Opinion ID: 1810649
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Crawford was improperly denied a timely appearance.

Text: ¶ 19. Crawford also claims that this Court must find that his confessions were improperly admitted at trial since he was not granted an initial appearance until after officials obtained detailed confessions in violation of his right to counsel under both the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Mississippi Constitution. While this specific issue was not litigated at trial or on direct appeal, this Court did address the legality of the same confessions under both the Mississippi and Sixth Amendment's right to counsel. See Crawford, 716 So.2d at 1037-38. ¶ 20. However, given the heightened scrutiny of death penalty review, we will examine this argument nonetheless, for it may be done rather quickly. In Veal v. State, 585 So.2d 693 (Miss.1991), we addressed this same issue. In so doing, we made the following statement: Assuming arguendo, Veal's rights under Rule 1.04 were offended, relief does not follow. Before questioning, Veal was independently advised of his right to remain silent and of his right to counsel, Miranda variety, facts he freely admits. We have repeatedly held this advice legally adequate that, when followed by a knowing and voluntary waiver, a subsequent confession becomes competent evidence. Id. at 699. This language fully addresses Crawford's argument under this issue, for even assuming that his right to a timely appearance was offended, the record makes it quite clear that he was explained of his rights and that he executed written waiver forms. Therefore, his confessions were properly before the court, and his argument fails.