State v. Singleton

602 P.2d 1059, 288 Or. 89, 1979 Ore. LEXIS 1220
CourtOregon Supreme Court
DecidedNovember 20, 1979
DocketTC 76-2322, CA 10080, SC 26223
StatusPublished
Cited by20 cases

This text of 602 P.2d 1059 (State v. Singleton) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Oregon Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Singleton, 602 P.2d 1059, 288 Or. 89, 1979 Ore. LEXIS 1220 (Or. 1979).

Opinions

[91]*91TONGUE, J.

Defendant seeks reversal of his conviction for murder on the ground that the trial court improperly denied his motion to suppress a video taped incriminating statement made by him the morning after he had told interrogating officers that he wanted to call an attorney. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, holding that the officers were not prohibited from asking defendant the next day whether he had changed his mind and that defendant was then informed twice of his right to an attorney and agreed to waive those rights and to make the video taped statement. 39 Or App 9, 591 P2d 369 (1979). We allowed defendant’s petition for review.

In considering the problems presented by this case the facts are all-important. On the afternoon of October 26, 1976, State Police Officer Herlinger, in the course of investigating the death of one Leonard Estes, "contacted” defendant at his residence near Canyonville. Detective Leis was also present. Defendant was then arrested. At that time he was told the reason for his arrest and was informed of his "Miranda rights” by the reading of a card which included the following, among other things:

"It is my duty to warn you before you make any statement that:
"1. You have the right to remain silent.
"2. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
"3. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned.
"4. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning, if you wish one.
"5. You have the right to interrupt the conversation and invoke these rights at any time.”

Defendant was then taken to the Sheriff’s office in Roseburg and turned over to Sergeant Stuart of the Oregon State Police and Detective Winningham. [92]*92Meanwhile, neither Officer Herlinger nor Detective Leis asked defendant any questions and he did not make any statements.

Officer Stuart and Detective Winningham then again advised defendant of his "Miranda rights” by reading a "Miranda card” to him. They testified that they read the card in its entirety and that he "indicated” that he understood his rights as explained to him on that card. Defendant signed that card.

After being interrogated for a short time the defendant was taken by the officers to a video taping room where the officers "played” a portion of a video taped statement by a Mr. Pettibone, who had previously been charged as a co-defendant for the same murder. Upon viewing that video tape defendant said that he wanted to talk to his attorney before making any statements.

The interview was then stopped. According to Officer Winningham, defendant was told that he would be taken to the jail, where "you’ll be able to phone your attorney.” He also testified that they told defendant, "* * * you can go up to the jail and make your phone call and we’ll stop in to talk to you tomorrow,” and that defendant said: "That would be fine.” The officers also asked defendant who his lawyer was and were told that "it was an attorney by the name of Farrell.” They testified that defendant told them that Mr. Farrell was "probably out of town,” or "running around,” and that "he would contact him * * * the following day.”

Defendant testified, however, that he did not say that he would not call his attorney that night because he "might be running around town,” but that it was his assumption that he would be able to get in touch with him that evening. Defendant testified that after being taken to the jail he "asked for a phone call two or three times” that evening and never got it, but was told, "We’ll see about it” or "We’ll take care of it.”

[93]*93Defendant also testified that the next morning he did not ask again to make a telephone call until he was "downstairs” with the officers (Stuart and Winning-ham) again; that the officers had previously asked him if he "would like to go downstairs”; that he said "yes”; that they asked if he had contacted a lawyer; that he said "no” and that he had not been allowed to make a phone call; that he hadn’t contacted his lawyer; that perhaps he would like to have the court appoint one before talking to them, and that the officers said that they would "check into it.”

Officers Stuart and Winningham testified, to the contrary, that they did not tell anyone not to allow defendant to call a lawyer; that the next morning at about 8:30 a.m. they asked him if he had contacted his lawyer and that defendant said only that "he hadn’t done that”; that they "asked him if he wanted to come down and listen to what we had to say, and he said that he didn’t have anything to add to what he said before, but he was willing to come down and listen”; that at no time during that morning did he ask for his lawyer or express a desire to have an attorney present.

Defendant was then again advised of his constitutional rights by the reading to him of a third card identical with the previous cards and at 8:37 a.m. on that date that card was also signed by him under the following printed statements:

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND EACH OF THESE RIGHTS I HAVE EXPLAINED TO YOU?
"Having these constitutional rights in mind, I am willing to waive these rights.
"Signature: is/ Richard Singleton”_

After a short period of interrogation, defendant admitted that he was "involved.” Defendant was then asked for permission to search his residence and pickup truck. According to Officer Stuart, defendant said that he would consent to this. At 8:42 a.m. defendant signed a slightly different "Oregon State Police Advice [94]*94of Rights — Statement,” including substantially the same statements as in paragraphs 3,4 and 5 of the two cards previously signed by him. On the back of this third card was a further "advice of rights to obtain permission to search,” including his right not to allow the search, followed by the statement that "having these rights in mind * * * I consent to a search of cabin #3 and vehicle located at Drifters Trailer Ct., Canyonville.” Defendant signed that statement at 8:44 a.m.

Defendant testified that the "blanks” describing his residence and pickup truck were not filled in when he signed the card consenting to the search. One of the officers testified, to the contrary, that the description of defendant’s residence and vehicle were on the "card” when defendant signed it.

Defendant was then interviewed by the officers until just before 9:00 a.m., when "it was stopped to set up the video taping equipment.” At 9:06 a.m., at the beginning of the video taping, a fourth "Miranda warning” card in the same form as the first and second cards signed by him was read to the defendant, including his "right to talk to a lawyer and have him present while you are being questioned.” That card was also signed by the defendant under the printed statement that "having these constitutional rights in mind, I am willing to waive these rights.” The officers also testified that defendant "indicated” to them that he understood his rights and would be "affirmatively willing to talk to (them) about the case.”

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State v. Singleton
602 P.2d 1059 (Oregon Supreme Court, 1979)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
602 P.2d 1059, 288 Or. 89, 1979 Ore. LEXIS 1220, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-singleton-or-1979.