Lead Opinion
¶ 1. This сase comes to us upon certification from the court of appeals on the issue of whether physical evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda
¶ 2. First, with regard to the certified issue, based upon the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in Dickerson, we reverse the decision of the circuit court which denied the motion to suppress evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda violation. We hold that Dickerson requires us to overrule the decision in State v. Yang, 2000 WI App. 63,
¶ 3. In response to the second issue, we hold that Matthew J. Knapp (Knapp) provided statements to the DCI agents voluntarily, and that the circuit court correctly applied Harris
¶ 4. Next, since we have determined that the motion to suppress the evidence (the sweatshirt) seized as a direct result of the intentional Miranda violation at the apartment shoúld have been granted, there is no need to determine whether the alleged Edwards
¶ 6. Fifth, based upon the facts of this case, we hold that George Knapp (George), the defendant's brother, did not have actual or common authority to consent to a search of Knapp's bedroom, but that there was apparent authority. The circuit court was wrong when it held that physical evidence obtained during that second warrantless search should be suppressed.
¶ 7. Sixth, in light of Denny
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
¶ 8. The facts of this case are undisputed. Knapp's trial has been stayed pending the outcome of this appeal. The facts are drawn from the preliminary hearing, the motion hearings, and the allegations in the complaint and information.
¶ 9. Resa Scobie Brunner (Resa) was murdered in her home on December 12, 1987. At about 2 p.m. that day, her husband, Ervin J. Brunner (Brunner), found
¶ 10. At the time of the murder Maas was living at the home of Richard Borchardt, Sr. (Borchardt) in Watertown. Borchardt is now deceased and was never interviewed by police. Patricia Farrell, a friend of Borchardt's, told Watertown police during an August 4, 2000, interview that sometime after Resa's murder Borchardt told Farrell that on the night of the murder Maas arrived at the house very late and, after a short time inside the house, left with a brown paper bag. Borchardt told Farrell that he looked out the window and saw a truck he recognized as Brunner's sitting in the driveway with its lights turned off. Maas got into the truck and it backed out of the driveway and departed.
¶ 11. Knapp was the last person seen with Resa that night. They were seen drinking together in a Watertown bar, and then eating together in a Water-town restaurant after the bar closed. Resa and Knapp got up to leave the restaurant at the same time, but Knapp left first, as Resa had to go back to pay her check. At the time of the murder Knapp was on parole. He was arrested on a parole violation on December 13, 1987, at the apartment he shared with his brother, George, and George's fiancée (now his wife), Helen.
¶ 13. On the day of Knapp's initial arrest, Detective Timothy Roets (Roets) of the Watertown Police Department entered the exterior doors of Knapp's apartment without knocking or announcing, and proceeded up the stairwell to the door at the top of the stairs. Roets saw Knapp through the door's window and told Knapp to open the door because he had a warrant for Knapp's arrest on a parole violation. Knapp picked up the phone to call his attorney. Knapp claims that Roets was banging on the door and ordering him to open up.
¶ 14. At the station Roets questioned Knapp further but still did not give him Miranda warnings. Knapp believed that he was assisting Roets as a witness, not as a suspect to Resa's murder. Knapp provided Roets with information about the prior evening, including the fact that he witnessed Resa fighting with another woman. Knapp stated that Resa got a bloody nose from the encounter and that he helped her wipe the blood on his sleeve. When it occurred to Knapp that he was not being questioned as a witness, but rather as a suspect, he asserted his right to counsel and stopped the questioning.
¶ 15. While Knapp was at the station Roets asked Knapp's brother, George, for consent to search the apartment. George was allowed to speak with Knapp and informed Knapp that he was consenting to a search of the apartment. Though Roets was not certain whether the consent form was signed before or after the conversation between George and Knapp, George testified that he talked to Knapp before signing the consent form. The consent George signed agreed to a search of the entire apartment, although the consent form did not specifically mention Knapp's bedroom.
