Court Opinion

ID: 9668538
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:17:33.126476+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:46.007602
License: Public Domain

DOUGLAS, Judge,
dissenting.
The prior dissenting opinion is withdrawn.
The majority overrules the State’s motion for rehearing on the ground that appellant asked the officers for two days to get things straight in his mind before talking to them. Appellant testified that the reason he did not want to talk at that time was that he did not know who to involve in the crime. When he later determined that the officers knew who were involved in the crime, he was ready to confess. He wrote the confession in his own handwriting.
The Supreme Court of the United States has held that the totality of the circumstances should be considered in determining if a confession were voluntarily made. His reason to remain silent no longer existed when he found out that the officers knew the others who were involved. He then voluntarily wrote the confession in his own handwriting.
The majority does not apply the holdings of North Carolina v. Butler, 441 U.S. 369, 99 S.Ct. 1755, 60 L.Ed.2d 286 (1979), and Fare v. Michael C., 442 U.S. 707, 99 S.Ct. 2560, 61 L.Ed.2d 197 (1979), which are the most recent Supreme Court interpretations of Miranda.
In Butler, the defendant was interrogated by FBI agents in New York concerning a North Carolina robbery. The agents established that the suspect had an eleventh grade education and was literate. He then was given the Bureau’s “Advice of Rights” form. The defendant stated that he understood his rights but he refused to sign the waiver at the bottom of the form. The agents then stated that they would like to talk with him further, and he replied: “I will talk to you but I am not signing any form.” He then made inculpatory statements.
In holding the inculpatory statements admissible, the Supreme Court stated:
“An express written or oral statement of waiver of the right to remain silent or of the right to counsel is usually strong proof of the validity of that waiver, but is not inevitably either necessary or sufficient to establish waiver. The question is Itot one of form, but rather whether the defendant in fact knowingly and voluntarily waived the rights delineated in the Miranda case. As was unequivocally said in Miranda, mere silence is not enough. That does not mean that the defendant’s silence, coupled with an understanding of his rights and a course of conduct indicating waiver, may never support a conclusion that a defendant has waived his rights. The courts must presume that a defendant did not waive his rights; the *643prosecution’s burden is great; but in at least some cases waiver can be clearly inferred from the actions and words of the person interrogated, [footnote omitted]
“... This is not the first criminal case to question whether a defendant waived his constitutional rights. It is an issue with which courts must repeatedly deal. Even when the right so fundamental as that to counsel at trial is involved, the question of waiver must be determined on ‘the particular facts and circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.’ Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 [58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461], See also United States v. Washington, 431 U.S. 181, 188 [97 S.Ct. 1814, 1819, 52 L.Ed.2d 238]; Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 [93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854; Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731, 739 [89 S.Ct. 1420, 1424, 22 L.Ed.2d 684].”
In Fare v. Michael C., supra, a juvenile was warned of his rights under Miranda v. Arizona. He asked if he could have his probation officer present. The officers did not get his probation officer and the juvenile confessed. The Supreme Court of the United States reversed the Supreme Court of California which had held that the request for the probation officer to be a per se violation of the minor’s Fifth Amendment rights in the same way the request for an attorney was found in Miranda to be, regardless of what the interrogation otherwise might reveal.
The Supreme Court discussed North Carolina v. Butler, supra, and held that the asking for the probation officer did not invoke Miranda. The Court applied the totality of the circumstances test and held the confession to be admissible.
In the present case, Faulder did not ask for an attorney; he asked for time “... to get it straight” and then confessed in his own handwriting.
On Friday, April 22, 1977, Captain Bill Roach of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department gave appellant the standard Miranda warning. Appellant stated that he understood his rights and did not want an attorney. He did agree to take a polygraph test concerning the murder in question.
On Monday, April 25, 1977, Roach, Texas Ranger Glenn Elliott and appellant arrived in Tyler at approximately 2:00 p. m. for the polygraph examination. Appellant then declined to be tested. Marvin McLeroy, the polygraph examiner, testified that after appellant’s refusal he terminated the test and asked appellant, “Would it be all right if I interviewed him pertaining to this particular case myself. Subject indicated to me that it would. At that point in time, before any questions were asked, I told him the standard Miranda warning, read it to him, and subject read it and signed it.” He signed the waiver form three times.
