Opinion ID: 558575
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: motion to suppress evidence and statements

Text: 8 Rosen argues that the marijuana seized from the trunk of his vehicle was the fruit of an illegal search and should have been suppressed. Having considered the identical question in companion Baumwald's appeal, Panitz, 907 F.2d at 1271-1272, we are not persuaded that the search was improper nor are we any more persuaded than before that the district court erred in allowing the marijuana to be used as evidence. Thus, for the reasons stated in Panitz, we reject this claim of error. 5
9 After Rosen was stopped on the Maine Turnpike and the car was searched by Agent Bryfonski, Rosen and Baumwald were arrested. Bryfonski administered Miranda warnings to Rosen, and Rosen indicated that he understood them. Rosen then answered a number of questions posed by Bryfonski about where he had obtained the marijuana and whether he was under direction to make any telephone calls to anyone at that time. Rosen now argues that these statements should have been suppressed because he never indicated to Agent Bryfonski that he was waiving his rights. The district judge found, however, that Rosen had explicitly waived his rights under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). 10 Reviewing the district court's findings under the strict clearly erroneous standard, United States v. Walker, 924 F.2d 1 (1st Cir.1991); United States v. Jobin, 535 F.2d 154, 156 (1st Cir.1976), we find no error. The district judge's decision was based primarily on Agent Bryfonski's testimony at the suppression hearing, where he testified that after the Miranda warnings were read, Rosen appeared to understand those rights, and that he asked Rosen if he was going to answer any questions. Bryfonski then stated that [h]is acknowledgement to me was that he was willing to answer questions. This sworn testimony of the agent supports the district judge's finding of consent by Rosen to answer questions, and the judge's conclusion that the statements were admissible. The district court's findings, as well as its decision to credit Bryfonski's testimony, are owed deference by reviewing courts. See Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 390-391, 84 S.Ct. 1774, 1788, 12 L.Ed.2d 908 (1964). We find no error by the district judge in refusing to suppress Rosen's statements to Bryfonski. 6