¶ 16. There was testimony from both Knapp and George that Knapp was to pay George $150 in rent for the use of the bedroom. The record is unclear as to whether or not Knapp had actually paid George any money, as he had only been there a short time before the arrest. However, the circuit court determined that Knapp had paid rent. Testimony about Knapp's bed
¶ 17. Resa's murder went unsolved and uncharged for twelve years. In addition to investigating Knapp's involvement, the police department interviewed and investigated others. Knapp asserts that a likely suspect of Resa's murder is her husband, Brun-ner. Prior to the murder Resa and Brunner told various witnesses that they were having marital problems. They had only been married for six months at the time. The night of Resa's murder, Brunner slept with Maas. The week before the murder Brunner found Resa sitting with another man in his truck, dragged Resa out of the truck, and told police officers he would "knock her out" if he ever caught Resa cheating on him again. Additionally, Brunner told his stepdaughter the night of the murder that he and Resa were fighting. Earlier that evening Resa called her daughter and told her to go to their home and take the key off of the porch. Brunner admitted he might not have had a key to his home that evening. During a fight with a girlfriend a few years later, Brunner stated that he wished he "had a bat." Brunner also stated previously during a polygraph examination that he killed his wife.
¶ 18. The DCI got involved in the case in 1998 and in the summer of 1999 located new witnesses who implicated Knapp in the murder. An ex-girlfriend of Knapp's, Sandra Huebner, stated that in 1995 Knapp beat her and said, "I'll do to you what I did to her." Pedro Bias-Jasso told an investigator that Knapp confessed to
A. Circuit Court
¶ 19. In Knapp's preliminary hearing on December 8, 1999, the circuit court found the evidence sufficient for a bindover. On February 14, 2000, Knapp filed motions for suppression of physical evidence seized during the search conducted at the time of his initial arrest on December 13, 1987, and the second search conducted with George's consent shortly after Knapp's arrest. Knapp also moved to suppress statements he made to the police without having received Miranda warnings. The circuit court, the Honorable Randy R. Koschnick presiding, conducted hearings on the suppression motions in May and June of 2000 and granted them in part and denied them in part in its July 22, 2000, and August 10, 2000, oral rulings. A written order was entered on September 19, 2000.
¶ 20. In its order the circuit court denied the motion to suppress items seized during the search conducted at the time of Knapp's arrest, granted the motion to suppress evidence seized during the second search, and granted the motion to suppress Knapp's statements during the State's case-in-chief, because of the violation of Miranda, but ruled that the statements could be used for impeachment purposes because they were voluntary.
¶ 21. On August 17, 2000, Knapp filed a motion to admit evidence of the guilt of other suspects. Knapp's offer of proof contained 45 items. The circuit court orally ruled on the motion to admit evidence in hearings on September 5, 2000, and September 8, 2000, and
B. Court of Appeals
¶ 22. The State filed a notice of appeal from the circuit court's order granting the motion to suppress physical evidence from the second search on September 21, 2000. Knapp filed a petition for leave to appeal the remainder of the suppression order. The State also filed a pеtition for leave to appeal the portion of the circuit court order admitting Item 21(a), which contained hearsay evidence allegedly undercutting Brunner's alibi on the night of the murder. The court of appeals granted the petitions on November 7, 2000. The court of appeals heard oral arguments on April 25, 2002, and on August 15, 2002, filed a certification in this court. Specifically, the court of appeals requested certification on the following issue: "Should physical evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda violation be suppressed when the violation was an intentional attempt to prevent the suspect from exercising his Fifth Amendment rights?" This court accepted the court of appeals' certification on September 26, 2002, and also accepted for review all issues raised in the parties' appeals before the court of appeals.
II. ISSUES
¶ 23. In addition to the certified question, the following issues are presented: whether the statements provided to the DCI agents in violation of Miranda were involuntary.
¶ 24. Whether the physical evidence seized during the defendant's arrest should be suppressed as a violation of Edwards.
¶ 26. Whether the circuit court erred in suppressing evidence seized during the second warrantless search of the defendant's bedroom with George's consent.
¶ 27. Whether the circuit court erred in granting a motion to admit hearsay evidence implicating a third party in the murder.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶ 28. Our analysis involves various issues that we decide under different standards of review. This court will uphold the circuit court's findings of fact on a motion to suppress unless they are against the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence. "In reviewing an order suppressing evidence, appellate courts will uphold findings of evidentiary or historical fact unless they are clearly erroneous." State v. Kieffer,
IV CERTIFIED ISSUE — SUPPRESSION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
¶ 30. As noted, the court of appeals certified the question: Should physical evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda violation be suppressed when the violation was an intentional attempt to prevent the suspect from exercising his Fifth Amendment rights?
