Opinion ID: 2622136
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Athan's Statements

Text: ś 47 Athan argues statements made prior to his arrest in New Jersey should have been suppressed. He contends his Sixth Amendment right to counsel had attached because, although he was not aware of it, he had been formally charged with first degree murder and he was indisputably in police custody. Although the police read Athan his Miranda rights, Athan refused to sign a waiver of those rights. He relies primarily on United States v. Heldt, 745 F.2d 1275 (9th Cir.1984), for the proposition that refusal to sign a waiver form is an indication that a person wishes to remain silent. He argues he did not waive his rights, thus, any statements made to the police were admitted at trial in violation of the Sixth Amendment. ś 48 The State argues Athan made a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of his Miranda rights when he voluntarily answered police questions and, after being asked for a DNA sample, unequivocally invoked his Miranda rights. The State maintains that refusal to sign a waiver is not dispositive of the waiver issue and courts also look to evidence of coercion or threats on the part of the police. See, e.g., State v. Rupe, 101 Wash.2d 664, 678, 683 P.2d 571 (1984). In addition, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later distinguished Heldt on the grounds that there were a number of other circumstances indicating the statements were not voluntarily made. United States v. Andaverde, 64 F.3d 1305, 1313-14 (1995). Here, the State contends, there was no evidence or allegation of police coercion and Athan later invoked his rights, suggesting he was aware that he had not previously invoked them. ś 49 The State bears the burden of showing a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of Miranda rights by a preponderance of the evidence. Refusal to sign a waiver may cast doubt on the State's assertion of waiver; however, it is not dispositive of the issue because the trial court must review the totality of the circumstances. State v. Parra, 96 Wash.App. 95, 99-100, 977 P.2d 1272 (1999). We will not disturb a trial court's conclusion that a waiver was voluntarily made if the trial court found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the statements were voluntary and substantial evidence in the record supports the finding. See State v. Broadaway, 133 Wash.2d 118, 129, 942 P.2d 363 (1997). There is no evidence that the detectives coerced Athan into answering their questions and Athan's subsequent invocation of his Miranda rights supports a finding that he knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to remain silent prior to that point.