Opinion ID: 150737
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whitmore’s Statements

Text: Whitmore challenges the trial court’s refusal to suppress her post-arrest statements, arguing the police lacked probable cause to arrest her when she was detained near the scene of the murder. “Probable cause exists when the totality of facts and circumstances within a police officer’s knowledge at the moment of arrest are sufficient for a reasonable person to conclude that the suspect had committed or was committing an offense.” United States v. Nunez-Sanchez, 478 F.3d 663, 666 (5th Cir. 2007) (internal quotation marks omitted). The arresting officers had sufficient information under the totality of the circumstances to create probable cause for her arrest. Police had numerous reports that a silver Scion like the one Whitmore was driving had been following the burnt SUV, and Whitmore was found near the scene of the crime. She also acted suspiciously when stopped and questioned by officers.4 Consequently, Whitmore’s arrest was not unlawful, and the district court did not err in denying her motion to suppress.