McLeroy informed appellant that the police were planning to question him regarding the instant murder. After a fifteen minute interview, McLeroy left and Ranger Elliott continued the interview at 2:30 p. m. Elliott initially read appellant his rights again. “During this talk, the defendant indicated to me that he would like a couple of days to get this straight in his mind, and I talked to him.” This need to get things straight was brought up twice by appellant, and during cross-examination Elliott agreed that he took it to mean that appellant wanted to wait a couple of days in regards to giving a statement about the murder. Appellant never asked any of the officers to stop questioning him and all of them testified that appellant was fully cognizant of his rights.
Elliott’s first interview lasted thirty minutes and he was followed by Roach who also initially questioned appellant for thirty minutes. McLeroy, Elliott and Roach all interviewed appellant a second time. Each officer warned appellant before conducting the interview.
*644Later, Roach read a list of names to appellant. In a situation very similar to that in the Butler case, appellant told Captain Bill Roach of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department that “I can’t at this time tell you about it, but if you’ll give me a piece of paper, I’ll write it down for you.” Thereafter, appellant confessed his participation in the murder in his own handwriting.
Roach left and returned with confession forms. Appellant was brought into the reception area of the building at 5:00 p. m. and signed the waiver of rights form at 5:47 p. m. He read aloud the portion of the waiver regarding his right to counsel and initialed it. Appellant then drew a diagram of the victim’s house while the statement was typed. The statement was read by appellant, read to him by the officers and he was given an opportunity to make corrections before signing it. The confession was signed at 7:22 p. m. Two of the five hours appellant was in Tyler were consumed by appellant giving the details of the confession and typing it.
During the interview appellant had been allowed to smoke cigarettes, drink coffee and use the bathroom. Although most of the interview occurred in the polygraph room which is relatively secluded, that office was accessible to the other departments at the Tyler DPS office including: Weight and Motor Vehicle Inspection, Narcotics, Intelligence, Auto Theft, Rangers, Patrol, Laboratory and Driver’s License. The bathroom used by appellant was in a hall by the driver’s license facility and “some citizens were coming in and out of the area.”
Roach stated that each time he orally warned appellant he asked appellant if he understood his rights. The officers testified that appellant never requested to see an attorney nor did he ask that the questioning cease. Appellant received his Miranda warnings six times during the interviews.
Appellant, on the other hand, testified that he requested an attorney while being interviewed and remembered telling the officers he needed time to think about things. He said he made these requests “ten or twelve times.” He admitted that he had not asked for an attorney when he was brought in front of a magistrate prior to and the day after his confession. He conceded that it was possible that he had received warnings from Roach and Elliott. He stated that he understood his rights and knowingly signed the confession.
The polygraph room in which the interview was conducted is equipped with a one-way mirror, an intercom and a polygraph machine on a table in the middle of the room. As noted above, although somewhat secluded, it was fairly accessible to other areas of the building. It was not a hidden room as described in the original opinion. No weapons were exhibited during the interview.
In the opinion on original submission, speaking of the officers, it is written:
“All three ignored the request to remain silent and chose to continue interrogation.”
There is no testimony to that effect. It is a conclusion on the part of the writer.
There is disputed testimony concerning appellant’s request for a lawyer. Appellant testified that he stated that he wanted a lawyer. Three officers testified that he never stated that he wanted a lawyer and one testified that appellant stated that he did not want a lawyer.
There is no evidence of a “hidden room.” This was shown to be a room where the polygraph operator had the machine and when the confession was given it was outside in the lobby of the office of the polygraph operator.
The justice of the peace warned appellant of his Miranda rights. Captain Roach *645warned him of his rights and that he had a right to stop the interview at any time, Appellant agreed to take the lie detector test.
