People v. Bladel

• Decision Date: 19 May 1981
• Docket Number: Docket No. 48082
• Citation: 308 N.W.2d 230,106 Mich.App. 397
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Rudy BLADEL, Defendant-Appellant. 106 Mich.App. 397, 308 N.W.2d 230
• Court: Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US

Page 230

308 N.W.2d 230

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Rudy BLADEL, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 48082.

106 Mich.App. 397, 308 N.W.2d 230

Court of Appeals of Michigan.

May 19, 1981.

Rehearing Denied June 19, 1981.

Released for Publication July 24, 1981.

[106 MICHAPP 398] James R. Neuhard, State Appellate Defender, Ronald J. Bretz, Asst. State Appellate Defender, for defendant-appellant.

Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., Edward Grant, Pros. Atty., John L. Wildeboer, Chief Appellate Asst. Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before BEASLEY, P. J., and BASHARA and MacKENZIE, JJ.

BASHARA, Judge.

Defendant appeals his jury conviction of three counts of first-degree murder, M.C.L. § 750.316; M.S.A. § 28.548.

Initially, defendant asserts that his confession, in which he admitted killing the victims because "they were stealing his job", was not voluntary. The trial court ruled the confession was voluntary and admissible into evidence following a Walker ¹ hearing.

[106 MICHAPP 399] In reviewing the findings of a Walker hearing, this Court is required to examine the whole record and make an independent determination of the ultimate issue of the voluntariness of defendant's statement. People v. Robinson, 386 Mich. 551, 557, 194 N.W.2d 709 (1972). Reversal is required only where a definite and firm belief exists that a mistake has been committed. People v. McGillen # 1, 392 Mich. 251, 257, 220 N.W.2d 677 (1974).

The record reveals that defendant was arraigned on March 23, 1979, a Friday. At the arraignment, the magistrate advised the defendant that he would appoint an attorney for him. The judge strongly recommended that defendant say nothing until consulting with counsel.

Defendant entered a plea of not guilty. Apparently, the form requesting appointed counsel was completed by defendant either at that time or later that day.

On Monday, March 26, 1979, defendant confessed to the murders without the assistance of counsel. The contents of the conversation precipitating the confession were in dispute at the Walker hearing. Defendant claimed that he told the officers he wished to see an attorney. He felt that he had to confess even though counsel was not present. On cross-examination, defendant admitted that he had been advised of his rights on numerous occasions and that he understood them. He had been convicted of past felonies in which he had both retained and appointed counsel.

The officers testified that defendant was given his Miranda ² warnings before the interrogation. A waiver form, signed by defendant, was submitted into evidence. One officer testified, in pertinent part, as follows:

[106 MICHAPP 400] "A. Mr. Bladel at that time stated that he had requested an attorney at his arraignment, but he hadn't seen him, seen the attorney yet, but he would talk to us, and he said he would talk to us, and he said he didn't need his attorney there while he was talking to us.

"Q. Was there any mention of an attorney at that time?

"A. I asked him if he desired his attorney present and he stated he did not need one.

"Q. What, if anything, further took place then?

"A. In addition to the last statement that Mr. Bladel said, when I asked him if he needed his attorney present he stated, 'I don't need him present. I am going to plead guilty anyway.' "

Defendant attacks the confession as being taken without the benefit of counsel. Miranda, 384 U.S. 436, 474, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 1627, 16 L.Ed.2d 694. First, defendant contends that he asked for an attorney during the interrogation, but was refused by the police officers. He explains the signature on the waiver form as being the result of confusion.

A review of the record, including the conduct and background of the defendant, leads us to conclude no reversible error has occurred. We agree with the trial court's obvious conclusion that the police officer's testimony, coupled with the signed waiver form, is more believable than defendant's rendition of the facts.

Alternatively, defendant asserts that, once an attorney has been requested, interrogation can never occur before he has had the opportunity to confer with counsel. Defendant relies primarily upon New York State cases which impose a per se involuntariness rule in these situations. Cf. People v. Arthur, 22 N.Y.2d 325, 292 N.Y.S.2d 663, 239 N.E.2d 537 (1968), and [106 MICHAPP 401] People v. Cunningham, 49 N.Y.2d 203, 424 N.Y.S.2d 421, 400 N.E.2d 360 (1980).

While no case addressing this issue with a three-day time span between the request and the confession can be found in Michigan case law, there is authority which rejects the so-called per se rule in analogous situations. In People v. Parker, 84 Mich.App. 447, 269 N.W.2d 635 (1978), the Court interpreted Michigan v. Mosley, 423 U.S. 96, 96 S.Ct. 321, 46 L.Ed.2d 313 (1975), as rejecting a blanket prohibition of interrogation once an attorney has been requested. The Court stated: "We hold that a person who has invoked his right to counsel may later waive that right without an attorney." Id.

The Court proceeded to caution the bar that a waiver made after assertion of the right to counsel will be viewed with skepticism. It was held that the 1/2 to 11/2 hour lapse between the request and waiver was insufficient to allow the defendant to seek the aid of counsel. Consequently, the Court ruled that the prosecutor had failed to meet his burden. Also, see, People v. Lytal, 96 Mich.App. 140, 292 N.W.2d 498 (1980), lv. den. 409 Mich. 884 (1980).

Further authority against adoption of the per se rule can be found in Blasingame v. Estelle, 604 F.2d 893 (CA 5, 1979), where the defendant also requested an attorney at arraignment. Several hours later, he signed a waiver of his Miranda rights and confessed to the police. Having failed in his challenge to the confession in Texas courts, he sought a writ of habeas corpus in the Federal system.

The Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of the writ and rejected defendant's suggestion that the waiver was per se invalid. The Court stated:

"In evaluating this argument, the crucial inquiry is whether defendant asserted his right to counsel in such [106 MICHAPP 402] a manner that later police inquiry 'has impinged on the exercise of the suspect's continuing option to cut off the interview.' Nash v. Estelle, 597 F.2d 513, 518 (5th Cir. 1979) (en banc ). In Nash, this Court declared that when the suspect expressed his desire to continue the interview without the presence of counsel, along with his desire to have an attorney appointed, the questioning official could make further inquiry to clarify the suspect's indecisive expression. See Thompson v. Wainwright, 601 F.2d 768 (5th Cir. 1979) (further inquiry may not be an attempt to dissuade suspect from exercising right to counsel).

"Nash recognizes that some defendants may well wish to have an attorney to represent them in legal proceedings, yet wish to assist the investigation by talking to an investigating officer without an attorney present. 'While the suspect has an absolute right to terminate station-house interrogation, he also has the prerogative to then and there answer questions, if that be his choice.' Nash, 597 F.2d at 517. To hold that a request for appointment of an attorney at arraignment would bar an investigating officer...