People v. Brooks

608 N.E.2d 635, 241 Ill. App. 3d 84, 181 Ill. Dec. 562, 1993 Ill. App. LEXIS 134
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedFebruary 5, 1993
DocketNo. 3—91—0747
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 608 N.E.2d 635 (People v. Brooks) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Court of Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Brooks, 608 N.E.2d 635, 241 Ill. App. 3d 84, 181 Ill. Dec. 562, 1993 Ill. App. LEXIS 134 (Ill. Ct. App. 1993).

Opinion

JUSTICE STOUDER

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a jury trial, the defendant, George Brooks, was found guilty of armed robbery (720 ILCS 5/18 — 2(a) (West 1992)) and sentenced to serve 10 years in prison.

Shortly after midnight on January, 27, 1991, the owners of a movie rental store in Rock Falls, Illinois, were robbed of the day’s proceeds by a man wielding a large knife. On April 25, 1991, the defendant was arrested and questioned by authorities. On appeal, the defendant contends his conviction must be reversed because the trial court erred in allowing in at his trial statements made to the police that day.

Prior to trial the defendant filed a motion to suppress statements he purportedly made in the presence of Officer Terry Anderson shortly after he was brought into the Rock Falls police department. At the hearing on the motion, Anderson testified he met with the defendant at approximately 10:15 a.m. He first advised the defendant of his rights pursuant to Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 U.S. 436, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694, 86 S. Ct. 1602. The defendant initialed and signed a “CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND WARNING” form.

According to Anderson, after he signed the form, the defendant stated he wanted to speak with his attorney. Anderson told the defendant their conversation was at an end and that he was now going to be booked. Anderson told the defendant he could call his attorney after he was booked or after he was taken to the Whiteside County jail. Anderson testified the defendant then indicated he wanted to continue talking with the officer. The defendant was told he would have to initiate further conversation.

Anderson then went into the hallway to obtain a witness. He saw Christine Beck, the animal control warden, and asked her to step into the interview room. In the presence of the defendant, Anderson explained to Beck what had transpired. The defendant agreed that he wanted to continue talking to Anderson. Beck’s testimony at the suppression hearing confirmed Anderson’s version of events.

The defendant then made a statement basically denying involvement. According to Anderson, the defendant asked whether armed robbery was a probationable offense. Anderson told him it was not; however, he indicated to the defendant that probation was possible for robbery. Anderson testified, “I said that I couldn’t promise him that that’s what would happen to him because that was the State’s Attorney’s call and they would make the decision if the charge was to be reduced or not, and I advised him that his cooperation in the matter was essential and would be considered but I couldn’t make that decision. I said that I would speak to the State’s Attorney’s office in regards to that matter but that I couldn’t make any promises in regards to that matter.”

Subsequently, Anderson testified, “I advised him that his cooperation was essential in this matter, and that if a reduced charge were to come about, that his cooperation in the matter would be essential. For the State’s Attorney to see that and make their determination, but I did not tell him that it would be reduced, no.” Anderson further testified, “I told him after I explained the charges to him that I would express his concerns and speak to the State’s Attorney’s office about the possibility, but there was no promises because that was up to the State’s Attorney’s office.”

Thereafter, the defendant made statements as to his involvement, although he continued to deny he committed the actual robbery.

The defendant testified at the suppression hearing that Anderson told him he better cooperate or he was “looking at some time.” He testified Anderson told him it was in his best interest to talk and that the charges could be “dropped down.” Anderson also indicated he had spoken with the State’s Attorney and “everything was go.” The defendant denied ever admitting involvement in the armed robbery.

At the conclusion of testimony, the trial court stated there was no need for argument and denied the motion to suppress.

On appeal, the defendant states he does not challenge the trial court’s determination as to credibility. However, he maintains that Anderson’s own testimony, in light of the other circumstances surrounding the statements, shows the statements were made involuntarily-

In determining whether a statement was voluntarily made, the court must ascertain whether the defendant’s will was overborne at the time he made the statement, or whether the statement was made freely and voluntarily without compulsion of any sort. (People v. Shaw (1989), 180 Ill. App. 3d 1091, 536 N.E.2d 849.) The totality of the circumstances surrounding the making of the statement must be considered in arriving at this determination. (People v. Martin (1984), 102 Ill. 2d 412, 466 N.E.2d 228.) These circumstances include such factors as whether the Miranda warnings were given, the presence of threats or physical coercion, whether the defendant was promised leniency, the length and intensity of the interrogation and the age, experience and physical condition of the defendant. (People v. Noe (1980), 86 Ill. App. 3d 762, 408 N.E.2d 483.) A confession must be proved voluntary by a preponderance of the evidence, and the trial court’s finding on the issue of voluntariness will not be reversed unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. People v. Veal (1986), 149 Ill. App. 3d 619, 500 N.E.2d 1014.

Here, we find Anderson’s comments to the defendant did not constitute promises of leniency. The evidence shows Anderson made no promises to the defendant of sufficient significance to render the statements involuntary. According to Anderson, he made clear to the defendant he could not promise anything and that all decisions, vis-avis charges, were up to the State’s Attorney.

At the time, the defendant was 18 years of age, of average intelligence and was familiar with the criminal justice system. He understood his rights and immediately expressed his desire to speak with his attorney. Understanding this right, he could knowingly and voluntarily choose to continue talking to the authorities without the assistance of counsel. Viewing the totality of the circumstances, we find the trial court’s determination that the defendant’s statements were voluntarily made is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

The defendant further contends his conviction must be reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial based on the improper remarks of the State’s Attorney during closing arguments.

At trial, Ray Tarbill testified that in June of 1991, he was in the Whiteside County jail serving a sentence for DUI and driving while his license of revoked. While sharing a cell, the defendant told Tarbill in detail how he committed the armed robbery.

During closing arguments the State’s Attorney stated, “I trust Ray Tarbill. I think his testimony was trustworthy.

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Related

People v. Rhonda F.
682 N.E.2d 225 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1997)
People v. Brooks
633 N.E.2d 692 (Illinois Supreme Court, 1994)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
608 N.E.2d 635, 241 Ill. App. 3d 84, 181 Ill. Dec. 562, 1993 Ill. App. LEXIS 134, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-brooks-illappct-1993.