Opinion ID: 2640200
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Was it error to admit Johnson's statements?

Text: In reviewing a trial court's decision regarding suppression, this court reviews the factual underpinnings of the decision by a substantial competent evidence standard and the ultimate legal conclusion by a de novo standard, applying independent judgment. This court does not reweigh evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or resolve conflicts in the evidence. State v. Harris, 284 Kan. 560, Syl. ¶ 9, 162 P.3d 28 (2007); State v. Ackward, 281 Kan. 2, Syl. ¶ 1, 128 P.3d 382 (2006). It is well established that voluntariness of a confession must be determined under the totality of the circumstances. The State has the burden of proving that a confession is admissible, and the required proof is by a preponderance of the evidence. The essential inquiry is whether the statement was the product of the accused's free and independent will. State v. Brown, 285 Kan. 261, 272, 173 P.3d 612 (2007); State v. Gonzalez, 282 Kan. 73, 103, 145 P.3d 18 (2006). Numerous factors are to be considered when determining if a statement was voluntary, which this court has consolidated into the following nonexclusive list based on previous Kansas case law: (1) the accused's mental condition; (2) the manner and duration of the interrogation; (3) the ability of the accused to communicate on request with the outside world; (4) the accused's age, intellect, and background; (5) the fairness of the officers in conducting the interrogation; and (6) the accused's fluency with the English language. State v. Walker, 283 Kan. 587, 596-97, 153 P.3d 1257 (2007). In this case, the defense focuses upon the accused's mental condition and intellect. No other factor weighs against a conclusion that Johnson's waiver of rights was involuntary, and the absence of other factors is an important consideration. This point was emphasized in State v. Swanigan, 279 Kan. 18, 30-39, 106 P.3d 39 (2005), a case in which the defendant had an I.Q. of 76. In that case the defendant relied upon several factors, causing this court to note: Although any one of these factors which Swanigan asserts  his low intellect and susceptibility to being overcome by anxiety, the officers' repeated use of false information, and their threats and promises  may not be sufficient to show coercion, the combination of all of them in this case leads us to conclude as a matter of law that Swanigan's October 31 statement was not the result of his free will, but was involuntary. 279 Kan. at 39, 106 P.3d 39. In contrast, when low intellect is the only factor, in several cases this court has concluded the statement is knowing and voluntary. For example, in State v. Thompson, 221 Kan. 165, 558 P.2d 1079 (1976), the defendant alleged that he was incapable of voluntarily and intelligently waiving his right to remain silent due to the fact that he had an I.Q. of 68. In affirming the trial court's determination that the statement was freely, voluntarily, and intelligently given, the Thompson court stated that [t]he mental deficiencies of the defendant may be an important factor in determining whether or not a confession was voluntarily given. That fact alone, however, is not conclusive evidence on the issue. 221 Kan. at 170, 558 P.2d 1079; see also Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 163-65, 107 S.Ct. 515, 93 L.Ed.2d 473 (1986) (low intellect not basis for finding statement involuntary if no coercion); State v. Mays, 277 Kan. 359, 374-76, 85 P.3d 1208 (2004) (verbal I.Q. of 77 was only one factor); State v. Lane, 262 Kan. 373, 386, 940 P.2d 422 (1997) (I.Q. of 77 was only one factor); see generally Annot., 8 A.L.R.4th 16. In other words, Johnson's low intelligence does not preclude a finding that Johnson knowingly and voluntarily waived his Miranda rights. The waiver may be knowing, as defined by constitutional requirements, if the circumstances indicate Johnson understood his constitutional rights and the consequences of asserting or waiving those rights. Further, Johnson's waiver of rights may be voluntary if law enforcement officers did not exploit his low intelligence or otherwise coerce the waiver. See Connelly, 479 U.S. at 163-65, 107 S.Ct. 515; Holloway v. State, 561 So.2d 1119, 1121-23 (Ala.Crim. App.1990); Harjo v. State, 882 P.2d 1067, 1071-72 (Okla.Crim.1994). Regarding Johnson's knowing waiver of rights, the conflicting expert opinions regarding his general ability to understand his rights must be weighed by the trier of fact. State v. Kuykendall, 264 Kan. 647, 651, 957 P.2d 1112 (1998) (It is the function of the jury in a criminal case to determine the weight and credit to be given the testimony of each witness, whether expert or lay in nature.); see Holloway, 561 So.2d at 1123 (State's experts contradicted the defense experts. This presented a conflict in the evidence, which only the finder of fact could resolve.). Here, the trial court resolved the conflict in favor of the State. In addition, there is other evidence that supports the trial court's findings regarding Johnson's capacity to understand. The circumstances demonstrate that Johnson was aware of his right to remain silent. As the trial court pointed out, when Johnson asked for an attorney he effectively asserted his right to remain silent. Then, when Dr. Vandenberg attempted to interview Johnson, he again refused to speak without consulting with his attorney. Even though he only asserted a right to counsel, he did so because he no longer wanted to speak to the detectives or the State's expert without an attorney present, indicating he understood he was not required to answer their questions. Also, there was no indication at any point in the interviews that Johnson did not understand the conversation. His responses were coherent, he was able to provide a chronological recitation of events, and he asserted a possible defense, i.e., defense of another. Johnson was twice read his rights, indicated he understood them, and agreed to speak with the detectives and to write a confession. The totality of these circumstances indicates Johnson was functioning at a level sufficient to understand his rights and to understand the consequences of waiving those rights. Moreover, he was capable of making a decision to waive his rights or, as he did on two occasions, assert them. Regarding voluntariness, as the United States Supreme Court has held, a mental deficiency in the defendant that is not exploited by law enforcement officers does not annul the voluntariness of a confession unless there is evidence of coercion. Connelly, 479 U.S. at 164-65, 107 S.Ct. 515; compare Swanigan, 279 Kan. at 39, 106 P.3d 39 (low intellect combined with coercive factors rendered statements involuntary). The record does not suggest that the detectives took advantage of Johnson's intelligence level, that he was in any way subjected to coercion or improper conduct, or that Johnson's statements were the result of confusion or mental deficiency. The trial court's factual findings are supported by substantial competent evidence, and our independent review affirms the conclusion the statements were knowingly and voluntarily made. The trial court did not err in denying the various motions to suppress and in admitting Johnson's statements to the detectives.