Opinion ID: 1867526
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Evidence Surrounding the Voluntariness of Blom's Statement

Text: At trial, Blom acknowledged his September 8 statement, but testified that he confessed falsely because of his experiences with law enforcement in the past, the attention his case was getting in the media, and harassment of his family by law enforcement and the public. He stated that his family had been receiving threatening phone calls and letters, his children were being followed and were afraid, and he had heard that his wife and son were being accused as accomplices. He also stated he was willing to do anything to get out of jail. Without specifically identifying to whom he was referring, Blom testified that they could not guarantee the safety of his five-year-old daughter who was supposed to start kindergarten that fall. He testified that his solitary confinement drove him to make the statement. Blom further testified that when he gave the statement, he was under the influence of medications, at least one of whichUltramis a mood-altering drug. He also testified that he had been spitting blood for several months and doctors kept giving him antibiotics, which he believed were the wrong medications. The state rebutted Blom's claims with Seboe's testimony that Blom received a medical screening when he was booked and met with medical personnel while in jail on at least seven occasions over a period of two and one-half months. Seboe also stated that most of the medical visits were at Blom's request. In addition to trial testimony, evidence related to the voluntariness of Blom's statement is also contained in notes he sent to Seboe in August. The state appended these notes to its memorandum for the omnibus hearing on Blom's motion to suppress the statement. On August 10, Blom sent a note asking for a review of his segregation and his 23-hour-a-day lockdown status and expressed concern over the fact that he had not been able to contact his children for weeks. While Blom claimed ill treatment at the hands of the authorities, he nevertheless sent a note to Seboe on August 26, which stated in part, We've talked before, and I appreciate your straightforward help. Even after the statement, Blom continued to express his appreciation toward Seboe. On September 21, Blom sent a note that began I realize you have gone to great lengths to make the last couple weeks more bearable for me while still trying to perform your job. Additional evidence was elicited during the hearing on Blom's petition for postconviction relief. Blom testified that he communicated his concerns to both his state and federal defense counsel and said that his federal defense counsel followed up on his complaints. Seboe testified that Blom was placed in a 23-hour lockdown because of jail policy and because of rule violations, including the discovery of written plans to escape. Seboe said Blom had access to and took advantage of the jail's disciplinary appeals process. In addition, Seboe said Blom was not placed in lockdown the entire time he was in jail before making his statement and that he had made attempts to house Blom in cells with other inmates. Both Seboe and the BCA agent who had contact with Blom denied threatening him with respect to charges involving his family, denied making any promises regarding pending charges, and denied threatening Blom with respect to his wife or children. Seboe testified that on September 3 he did tell Blom that he could not allow him to make phone calls because of concerns that he might cause evidence to be destroyed. There is also evidence in the form of rebuttal testimony taken from a licensed pharmacist who indicated that none of the medications Blom was taking would affect his cognitive ability and that if he were impaired by the medications, the effects would be observable in the form of lethargy, drowsiness, slurred speech, difficulty in walking, confusion, and decreased mental alertness. The police officers present when Blom gave his statement testified that, based on their observations, Blom understood the questions, spoke in a normal tone of voice, had a coffee and restroom break during the interview, freely and voluntarily gave answers to questions, and was alert, lucid, cooperative, and calm. After the police finished asking their questions, Blom volunteered to meet with them again to answer more questions and even suggested a day.