Opinion ID: 2585179
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether Smith was questioned as a suspect or witness

Text: Smith notes that he was questioned not only as a suspect, but as the guilty party. Barnes put four confrontational questions to Smith. [A] reasonable person would conclude he was in custody if the interrogation is close and persistent, involving leading questions and the discounting of the suspect's denials of involvement. [41] Barnes's accusations make the interview seem custodial. The state counters that accusatory questioning simply shows that police have focused suspicion on the suspect, and both the United States Supreme Court and this court have rejected the focus of suspicion test as the test for custody. It is true that both courts have rejected the police's subjective focus of suspicion as the sole factor in determining custody. [42] However, the police's subjective focus, when made clear to the suspect in an objective manner like accusatory questioning, is still a relevant factor. [43] Thus, the fact that Sergeant Barnes asked multiple accusatory questions does weigh in favor of a conclusion of custody.