Opinion ID: 2361084
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Exclusion of Involuntary Confession

Text: The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in declining to suppress the confession made by Holloman. Before trial, Holloman filed a motion to suppress his statements to the police claiming they were involuntarily obtained. The trial judge held a suppression hearing at which Holloman testified, as did the police detective, Dr. Wagner and Holloman's girlfriend. The trial judge found that the statements by Holloman were made in a non-custodial setting. Indeed, the detective testified that he and another detective went to the home of Holloman to speak with him about allegations made by one of the victims. Holloman invited the detectives in, asked if they wanted something to drink and got them an ashtray. They then sat in the living room and spoke. Although Holloman was not under arrest, he was orally advised of his Miranda rights and signed a form acknowledging his rights. The trial judge also found that based on his observance of Holloman that he was capable of expressing himself and that he knew what he was doing when he made the statements. After a careful review of the record, we hold that substantial evidence supports the findings by the trial court. Although Holloman presented testimony from Dr. Wagner regarding his low I.Q., that alone is an insufficient basis for find the statement was involuntary. Cf. Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 107 S.Ct. 515, 93 L.Ed.2d 473 (1986). The confession was properly admitted.