Opinion ID: 2251424
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Oral Confession

Text: Officer Ronald Beasley testified about the substance of an oral confession which Hansford gave. Appellant claims that the admission of this evidence was prejudicial to his defense. Appellant fled this state and was finally apprehended in California and then returned. On May 26, 1983, Beasley interrogated Hansford. Beasley advised defendant of his Miranda rights before interviewing him. Hansford indicated that he understood his rights and then signed a waiver form. Hansford then told Beasley that he was the second person who was with Kenneth Gibbens in the Cass residence. The admissibility of a statement or confession is controlled by determining from the totality of the circumstances whether the statement or confession was given voluntarily, and not through inducement, violence, threat or other improper influences which would overcome the free will of the accused. Mays v. State (1984), Ind., 469 N.E.2d 1161. Hansford does not present any evidence which would indicate that he was coerced in any fashion by the police or that he did not understand the consequences when he signed the waiver and gave his statement. Rather, he claims only that admission of this incriminating statement was prejudicial to his defense. However, since the police who interrogate an accused followed the relevant substantive and procedural rules, the statement was properly admitted into evidence at the accused's trial.