¶ 32. However, Knapp asks this court to reverse the circuit court's ruling and hold that the physical evidence in this case, his sweatshirt, should be suppressed as well because the clothing was identified by Knapp in response to questions put to him without being advised of, and then waiving his rights, as required by Miranda. The clothing obtained, he argues, was the inadmissible fruit of the Miranda violation.
¶ 33. Moreover, Knapp argues that the circuit court wrongly relied on Yang to hold that physical evidence discovered as a direct result of a statement obtained in violation of Miranda is still admissible despite the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine. Yang,
¶ 34. Knapp argues that the premise underlying Elstad, Tucker, and Yang has arguably been disavowed by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dickerson, 530
¶ 35. Accordingly, Knapp maintains that Yang is no longer good law, because Miranda is a constitutional rule, and physical evidence obtained in violation of that rule is inadmissible under the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine.
¶ 36. Knapp also maintains that appellate court decisions, in light of Dickerson, have been mixed. As a result, Knapp argues that this court must look at the mindset of the questioning officer in failing to Miran-dize Knapp.
¶ 37. Knapp argues that the rationale of Yang depends upon the premise that a. Miranda violation is a mere error — the type of mistake that is unavoidable in regular police work. Knapp maintains that this premise does not work in this case because: (1) Roets knew of the requirement to Mirandize suspects in custody (R. 102:79-80; Def. App. 362-63); and (2) Roets knew that Knapp was unlikely to respond to questions if he was advised of his rights (R. 102:120,123-24; Def. App. 377, 379-80). Therefore, Knapp argues, this was no benign error, as Roets deliberately chose to disregard Miranda.
¶ 38. The State disagrees with Knapp and asks that this court uphold the circuit court's ruling that the physical evidence is admissible.
¶ 39. As noted, the State concedes that Roets violated the requirements of Miranda when, without advice and waiver of rights, he asked Knapp what clothing he had been wearing the evening of December 11 and early morning of December 12. As a result, the State agrees that Knapp's statements in response to that question should not be admissible in the State's
¶ 40. The State argues that Yang stands for the proposition that if the non-Mirandized statement was voluntary, "the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine does not apply" because the statement was not unconstitutionally obtained. Yang, 233 Wis. 2d, ¶ 3. If the "statements leading the police to the physical evidence were voluntary, that evidence is admissible." Id. In support of its argument the State contends that the Yang holding is supported by Elstad and Tucker.
¶ 41. The State argues that Dickerson does not abrogate the holding in Yang because it did not overrule Tucker or Elstad.
¶ 42. In support of its argument the State points out that other courts have applied the Elstad-Tucker rule after Dickerson. The State cites the Third Circuit case of United States v. DeSumma,
¶ 43. The certified issue requires this court to determine to what extent, if any, the Dickerson decision undermines Yang.
¶ 44. The scope of protection afforded to citizens under the Fifth Amendment right against compulsory self-incrimination has received considerable attention in the opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court, and in this court as well. See Oregon v. Elstad,
¶ 45. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides, "No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." The Fifth Amendment is applicable here through the Fourteenth Amendment. Malloy v. Hogan,
A. Miranda v. Arizona
¶ 46. In 1966 the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark decision, Miranda v. Arizona, expanded restrictions on police interrogation practices. In protecting one's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, the Supreme Court established a set of procedural safeguards. According to Miranda, the prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, stemming from custodial interrogation of a defendant unless it demonstrates compliance with Miranda dictates. Miranda,
B. Miranda Violations and the Poisonous Tree Doctrine
¶ 48. In Wong Sun v. United States,
¶ 49. Since 1966 on two occasions the U.S. Supreme Court has considered whether derivative evidence obtained in violation of Miranda should be suppressed. Those two cases are pivotal to our analysis.
¶ 50. First, in Tucker, the Supreme Court was asked to apply the Wong Sun "tainted fruits" doctrine to the testimony of a witness whose identity was discovered as the result of a statement obtained in violation of Miranda. Tucker involved an xm-Mirandized custodial interrogation that occurred prior to the issuance of the Miranda decision. During the course of the interrogation the defendant identified a relevant witness of
The deterrent purpose of the exclusionary rule necessarily assumes that the police have engaged in willful, or at the very least negligent, conduct which has deprived the defendant of some right... . Where the official action was pursued in complete good faith, however, the deterrence rationale loses much of its force.
