Williams v. State

566 S.W.2d 919, 1978 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1158
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas·Decided May 24, 1978·No. 53528·Published·Cited by 60 cases

Opinions

OPINION

DALLY, Judge.

This is an appeal from a conviction for the offense of murder; the punishment is imprisonment for 50 years.

A written statement, which the appellant made while in custody and out of the presence of his retained counsel, was admitted in evidence. The appellant urges that the trial court committed reversible error in admitting that statement in evidence, because he did not waive his right to have counsel present when the statement was made, and therefore the statement was obtained in violation of constitutional re-' quirements of the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States as interpreted in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966).

On December 10,1974, the body of Celes-tine Williams, the appellant’s wife, was found in their home in Texas City. On December 11th, the appellant learned that he had been charged with the murder of his wife and he contacted Richard Thornton, an attorney. Thornton ascertained that a warrant for the arrest of the appellant had been issued; the appellant, accompanied by Thornton, surrendered himself in the Sheriff’s office in Galveston. Thornton told the Sheriff’s Chief Deputy, W. J. Whitburn, and other officers who were present that he represented the appellant and that he did not want the appellant, who he said was ill and on medication, interrogated unless he was present to represent him. There is no evidence that the officers agreed to Thornton’s demand. Thornton did not talk to any Texas City officers.

At 11:55 a. m. on December 11th, Texas City Police Sergeant Deril Oliver took cus[921]*921tody of the appellant from the Galveston County Sheriff’s office. Oliver advised the appellant of his rights as required by Art. 38.22, V.A.C.C.P. and Miranda v. Arizona, supra. The appellant was taken by Oliver to Texas City, where they appeared before a magistrate at 12:50 p. m. The magistrate advised the appellant of his rights as provided by Art. 15.17, V.A.C.C.P. At 1:03 p. m. the appellant was again advised of his rights by Oliver and signed a form acknowledging the same. Oliver testified that after the appellant read and signed the form he was questioned until 1:45 p. m. Oliver stated that because the appellant was emotionally upset and crying he was placed in a cell. At 5:00 p. m. the appellant was taken to Oliver’s office and Oliver resumed questioning the appellant concerning the death of his wife. Oliver personally typed the appellant’s statement as appellant answered Oliver’s questions. When the typing was completed, Oliver read the appellant’s statement to him, including the advice concerning the constitutional rights printed at the top. Oliver also gave the appellant an opportunity to read the statement. The appellant then signed the statement at 7:05 p. m.

Appellant testified that after he was advised of his rights by the magistrate he was taken to a room at the Texas City police station and interrogated by two policemen. Appellant stated that he told the policemen that his attorney did not want him to make a statement unless the attorney was present. He said he asked to call his attorney but the policemen would not let him and told him that his attorney would not mind if he signed a statement. Appellant testified that one officer grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him up. He said he was frightened and crying and that he signed the statement after “they kept harassing me.” Appellant said the officer told him he would be there all night until he made a statement and that he could not have his medication. He stated that the officers did not hit him or promise him anything but that he signed the statement because he was being harassed.

Sgt. Oliver testified that he was informed by officers in the Sheriff’s office that the appellant was represented by Thornton. Oliver stated that at no time did the appellant request to see his attorney or ask to use the telephone, and that he never mentioned his medication. Oliver said the appellant discussed the case freely with him and appeared to be coherent and normal. Oliver testified that he did not strike or abuse the appellant in any manner, and that he did not threaten the appellant or promise him anything. Sgt. Stanley, who was identified by the appellant as the other officer present during the questioning, testified that he was not present when a statement was taken from the appellant. He stated that he never grabbed the appellant by the shirt collar or told him he had to make a statement.

The trial court made written findings of fact that the appellant had been advised of his constitutional rights prior to giving the police his statement. The court found that appellant’s confession was not obtained by threats, persuasion, compulsion, intimidation, violence, or promises, and that the statement was the appellant’s free and voluntary act. These findings are supported by the evidence. The appellant argues that his right to cut off questioning was not “scrupulously honored” by the police and that he did not waive his right to have his attorney present during questioning. Appellant cites and relies upon Michigan v. Mosley, 423 U.S. 96, 96 S.Ct. 321, 46 L.Ed.2d 313 (1975); Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 97 S.Ct. 1232, 51 L.Ed.2d 424 (1977); and Hearne v. State, 534 S.W.2d 703 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).

In Michigan v. Mosley, supra, Mosley was arrested in connection with several robberies and advised of his rights in accordance with Miranda v. Arizona, supra. Mosley acknowledged that he understood his rights, told the detective that he did not want to answer any questions about the robberies, and the interrogation was stopped. Over two hours later another detective again advised Mosley of his rights and questioned him about an unrelated murder. Mosley then made statements that were used [922]*922against him in the murder trial. The Supreme Court discussed the portion of the Miranda opinion that states that “the interrogation must cease” when the person in custody indicates that “he wishes to remain silent.” The Supreme Court declined to interpret this passage either to require a blanket prohibition against further interrogation once an accused indicates he wishes to remain silent or to allow the continuation of custodial interrogation after a momentary cessation. The Court concluded that “the admissibility of statements obtained after the person in custody has decided to remain silent depends under Miranda on whether his ‘right to cut off questioning’ was ‘scrupulously honored.’ ” The Court held that the second detective’s questioning about an unrelated homicide was consistent with a reasonable interpretation of Mosley’s earlier refusal to answer any questions about the robberies, and that the statements were admissible.

The fact situation in the present case is quite different from that presented in Michigan v. Mosley, supra. Appellant’s testimony is the only evidence that appellant told Oliver he did not want to talk with him. Attorney Thornton testified that he told two Sheriff’s officers that he did not want the appellant questioned without him being present, but the record does not reflect that the Sheriff’s officers conveyed the information to Oliver, a Texas City policeman. Oliver, on cross-examination by Thornton, testified as follows:

“Q.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Williams v. State, 566 S.W.2d 919, 1978 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1158 (Tex. 1978).

566 S.W.2d 919 (Williams v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Related

Alberto Pena v. State
Court of Appeals of Texas, 2019
Derland O'Neal Sanford v. State
Court of Appeals of Texas, 2011
State v. Oliver
29 S.W.3d 190 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 2000)
Lugaro v. State
904 S.W.2d 842 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1995)
Oliver v. State
872 S.W.2d 713 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1994)
Lookingbill v. State
855 S.W.2d 66 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1993)
Traylor v. State
596 So. 2d 957 (Supreme Court of Florida, 1992)
McKenna v. State
797 S.W.2d 216 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1990)
Barefield v. State
784 S.W.2d 38 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1989)
Baldree v. State
784 S.W.2d 676 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1989)
Linnell v. State
767 S.W.2d 925 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1989)
Johnson v. State
760 S.W.2d 277 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1988)
Logan v. State
757 S.W.2d 160 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1988)
Covington v. State
754 S.W.2d 726 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1988)
Rutledge v. State
749 S.W.2d 50 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1988)
Janecka v. State
739 S.W.2d 813 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1987)
Faulkner v. State
727 S.W.2d 793 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1987)
Martinez v. State
723 S.W.2d 264 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1986)
Nehman v. State
721 S.W.2d 319 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1986)