Opinion ID: 1317431
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: pre-sentencing

Text: 5. Crowe urges that the trial court erroneously failed to suppress his first two tape-recorded inculpatory statements. The trial court was authorized to find, from the evidence adduced at the suppression hearing, that the statements either had not been taken after Crowe's invocation of his right to counsel or that, if they had been, Crowe initiated them. Hall v. State, 255 Ga. 267, 336 S.E.2d 812 (1985). There was testimony that, after Crowe indicated a possible interest in consulting counsel, all questioning ceased and the police provided him with the telephone number of his counsel and the opportunity to call. However, Crowe then said, Well maybe I just want to talk to him sometimesI don't know if he's in his office or not. Turn on your tape recorder if you want a statement. Before being questioned, Crowe waived his Miranda rights and, in the tape recorded statement, he acknowledged that it was being voluntarily made. Contrary to Crowe's contention, the evidence also warranted a finding that his statements were not coerced by concern over the whereabouts of his young stepdaughter. There was testimony that Crowe readily agreed to have his stepdaughter taken to the home of an officer, who was a neighbor. Crowe further contends that the statements were inadmissible fruits of his unconstitutional warrantless arrest. However, [a] `warrantless arrest' is constitutionally valid if, at the moment the arrest is made, the facts and circumstances within the knowledge of the arresting officers and of which they had reasonably trustworthy information were sufficient to warrant a prudent man in believing that the accused had committed or was committing an offense. Callaway v. State, 257 Ga. 12, 13-14, 354 S.E.2d 118 (1987). Unless clearly erroneous, the trial court's ruling on disputed facts and credibility at a suppression hearing must be accepted on appeal. Dean v. State, 250 Ga. 77, 80, 295 S.E.2d 306 (1982). The trial court's finding that Crowe's warrantless arrest was constitutionally valid was not clearly erroneous. 6. Crowe contends that the trial court erred in failing to suppress tangible evidence seized in a warrantless search of his home and car. Evidence adduced at the suppression hearing demonstrated that Crowe voluntarily consented to the searches, both orally and in writing, and that his wife also gave written consent to the search of the home. A valid consent obviates the need for a search warrant. State v. McBride, 261 Ga. 60, 62, 401 S.E.2d 484 (1991). The voluntariness of a consent to search is determined from the totality of the circumstances. State v. McBride, supra. At the time that he gave his consent, Crowe was 27 years old, with at least three years of college education and above-average intelligence. He was advised of his rights. His consent to the search preceded any prolonged questioning. There is no evidence to indicate that Crowe was threatened or suffered any physical duress. On this evidence, the trial court was authorized to conclude that Crowe's will was not overcome by the mere presence of four officers or by any psychological distress relating to concerns about his wife or stepdaughter.