We consider it significant to our decision in this case that the officers' failure to advise the respondent of his right to appointed counsel occurred prior to the decision in Miranda. Although we have been urged to resolve the broad question of whether evidence derived from statements taken in violation of the Miranda rules must be excluded regardless of when the interrogation took place, we instead place our holding on a narrower ground.
Tucker,
¶ 51. Second, in Elstad the U.S. Supreme Court was faced with the issue of whether a defendant's post-Mirandized statements must be suppressed as the fruit of the earlier Miranda violation. Elstad,
C. Wisconsin Law and the Yang Decision
¶ 52. Relying on Tucker and Elstad, the Wisconsin court of appeals in Yang,
The Tucker and Elstad holdings could not be clearer: the "poisonous tree" in Wong Sun is a constitutional violation and, absent such a violation, there is no tainted fruit. It is well established that the failure to deliver Miranda warnings is not itself a constitutional violation. (CitingElstad). Accordingly, derivative physical evidence obtained as a result of an unwarned statement that was voluntary under the Fifth Amendment is not "tainted fruit."
Yang,
¶ 53. Moreover, the court of appeals in Yang said:
Policemen investigating serious crimes [cannot realistically be expected to] make no errors whatsoever. If errors are made by law enforcement officers in administering the prophylactic Miranda procedures, they should not breed the same irremediable consequences as police infringement of the Fifth Amendment itself.
Yang,
¶ 54. Several months after Yang was decided, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Dickerson that Miranda was a "constitutional decision," and that it created a "constitutional rule," and therefore, Congress could not legislatively overrule Miranda. Dickerson, 530 U.S at 441.
¶ 55. Consequently, we are faced with the question of whether the Supreme Court decision in Dickerson completely undermined the Yang decision.
¶ 56. Lower courts applying Dickerson have split on the proper application of Wong Sun to the physical fruits resulting from a Miranda violation. For example, the Third and Fourth Circuits have ruled that the physical fruits of a Miranda violation never are subject to Wong Sun suppression. In DeSumma,
¶ 57. Similarly, in United States v. Sterling,
¶ 58. In contrast to the Third and Fourth Circuits, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has ruled that the physical fruits of a Miranda violation must be suppressed in certain circumstances, depending on the need for deterrence of police misconduct, in light of the circumstances of each case. United States v. Faulkingham,
¶ 59. The Faulkingham court noted that: "[un]like some other circuits, we are unwilling, at least until the Supreme Court addresses the issue, to say that the interest of deterrence may never lead to the suppression of derivative evidence from a Miranda violation." Id.
¶ 60. In a similar vein, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, in United States v. Patane,
¶ 61. In recognizing the split of authority in applying Wong Sun after Dickerson, the Patane court disagreed with the Third and Fourth Circuit Courts in Sterling and DeSumma and said:
We conclude that the First Circuit is correct that the physical fruits of a violation must be suppressеd where necessary to serve Miranda's deterrent purpose. However, we part company with the first circuit in the application of that standard, because we conclude that Miranda's deterrent purpose requires suppression of the physical fruits of a negligent Miranda violation. We therefore conclude that suppression of the gun in the present case was appropriate.
Patane,
We do not believe that "the role of deterrence... becomes less primary" once the statement itself has been suppressed. Instead, the relevant question remains whether suppression of the statement alone provides deterrence sufficient to protect citizens' constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.
Patane,
¶ 63. As noted previously, Wisconsin has also provided protection from self-incrimination in a criminal case to its citizens through Article I, Section 7, of the Wisconsin Constitution.
¶ 64. Turning to the issue of Dickerson's impact on Yang, we note that here the circuit court relied on Yang to hold that the physical evidence (the sweatshirt) discovered at Knapp's residence as a direct result of a statement obtained in violation of Miranda was admissible.
