Opinion ID: 451578
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Robert Gorham's Testimony.

Text: 33 At the evidentiary hearing held before Judge Moran on August 23, 1982, the state called Gorham as an adverse witness. Gorham stated that prior to April 2, 1976, he had been arrested and advised of his Miranda rights on seven to nine occasions. When questioned further, he agreed that it would probably be closer to fifteen or sixteen times. He stated that he had served time in Menard Correctional Center after his conviction in a case in which he had given a pretrial statement. As to what occurred upon his arrival at 26th and California on the evening of April 2, 1976, Gorham initially stated that his memory was somewhat vague. He was not sure what he actually recalled or whether he was just remembering testimony from prior transcripts. 34 Before being arrested on April 2, 1976, Gorham was acquainted with Chicago Heights Police Lieutenant Douglas Barger and Sergeant Joseph Robustelli. He indicated that there was no animosity or hostility between Lieutenant Barger and himself, that they had never had an argument, and that Barger had never arrested him. 35 Two to four other individuals were present when Gorham was first brought into Gillis' office. He had some recollection that Naughton was present. While Gorham was seated, Barger advised him of his Miranda rights. This was the third time that day that he had been advised of his Miranda rights. When asked by Barger if he wanted to make a statement, Gorham testified that he told Barger he did not want to make a statement. He had no idea of what he said next. However, within the first few minutes that he was in the room, Gorham had some recollection of saying something about having been at Menard, that there were a lot of people down there solely because they gave statements, and that this charge was a heavy beef. 36 At one point, Gorham said an attorney who was somewhat older and heavier, apparently Prendergast, came into the room and Gorham asked him what good it would do to give a statement. Additionally, after the petitioner was made aware that Kathy Thompson was in the building, he said he wanted to see her because he had a relationship with Mrs. Thompson and she was carrying his child. 37 Following the testimony of the officers and former prosecutors, Gorham again testified, this time in his own behalf. On direct examination, he stated that he had seen Barger at the Chicago Heights Police station on several occasions prior to April 2, 1976 and recognized Barger when he saw him on April 2, 1976. He could not remember what was first said by the officer in Gillis' office, but recalled the following: 38 Q. But do you recall him advising you of your rights? 39 A. Yes. 40 Q. And you do recall him asking you if you wanted to give a statement concerning the charge? 41 A. Yes. 42 Q. What was your response to that request? 43 A. That I didn't want to make a statement. 44 Q. Did you limit that to Barger? 45 A. I believe so. It didn't seem like--how many times do I have to say no? To every individual on the police force? 46 Remand tr. 130. 47 On cross-examination, Gorham's testimony differed from that which he had given in the morning of the hearing. He now recalled that he and Barger had words on occasion and that at one point before April 2, 1976, Barger had accused him of killing Kenneth Thompson. He said the testimony given by the respondents' witnesses had jogged his memory. 48 Gorham also said that he was not sure whether he told anyone other than Barger that he did not want to make a statement. This differed from his testimony earlier in the hearing and in the suppression hearing that he had told Robustelli and others that he did not want to make a statement. After Barger read him his rights, he was not sure who spoke next. On cross-examination Gorham admitted that Barger asked if I wanted to seek a lawyer and did I want to make a statement and all that. I said I would let him know. Remand tr. 140. 49 While Gorham was sitting on a couch in Gillis' office, he asked questions about the evidence that the police had against him, reasoning that [s]ince they were staring in my face, I figured I would try and find out something. I sure wasn't getting away from them. Remand tr. 135. Gorham admitted that in 1971 when he was arrested for attempted murder, he had given two written statements within two and one-half hours of each other. 50