Opinion ID: 451578
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Douglas Barger's Testimony.

Text: 51 Douglas Barger testified that in 1976, he was a lieutenant with the Chicago Heights Police Department and was involved in the investigation of the death of Kenneth Thompson. As of April 2, 1976, Barger was acquainted with Gorham and thought that there was mutual hostility between the two. On January 25, 1975, Gorham was in custody at the Chicago Heights Police Station. Barger spoke with him then regarding the Thompson murder and accused him of committing the murder. Following the accusation, the two got into a shouting match and Barger had to tell Gorham to sit down. 52 On April 2, 1976, Barger first saw Gorham at the Criminal Courts Building, 26th and California, Chicago, in Gillis' office. Barger recalled that Naughton was also in the office and that Helsel and Prendergast were present at times during a conversation which he had with Gorham. Barger said hello to Gorham and advised him of his rights. He informed Gorham that they had enough evidence to obtain a murder warrant. At this point, Gorham stated to Barger, I don't want to talk to you. Barger understood Gorham's statement to mean that Gorham did not want to speak with him but might want to talk to someone else. Gorham did talk with Naughton and Helsel about the incident being a heavy beef, that he did not know if he wanted to give a statement and that a lot of guys were in Menard because of their statements. Barger believed that Gorham was trying to decide whether to give a statement or not. When Barger left Gillis' office, Gorham was talking with Naughton. 53 After leaving the office, Barger told Robustelli that Gorham did not want to talk to him. Barger told Robustelli that he could try and talk to Gorham. At the original suppression hearing in November 1976, Barger was cross-examined by the petitioner's trial counsel as follows: 54 Q. What did you do after you read him his rights? 55 A. I asked him would he like to make a statement regarding this charge. 56