¶ 65. However, as discussed previously, Yang relied upon the Elstad-Tucker rule to justify its conclusion that the "fruits of the poisonous tree" doctrine did not apply to physical evidence derived directly from statements given in violation of Miranda. See Elstad,
¶ 66. Both Tucker and Elstad were predicated upon the premise that the Miranda rule was a prophylactic rule, rather than a constitutional one. Elstad,
¶ 67. As discussed previously, the foundation upon which Tucker and Elstad were based has been fundamentally altered by Dickerson. Dickerson declared, unequivocally, that Miranda expressed a constitutional rule, rather than a mere prophylactic protection. Dickerson,
¶ 68. We agree with the Patane court that Sterling and DeSumma focused on an isolated passage in Dickerson. Dickerson noted at the outset of the opinion that "Miranda and its progeny in this Court govern the admissibility of statements made during custodial interrogation in both state and federal courts." Dickerson,
¶ 69. The Patane court recognized "two serious problems with the reasoning in DeSumma and Sterling." Patane,
¶ 70. The Patane court noted that DeSumma and Sterling improperly relied on the language in Dickerson that distinguishes Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations. The court in Patane stated that the two violations are different because of the narrowed application of the fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine applied to Miranda violations. Patane,
¶ 71. In pointing out the analytical flaws in DeS-umma and Sterling, the Patane court concluded that: "[a] blanket rule barring application of the fruits doctrine to the physical fruits of a Miranda violation would mark a dramatic departure from Supreme Court precedent." Patane,
¶ 72. In addition to the holding in Dickerson that Miranda violations are indeed constitutional violations, there are important policy considerations underpinning the logic of the exclusionary rule.
¶ 73. Here, it is undisputed that Roets intentionally violated Knapp's Miranda rights in order to procure derivative/physical evidence. As stated in the State's brief:
The State conceded below (52:1) that Detective Roets violated the requirements of Miranda when, withoutan advisement and waiver of Miranda rights, he asked Matthew Knapp in his bedroom on December 13,1987, what clothing he had been wearing on the evening of December 11 and the early morning of December 12.
Appellant-Cross-Resp't Br. at 10. If we do not suppress physical evidence in situations of intentional violations of Miranda, we, in essence, undermine the deterrent effect upon which such a decision was based.
¶ 74. The rule argued for by the State would minimize the seriousness of the police misconduct producing the evidentiary fruits, breed contempt for the law, and encourage the type of conduct that Miranda was designed to prevent, especially where the police conduct is intentional, as it was here. See Patane,
[I]t is clear that if the police were permitted to utilize illegally obtained confessions for links and leads rather than being required to gather evidence independently, then Miranda warnings would be of no value in protecting the privilege against self-incrimination. The requirement of a warning would be meaningless, forthe police would be permitted to accomplish indirectly what they could not accomplish directly, and there would exist no incentive to warn.
Robert M. Pitler, The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree, Revisited and Shepardized, 56 Cal.L.Rev. 579, 620 (1968).
¶ 75. Tucker and Elstad recognized the important policy considerations underpinning Miranda and Wong Sun. Elstad,
¶ 76. The Patane court stated that Supremе Court precedent "consistently has recognized that deterrence of police misconduct, whether deliberate or negligent, is the fundamental justification for the fruits doctrine." Patane,
¶ 77. In State v. Ward,
Although this remedial principle appears to be the sole pillar supporting the Supreme Court's contemporary rationale for application of the exclusionary rule a second principle, judicial integrity, has been cited in the Court's exclusionary rule jurisprudence:
It was of this (judicial integrity] that Mr. Justice Holmes and Mr. Justice Brandéis so eloquently spoke in Olmstead v. United States ... .• "For those who agree with me," said Mr. Justice Holmes, "no distinction can be taken between the Government as prosecutor and the Government as judge."... "In a government of laws," said Mr. Justice Brandéis, "existence of the government will he imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our Government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the Government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for the law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of the criminal law the end justifies the means — to declare that the Government may commit crimes in order to secure the conviction of a private criminal — would bring terrible retribution. Against that pernicious doctrine this Court should resolutely set its face."
Ward,
¶ 78. Based on the reasons set forth above, we reverse the order of the circuit court denying the motion to suppress evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda violation arising from the search conducted at the time of Knapp's arrest. '
VI. ISSUE TWO — VOLUNTARY STATEMENTS
¶ 80. Knapp contends that the circuit court correctly ruled that the statements taken from Knapp by the DCI agents were inadmissible in the State's casein-chief. However, Knapp argues that the circuit court erred in finding that his statements were "voluntary." Accordingly, Knapp asks this court to hold that all statements given to DCI agents during his interview are inadmissible for any purpose.
