State v. Harris, 11345

• Citation: 594 S.W.2d 658
• Decision Date: 11 February 1980
• Docket Number: No. 11345,11345
• Parties: STATE of Missouri, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Steven Lee HARRIS, Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: Court of Appeal of Missouri (US)

Page 658

594 S.W.2d 658

STATE of Missouri, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Steven Lee HARRIS, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 11345.

Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, Division One.

Feb. 11, 1980.

David R. Fielder, Springfield, for defendant-appellant.

John Ashcroft, Atty. Gen., Kristie Green, Paul R. Otto, Asst. Attys. Gen., Jefferson City, for plaintiff-respondent.

FLANIGAN, Chief Judge.

In this jury-waived case, the trial court found defendant guilty of robbery in the first degree by means of a dangerous and deadly weapon, (§ 560.135 RSMo 1969), and imposed a punishment of 15 years' imprisonment. Defendant appeals.

Prior to the trial defendant filed a motion to suppress his oral confession. The motion challenged the voluntariness of the confession on four grounds. One of the grounds was that defendant "was under the influence of a prescribed medication, 'cafergot,' which produced a physical and mental stupor" when the confession was made. Another ground was that the confession was made "as a direct result of coercion by law enforcement officers."

By agreement of the parties, the suppression hearing was consolidated with the trial. At the conclusion of the evidence the court, in denying the motion to suppress, made express findings to the effect that the confession was "made voluntarily and after defendant had been fully advised of his Miranda rights; defendant also executed a waiver and the court finds that he understood the proceedings and it was voluntary on his part."

Defendant's first contention is that the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress and in admitting the confession into evidence for the reason that the confession was involuntary. In support of his claim of involuntariness, defendant again asserts that the confession was a result of coercion and that it was given while defendant was under the influence of medication.

The oral confession was made by defendant at police headquarters in the presence of officers Dean and Hobson.

"(B)ecause the confession was obtained while the suspect was in custody, the burden of proving its voluntariness is upon the State. While the burden of proceeding is on defendant, once he has made his allegations regarding the inadmissibility of the statements, the burden of proof is on the State to show compliance with the guidelines set forth in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), and the voluntariness of the statement. In Lego v. Twomey, 404 U.S. 477, 92 S.Ct. 619, 30 L.Ed.2d 618 (1972), the Supreme Court held that voluntariness of such confession need be proved by a preponderance of the evidence, which is the standard we adopt for such cases." (Emphasis in original.) State v. Olds, 569 S.W.2d 745, 751 (Mo. banc 1978).

In support of his claim of coercion defendant argues that the record shows that police detective Brinkman, while in the interrogation room, "raised his voice to defendant in a threatening and rude manner." This conduct, says defendant, "upset me a great deal."

Testimony with regard to Brinkman's conduct came from officers Hobson and Dean, who were witnesses for the state, and from defendant. According to Hobson, he and officer Brinkman arrested defendant at his apartment, gave him the Miranda warnings, and took him to police headquarters. At the station the Miranda warnings were read to defendant and he signed a written acknowledgment of that fact. Defendant's confession was given approximately one hour after his arrest. Brinkman was not present during the giving of the confession. Hobson said that during the preliminary interrogation Brinkman spoke to defendant once in a loud voice. Brinkman's statement was, "Boy, you've got your butt in a lot of trouble." Defendant became upset by the remark and requested that Brinkman leave the room. Brinkman complied with the request. Hobson said, "I think defendant was irritated with Brinkman. I would not say he was angry."

Officer Dean testified that Brinkman left the room, at defendant's request, before the confession was given. Dean conceded that defendant got angry with Brinkman but said he did not recall Brinkman yelling at defendant.

Defendant's testimony was that Brinkman "started yelling at me and told me I was no better than a murderer or a rapist and was going to make sure I got a lot of time." Defendant told Brinkman that he had no use for him and to get out of the room. Brinkman left the room at that time. Defendant conceded that Brinkman "yelled at me just one time."

"Coercion that vitiates a confession . . . 'can be mental as well as physical.' . . . Subtle pressures . . . may be as telling as coarse and vulgar ones. The question is whether the accused was deprived of his 'free choice to admit, to deny, or to refuse to answer'." Garrity v. New Jersey, 385 U.S. 493, 496, 87 S.Ct. 616, 618, 17 L.Ed.2d 562 (1967).

The issue of voluntariness of a confession is a mixed question of law and fact. State v. Lyle, 511 S.W.2d 817, 818(1) (Mo.1974). The trial court was not required to believe defendant's version of the Brinkman incident. State v. Stephens, 507 S.W.2d 18, 21(5) (Mo. banc 1974). Even if Brinkman acted in the manner described by defendant, the statements attributed to Brinkman would seem more likely to deter a confession than to induce one.

In support of his claim that the confession was induced by medication, defendant argues that he was under the influence of cafergot and emphasizes his own testimony that he took approximately 20 tablets of that medication within the four hours preceding his arrest. Defendant concedes that the taking of the medication "was my choice, no one forced me."

Officer Hobson, testifying for the state, had years of experience in observing persons under the influence of drugs. According to Hobson, at the time of the arrest and the interrogation, "defendant did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs." Hobson stated that defendant "answered the questions I asked him and did not ask me to repeat them." Officer Dean testified that defendant was able to carry on a conversation and comprehended the questions which were asked.

"Although a confession is not inadmissible merely because the accused was under the influence of drugs or narcotics, it is a factor which may properly be considered." Wharton's Criminal Evidence (13th Ed.) Vol. 3, § 689, p. 481. "The fact of drug influence and intoxication, absent mania, only goes to the credibility and weight of the statement. Before exclusion is required, it should appear that defendant was so intoxicated or influenced that he was unable to appreciate the consequences and nature of his statements." State v. Hindman, 543 S.W.2d 278, 285 (Mo.App.1976). See also State v. Thomas, 522 S.W.2d 74, 76 (Mo.App.1975), Anno. 69 A.L.R.2d 384 (Confession Use of Drugs Effect.)

The evidence in the record on the issues of coercion and drug influence is not sufficient to warrant interference by this court with the finding of the trial court that the confession was voluntary. Defendant's first contention has no...