Wilson v. State, 31477

• Citation: 229 S.E.2d 424,237 Ga. 657
• Decision Date: 29 September 1976
• Docket Number: No. 31477,31477
• Parties: Robert Franklin WILSON v. The STATE.
• Court: Georgia Supreme Court

Page 424

229 S.E.2d 424

237 Ga. 657

Robert Franklin WILSON v. The STATE.

No. 31477.

Supreme Court of Georgia.

Sept. 29, 1976.

Richard L. Powell, Marietta, for appellant.

George W. Darden, Dist. Atty., Joseph L. Chambers, Asst. Dist. Atty., Marietta, Arthur K. Bolton, Atty. Gen., Daryl A. Robinson, Atlanta, for appellee.

HALL, Justice.

Robert Franklin Wilson was convicted of rape, two counts of aggravated sodomy, and armed robbery. He was sentenced to consecutive sentences of 18 years for rape, 12 years for each sodomy count and 20 years for armed robbery. He enumerates as error the trial court's refusal to suppress evidence of the lineup identification.

1. Appellant was arrested on another charge, and only later was suspected of the instant offenses. His contention that he was not advised of his Miranda rights as soon as officers began to suspect him of the instant crimes is without merit. No confession or incriminating statement was elicited from him and none was introduced at trial.

The record shows he was advised of his rights prior to the lineup. He did not have the right to refuse to be in the lineup, nor to have an attorney present at this pre-indictment lineup. Kirby v. Illinois,406 U.S. 682, 690, 92 S.Ct. 1877, 32 L.Ed.2d 411 (1972); Wimberly v. State,233 Ga. 386, 211 S.E.2d 281 (1974).

2. Neither the lineup itself nor anything required therein violated appellant's Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination since merely exhibiting his person for observation by witnesses involved no compulsion of the accused to give evidence of a testimonial nature against himself which is prohibited by that Amendment. United States v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218, 87 S.Ct. 1926, 18 L.Ed.2d 1149 (1967).

3. Appellant contends that he was improperly denied counsel at his lineup and further that the lineup was impermissibly suggestive. We find no error.

This was a pre-indictment lineup. There is no per se exclusionary rule applicable to pre-indictment confrontations; the rule is that they should be scrutinized to determine whether the lineup was 'unnecessarily suggestive and conducive to irreparable mistaken identification.' Kirby v. Illinois, supra; Yancey v. State, 232 Ga. 167, 205 S.E.2d 282 (1974). Applying the 'totality of the circumstances' test of Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 93 S.Ct. 375, 34 L.Ed.2d 401 (1972), we hold that the evidence set below satisfies the standards required for fair and impartial lineups.

On being informed that he was to participate in a lineup, the appellant advised officials that it would be against his will and demanded that an attorney be present. Over his objections to the lineup, appellant was taken from his cell. At appellant's request, he was handcuffed and taken to the viewing room. Also at his request, the officer placed his hand on appellant's arm, but no other force was involved. He was placed in the lineup and advised of his rights by the Assistant District Attorney. Of the six people in the lineup, only appellant's hair was mussed. This fact was noticed by the Assistant District Attorney who suggested that the jailer comb it. Appellant refused to allow his hair to be combed, claiming it would be an assault. He was informed that his appearance might be suggestive, but if he refused to conform he would be waiving the right to challenge the lineup because of his appearance. Appellant responded that he would make no further response because it would be...