Opinion ID: 152623
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Officer Rave

Text: Officer Rave testified that Officer Monroe advised Huffman that the officers were conducting an investigation into an assault and that witnesses identified Sanchez as being involved. According to Officer Rave, Officer Monroe's demeanor was calm during this time, as he spoke with a conversational voice and never raised his voice, yelled, or got in Sanchez's face at any time. Instead, Officer Monroe remained seated in the chair while asking questions. Officer Rave also testified that his demeanor was calm during this time and that he was just letting Officer Monroe speak while [he] listened. He said that he never raised his voice when asking questions or got in Sanchez's face; instead, he remained seated. Officer Rave stated that Huffman's demeanor was calm at the beginning of the interview, although she did not really comprehend what the interview was about until Officer Monroe talked to her. When she learned of the interview's purpose, Huffman acted confused, according to Officer Rave. The officers advised Huffman that they wanted to hear Sanchez's version of events in light of the allegations made against him, and Huffman permitted the interview to continue. According to Officer Rave, Huffman directed her son to tell the truth. Officer Rave described Sanchez as not making eye contact at the outset of the interview. He also said that Sanchez made inconsistent statements, changing his description of events. According to Officer Rave, Sanchez denied involvement in the assault and did not appear intimidated by the officers when answering questions. According to Officer Rave, during the interview, the officers mentioned the victim's family might retaliatespecifically, the victim's brother who had a reputation as a troublemaker in the community. Officer Rave was concerned about possible retaliation against Sanchez or his family and communicated that concern to Sanchez and Huffman [b]ecause [he] kn[e]w [Sanchez's] little sisters and [he] just didn't want nothing bad to happen to them. He claims that he did not use this as a tactic to coerce an admission from Sanchez. Additionally, Officer Rave recalls that during the interview, Officer Monroe showed Huffman a picture of the assault victim, which Sanchez glanced at. Officer Rave did not know what prompted Officer Monroe to do that. After Officer Monroe showed the picture to Huffman, she advised Sanchez to tell the truth. Sanchez reacted by put[ting] his head down and then ma[king] a statement to [the officers]. Officer Rave testified that Sanchez said, I did it. Huffman then started crying and left the room. Officer Rave did not know where Huffman went, as he stayed in the room. He recalled that Huffman returned to the interview room [a] little more than two minutes later. But the police station activity log indicates that Huffman left the police station at 6:24 p.m.29 minutes after Huffman and Sanchez arrived at the police station. Officer Monroe also left the room to secure a room for Sanchez. Officer Rave then handcuffed Sanchez and continued questioning Sanchez regarding his involvement in the assault. Sanchez admitted to being present at the time of the assault, using a two-inch folding knife to assault the victim, and throwing the knife after using it. Sanchez, who was now more relaxed and cooperative, told Officer Rave that he would show the officers where the assault took place and where he threw the knife. When Officer Monroe returned to the interview room a few minutes later, Officer Rave informed Officer Monroe of Sanchez's additional statements and of Sanchez's willingness to go to the crime scene with the officers. According to Officer Rave, Huffman was present when he advised Officer Monroe of the additional information that he had received from Sanchez. At 6:39 p.m.15 minutes after the police station activity log indicates that Huffman left the stationOfficer Rave took Sanchez to the crime scene. Officer Monroe arrived in a separate vehicle. Sanchez showed the officers where the assault took place, how it happened, and where he threw the knife. He also gave the officers the names of other individuals involved in the assault. The officers and Sanchez were at the location for approximately 15 minutes. Officer Rave did not interview Sanchez while transporting him to or from the scene.