Opinion ID: 1906619
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Kirkland was indicted by the Coahoma County grand jury on June 24, 1987, for feloniously robbing H.B. Miller and stealing $761.00 on January 7, 1987, and also as a habitual offender under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-81 (1987). At the time of his arrest, he was addicted to cocaine. When Kirkland was first arrested on the morning of January 15, and following a chase by Clarksdale policeman Michael Self, he refused to sign a Miranda form, and refused to make any statement. That afternoon he appeared before Kenneth Bush, the justice court judge at the county jail. Bush went through the customary magistrate proceeding, during which he advised Kirkland he could have an attorney, and Kirkland told him that he needed a court appointed attorney. Bush set his bail bond at $25,000. Officer Tim Fortenberry, investigator with the city police department, heard Judge Bush tell Kirkland he could have a court appointed attorney. Nevertheless, immediately after Judge Bush left Fortenberry orally gave Kirkland the conventional Miranda warnings, and then proceeded to question him. Kirkland admitted he robbed Miller. James Price, another investigator for the city, was present during this questioning. Kirkland at the pretrial suppression hearing testified he could remember nothing about the appearance before justice court or being questioned by Fortenberry and Price. He said he was having withdrawal symptoms and needing some relief from medication. Over the objection of Kirkland, his admission to robbing Miller was offered into evidence before the jury by Fortenberry.