Opinion ID: 1683665
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Denial of Motion to Suppress was based on substantial evidence.

Text: Having again enunciated the standard of appellate review for a trial court's determination regarding a motion to suppress, this Court must first decide if the Warren Circuit Court's denial of Appellant's motion to suppress is supported by substantial evidence. We believe it is. In this case, Appellant unequivocally invoked his right to have counsel present at his interrogation and to remain silent until a lawyer was provided to him. Testimony revealed, however, that his mother convinced him to speak to the police without the assistance of an attorney. Furthermore, the record shows that the police in no way coerced Ms. Taylor to speak with Appellant and likewise made no promises to her in allowing her to speak with him. Det. Railey testified that, when Ms. Taylor requested to speak with Appellant, he told her that she could not be asked to act on behalf of the police in speaking with Appellant. Moreover, now-Judge Steve Wilson testified that he told Ms. Taylor there was nothing she could do, and she should go home. However, despite these statements, Ms. Taylor spoke to Appellant, noting that she had seen these types of cases on TV and felt that if she could get Appellant to talk to the police, it would inure to his benefit. After speaking with Appellant, Ms. Taylor informed the police that he wished to make a statement. Testimony presented at the supplemental suppression hearing shows that the police again read the Appellant his Miranda rights, which Appellant waived in making the incriminating statements to the police. Further testimony, highlighted in the order of the Warren Circuit Court denying Appellant's supplemental suppression motion, revealed no scheme or covert attempt on the part of the police to obtain a confession from Appellant in taking him to the police station or in allowing his mother to speak with him. Appellant failed to convince the trial court otherwise. Finally, it could hardly be surmised that Appellant did not knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waive his right to remain silent and to have counsel present at his interrogation as evidence shows that the police read Appellant his Miranda rights immediately prior to taking Appellant's incriminating statements. Appellant presented no evidence to the contrary.