Opinion ID: 854073
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admission of Videotaped Statement

Text: Elsten objects to the admission of his videotaped statement to police. He contends the questioning was improper because it continued after he requested counsel, in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. A criminal suspect has a right to the advice and presence of counsel during custodial interrogation by police. Mayberry v. State, 670 N.E.2d 1262, 1269 (Ind.1996), reh'g denied (citing Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966)). Although a suspect can intelligently and voluntarily waive this right, it may be reasserted at any time during questioning. Sleek v. State, 499 N.E.2d 751, 755 (Ind.1986) (citing Miranda, 384 U.S. at 444-45, 86 S.Ct. 1602). In such cases, the interrogation must stop until counsel is provided or the suspect voluntarily re-initiates communication. Pilarski v. State, 635 N.E.2d 166, 169 (Ind. 1994) (citing Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 68 L.Ed.2d 378 (1981); Oregon v. Bradshaw, 462 U.S. 1039, 103 S.Ct. 2830, 77 L.Ed.2d 405 (1983)). Elsten claims his Miranda rights were violated when police interrogated him after three separate requests for counsel. He fails to mention, however, that the trial court redacted the videotape so that the only statements presented to the jury were those made between the signing of the waiver and his first request for counsel. [3] It also admonished the jury not to speculate what occurred after the tape stopped. Thus, the only question is whether Elsten made these initial statements while knowingly and voluntarily waiving his right to counsel. This decision is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Jones v. State, 655 N.E.2d 49, 56 (Ind.1995). The record reveals that Police Detective Sellars advised Elsten of his rights and asked if he understood them. He answered affirmatively and signed the waiver. Sellars then proceeded with the interrogation. At no time between his first request for counsel and his signing of the waiver was he coerced or forced to talk. These facts suggest a voluntary statement to police. The trial court appropriately admitted the redacted tape.