Opinion ID: 1175284
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Physical Condition Precluding Defendant From Waiving His Rights

Text: The third set of statements Vickers made was when he spoke to Officer Morgan, the investigating officer. Morgan read Vickers his Miranda rights which Vickers waived. Defendant now claims that, because he was still suffering from smoke inhalation, his physical condition made it impossible to voluntarily, intelligently and knowingly waive his rights. In support of this argument defendant relies on Mincey v. Arizona, 437 U.S. 385, 98 S.Ct. 2408, 57 L.Ed.2d 290 (1978). In Mincey, the Supreme Court held that, because of the defendant's physical condition, his statements made to police officers were not voluntarily, intelligently and knowingly made and thus could not be used against him. Mincey, 437 U.S. at 399, 98 S.Ct. at 2418. However, in Mincey, police officers interrogated the defendant while he was in a hospital intensive care unit and was depressed almost to the point of coma.... Mincey, 437 U.S. at 398, 98 S.Ct. at 2416. Mincey was evidently confused and unable to think clearly and was encumbered by tubes, needles, and breathing apparatus. Mincey, 437 at 398-99, 98 S.Ct. at 2417. Vickers' condition when he was questioned by Morgan was not as serious as Mincey's. Morgan testified that when he questioned the defendant, Vickers appeared to be fine, and talked coherently and rationally. Officer Vancura, who was present when Morgan questioned the defendant, testified that Vickers was breathing and speaking normally. Because Vickers' physical condition was clearly distinguishable from Mincey's condition, Mincey does not apply. See also United States v. Martin, 781 F.2d 671 (9th Cir.1985) (defendant's statements considered voluntary even though made while he was in the hospital, under the influence of Demerol (a pain killer), and was only relatively coherent during questioning). We believe Vickers' statements were `the product of a rational intellect and a free will.' Townsend v. Sain, 372 U.S. 293, 307, 83 S.Ct. 745, 754, 9 L.Ed.2d 770 (1963) (quoting Blackburn v. Alabama, 361 U.S. 199, 208, 80 S.Ct. 274, 280, 4 L.Ed.2d 242 (1960)). The trial court did not err in admitting defendant's statements.