Opinion ID: 451578
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: State Suppression Hearing

Text: 6 The evidence from the state court's suppression hearing basically showed the following facts. On the day of Gorham's arrest in Peoria, Illinois, he was brought to Chicago, arriving at approximately 9:30 p.m. During the trip from Peoria, no one questioned the defendant. Gorham was taken to Assistant State's Attorney Ken Gillis' office by Officers Carl Kuester and Joseph Robustelli. In Gillis' office, Gorham was left in the custody of Lieutenant Douglas Barger, Assistant State's Attorneys Thomas Helsel and William Prendergast, and Illinois Bureau of Investigation (IBI) Agent Thomas Naughton. 7 Barger testified during the suppression hearing that he recited to Gorham his Miranda rights, that he asked Gorham if he wished to make a statement, and that Gorham responded that he did not want to make any statement at that time. According to Naughton's testimony at the suppression hearing, Gorham responded to Barger by stating that the murder charge 8 was a pretty heavy beef, he is not quite sure whether or not he would want to make a formal statement, that he did four years at Menard and there was plenty of people at Menard who were there only because they did give statements and he then said he is not quite sure whether he would want to go that route. 9 675 F.2d at 933. Helsel testified as follows on cross examination to the defendant's questioning: 10 Q. Now during this period of time, that 10 or 15 minutes, Mr. Gorham declined or refused to make a statement, isn't that correct? 11 A. To the best of my recollection, yes. 12 State Tr. 135. 13 Shortly thereafter, Barger and Helsel left Gillis' office, spoke to Kuester and Robustelli, who subsequently continued to interrogate Gorham. Kuester again gave Gorham his Miranda rights; Gorham made no response. Robustelli then began to interrogate Gorham and told him of the evidence that they presently had against him. Robustelli testified under cross-examination about Gorham's initial statements to him: 14 Q. And when you initially told him what you had did he decline to make a statement, did he say I don't want to make a statement? 15 A. He didn't say anything. 16 Q. What was the first thing he said to you at this time in the course of this conversation? 17 A. Kathy [Thompson] is here, that is what he said. 18 State tr. 29. 19 Kuester then testified that he advised Gorham of his rights in the presence of Robustelli, and that Gorham stated that he understood each of his Miranda rights. Kuester did not testify that Gorham stated to him or Robustelli at any time that he wished not to make any statement to them. In fact, Kuester testified that when Robustelli asked Gorham if he wished to tell them about Ken Thompson's murder Gorham replied How is that? and shortly thereafter asked if Kathy Thompson was there at the station. State tr. 44.