Opinion ID: 4118870
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Confessions of Defendant and Patterson

Text: At the police station, Patterson waived his Miranda3 rights and eventually confessed to the robbery. Because the shotgun was found at his home, the police then took him to the homicide division. Patterson first claimed he had bought the shotgun from a ―dope fiend‖ he knew as Gichi Dan. When questioned specifically 3 Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436 (Miranda). 6 about the Beeson murder several hours later, however, Patterson admitted his involvement. Patterson told the police that defendant needed money and wanted to rob Botello. Patterson kept making excuses, but defendant bullied him into going along. After Beeson let them into the apartment, Patterson put the dogs in a back room. When he returned to the living room, defendant was on top of Beeson, choking her with his belt. Defendant continued to struggle with Beeson and ordered him to retrieve the shotgun and marijuana. At one point, defendant hit Beeson in the head with the shotgun barrel. Patterson initially said that defendant took a butcher knife from the kitchen but later admitted that he had retrieved the weapon. Patterson described how defendant assaulted Beeson but denied ever stabbing her himself. Afterward, defendant took the knife and told Patterson to drive him to Aquatic Park. There, defendant left the car and returned without the knife. Defendant wanted Patterson to keep the shotgun at his house because he feared a parole search of his own home. They drove to Maceo Smith‘s house, and defendant told Patterson not to worry because they would have an alibi. Patterson later heard that defendant was bragging about the killing. Shortly after Patterson‘s statement, officers interviewed defendant. Defendant waived his Miranda rights and initially denied any involvement. He was confident and self-assured during the questioning. However, after police told him they had evidence against him, showed him pictures of Patterson in custody, and played the first five minutes of Patterson‘s taped confession, defendant admitted the crimes.4 The police secretly recorded his initial statements, and defendant later gave a formal taped confession. He also admitted the murder in a recorded phone call to his mother. 4 The circumstances and content of defendant‘s interview are discussed in detail in connection with his claim that the statements were coerced. (See Discussion, pt. A.3, post, at pp. 44-48.) 7