Opinion ID: 1119516
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Miller's confession

Text: Three days after the murder, a Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) team executed the search warrant on Miller's house and car. Nine Pima County Sheriff's deputies, dressed in jumpsuits, combat boots, and helmets, carrying .45 caliber pistols, shotguns, and assault rifles, entered Miller's trailer without notice and immediately detained everyone. They handcuffed Miller and placed him in a chair in the front yard. A detective asked if he would go to the police station to answer questions. Miller agreed. The police did not have an arrest warrant. The police took him to the station, gave him his warnings under Miranda, and told him they would take him home if he wanted. Miller agreed to answer questions. Miller initially denied having any knowledge of the murder, but eventually confessed. He admitted going to the movies with Luna and the victim. He admitted giving Luna the gun before they took the victim to Mt. Lemmon. He admitted being present when Luna shot her on Mt. Lemmon. He said that Luna immediately returned his gun. He then told the police that he followed Luna down Mt. Lemmon at a high rate of speed until they reached the desert in northeast Tucson. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, he admitted he shot the victim. [2] A. Voluntariness Miller argues that his statements were involuntary and should have been excluded. We disagree. Although Miller provided highly incriminating evidence, he thought he was helping himself. Throughout his interrogation, Miller first lied, and then offered an alternative explanation when confronted with contrary information. He initially denied ever having met the victim. He then denied that he went to the movies with Luna and the victim. But then he claimed that he was dropped off at his home after the movie. He admitted he was with Luna when he shot her on Mt. Lemmon. He claimed she was killed instantly. Finally, after having denied that he shot her, he admitted firing five shots into her. We agree with the trial court that Miller made these statements voluntarily.