Opinion ID: 1379546
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Videotaped Interview

Text: After Tolliver was taken to the police station, the police conducted a videotaped interview during which Tolliver  while never incriminating himself  made a number of statements that the prosecution later used at trial to cast doubt on his credibility. [1] Tolliver repeatedly stated that Schneider had killed or shot herself, and that he and Schneider: had just bought a house together; were not having any problems or fights; and were getting engaged and were planning their wedding. Additionally, Tolliver made the following statements: I just bought a $7500 diamond engagement ring. We were naked, and we were about to make love. . . . That's why I couldn't call anybody faster, I spent 20 minutes running through the house looking for my phone. I couldn't find it. I finally found hers. I was trying to see my daughter, so I did wash [off some of the blood]. I wanted to see my daughter, because I wanted to kill myself. She had not taken her medication [Paxil]. She was upset about her family and their dislike for me and that she might be pregnant. I was in the bathroom by myself when she came in. I was getting the other gun out, and I was taking them out of the house. She was in the middle of a sentence when she accidently shot herself. . . . She said, `What do you want me to  `pow. I could feel her jaw, felt like it was broken but I couldn't find the entryway. I went across the hall, banged on the door . . . . there was nobody home. We were going to the Dominican Republic for two months. . . . If you can find any residue or gun powder on my hands . . . then you can come and you can ask me questions beyond that you want to [ sic ]. Forensics will show you that I did not pull any triggers.; Tolliver also asserted several times that he was not of sound mind, and so was not in a position to waive any of his rights. While Tolliver himself did not testify at the trial, the prosecution showed the jury an edited version of the statement. [2]