Opinion ID: 1717460
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: evidence at suppression hearing

Text: Responding to a call about a shooting, Blaine County Sheriff Lee Sinner and members of the Nebraska State Patrol arrived at the Pettit residence shortly after midnight on January 16, 1987. Sheriff Sinner entered the Pettit house and found Frank Pettit, covered with blood, kneeling over the body of Pettit's wife, Pandora. The body, with a bullet wound to the chest, was lying in a pool of blood on the bedroom floor. Pettit was pressing his hand against the gunshot wound in the body and was attempting to place some plastic substance in the bullet hole. A .22-250 caliber rifle rested against the bedroom wall. When Sheriff Sinner asked what had happened, Pettit did not answer, but arose and went into the kitchen, where Pettit fainted. When Pettit regained consciousness, Trooper Carrolle E. Harris of the Nebraska State Patrol placed handcuffs on Pettit, who was then arrested by Sheriff Sinner and transported to the Custer County jail at Broken Bow, because there was no jail in Blaine County. Shortly after 2 a.m., a jailer obtained general information from Pettit's driver's license and observed that Pettit was in shock or not comprehending anything, not talking. At 7:10 a.m. on the morning of January 16, Trooper Harris removed Pettit from his cell and took him to an interrogation room in the jail. Present in that room during Pettit's interrogation were Trooper Harris, Sheriff Sinner, Investigator Terry Ahrens of the Nebraska State Patrol, and a Sergeant Elliott of the Nebraska State Patrol. Sheriff Sinner, Trooper Harris and Sergeant Elliott jointly participated in Pettit's interrogation. According to Trooper Harris, Pettit was clear and understandable at this time, and Sheriff Sinner indicated that Pettit appeared to understand all the questions during the interview. Trooper Harris presented Pettit with a form entitled ADVICE OF RIGHTS, utilized by the Nebraska State Patrol, which contained: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer before answering any questions and to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you at no cost before any questioning. If you answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to a lawyer.