Opinion ID: 2569334
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Taint of Prior Statements

Text: The Fifth Amendment prohibits only the use of compelled testimony. United States v. Wiley, 997 F.2d 378, 383 (8th Cir.), cert. denied 510 U.S. 1011 (1993); State v. Dang, 267 Kan. 198, 207-08, 978 P.2d 277 (1999). A noncoercive Miranda violation does not automatically taint post-Miranda statements. Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U.S. 298, 305-09, 84 L. Ed.2d 222, 105 S. Ct. 1285 (1985). Though Miranda requires the suppression of an unwarned admission, the admissibility of any subsequent statement turns solely on whether the statement was knowingly and voluntarily made. 470 U.S. at 309. Absent deliberately coercive or improper tactics in obtaining the initial statement, the mere fact that a suspect has made an unwarned admission does not warrant a presumption of compulsion. A subsequent administration of Miranda warnings to a suspect who has given a voluntary but unwarned statement ordinarily should suffice to remove the conditions that precluded admission of the earlier statement. In such circumstances, the finder of fact may reasonably conclude that the suspect made a rational and intelligent choice whether to waive or invoke his rights. 470 U.S. at 314. Hedges' assertion that his statements at the county jail were tainted by his prior statements at the hospital assumes that the statements at the hospital were the result of coercive or improper tactics. The record contains no suggestion of coercion. We note the social worker asked Hedges if he wanted the officer to leave the room during questioning, and Hedges responded that it was fine if the officer stayed. Since Hedges' prior statements to the social worker were not admitted into evidence or the result of government coercion, those statements did not affect the admissibility of his subsequent statements to the officers.