Court Opinion

ID: 9762781
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 02:30:57.520785+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:37.421675
License: Public Domain

*521NIX, Chief Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I agree with the majority that there is a legitimate question regarding the “in custody” requirement of Miranda. I would hold, however, that appellee’s trial counsel was ineffective and direct that on remand new counsel be appointed.
It is clear from this record that the issue of the voluntariness of appellee’s statements should have been raised at the suppression hearing. Experts for the Commonwealth as well as for the defense testified that appellee was mildly retarded. Appellee was questioned by a state trooper with whom he had been acquainted for several years. Appellee was subjected to repeated questioning and at one point the state trooper yelled at appellee during interview. In addition, the police used appellee’s wife to help elicit his confession. From the foregoing I am convinced that the claim that appellee’s will had been overborne would have been of arguable merit.
The question of the violation of appellee’s right to counsel during questioning is another issue not raised below which may have been meritorious. This would be an additional ground for a finding of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. I would therefore remand for the appointment of new counsel to permit consideration of these significant constitutional issues.