Opinion ID: 2220114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Admission of Post-Arrest Statements

Text: Cook claims the trial court erred in admitting statements he made to FBI Special Agent Behnke when he was arrested in Georgia. Behnke testified that Cook was handcuffed, orally advised of his rights, placed in an FBI vehicle, and advised of his rights a second time. Behnke further testified that Cook said that he understood his rights and agreed to talk to him but did not sign a waiver of rights form. At that point in Behnke's testimony, defense counsel requested a hearing outside the presence of the jury and moved to suppress any statements that Cook made to the agent. The trial court denied the motion to suppress. Behnke then continued to testify, saying he questioned Cook, who denied shooting Michael Jaronik or even going into Marion's Hideaway. Cook argues the statements he made to Behnke should have been suppressed because Cook did not explicitly waive his federal constitutional rights. The trial court's ruling is supported by Behnke's testimony that he orally advised Cook of his Miranda rights before he answered any questions. Cook's statements after he acknowledged that he understood his rights constituted an implied waiver. An express written or oral waiver of rights is not necessary to establish a waiver. Shelton v. State (1986), Ind., 490 N.E.2d 738. The trial court properly denied the motion to suppress.