Opinion ID: 1679561
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Statement of Kenneth Sanford

Text: In attempting to suppress defendant Sanford's statement, the defense argues that Sanford was not given his Miranda warning prior to the time he made statements in which he implicated himself. Although it is conceded that Sanford was fully advised of his rights prior to a taped statement given to Investigator Paul Scott, defendants contend that this taped statement was a fruit of the prior incriminating statement he alleges was made before any Miranda warning was given. Defendants also argue that Sheriff Schiele told Sanford of federal involvement in the case and may have made promises to try to keep Sanford out of a federal investigation if he cooperated. Finally, they assert that the Sheriff's refusal to allow Sanford's father into the room where Sanford was questioned was a coercive tactic. We find that the evidence shows that defendant was read his Miranda warnings prior to making any statement. There is some question as to whether Deputy Lyle Schiele or Deputy Hal Harp gave Sanford his Miranda warnings when they arrested him. However, the booking sheet reflects that Deputy Bruce booked defendant, and that defendant did receive his Miranda warnings at this time. Deputy Bruce's testimony confirms that he did book defendant and read him his Miranda warnings. It is the position of the defense that although defendant may have been read his rights when booked, the booking did not occur until after the statement was given. There is evidence to indicate that the booking did occur prior to any statement by Sanford. Defendant was arrested at the home of his parents, and rode to the courthouse after his arrest in his parent's vehicle. Defendant and his parents each testified that the arresting officers did not read defendant his rights at the time of his arrest, and that upon arrival at the courthouse, defendant was not booked, but was taken straight upstairs to Sheriff Schiele's office and did not go back downstairs until after he made the statement. Although the Sheriff testified that it was his understanding Sanford was not booked downstairs before he was brought upstairs, the booking sheet reflects the booking time as 7:45. Defendant was arrested at 7:21 and gave his statement at 8:10. It is clear that if the time of booking was correctly logged in the booking sheet, defendant was advised of his rights prior to going upstairs and making any statement. Deputy Bruce testified that he did advise defendant of his rights when he booked him and then gave defendant the booking sheet for him to read his rights himself and that defendant then signed the sheet. He stated that 7:45 was the time he booked Sanford. The conflict in testimony as to whether defendant was read his rights was apparently resolved against defendant by the trial judge. We find that there was credible evidence to support the trial judge's finding that defendant was advised of his rights prior to making any incriminating statement. We further find that Sanford's statement was not a result of any threats, coercion or promises. The evidence shows that Sanford was questioned alone by Sheriff Schiele. Defendants allege that Sanford's father requested that he be allowed to stay with Sanford during the questioning and that the Sheriff refused his request. The absence of defendant's father during the questioning does not affect the voluntariness of defendant's subsequent statement. Defendant was a major at the time of the arrest and, unlike the situation in State v. Welch, 337 So.2d 1114 (La.1976), he was not mentally handicapped or otherwise in need of guidance. Defendant's father was not an attorney. Defendant had no right to have his father with him during questioning. Sanford testified that he gave his statement to an investigator for the district attorney's office after talking with Sheriff Schiele. He stated that Sheriff Schiele first showed him the photographs referred to above and told him he knew that he was involved in the case. He allegedly also told him there were federal men downstairs and that he wanted to keep him and the other defendants in Concordia Parish. At this point, defendant says he admitted his involvement in the case. He was then taken to investigator Paul Scott's office, advised of his rights, and gave a typed statement. According to Sheriff Schiele, Kenneth Sanford expressed a willingness to make a statement when he talked to him. He admitted probably, showing the pictures to Sanford and telling him he pretty much knew what had happened. He also testified that he did not make any threats or promises to Sanford and did not mention any federal involvement in this case to Sanford. Again, the trial judge apparently resolved any conflicts in testimony against the defendant and in favor of the state's witnesses. Under the above facts, we find that there was credible evidence to support the trial judge's ruling that Kenneth Sanford's statement was made freely and voluntarily.