Opinion ID: 888972
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Analysis of Morrisey's Due Process/Totality-of-the-Circumstances Claim

Text: ¶ 47 As noted, the essential inquiry under the due process voluntariness test is whether the suspect's will was overborne by the circumstances surrounding the giving of the confession. Dickerson, 530 U.S. at 433-34, 120 S.Ct. at 2330-31. A court must examine the totality of all the surrounding circumstances, including the characteristics of the individual and the details of the interrogation, to determine whether the confession was given freely, voluntarily, and without compulsion or inducement of any sort. See Dickerson, 530 U.S. at 434, 120 S.Ct. at 2331; Withrow, 507 U.S. at 688-89, 113 S.Ct. at 1751. Various factors may be relevant to this inquiry, including: the defendant's age, maturity, education, physical condition, and mental health; the defendant's demeanor, coherence, articulateness, and capacity to make full use of his or her faculties; the defendant's background and experience, including any prior experience with the criminal justice system and police interrogation; the length, mood, location, and continuity of the questioning; the use of threats, violence, or physical punishment (such as the deprivation of food or sleep); the exertion of improper influence, psychological coercion, deception, or implied or express promises; and whether the police advised the defendant of his or her rights to remain silent and to have counsel present during custodial interrogation. See Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 226, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 2047, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973); Withrow, 507 U.S. at 693-94, 113 S.Ct. at 1754; State v. Honey, 2005 MT 107, ¶ 21, 327 Mont. 49, 112 P.3d 983; State v. Bieber, 2007 MT 262, ¶ 31, 339 Mont. 309, 170 P.3d 444. ¶ 48 Morrisey insists that his statements were not made voluntarily. He points out that at the time he was interrogated, he was over 60 years old and had no prior experience with the criminal justice system or police interrogation. He contends that the detectives disregarded his invocation of his right to remain silent, and through continued prodding they lured and guilted him into talking. We are not persuaded. Although Morrisey initially asserted his right to remain silent, the detectives did not attempt to wear down his resistance and make him change his mind. He decided of his own volition to speak with them. Indeed, when he was first asked whether he was willing to talk about Dolana's homicide, he stated, That is fair. I got no complaints. And when he was asked the same question later, he stated, without hesitation, I will talk. The length and continuity of the interrogation (roughly three hours during the afternoon, followed closely by two or three hours in the evening) weigh in Morrisey's favor, as does the fact that the detectives became increasingly forceful in their questioning. However, the detectives did not use threats, violence, or physical punishment. Nor did they use trickery or good cop/bad cop tactics. Morrisey was not deprived of sleep, refreshment, bathroom breaks, or physical comfort. In fact, the detectives tried to accommodate him when he said he would not feel comfortable talking at the local sheriff's office. In sum, the record does not support the conclusion that Morrisey's will was overborne by the circumstances. If anything, the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that Morrisey willingly engaged in a running conversation with the detectives. In short, the record reflects that his statements were not compelled, but rather were given freely and voluntarily.