Opinion ID: 1673698
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Denial of Suppression of Taped Statement

Text: For his last point for reversal, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress a taped conversation between Appellant and a fellow inmate, Charles Rogers. The record reflects that two inmates, Steven Nevels and Charles Rogers, reported to Investigator Dale Arnold that Appellant had made statements to them regarding the murder of his wife. As a result of the inmates' information, Arnold asked Rogers if he would be willing to wear a body mike in his cell. Rogers agreed. According to Arnold, he instructed Rogers not to raise the subject of the murder, but to converse about it if Appellant raised the subject. The taped conversation occurred on June 7, 1996. The record reflects that the tape was never used at trial. The record also reflects that the trial testimony of Nevels and Rogers did not concern any statement Appellant made after June 5, 1996. Accordingly, Appellant cannot demonstrate prejudice. This court will not reverse a trial court's ruling denying suppression of a taped statement where that statement was not used against the appellant at trial. See Simpson v. State, 339 Ark. 467, 6 S.W.3d 104 (1999); Hayes v. State, 274 Ark. 440, 625 S.W.2d 498 (1981). Prejudice is not presumed, and this court will not reverse absent a showing of prejudice. Bell v. State, 334 Ark. 285, 973 S.W.2d 806 (1998). We thus affirm on this point.