Opinion ID: 672340
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Robert Fowler's Post-Arrest Statement

Text: 47 Following the receipt of his Miranda rights at the barn, Fowler was asked if he wanted to waive his rights. He responded by shaking his head. He was then taken to jail. Some four hours after his arrival, agents brought him to an interview room where Agent McDaniel told Fowler the charges against him and that he would be tried in Alabama. Agent McDaniel then asked other agents present in the interview room if Fowler had been Mirandized. The agents responded that he had been. Thinking that Fowler might not understand the term Mirandized, McDaniel notified Fowler that he had a right to an attorney and a right not to speak to the agents. Fowler acknowledged that he was aware of his Miranda rights. McDaniel then asked him if he wished to cooperate. At trial, McDaniel testified that Fowler responded by saying that he could not cooperate, he did not know anything or anybody, he was paid to be blank, and he was simply a chauffeur driving someone from Miami. McDaniel further testified that when he questioned Fowler about $500 that Fowler possessed when arrested, Fowler stated that he would rather not say who paid him and that he was sorry he had gotten greedy. Fowler then asked for an attorney and questioning ceased. The court denied Fowler's motion to suppress these statements. 48 On appeal, Fowler contends that the denial of his suppression motion was error because he had unequivocally invoked his Miranda rights. Assuming, without deciding, that Fowler is correct, the taking of his statements in contravention of Miranda is subject to the harmless error analysis. United States v. Beale, 921 F.2d 1412, 1435 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 100, 116 L.Ed.2d 71 (1991); United States v. Pena, 897 F.2d 1075, 1082 (11th Cir.1990). Our inquiry is two-fold. First, we examine the effect the erroneously admitted statement had upon other evidence introduced at trial and upon the conduct of the defense. Beale, 921 F.2d at 1435. Second, if, absent the illegal statement, the remaining evidence is so overwhelming to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, admission of the statement is harmless. Id. 49 At trial, Agent Tanner testified that Schwartz told him that a Nissan automobile with a secret compartment in its underbelly capable of storing sixty kilograms of cocaine would be one of the vehicles used to load and transport the drugs. The government introduced photographs showing the Nissan's secret compartment at trial. It is uncontroverted that Fowler was present at the barn and that he spent much time there under the Nissan. Agents Lamplaugh, Tanner, and Keith Barnette testified that at the barn Fowler expressly told them that he was attempting to open the Nissan's hidden compartment. Agents Lamplaugh and Tanner also testified that they overheard Fowler telling other appellants that he needed tools and a flashlight to open the compartment. Additionally, Agent Lamplaugh testified that Fowler told him that the compartment held sixty kilograms of cocaine. Given the overwhelming strength of this evidence, we conclude that the admission of Fowler's post-arrest statements was harmless error.