United States v. Copeland

830 F. Supp. 216
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedSeptember 7, 1993
Docket92 Cr. 886 (VLB)
StatusPublished

This text of 830 F. Supp. 216 (United States v. Copeland) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Copeland, 830 F. Supp. 216 (S.D.N.Y. 1993).

Opinion

830 F.Supp. 216 (1993)

UNITED STATES of America
v.
James K. COPELAND, Defendant.

No. 92 Cr. 886 (VLB).

United States District Court, S.D. New York.

September 7, 1993.

*217 Cynthia Dunne, Asst. U.S. Atty., White Plains, NY, for U.S.

John Higgenbotham, New York City for James K. Copeland.

MEMORANDUM

VINCENT L. BRODERICK, District Judge.

I

This memorandum explains my rulings in connection with a motion to suppress statements of the defendant, which presents issues concerning treatment of volunteered statements after an arrestee declines to sign a written Miranda waiver, and on the second day of detention, where a further warning is not given.

Defendant James K. Copeland ("Copeland") sought suppression of statements made on October 5, 1992 ("October 5") and October 6, 1992 ("October 6") after his arrest on October 5 in connection with robbery of a post office in Orangetown, New York earlier that day. On June 21, 1993 I denied on the record Copeland's motion to suppress statements made on October 5, but granted suppression of those given while in custody on October 6.

II

An evidentiary hearing was held on Copeland's motion on June 21, 1993 at which two Postal Inspectors testified. Copeland was present in person but did not offer any evidence.

The Postal Inspectors' version of the facts was uncontradicted.[1] I found the Inspectors' testimony to be credible when tested upon cross examination as well on direct.

New Jersey police arrested Copeland in the vicinity of an Isuzu Trooper Rodeo rammed by police after a high speed chase originating in the area of the Orangetown robbery on October 5. Postal Inspectors arrived at the Norwood jail soon thereafter, and shortly after 6 P.M. on October 5 the Inspectors came to Copeland's cell.

The Inspectors identified themselves and read a Miranda warning to Copeland. Copeland was provided with a copy of the warning and signed on a line acknowledging receipt of the warning. Copeland was familiar with criminal justice procedures, having been arrested approximately six times previously. He declined to sign the waiver portion of the form, stating that he did not want to waive any rights before consulting an attorney, and did not wish to discuss his role in the events of October 5th, but did want to talk about other robberies concerning which he had knowledge in order to see if he could cut a deal. Copeland also told the Inspectors he wished to be removed from local custody in Norwood.

*218 Copeland described a "group" connected with numerous past and future postal robberies and other crimes, and identified several pictures as likenesses of members of the group. Copeland asked about the condition of "his" truck which had been rammed by New Jersey police at the close of the chase; Copeland volunteered to one of the inspectors that his truck had been carjacked after which he was driven to the post office and then taken on the high-speed chase.

On some occasions Copeland changed the subject or told the inspectors he had already said too much about certain topics. The inspectors then asked Copeland about other matters.

On more than one occasion the Inspectors telephoned a number given by Copeland, who asked to speak with his wife; Copeland was then put on the line. At no time in the presence of the Inspectors or while speaking with them did Copeland request that an attorney be contacted, or to speak to an attorney. The Inspectors never questioned Copeland about his role in the events of October 5, nor did they threaten him with any consequences if he failed to cooperate; Copeland never requested that the discussions, which he initiated, stop.

Copeland told the Inspectors of concern that his wife might be in danger from "Big Mike," a leader of the "group" who might utilize violence. The Inspectors offered to provide assistance if asked, but this was never requested. The Inspectors told Copeland on several occasions that upon arraignment, he would be assigned counsel if he did not have an attorney.

All of the evidence indicates that Copeland was in control of his actions at all times and deliberately chose to talk with the inspectors about topics of his own choice while retaining the prerogative to limit those topics; at no time was there any indication that Copeland's will was overborne.

On October 6, Copeland was questioned further within the areas Copeland was willing to discuss, and thereafter arraigned. No additional warnings were delivered on October 6 prior to the additional questioning or the arraignment.

III

The Supreme Court held in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), that "[i]f [an] interrogation continues without the presence of an attorney and a statement is taken, a heavy burden rests on the government to demonstrate that the defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his privilege against self-incrimination and his right to retained or appointed counsel." Id. at 475, 86 S.Ct. at 1628.

The Court further held that "[a]n express statement that the individual is willing to make a statement and does not want an attorney followed closely by a statement could constitute a waiver. But a valid waiver will not be presumed simply from the silence of the accused after warnings are given or simply from the fact that a confession was in fact eventually obtained." Id.

Although the Court held that an express statement can constitute a waiver, and that silence alone cannot, the "court did not hold that such an express statement is indispensable to a finding of waiver." North Carolina v. Butler, 441 U.S. 369, 372, 99 S.Ct. 1755, 1757, 60 L.Ed.2d 286 (1979). An express written or oral statement of waiver of the right to remain silent or right to counsel is "not inevitably either necessary or sufficient to establish waiver. The question is not one of form, but rather whether the defendant in fact knowingly and voluntarily waived the rights delineated in the Miranda case." Id.; see also United States v. Spencer, 1993 WL 187083 (2d Cir.1993); United States v. Boston, 508 F.2d 1171 (2d Cir.1974) (written waiver not required where defendant knew his Miranda rights). The "question of waiver must be determined on `the particular facts and circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.'" Butler, 441 U.S. at 374-75, 99 S.Ct. at 1758, quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938); see also United States v. Spencer, 995 F.2d 10 (2d Cir.1993).

Statements may be voluntary if the accused initiates "further communications, exchanges, *219 or conversations" with the questioners. Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 485, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 1885, 68 L.Ed.2d 378 (1981); See also Oregon v. Bradshaw, 462 U.S. 1039, 1045, 103 S.Ct. 2830, 2834, 77 L.Ed.2d 405 (1983).

The evidence in this case indicates that Copeland "knowing[ly]" and "intelligent[ly]" waived his right to remain silent and his right to counsel with respect to the statements made on October 5.

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Bluebook (online)
830 F. Supp. 216, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-copeland-nysd-1993.