncontradicted. Commonwealth v. Hunt, 280 Pa.Super. 205, 421 A.2d 684 (1980). Viewed thusly the record supports the following: On October 5, 1979, Robert Matson was found lying on a street corner with a single bullet wound to the chest. The police were told by a witness that he had earlier observed a car at this corner and that a man had been leaning into the passenger window. This man then had dropped a paper bag, extended his hands into the air and backed away from the window as the driver extended his hands in the man's direction. The witness had heard a shot and then had circled the block. When he returned, the victim was lying in the street. Another witness to the shooting described the car as a Javelin, although other descriptions of it were also given to the police. Witnesses also reported that the occupant of the car was a white male with neck length hair and a large build. On October 7, 1979, the police were informed by one Coleen Sullivan that at 3:00 a.m. on October 5, 1979 she had received a phone call from appellant who had stated: Wake up. It's very important because I shot someone and I want you to say that my car was parked outside all evening, if anyone comes around. She also told the police that appellant operated a Javelin and that he always carried an automatic gun. The police had previously learned that the victim had been shot with a .32 caliber automatic pistol. The police also obtained a photograph of appellant showing him to be a white male with dark, neck-length hair. On November 8, 1979, five police officers approached appellant as he was walking down a street. Two officers who had their guns drawn identified themselves and patted appellant down for weapons. He was then told he was under arrest and placed in a police vehicle where he was advised of his Miranda rights. After arriving at the County Detective's Office, appellant was asked if he wanted to make a statement and proceeded to answer questions for approximately twenty-one minutes. The questions ceased when appellant indicated that he wanted to speak to a friend of his, Belton Livingston. While awaiting the arrival of Belton Livingston, a police officer reduced the questions and answers to a writing. During the questions, appellant was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and appeared relieved and relaxed once he began making his statement. However, he did refuse later to give the police a written statement.