Opinion ID: 1720181
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence in regard to both taped confessions (counts one and two)

Text: Dr. Curtis Steele, a psychiatrist, was a member of the Sanity Commission. On direct examination Dr. Steele stated that it was his opinion that the defendant was probably psychotic. He further stated that he was likely to react on impulse. He stated that at the original examination that he was unable to reach a conclusion as to the defendant's sanity at the time of the confessions. The original examination occurred on December 26, 1976. He stated that the interview had lasted twenty minutes. On the date of the hearing of the Motion to Suppress, Dr. Steele again examined the defendant. Dr. Steele stated that the defendant would appear to know what was going on. He stated that he was oriented to the time, place and situation. Dr. Steele concluded that although the defendant was a difficult person to work with, he essentially understood the nature of the charges, he knew who his attorneys were and could assist counsel. Dr. F.A. Silva, the second member of the Sanity Commission, also testified at the Motion to Suppress. Dr. Silva characterized the defendant as mildly to moderately retarded. The doctor stated that he had listened to the taped confession and it was his opinion that the defendant could not appreciate the depth and magnitude of the rights that he waived. On direct examination, he stated that in his opinion the defendant did not knowingly and intelligently waive his Miranda rights when he confessed on the tape. Dr. Silva stated that he had had a twenty minute interview with the defendant on December 19, 1976. Dr. Silva stated that in the interview the defendant didn't volunteer much information. The doctor concluded that he was not overly psychotic and his thought processes were very concrete. The doctor concluded the defendant was a very suspicious, anxious and hostile person. He stated that the defendant knew right from wrong but in a rather superficial way. On cross examination, the doctor stated that the defendant did understand when they told him he had the right to remain silent and he had a right to an attorney. He further stated that the defendant did understand the difference between right and wrong in a fairly concrete way. Dr. Hayworth L. Bradley, a psychologist from Southern University, stated that he had administered certain tests to the defendant. He stated that based upon these tests it was his opinion that the defendant was severely retarded. He did state that he suspected some malingering by the defendant but that he did not believe that the malingering was such that it would appreciably raise the IQ out of the retarded range. He stated that in view of the testing that he did, the defendant would not have any knowledge of the import of waiving his rights. It must be noted that Dr. Silva, using the same test results, felt that the defendant was mildly to moderately retarded. Dr. Silva also stated that there was a cultural factor built into the tests. He stated that most of the people in the defendant's cultural background would tend to perform lower on the tests. Also, Dr. Silva stated that it was reflected in one of the tests by Dr. Bradley a lack of cooperation which would have influenced the results of the tests. Dr. Silva concluded that the test in which he came out severely retarded on was influenced by his lack of cooperation. Dr. Silva stated that the other tests showing him mild to moderate is where he was really functioning. Both officers involved in the investigation and the recording of the confessions, testified that they fully felt that the defendant freely and voluntarily confessed and that he knew what he was doing. On both confessions he was asked of his educational level and the defendant stated that he had gone to the tenth grade, he was able to read and write and he made C's and B's in school. The defendant testified at the Motion to Suppress. When asked about whether or not he was given his constitutional rights and defendant indicated that the officers kept reading him his rights every time they wanted to talk to him and that he got tired of hearing that. He further testified he already knew all of that since he had been through it when he was a juvenile.       Confession on Count Two (Name of victim omitted) This interview lasted for twelve minutes. It began at 7:27 A.M. on August 16, 1976. In this confession Gill advised the defendant in detail as to his constitutional rights. The defendant indicated that he understood his rights. In this tape, the defendant gave more of a narrative as to the offense than he did in the tape on count one. He clearly explained the details surrounding the alleged offense. Conclusion In State v. Trudell, 350 So.2d 358 [658], the court stated: `In order for an exculpatory statement to be admissible in evidence against an accused at trial, the state bears the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that the statement was freely and voluntarily made. La.R.S. 15:451, State v. Glover, 343 So.2d 118 (La.1977); State v. White, 329 So.2d 738 (La.1976); State v. Skiffer, 253 La. 405, 218 So.2d 313 (1969). Once a trial judge has determined that the state has met its burden of proof, his decision is entitled to great weight on review. State v. White, supra; State v. Hall, 257 La. 253, 242 So.2d 239 (1970).' The court further stated as follows: `While a claim of mental illness normally requires a defendant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he has a mental illness, where the voluntariness of his confession is at issue the state, having the burden of establishing that the confession was voluntary, still retains that burden. State v. Glover, supra. In such a case, the state must prove that defendant's level of mental illness did not preclude him from giving a voluntary statement and that he did do so.' After carefully reading and remembering the testimony of those who testified at the original suppression hearing and after listening to both confessions completely, the court is convinced that the state has carried its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and that the statements were freely and voluntarily made. Although there was evidence that the accused was somewhat retarded, considering his testimony, his description of the events and his waiver of rights on the tapes and considering all of the other witnesses and their testimony, the court feels that it is clear that mental illness did not preclude him from giving a voluntary statement. Therefore, the court holds that neither of the two confessions should be suppressed. We cannot find that the trial court erred in reaching that conclusion. Defendant was an 18-year old who had gone to the tenth grade. He stated in his confession that he made B's and C's in school and that he could read and write. While the psychiatrists and psychologist diagnosed his condition as mild to moderate mental retardation, the officers who questioned him believed that he was aware of his rights and of the consequences of choosing to talk about his crimes. The trial judge, who observed defendant as he testified at the hearing, also concluded that he could appreciate the import of the warnings given by the police and was aware of the consequences of speaking about his crime without the aid of counsel. Defendant argues, however, that two of the experts opined he was not capable of intelligently waiving his rights. We note that one admitted defendant may have been malingering during his I.Q. test, while the other admitted defendant could understand the warnings, but questioned whether defendant could appreciate the serious consequences of waiving his rights. The opinions of experts on the question of waiver of constitutional rights may be helpful, but are certainly not binding on the trial court. The decision on the validity of a waiver is ultimately one for the court. Experts in psychiatric medicine or psychology can give opinions on an accused's mental ability to perform certain functions, but the court must decide whether the accused, with the described mental ability, has the capacity to stand trial or the capacity to waive rights. The concept of knowing and intelligent waiver is one which our jurisprudence has developed. See U.S. v. Glover, above; State v. Trudell, above. There is no controlling psychiatric principle. See State v. Bennett, 345 So.2d 1129 (La.1977), in which this court cautioned trial courts not to base judgments regarding capacity to stand trial only on conclusory opinions of experts unsupported by enumerated factors. Just as in cases in which the accused's capacity to stand trial is at issue, the trial court's judgment must be accorded much deference in cases involving an accused's capacity to waive rights. [3] See State v. Rochon, 393 So.2d 1224 (La.1980); State v. Holmes, 393 So.2d 670 (La.1980). After reviewing the record of the hearing on the motion to suppress, we conclude the evidence supports the trial court's determination that defendant knowingly waived his right against self-incrimination. Furthermore, we have reviewed the tape recording of defendant's confession. The interrogating officers did everything possible to inform defendant of his constitutional rights and to explain that he did not have to give a statement and that he was entitled to have a lawyer advise him free of charge. Under these circumstances, in which any person who understands street terms had to know he did not have to talk about the crime, and in which the confession was clearly voluntary, we conclude the privilege against self-incrimination was not violated. The motion to suppress defendant's confession was properly denied. The conviction and sentence are affirmed.