Opinion ID: 1162149
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: iiwallace

Text: In case No. 74592, the court granted Wallace's motions to suppress the statements made to the police and to the prosecution officials, and to suppress all grand jury testimony. The court concluded the statements were involuntary and were obtained in violation of his constitutional and statutory rights. The court found that Wallace was never taken before a judicial officer as required by Crim.P. 5(a), nor was he advised of his rights pursuant to section 19-2-102(3)(c)(I), C.R.S.1973. The court found, however, that the statements made by Wallace to his fellow jail inmates were voluntary and not the result of actions by the police or by the prosecution. The court therefore denied the motion to suppress those statements. As to Wallace's testimony before the grand jury, the court concluded that Wallace was a putative or focused-on defendant, though not yet charged, when he was involuntarily taken before the grand jury on January 3, 1974. At no time was he advised of his privilege against self-incrimination, and, therefore, his testimony should be suppressed. These findings are supported by competent evidence. Significantly, one officer testified that he considered Wallace a suspect prior to the grand jury session; and, further, there was discussion among the district attorney's staff prior to the grand jury session concerning possible indictment of Wallace, although it was then concluded that there was insufficient evidence at that time to proceed. As a putative or focused-on defendant, though not yet charged, Wallace was entitled to advisement of his constitutional privilege against self-incrimination before being compelled to testify before the grand jury. People v. Spencer, 182 Colo. 189, 512 P.2d 260. People v. Clifford, 105 Colo. 316, 98 P.2d 272. The grand jury testimony of Wallace was therefore properly suppressed.