Opinion ID: 1751529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: whether the trial court erred in allowing the statement of the defendant to be admitted into evidence in violation of article three, sections 14 and 26 of the mississippi constitution and the sixth amendment to the constitution of the united states?

Text: Mack contends that law enforcement officials violated his Sixth Amendment to counsel by questioning him upon his arrest in the absence of his attorney, who had been appointed to represent him on an unrelated charge. Mack does not contend that Sixth Amendment right to counsel attached because he was in custody. Instead, Mack argues that his Sixth Amendment right to counsel attached because counsel had been appointed to represent him on an unrelated burglary charge. In Balfour v. State, 598 So.2d 731 (Miss. 1992), this Court recognized, as the U.S. Supreme Court did in McNeil v. Wisconsin, 501 U.S. 171, 174-76, 111 S.Ct. 2204, 2207, 115 L.Ed.2d 158, 166-67 (1991) that a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel is offense specific. It is clear under the court's holding in McNeil that Mack's invocation of his Sixth Amendment right to counsel on the burglary charge did not extend to the capital murder charge. The only question is whether Mack waived his right to counsel on the murder charge before making a statement. Before Estes questioned him about his involvement in Fulton's murder, he advised Mack of his right to counsel. When asked if he understood his right, Mack answered in the affirmative. The following colloquy took place: Q. Jimmy, I've explained the rights to you. Do you understand what they are? A. Yeah. Q. The above statement of my rights have [sic] been read and explained to me and I fully understand what they are. I am ready and willing to answer questions, make any statement without first consulting with a lawyer, have a lawyer present during questioning and waiving my right to remain silent, I wish to state that no promise or threats have been used against me. No persuasion or coercion (sic) have been used against me. Anybody threaten you in any way to give this statement. A. Huh Uh. Q. You gone have to speak up now. I can't. A. Naw. Naw. Q. You want to tell me what happened out there? A. Ain't no happen. Q. Huh? A. Ain't nothing happening. In accordance with Miranda, Mack was apprised of his right to counsel and had ample opportunity to invoke his right to counsel before he answered any questions asked by Estes. If Mack did not want to speak with Estes, he simply could have refused to answer the questions by invoking his right to remain silent or his right to counsel. There is nothing in the record that indicates that Mack ever requested an attorney, though he was apprised of his right to counsel. The court did not err in allowing the statement to be introduced against Mack for impeachment purposes.