¶ 81. Knapp maintains that the statements taken from him by DCI agents should be inadmissible for any purpose because they were taken in violation of Miranda, and were the involuntary product of police coercion. Knapp states that the DCI agents planned a "ruse" to induce Knapp to give a statement. (R. 103:52; Def. App. 387.) The plan was to tell Knapp that they were there to investigate constitutional violations by members of the Watertown Police Department, including Roets. (R. 103:53, 67; Def. App. 388-89.) The ruse was necessary, according to Knapp, because DCI agents believed that Knapp would not talk otherwise. (R. 103:53, 123, 125, 146; Def. App. 388-89, 397, 401, 405).
If the defendant had been read his Miranda rights, he most likely would not have spoken. If the defendant had not been deceived as to the nature and scope of the interview, he almost definitely would not have spoken.
There is no question in the Court's mind that but for the deception and failure to follow Miranda, the defendant would not have made a statement to DCI agents on November 10th, 1998.
(R. 108:11; Def. App. 285).
¶ 83. Knapp states that awareness of the adversarial nature of the encounter is an important component of voluntariness.
¶ 84. Knapp argues that the DCI agents went out of their way to be friendly to him and to portray themselves as his allies. Following Frazier v. Cupp,
¶ 85. Knapp argues that the circuit court erroneously relied upon State v. Albrecht,
¶ 86. Knapp argues that the exclusionary rule in Dickerson precludes any use of statements made to DCI agents. Knapp argues that the logic of Patane and Kruger
¶ 87. The State disagrees with Knapp and asks this court to uphold the ruling of the circuit court that the statements given to DCI agents during a prison
¶ 88. The State concedes that the statements were obtained during prison interrogation, not preceded by advice concerning and waiver of Miranda rights. However, the State claims that while Knapp's statements are not admissible in the State's case-in-chief, they can be used for impeachment purposes.
¶ 89. The State contends that this is a pure legal question, and must be decided under a well-established legal standard set forth in State v. Clappes,
In determining whether a confession was voluntarily made, the essential inquiry is whether the confession was procured via coercive means or whether it was the product of improper pressures exercised by the police .... The presence or absence of actual coercion or improper police practices is the focus of the inquiry because it is determinative on the issue of whether the inculpatory statement was the product of a "free and unconstrained will, reflecting deliberateness of choice."
Clappes,
¶ 90. The State concedes that there is no doubt that police employed intentional deception and trickery. However, the State argues that police deception, without more, does not render a suspect's statement involuntary. See, e.g., Albrecht,
¶ 91. In response to the State's argument that deception alone does not render a confession involuntary, Knapp argues that in this case there was more than just police deception. Knapp argues that the agents made a calculated decision not to Mirandize Knapp because they feared he might exercise his rights. The intentional failure to read the Miranda warnings, Knapp argues, rendered the deception coercive because it "affirmatively misled [Knapp] about the scope of his constitutional protection against self-incrimination." Veilleux,
¶ 92. Although the State urges this court to follow DeSumma and Sterling, which held that Dickerson did not extend the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine to derivative evidence, Knapp contends that DeSumma and Sterling erroneously reached the conclusion that Dickerson's reference to the controlling force of "Miranda and its progeny in this Court" foreclosed the argument that fruits of a Miranda violation may be suppressed. Furthermore, Knapp argues that De-Summa and Sterling erroneously relied upon the proposition that Dickerson endorsed the extension of the Elstad-Tucker rule.
¶ 93. Knapp maintains that Patane carefully analyzes the holding in Dickerson and concludes that the exclusionary rule does apply to derivative evidence, including statements.
VII. ANALYSIS OF ISSUE TWO
¶ 94. As stated earlier, this court will uphold the circuit court's findings of evidentiary or historical facts unless they are contrary to the great weight and clear
¶ 95. In essence, this court is presented with the question of whether a custodial inculpatory statement, obtained without proper Miranda warnings, and extracted through the use of police deception, is an "involuntary" self-incriminatory statement and inadmissible at trial for any purpose.
