Opinion ID: 535720
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Danner's Grand Jury Testimony

Text: 28 Danner contends that his grand jury testimony should have been suppressed because he expressed his desire to consult with an attorney at the start of the grand jury proceeding and none was provided for him. Once Danner made the request, he was taken out of the grand jury room and into the hallway to call the attorney representing him in connection with the state charges. 29 While Danner was outside the grand jury room, the prosecutors and the jurors discussed the alternatives available to them and to Danner if he was unable to reach his attorney. The foreman stated:FOREMAN: I would suggest that we handle it on the basis that if Mr. Danner has anything he would voluntarily like to say we'll be glad to listen to it. If he prefers not to talk without professional counsel then we understand that position, too, and we'll excuse him. 30 .... 31 And then, if he wants to voluntarily appear before the Grand Jury he can let us know that that's his desire. 32 Danner was brought back into the grand jury room, after learning that his attorney was out of the country. When Danner reentered, the prosecutor advised him that he need not answer any question which would tend to incriminate him and that he had a right to consult with an attorney before answering any questions. The prosecutor asked if he understood, and Danner replied that he did. The prosecutor continued: 33 All right. The Grand Jury wants to offer you an opportunity at this time to say to them anything that you wish to or to answer any questions that you wish to at this time knowing that you're not represented by counsel at this time. Basically, what we're saying is if there is anything you want to say before you want--before you talk to your attorney or without consulting with an attorney the Grand Jury is giving you an opportunity to say that. 34 If there is nothing you want to say without consulting with an attorney then the Grand Jury will see to it that you're appointed an attorney to represent you in this proceeding through the U.S. Magistrate here, that you consult with that attorney, and then give you the opportunity to return and say anything you wish to or answer any questions that you must answer, not under the Fifth Amendment privilege, after consulting with your attorney. Danner was further advised: 35 [T]he Grand Jury is going to provide you an opportunity tomorrow--in other words, you can talk with an attorney this evening or tomorrow morning and they'll provide for you to come back. I mean, they're willing to listen to you right now or they'll listen to you tomorrow. It's your option and I just want the record to clearly show that, you know, we're giving you an option here and we'll do it however you want to do it. 36 He responded: Okay. Well, I'll go--go ahead and ask me questions and I'll answer. 37 Danner maintains on appeal that he testified merely to get back to the jail quickly so he could obtain his medication, which he desperately needed. Danner insists that he was placed in a coercive setting, and once he invoked his right to counsel he could not be questioned without an attorney present. 38 A witness called by the grand jury is legally bound to testify, United States v. Calandra, 414 U.S. 338, 343, 94 S.Ct. 613, 617, 38 L.Ed.2d 561 (1974). This duty is subject to the assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege against compelled self-incrimination, United States v. Mandujano, 425 U.S. 564, 572, 96 S.Ct. 1768, 1774, 48 L.Ed.2d 212 (1976). In Mandujano, the Supreme Court declined to accord a grand jury witness the same rights as a person in police custody. While the latter has an absolute right to refuse to answer any question, the former has an absolute duty to answer all questions, subject only to a valid Fifth Amendment claim. Id. at 581, 96 S.Ct. at 1778-79. The Fifth Amendment does not preclude a witness from voluntarily offering self-incriminating testimony, however. United States v. Washington, 431 U.S. 181, 186-87, 97 S.Ct. 1814, 1818-19, 52 L.Ed.2d 238 (1977) (citing United States v. Monia, 317 U.S. 424, 427, 63 S.Ct. 409, 410, 87 L.Ed. 376 (1943)). In Washington, a grand jury witness who later became a defendant was given explicit Miranda warnings before responding to the grand jury's questions. The Supreme Court found that the record revealed no compulsion of testimony, 431 U.S. at 188, 97 S.Ct. at 1819, and, accordingly, held that the testimony should not have been suppressed. Id. at 191. This Court has not decided whether a constitutional right to counsel exists during the course of a grand jury proceeding. See United States v. Olmeda, 839 F.2d 1433, 1437 (11th Cir.1988) (For even if appellant has a constitutional right to consult with an attorney during the course of the grand jury proceeding, the failure of the government to provide an attorney for her does not excuse perjury on her part.). In Mandujano, the respondent had been informed that he was entitled to the assistance of counsel outside the grand jury room. The Court stated: 39 No criminal proceedings had been instituted against respondent, hence the Sixth Amendment right to counsel had not come into play. Kirby v. Illinois, 406 U.S. 682 [92 S.Ct. 1877, 32 L.Ed.2d 411] (1972). A witness 'before a grand jury cannot insist, as a matter of constitutional right, on being represented by his counsel....' In re Groban, [352 U.S. 330, 333 [77 S.Ct. 510, 513, 1 L.Ed.2d 376] (1957) ]. Under settled principles the witness may not insist upon the presence of his attorney in the grand jury room. Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 6(d). 40 Id. (footnote omitted). 41 State criminal proceedings had been instituted against Danner, however, for which counsel was appointed. Even assuming Danner thereby had a right to counsel either in or outside the grand jury room, Danner voluntarily testified, without compulsion, waiving that right. Danner did not indicate at that time that he needed to return to the jail for medication, and the assistant United States attorney, at the jury foreman's request, clearly explained to Danner his options once it was determined that his attorney was unavailable. 42 We also agree with the ruling below that no prosecutorial misconduct occurred. Danner elected to proceed with his testimony after having been clearly advised of his alternatives.