Opinion ID: 2317473
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: objections to admissibility of incriminating statement

Text: Gilmore contends that although it appears that a waiver form was read to him and that he himself read the form, that nowhere does it appear that he articulated a waiver of his rights as required by Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). He further contends that reading such forms to an accused who is about to be interrogated, who states that he understands the words being read to him, is insufficient to meet the burden of meeting procedural waiver requirements before use can be made at trial of an incriminating statement taken by the police. In this case two police officers testified relative to the waiver. Detective Wagner said that when Gilmore was interrogated he was told that the officers were investigating the homicide of Mrs. Mae Hundley Wood which occurred in the 3200 block of Calvert Street. It was determined that Gilmore could read and write. Wagner said Gilmore was handed a copy of the form. It then was read aloud while Gilmore followed along. The form was signed by Gilmore, Detective Wagner, and Detective Powell. The form was read into the record as follows: `I have been advised by Detective Joseph R. Powell of my rights, and I understand, number one, that I have an absolute right to remain silent; number two, that anything I say or write may be used against me in a court of law; number three, that I have the right to consult a lawyer before any questioning, and to the presence of a lawyer before answering any questions, or at any time while being questioned; number four, that if I want a lawyer and cannot afford to hire one, I shall not be asked any questions, and the courts will be requested to appoint a lawyer for me; number five, that if I agree to make a statement, I may stop at any time and request the presence of a lawyer, and that no further questions will be asked of me; number six, that I have read this explanation of my rights, and I understand the explanation. I hereby declare, with full knowledge and understanding of my rights, that I do not want a lawyer at this time. I am willing to answer questions, and I wish to make a statement; number seven, that no promises or inducements have been offered to me by anyone. I have not been threatened or intimidated by anyone, and I have not been forced to make a statement. The decision to make a statement has been entirely free and voluntary on my part.' The initials IG appeared beside the seven statements. It was testified that these were the initials of Gilmore placed there by him. In Bell v. U.S., 382 F.2d 985 (9th Cir.1967), the court said: It is urged that Agent Howerton's testimony pertaining to appellant's declaration should have been excluded for two reasons. The first is that Agent Howerton was obliged to advise appellant of his Miranda rights orally and not in writing. This is absurd. If appellant read and understood the written advice, then he acquired knowledge of his rights in a very satisfactory and most unimpeachable way. There is no requirement as to the precise manner in which police communicate the required warnings to one suspected of crime. The requirement is that the police fully advise such a person of his rights, and appellant made no showing that he did not read or understand the written warnings which were presented to him. Id. at 987. The statement used in this case except for points six and seven, contained basically the same language as the form to which reference was made in Fritts v. U.S., 395 F.2d 219 (5th Cir.1968), points six and seven not being on the FBI card there used. As a matter of fact, Gilmore signed such a form not once, but twice. An assistant state's attorney was brought into the interrogation room some time after the questioning began. He apparently desired to be certain that Gilmore was informed of his rights. Gilmore then signed the second form. As was said in Craft v. U.S., 403 F.2d 360, 364 (9th Cir.1968), The pivotal question is whether the appellant voluntarily, intelligently and understandingly waived his right to counsel when being interrogated. We conclude, as did the trier of fact, that the evidence demonstrates that Gilmore freely, voluntarily, intelligently, and understandingly waived his rights. Gilmore further objects because although the interrogation consumed some 4 hours and 25 minutes, the verbal statement when reduced to writing took up only a page and a quarter. He claims also that a courtroom demonstration of the actual time needed to reduce the statement to writing was only a period of approximately 20 minutes. The statement introduced does not purport to be a transcript of everything that was said during the entire interrogation. It is just what it purports to be, the statement of the accused. Gilmore also points to the fact that he testified that during the interrogation he denied killing anyone, yet this part of his statement was not related to the court by the State, nor was this testimony of his rebutted. We see no grounds for reversal in this. His statement came before the court out of his own lips. The court heard him and saw him. It was not required to believe him.