People v. Parquette

462 N.E.2d 701, 123 Ill. App. 3d 233, 78 Ill. Dec. 582, 1984 Ill. App. LEXIS 1691
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedMarch 27, 1984
Docket83-197
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 462 N.E.2d 701 (People v. Parquette) 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. Parquette, 462 N.E.2d 701, 123 Ill. App. 3d 233, 78 Ill. Dec. 582, 1984 Ill. App. LEXIS 1691 (Ill. Ct. App. 1984).

Opinion

JUSTICE PERLIN

delivered the opinion of the court:

On November 3, 1981, Roland Parquette was charged by information with three counts of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 9— I) , two counts of home invasion (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 12— II) and three counts of armed violence (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 33A — 2). After a bench trial he was convicted of murder and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. He contends here that the trial court erred (1) in denying his motion to suppress statements; (2) in admitting into evidence defendant’s wife’s rebuttal testimony regarding an abortion; (3) the State failed to comply with discovery; and (4) the State failed to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the mental state required for murder.

At a hearing on defendant’s motion to suppress his statements, Officer Schak of the Chicago police department testified that on October 7, 1981, he was investigating the shooting death of James Ward. That evening he and “several” other officers went to defendant’s apartment. They heard “breathing or gurgling noise” coming from the apartment. Twenty minutes of pounding on the door did not arouse an occupant. After 20 more minutes the apartment door was forcibly removed. Defendant was found asleep nude in his bed. Several officers, “some” with their guns drawn, awakened and arrested defendant. Several guns were recovered from the apartment, including one later identified as being of the same caliber as that used to kill Ward.

On direct examination Officer Schak testified with regard to interrogation of defendant at his apartment as follows:

“Q. While you were at — and Roland’s apartment was at 510 at 2001 West Summerdale — was there any conversation between Mr. Parquette and police officers?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. What was that conversation?

A. His name and—

Q. Didn’t you ask or inquire of Mr. Parquette or any officer in your presence in the apartment ask Mr. Parquette anything in regards to the death of James Ward?

A. No, sir.”

On cross-examination the following exchanges occurred:

“Q. Did you say [in your police report] then the subject was roused and advised of his rights whereupon he admitted to the shooting of James Ward at his former address 3834 West George Street?
A. Yes, sir.
* * *
Q. Well, now, is this correct where you had written in the police report that you were, he was roused and advised of his rights whereupon he admitted to the shooting of James Ward at his former residence at 3834 West George Street, is that correct?
A. He wasn’t roused and advised of his rights immediately; no, sir.
* * *
Q. Well, before the time that he was allowed to dress then he was questioned with respect to the shooting, is that right?
A. No, sir. My recollection of what took place there is probably not what it should be but I know that he was allowed to dress immediately, and any questioning that was done was suspended by me almost immediately. I don’t recall questioning him. I really don’t.
* * *
Q. He was not advised of his rights at that point [upon being awakened], that is your testimony, is that right?
A. Not when I woke him up; no, sir.
Q. And not before he got dressed, right?
A. No, sir.
Q. And not in the apartment, period?
A. He asked me questions. I don’t recall. I don’t recall what he asked me or what the conversation was.
Q. Well, he did not waive his Miranda rights inside that apartment, did he?
A. I don’t recall.”

The only other witness to testify at the suppression hearing was Assistant State’s Attorney Phillip Mitchell. Following defendant’s arrest, Mitchell interviewed defendant at the police station. Mitchell’s testimony indicates that during his interrogation of defendant at least one other person — a police officer — was also present. Mitchell testified that defendant, after being advised of his Miranda rights, confessed to shooting the victim.

During argument on his motion to suppress, defendant argued the State had failed to comply with the “material witness” rule which requires the State to produce at the hearing all.material witnesses to a confession, or to explain their absence. The court responded that the rule “does not apply in this case.” Thereafter the court denied defendant’s motion to suppress.

At trial, Debra Ohlson, defendant’s wife, testified that she and defendant had been separated for about V-lz years as of the date of the shooting. On the date of the incident she lived with the victim and Kim Shanholtz. She had lived with the victim for six months. She “may” have told defendant she was living with Ward. Defendant and Ward had not previously met. She said her husband was a gun collector.

Officer Schak testified regarding defendant’s arrest at his apartment and stated that defendant there “admitted” to being at the scene of the shooting. Assistant State’s Attorney Mitchell testified as to his interrogation of defendant at the police station and recited defendant’s oral confession to the shooting.

James Tripp and Allen Van Allen testified for defendant. Both testified to his good reputation and that they observed defendant drinking heavily several hours prior to the shooting.

Defendant testified that he is a carpenter, married to Debra Ohlson, but separated from her. He visited with his wife and called her on the phone even though they were separated. He loved his wife in October 1981 when the shooting occurred. On the day of the incident he was drinking heavily. He dialed his wife’s number on the phone and a male voice told him “listen jackoff, don’t call her anymore” and then hung up. Defendant became “mad,” and knowing “there was a gun” at his wife’s apartment, he grabbed “a couple of guns” and drove to the apartment.

After defendant had knocked on the door for a time, a man — later identified as Ward — partially opened the door. He said to defendant “listen jackoff, get out of here.” Defendant described the man as very “demanding” and “belligerent.” Defendant started walking away from the door. The man told him to “get out” of there. As defendant started down the apartment stairs, the man said “that’s right jackoff, just keep going.” Defendant then turned and fired one shot at the door opening.

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Bluebook (online)
462 N.E.2d 701, 123 Ill. App. 3d 233, 78 Ill. Dec. 582, 1984 Ill. App. LEXIS 1691, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-parquette-illappct-1984.