Roach mentioned Stormie Summers’ name and that of another person. Appellant said, “I can’t talk about it but if you will give me a pencil and a piece of paper I can write it down”, and later he stated that the reason he wrote it down was because he had to think about what he wanted to put in the confession. He stated that he really wanted to see who he would involve in the confession. The names given him by Captain Roach were some of those that were involved in the discussion or in the commission of the crime.
Roach read the confession aloud and all of appellant’s rights were listed on it. Appellant then read the warning which contained the statement that he' could end it at any time and he signed his name. Appellant had an opportunity to make changes in the confession and he did so. Appellant testified that he knew he had a right to a lawyer and knew that he had a right to stop the conversation and that he had a prison record.
Concerning the taking of the polygraph examination, McLeroy testified that he told appellant not to take the test unless he thought he could pass it. After that, appellant refused to take the test.
There is no statement in the record that he asked to remain silent or that he asked them not to interrogate him. He said that he wanted a couple of days to get it straight in his mind. With the above qualifications, that he wanted to see who he would involve in the confession and that he had rather write it down than to tell it, it goes to the totality of the circumstances that he never demanded to end the interrogation, that he never asked to end the interview, that he never indicated that he wished to end the interview.
After he read what he had written down personally, he said that he thought he could talk about it then.
Appellant testified that he knew that he had a right to a lawyer; that he could stop the interrogation at any time and he understood the other rights; that he did not request the appointment of an attorney. He admitted that he told Roach that “I can’t talk to you about it but I will write it down”; that it was easier to write down than it was to talk about it.
After he refused to take the polygraph examination, he was asked by McLeroy if he wanted to talk about it. He replied: “I just as well talk to you. I’ve talked to just everybody else.” McLeroy testified that appellant freely talked to him but he did not readily admit his implication.
When one reads the record and under the totality of the circumstances, the refusal to take a lie detector test is not a request for the interrogation to cease. It should be remembered that the operator of the polygraph machine stated to the appellant not to take the test unless he thought he could pass it. Then immediately thereafter appellant said that he might as well talk to him (the operator) because he had talked to everyone else.1
It appears that the two days that he wanted to get it straight in his mind was not a request to stop the interrogation but apparently to not implicate all the people that were involved in the burglary and homicide. In North Carolina v. Butler, supra, Butler told the officers: “I will talk to you but I’m not signing any form.” The *646Court held in that case that the totality of the circumstances showed that he waived his rights. The Court held:
“... [B]ut in at least some cases waiver can be clearly inferred from the actions and words of the person interrogated.”
and
“... ‘the particular facts and circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.’ Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461. See also United States v. Washington, 431 U.S. 181, 188, 97 S.Ct. 1814, 1819, 52 L.Ed.2d 238; Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854; Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731, 739, 89 S.Ct. 1420, 1424, 22 L.Ed.2d 684.”
In Fare v. Michael C., supra, the Supreme Court of the United States applied the totality of the circumstances test. The juvenile who was on probation at the time asked to see his probation officer. The Supreme Court held that there was sufficient evidence under the totality of the circumstances to show that he waived his right to remain silent.
In Williams v. State, 566 S.W.2d 919 (Tex.Cr.App.1976), this Court held that although under the totality of the circumstances the State must prove “an intentional relinquishment of a known right,” an express waiver is not required. See Michigan v. Mosley, 423 U.S. 96, 96 S.Ct. 321, 46 L.Ed.2d 313 (1975); Moreno v. State, 511 S.W.2d 273 (Tex.Cr.App.1974). Where the facts are in dispute, the trial judge as the fact finder can accept or reject all or any part of the testimony of any witness, including the defendant. Williams v. State, supra; McKittrick v. State, 541 S.W.2d 177 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).
The majority has not only refused to reexamine this case in light of North Carolina v. Butler, supra, and Fare v. Michael C., supra, but its opinion goes so far as to hold the vague and ambiguous statement about a need to “get things straight in my mind” by a defendant fully cognizant of his rights renders a subsequent confession inadmissible. This is contrary to the two recent United States Supreme Court cases cited above and to sound reasoning.
The State’s motion for rehearing should be granted and the judgment should be affirmed.
DALLY and W. C. DAVIS, JJ., join in this dissent.
APPENDIX
I. Chronological Summary of Facts

Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 and 21, 1977

Appellant was arrested and returned to Longview on a warrant issued in connection with an unrelated theft case. He arrived in Longview at about 9:00 p. m., April 20. (463) At 10:30 a. m. the following morning, appellant was taken before J.P. Charles Cashed and given his magistrate’s warning. (231) Appellant testified at the suppression hearing that he understood his rights at this time and that he did not request a lawyer because he felt that he did not need one. (484)

Friday April 22, 1977

At 9:10 a. m., appellant met with Deputy Bill Roach and Ranger Glenn Elliott in Roach’s office in the Gregg County Courthouse. Prior to any discussion, appellant was advised of his Miranda rights. (282,417) According to the officers, appellant’s rights were discussed at length and he answered negatively when asked if he wanted a lawyer. (283, 343, 418) The officers discussed the theft case briefly, then informed appellant he was a suspect in this capital murder case. This interview lasted until 10:43 a. m. *647(288, 418) Appellant agreed to take a polygraph test, and an appointment for the test was made. (286) Appellant’s version of this interview conforms with that of the officers. (486-491)

Monday, April 25, 1977

Elliott, Roach, and appellant left Long-view at 1:00 p. m. and drove to Department of Public Safety headquarters in Tyler where the polygraph test was to take place. (288, 418) They arrived at about 1:45. (327, 363) Appellant was placed in a lockup for a few minutes while Elliott and Roach briefed Marvin McLeroy, the polygraph operator. (291, 363)
McLeroy’s office consisted of a large outer office, in which his desk was located, and two smaller adjoining rooms. The polygraph was in one of these rooms. The other room was an observation room; the polygraph room was wired for sound and there was a two-way mirror. (292) Throughout the afternoon, only one officer was in the polygraph room with appellant at any given time; the other two were usually in the observation room.
Appellant was brought to the polygraph room at about 2:00 p. m., and McLeroy began his “pre-test interview,” consisting of various personal questions. (363) McLeroy then explained the test to appellant, and advised him not to take it if he was guilty or if he had any information that he wanted to conceal. (367) Appellant then told McLeroy that he did not want to take the test. This had taken about 30 minutes, which would make the time 2:30. (395)
Up to this point, there is no dispute between the officers and appellant as to the events on April 25.
After appellant refused the test, McLeroy “asked the subject would it be all right if I interviewed him pertaining to this particular case, myself. Subject indicated to me that it would. At that point, in time, before any questions were asked, I told him the standard Miranda warning, read it to him, and subject read it and signed it (a waiver of rights form, SX 8, 1479).” (368, lines 18-24) McLeroy asked appellant if he needed a lawyer, and appellant said, “No.” (371, 403) McLeroy and appellant then talked until about 3:00; appellant’s answers to McLeroy’s questions were uninformative. (372, 394, 366)
McLeroy left the polygraph room at 3:00 and Elliott entered. (294, 372) Elliott again informed appellant of his rights, and talked to appellant for about thirty minutes. (294, 373) During this conversation, appellant told Elliott, “I need a couple of days to get it all straight,” or words to that effect. (296, 329) This interview lasted about thirty minutes. Elliott then left and Roach entered the polygraph room; the time would now be about 3:30. (296, 375)
Roach also talked to appellant for thirty minutes. (375) Before he began, he also informed appellant of his rights. (343, 421) During these first conversations with Elliott and Roach, appellant was questioned generally about his activities and associates at the time of the murder. (295, 296)
At 4:00, McLeroy reentered the polygraph room, followed by Elliott at 4:15 and Roach at 4:30. It is not clear from the record whether the three officers again advised appellant of his rights before beginning their second conversations. (299, 300; 375, 376; 422) During his second conversation with Elliott, appellant again said he needed time to think and get it all clear in his mind. (299)
