Court Opinion

ID: 9757190
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 22:23:38.068916+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:35.871453
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Kelleher, with whom Mr. Justice Paolino joins,
concurring. We have held that initially the admissibility of alleged tainted evidence is a matter for the trial court and that such evidence should only be admitted if the trial justice has been satisfied by clear and convincing evidence1 that the proffered evidence was not illegally obtained. State v. Espinosa, 109 R.I. 221, 283 A.2d 465 (1971); State v. Leavitt, 103 R.I. 273, 237 A.2d 309 (1968). We also observed in Leavitt2 that in reviewing the trial justice’s decision, we must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution and disturb his findings only if they are clearly wrong. The rule we adopted was based upon our recognition that each case must stand or fall on its facts and the trial court’s appraisal of the witnesses’ credibility. State v. Leavitt, supra.
Admittedly, the trial justice did say that Knott, during the five-hour hiatus between the termination of his initial *261investigation and Captain Hilton’s appearance,' was in a sort of “catatonic trance.” However, the trial justice then went on to say that this behavior “was a device to shut off further questioning” and that Knott “knew what was going on during that five-hour period.” It is obvious from his comments that the trial justice believed that Knott’s “catatonics” was nothing more than an act or a sham.
Knott’s statements were voluntary in all respects but inadmissible only because of the rule of Escobedo. The trial justice found that the Pawtucket Police did not subject Knott to any psychological or physical abuse prior to placing him in the custody of Captain Hilton. He concluded that whatever taint arose from the failure of the police to give the Escobedo warnings had been dissipated at the time Knott asked to talk to Captain Hilton.
A trial justice in the circumstances under review has an advantage which is not enjoyed by an appellate court. He sees and hears the witnesses.
In the light of the trial justice’s adverse comments on Knott’s supposed trance, I cannot now say that as a matter of law the taint had not been removed when he bared his soul to Captain Hilton in the Scituate Barracks, nor can I say that the trial justice’s ruling as to spontaneity was clearly wrong.

The Supreme Court has recently held that the voluntariness of aa in-custody inculpatory statement can be resolved on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence rather than a stricter standard of proof such as “clear and convincing evidence” or “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Lego v. Twomey, 404 U. S. 477, 92 S.Ct. 619, 30 L.Ed.2d 618 (1972).

In Leavitt, we affirmed the trial justice’s finding that the defendant, while being questioned at Providence Police Headquarters, had freely consented to a search of his automobile. The search took place in the police garage. Leavitt subsequently sought postconviction relief in the Federal Courts. The District Court ruled the search illegal. The Circuit Court reversed the District Court’s finding on the basis that the Federal Court is bound by the state’s factual findings “unless the petitioner offers convincing evidence that they are erroneous.” Leavitt v. Howard, 462 F.2d 992, 995 (1st Cir. 1972).