Opinion ID: 625298
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Massey

Text: On appeal, Massey principally argues that the district court committed reversible error in concluding that he had not yet invoked his right to counsel when he made incriminating postarrest statements to the police. This Court reviews factual determinations in connection with a motion to suppress for clear error, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Whitten, 610 F.3d 168, 193 (2d Cir. 2010). A factual finding is clearly erroneous when the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. United States v. Iodice, 525 F.3d -5- 179, 185 (2d Cir. 2008) (internal quotations omitted). A district court's credibility determination is given particularly strong deference, and there is no clear error when there are two permissible views of the evidence. See id. Furthermore, even if a district court erroneously admits evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution, reversal by our Court is unwarranted when that error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Newton, 369 F.3d 659, 679 (2d Cir. 2004). Here, the district court diligently held two evidentiary hearings and two oral arguments, and then reopened the suppression hearing for additional argument. There was no clear error because, after carefully reviewing the record of evidence, the district court made a permissible credibility determination, crediting the consistent testimony of four police officers as to the timing of Massey's confession and finding that the government satisfied its burden. Further, even assuming there was error, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt because, even without Massey's statements, there was overwhelming evidence to convict him, including the physical evidence found in the car. Indeed, as the district court found, Massey and Patterson were caught red-handed with the money from the bank robbery, including the bait money. Accordingly, Massey's claim fails. -6-