Opinion ID: 1975262
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Failure to Inform

Text: Defendant argues next that the police refused to disclose the subject of the interrogation, in violation of the federal and Vermont constitutions. A Miranda waiver voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently made will not be deemed invalid solely because the police failed to inform an individual of the purpose of the interrogation. Colorado v. Spring, 479 U.S. 564, 576-77, 107 S.Ct. 851, 859, 93 L.Ed.2d 954 (1987). Defendant attempts to circumvent Spring by characterizing his response, Yes to find out what it's about, as a question about the subject matter of the interrogation and by arguing that, in failing to inform him, the police impermissibly refused to inform him of the true object of the questioning. Defendant's affirmation that he was willing to talk to inform himself was not a direct inquiry obligating the police to respond. Thus, there was no refusal as defendant contends. Defendant also argues that he was misled because he was arrested on the New Hampshire warrant, but subsequently questioned about the Crickmore murder. This contention is not factually supported. Nothing in the trial court's findings or the record indicate that defendant was told the grounds for his arrest. Thus, that the police had a New Hampshire warrant and that they knew he was committing a federal felony could not have served to mislead defendant about the subject matter of the interrogation.