The defendant was indicted for burglary in the first degree and convicted of burglary in the second degree. Sentence was ten years' imprisonment.
"Q. Did you warn Mr. Robinson of his rights?
"A. Yes, sir."
* * * * * *
"Q. Did he indicate that he understood his constitutional rights?
"A. Yes, sir."
Defense counsel objected on the basis that "the proper predicate has not been laid." The trial judge made the following ruling.
"THE COURT: Would you (speaking to defense counsel) like to — unless you want to explain some area that the witness has not touched on specifically I am going to take his declaration that he gave the defendant his warnings or his constitutional rights as provided in the constitution.
"MR. ENFINGER (Defense Counsel): We are going to except."
Because an in-custody statement by an accused is prima facie involuntary and inadmissible, the predicate laid for the admission of the statement is entirely inadequate. The assumption of the trial judge was unauthorized and has been rejected by the courts of this State. Thomas v. State,
Although it is generally recognized that a specific objection to evidence offered is a condition precedent to appellate review, a general objection is sufficient to predicate error on appeal if the evidentiary matter to which it is addressed is patently inadmissible. Satterwhite v. State,
This Court has a statutory duty to consider "all questions apparent on the record" whether or not argued in brief. Sandersv. State,
The judgment of the Circuit Court is reversed and the cause remanded.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
All Judges concur.
