Opinion ID: 2301860
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Voluntariness of Appellant's Statements to Detectives

Text: Appellant argues the confession he made to detectives at the police station was involuntary and should have been suppressed. Appellant contends he did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his Miranda rights because he was never advised the assault he was being questioned about would become a homicide charge if victim died. [8] It is the Commonwealth's burden to establish whether [appellant] knowingly and voluntarily waived his Miranda rights. In order to do so, the Commonwealth must demonstrate that the proper warnings were given, and that the accused manifested an understanding of these warnings. Eichinger, at 1135-36 (citations omitted). Police, when giving someone Miranda warnings, are not required to inform him of all possible or hypothetical charges against him. See Colorado v. Spring, 479 U.S. 564, 577, 107 S.Ct. 851, 93 L.Ed.2d 954 (1987) ([A] suspect's awareness of all the possible subjects of questioning in advance of interrogation is not relevant to determining whether the suspect voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his Fifth Amendment privilege.). Here, Kohler read appellant his rights, informing him he was being questioned in relation to an assault. The detectives reminded appellant of his rights no less than three times. Appellant expressed his understanding of his rights and indicated his desire to talk with detectives. Although appellant was never informed he could face homicide charges, he cites no legal authority indicating he was required to be informed he could face homicide charges if victim died. It was objectively reasonable for police not to inform appellant he could face homicide charges, as victim was still alive when they questioned him. Thus, the record supports the trial court's denial of suppression of appellant's statements to detectives.