Opinion ID: 2357750
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Heading: The Voluntariness of Durepo's Statement

Text: In order for a confession to be admitted at trial, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was made voluntarily. [4] State v. Ledger, 444 A.2d 404, 413 (Me.1982); State v. Ashe, 425 A.2d 191, 194 (Me.1981); State v. Collins, 297 A.2d 620, 636 (Me.1972). A trial court's ruling on the admissibility of a confession will not be disturbed on appeal if the record rationally supports the conclusions reached. State v. White, 460 A.2d 1017, 1021 (Me.1983); Ledger, 444 A.2d at 413. The determination of voluntariness will be upheld unless the evidence shows that a contrary inference was the only reasonable conclusion that could have been drawn. Ledger, 444 A.2d at 413; State v. Catlin, 392 A.2d 27, 30 (Me.1978). In the instant case, the record lends rational support to the determination below that the statement Durepo made to Officer Paul was voluntary. Although Durepo was crying, crying alone is insufficient to negate the conclusion that statements were voluntary. White, 460 A.2d at 1021. Moreover, Durepo came to the Sanford police station voluntarily, while sober and in apparent good health, and was apprised of, understood, and effectively waived his Miranda rights prior to questioning. See Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731, 739, 89 S.Ct. 1420, 1424, 22 L.Ed.2d 684 (1969) (fact that suspect is given, understands, and waives Miranda rights prior to making incriminating statement is indicative of voluntariness); see also State v. Theriault, 425 A.2d 986, 990 (Me.1981) (where defendant approached police voluntarily and was given Miranda warnings three times, his confession was voluntary despite officer's statements you'll feel better if you get it off your chest). Finally, Durepo was questioned by only one officer, readily accompanied that officer to the interviewing room, and was allowed to walk around and smoke cigarettes during the course of the interview. Having examined the totality of the circumstances, we hold the record rationally supports the determination of the suppression justice that Durepo's confession was voluntary.