Opinion ID: 2549231
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Suppression of Admissions

Text: Makthepharak argues first that his admissions were not voluntary. The ultimate issue of voluntariness of a confession is a legal question requiring independent appellate determination. See Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 287, 113 L. Ed. 2d 302, 111 S. Ct. 1246 (1991); State v. Vandiver, 257 Kan. 53, 57-58, 891 P.2d 350 (1995). `In reviewing a trial court decision regarding the suppression of evidence, we review the factual underpinnings of the decision by a substantial competent evidence standard of review and review the ultimate legal decision drawn from those facts de novo with independent judgment. [Citations omitted.]' State v. Sanders, 272 Kan. 445, 452, 33 P.3d 596 (2001), cert. denied 536 U.S. 963 (2002) (quoting State v. Baston, 261 Kan. 100, 104-05, 928 P.2d 79 [1996]). In addition, with regard to waiver, we have said that a criminal defendant's waiver of Miranda rights must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent under the totality of the circumstances. See State v. Matson, 260 Kan. 366, Syl. ¶ 4, 921 P.2d 790 (1996); State v. Morris, 255 Kan. 964, Syl. ¶ 1,880 P.2d 1244 (1994). If there is substantial competent evidence to support the trial court's findings that the defendant voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his rights, such findings will not be disturbed on appellate review. State v. Esquivel-Hernandez, 266 Kan. 821, 826, 975 P.2d 254 (1999). Makthepharak's status as a juvenile also commands us to examine certain factors on the way to determining voluntariness: (1) his age, (2) the length of the questioning, (3) his level of education, (4) his prior experience with law enforcement authorities, and (5) his mental state. See State v. Young, 220 Kan. 541, 546-47, 552 P.2d 905 (1976). Makthepharak complains that the district judge failed to consider these Young factors, and it is true that the record reflects no explicit discussion of them. To date, we have not required that a district judge expressly review the factors set out in the Young case on the record. We have, however, strongly suggested that the factors be considered. State v. Davis, 268 Kan. 661, 675-76, 998 P.2d 1127, cert. denied 531 U.S. 855 (2000). In our view, there was no reversible error here, although the better practice when a district judge is evaluating whether a juvenile voluntarily confessed or waived rights is to discuss the Young factors explicitly on the record. Here, it is evident that the ultimate analysis and outcome on the voluntariness issue would not have changed if the judge had been more explicit about consideration of the factors. Makthepharak was 16, as opposed to a younger adolescent, at the time of his arrest. We have held that parental involvement in law enforcement interviews is not required where the suspect is older than 14. State v. Ramos, 271 Kan. 520, 526, 24 P.3d 95 (2001). The length of the first interview was reasonable in view of the seriousness of the crime, the number of potential suspects, and Makthepharak's initial confusing minimization of his role. Makthepharak was given a 30-minute break during the first interview in which he could have gotten a drink or used the restroom if he felt the need. Although Makthepharak's formal education was limited and he had been suffering from depression, he displayed no inability to understand questions or respond sensibly and appropriately. In addition, he was well acquainted with the workings of the criminal justice system. The district court judge, in view of the totality of the circumstances, had substantial competent evidence to support his finding that Makthepharak voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his rights. We will not disturb this finding on appeal. Furthermore, based on our review of the record and the Young factors peculiarly applicable to suspects of Makthepharak's age, we determine de novo on appeal that his admissions to the detectives were voluntary and that the district court did not err in admitting evidence of those admissions in his trial. See Sanders, 272 Kan. at 452.