As of 4:30, when Roach entered the polygraph room for the second time, appellant had made no incriminating statements. (409) During this second conversation, Roach showed appellant a list of names he had written on a note pad and asked him about each of the names. “When I got to the name Stormie Summers, Stan sat there for a minute. He said, ‘I can’t at this time tell you about it, but if you’ll give me a piece of paper, I’ll try to write it down.’ ” (424, lines 4-7; also 301, 376) Roach gave appellant a pen and paper, and he wrote a short two-paragraph statement (SX 4,1454) *648describing the events at the Phillips house from the time appellant and Summers entered until he hit the deceased with the blackjack. (304, 376, 424) Appellant handed Roach this statement and said, “After you read this I think I can talk to you about it.” (425, lines 10 and 11; also 307)
It was now approximately 5:00 p. m. (332) Roach immediately went to his car for waiver of rights and custodial statement forms. (427) Meanwhile, appellant was moved to McLeroy’s outer office so that all three officers could observe his statement. (307, 377,427) Roach filled out a waiver of rights form and read it to appellant. Appellant then read the waiver and signed it at 5:47 p. m. (SX 5, 1476; 308, 309; 377, 378; 428). Appellant was again asked if he wanted an attorney; he replied that he did not. (308,453,454).
After signing the waiver, appellant drew a rough diagram of the Phillips house. (SX 6, 1326; 310, 386, 430). Then appellant dictated his confession to Roach. (SX 7, 1348; 314, 379, 432). After the statement was typed, appellant read it, initialed some corrections, and signed it; the time was 7:22 p. m. (316, 380, 433). The entire statement, including the printed warning at the top of the first page, was read to appellant before he signed. (316, 380, 433)
McLeroy, Elliott, and Roach repeatedly testified that appellant never asked for an attorney and never asked that the interrogation be ended. Elliott and Roach testified that they did not interpret appellant’s statement that he needed time to think as a request for all questioning to cease. (330, 452)
Appellant testified that after McLeroy explained the polygraph examination, he told McLeroy that he wanted a lawyer and would not take the test until he could talk to a lawyer. (464) He also testified that Elliott and Roach did not advise him of his rights and that he repeatedly asked that the questioning be stopped and an attorney appointed. (469, 470, 472, 476). Appellant was not able to recall clearly when he signed the two waivers, but admitted that the signatures were his. (474, 500, 502)
On cross-examination, appellant admitted that one reason he needed time to think was to give him time to decide who else to involve in the murder, but asserted that it was also to allow him to get legal counsel. (384) Appellant also admitted making the statement, “I can’t talk about it, but I can write it down,” and then making the first, handwritten statement. (495, 501) Appellant stated that he signed the formal confession only because he thought that “it was the only way to get out of there.” (505, lines 24, 25)

Tuesday, April 26, 1977

Appellant was taken before Judge Cashed to receive his magistrate’s warning with regard to the murder charge. Appellant did not request an attorney. (519)

TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 25, 1977

2:00 McLeroy begins pre-test interview.
2:30 Appellant declines test, but agrees to talk; signs first waiver of rights.
3:00 Elliott begins first conversation, gives Miranda warning. Appellant says he needs time to “get things straight.”
3:30 Roach begins first conversation; gives Miranda warnings.
4:00 McLeroy returns.
4:15 Elliott returns; appellant again says he needs time to think.
4:30 Roach returns with list of names; appellant says he can’t talk, but he will write it out.
5:00 Appellant indicates he is ready to talk about the murder; is moved to . outer office and again advised of rights.
5:47 Appellant signs second waiver of rights; begins confession.
7:22 Confession signed.

. Since there is a different interpretation in the evidence relied upon by the majority and in this opinion, a more detailed statement of the testimony with references to the page numbers is set out as an appendix.