Opinion ID: 2633236
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Counsel's failure to seek suppression of Avery's statements

Text: Avery also contended that counsel was ineffective for failing to move for suppression of his statements to Detectives Stahl and Bishop. He argues that his statements were obtained in violation of Miranda [17] and were coerced. A criminal defendant must be warned that he has the right to remain silent and to the assistance of counsel before he can be subjected to custodial interrogation. [18] Custody is defined as formal arrest or a restraint on the freedom of movement to a degree associated with formal arrest. [19] Avery had not been formally arrested when he made his statements. Accordingly, the pertinent inquiry `is how a reasonable man in the suspect's position would have understood his situation.' [20] We consider the totality of the circumstances in deciding whether Avery was in custody; no single factor is dispositive. [21] We recently adopted the United States Supreme Court's standard of review of a district court's in custody determination for purposes of Miranda, and held that a district court's purely historical factual findings pertaining to the `scene- and action-setting' circumstances surrounding an interrogation are entitled to deference and will be reviewed for clear error, whereas the district court's ultimate determination of custody and voluntariness will be reviewed de novo. [22] Important considerations in deciding whether or not Avery was in custody include the site of the interrogation, whether the investigation has focused on the subject, whether the objective indicia of arrest are present, and the length and form of the questioning. [23] The objective indicia of arrest include whether the suspect was told the questioning was voluntary or that he was free to leave, whether the atmosphere of questioning was police-dominated, whether the police used strong-arm tactics or deception during questioning, and whether the police actually arrested the suspect at the termination of questioning. [24] Avery contends he was in custody because he was inside his own home and had no place to go, the two detectives arrived unannounced at midnight, ignored his request to talk another time, badgered and manipulated him and told him they believed he was guilty, he was not told the questioning was voluntary, the investigation had focused on him, and he was arrested at the conclusion of the interview. We conclude Avery was not in custody when he made his statements and no Miranda warnings were therefore required. Avery was questioned in his home after inviting Detective Stahl to come there to talk with him. [25] He consented to be interviewed when Detectives Stahl and Bishop arrived, even after they offered to come back another time. While Avery had become the focus of the investigation, this focus was not the equivalent of focus for Miranda purposes, which involves `questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way.' [26] Avery was not handcuffed or restrained in any way during the questioning. While the questioning was repetitive, it was not unduly so, and the officers did not deceive Avery or put words in his mouth. He referred to the detectives as guests in the house. Avery does not contend the interview was problematically lengthy. Although Avery claims the detectives intended all along to arrest him, the detectives arrived in a vehicle unsuitable for transporting Avery to the police station and had to call for a patrol car when they decided to arrest him. Because Avery was not in custody during the interview, no Miranda warnings were required, and his counsel was not deficient for failing to seek suppression of Avery's statements on this basis. Avery also failed to demonstrate the requisite prejudice, i.e., that, but for his counsel's failure to seek suppression of his statements on this ground, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.