Court Opinion

ID: 9744926
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 22:23:35.912996+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:53.647564
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, Justice,
dissenting.
After the police began interrogating defendant, he told them, “I don’t know what to say. I guess I really want a lawyer, but, I mean, I’ve never done this before so I don’t know.” (R. at 2024.) After discussion, the police questioning continued. Defendant responded to their request that he tell his story by saying, “I would, but I don’t wanna say anything to ... I don’t know. I wouldn’t word it right. I know I wouldn’t and I don’t wanna get myself into trouble that I didn’t do no that I did do or whatever and I just, you know. Since I’ve never done it, I’m nervous. I don’t know what to say. I know you guys want to hear my story.” (R. at 2025-26 (ellipsis in original).) One of the officers responded, “Absolutely.” (R. at 2026.) Defendant continued, “And I would love to tell you my story, but I don’t wanna tell you the story because I don’t wanna like slip up and say the wrong thing that’ll get me in trouble.” Id. After more discussion, the police questioning continued. Defendant responded, “But if I told my side of the story and ... I don’t know. Lawyers say you’re not supposed to say nothing without him present. I don’t know. Well, it’s like the movies, you know. Never say nothing unless your lawyer’s present.” (R. at 2027 (ellipsis in original).) Again the police questioning resumed and defendant made the incriminating statements used at trial. (R. at 2027-32.)
While I agree with the majority that police questioning need not stop just because the defendant is “thinking out loud,” here the defendant asked for counsel but questioning continued. Defendant then made three attempts to explain why he was asking for counsel but each time questioning nevertheless continued. Under the circumstances, I believe the defendant’s four statements, taken together, constituted a sufficiently clear and unambiguous request to have an attorney present that all questioning should have ceased.