Opinion ID: 1210535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Move to Suppress Wood's Statements to Detective Shaw

Text: Although not specifically listed as an issue on appeal, Wood argues that he was not afforded effective assistance of counsel by reason of Whittier's failure to litigate suppression issues. A review of the proceedings for post-conviction relief indicates that there were two suppression issues raised by Wood: 1) Wood argued that the arrest and search warrants were issued based upon Detective Shaw's affidavit and testimony after a twenty to thirty minute off-the-record discussion between the magistrate, Shaw and the prosecutor, and 2) Wood argued that Whittier should have sought suppression of Wood's confession to Detective Shaw on the basis that he was not given Miranda warnings until approximately one hour after his arrest. The district court determined that Wood did not show a basis to invalidate the arrest warrants and search warrants, finding that probable cause had been shown for their issuance. Whatever was said off the record could neither add nor detract from the conclusion that the record established probable cause. The district court concluded the following: This leads ineluctably to the conclusion that Wood has not met his burden of showing that Whittier's conduct fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. This also compels the conclusions that, even if the Court were to find that Whittier's performance was deficient, there was no prejudice which resulted from the failure to file a motion to suppress the warrants. The district court's findings and conclusions are supported by the record, and there has been nothing submitted by way of argument or authority on appeal that would lead to a different conclusion. Wood also argues that there should have been a motion to suppress his statements to Detective Shaw. Wood was arrested at approximately 7:30 p.m. and signed a waiver of rights at approximately 8:30 p.m. The district court found that Wood made no incriminating statements until after he had waived his Miranda rights and had signed the waiver of rights form. The record supports the district court's conclusion that Wood's statements would not have been suppressed, and there has been nothing submitted on appeal by way of authority or argument that would lead to a different conclusion. Wood has not shown any resulting prejudice from the failure to file a motion to suppress. Consequently, he has not established the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in this regard.