¶ 96. Custodial police interrogation, by its nature, exerts pressure upon the accused, and "[e]ven without employing brutality, the 'third degree' or [other] specific stratagems ... custodial interrogation exacts a heavy toll on individual liberty and trades on the weaknesses of individuals." Miranda,
[T]he coercion inherent in custodial interrogation blurs the line between voluntary and involuntary statements, and thus heightens the risk that an individual will not be "accorded his privilege under the Fifth Amendment... not to be compelled to incriminate himself."
Dickerson,
¶ 97. Where a defendant claims that his admissions were compelled, the government bears the burden of proving voluntariness by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Jackson,
¶ 99. In this case, we must determine whether Knapp's will was overwhelmed in light of the totality of the circumstances. Bryant v. Vose,
¶ 100. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that an examination of "voluntariness" is one of constitutional due process, and must take into consideration "the totality of . .. the ... circumstances — both the characteristics of the accused and the details of the interrogation." Dickerson,
¶ 101. Wisconsin has adopted the totality of the circumstances test when evaluating the voluntary nature of self-incriminatory statements. Clappes,
¶ 102. To further clarify the totality of the circumstances test, this court has expressly laid out the applicable factors a court must balance when determining the voluntariness of inculpatory statements:
The relevant personal characteristics of the confessor include his age, his education and intelligence, his physical and emotional condition, and his prior experience with the police. These factors must be balanced against the police pressures and tactics which have been used to induce the admission, such as the length of the interrogation, any delay in arraignment, the general conditions under which the confessions took place, any excessive physical or psychological pressure ... any inducements, threats, methods or strategies utilized by the police to compel a response, and whether the individual was informed of his right to counsel and right against self-incrimination.
¶ 103. In review of the circuit court's application of the factors highlighted in Albrecht, we are satisfied that its careful and complete analysis of the attendant faсts surrounding the interrogation show, by a clear preponderance of the evidence, that Knapp's statements to DCI agents of November 10, 1998, were indeed voluntary.
¶ 104. The findings of fact made by the circuit court in this case state that the defendant appeared to be of average or above average intelligence (R. 108:16); at the time of the interrogation Knapp had a long and substantial history of interaction with law enforcement (R. 108:17); and he had an "acute awareness" of his rights and ability to control his interactions with law enforcement during interrogations (R. 108:17). Fur
¶ 105. More importantly, the circuit court found, as a matter of fact, that the interrogation did not involve any threats or promises in exchange for cooperation. (R. 108:17). This fact distinguishes this case from many of the cases Knapp offers in support of its position.
¶ 106. As noted, Knapp points to two cases to bolster the argument that the statement was involuntary. In Walton,
¶ 107. The court in Walton had to make a determination as to whether the defendant reasonably believed that the agent's promise that any "off the cuff' statements would not be used against him at a later date. "[T]he appropriate inquiry is whether the defendant reasonably perceived the alleged promise as he asserts." Id. at 1029 (quoting United States v. Shears,
¶ 108. Knapp also relies on Veilleux in support of his argument. Veilleux,
¶ 109. We agree that "promises . . . made by police officers are to be considered along with other circumstances in determining whether a defendant's will has been overborne." Arizona v. Fulminante,
¶ 110. That being said, we need not adhere to the analysis in Walton and Veilleux because the circuit court found, as a matter of fact, that DCI interrogation did not involve the use of promises in exchange for Knapp's voluntary cooperation. As such, these cases are distinguishable. Based upon the totality of the circum
A. Harris Analysis:
¶ 111. Furthermore, we hold that the circuit court correctly applied Harris,
¶ 112. Every criminal defendant has the right to testify in his own defense, or alternatively, refuse to take the stand at trial. However, the right to testify in one's criminal proceedings has never been construed to allow a defendant to commit perjury. See United States v. Knox,
¶ 113. Indeed, as the court in Elstad noted:
[T]he Miranda presumption, though irrebutable for purposes of the prosecution's case in chief, does not require that the statements and their fruits be discarded as inherently tainted. Despite the fact that patently voluntary statements taken in violation of Miranda must be excluded from the prosecution's case, the presumption of coercion does not bar their use for impeachment purposes on cross-examination.
Elstad,
¶ 114. We hold that the circuit court correctly applied Harris,
VIIL ISSUE THREE — EDWARDS VIOLATION
¶ 115. Knapp asks this court to reverse the ruling of the circuit court, and hold that the physical evidence should be suppressed due to a violation of the rule in Edwards,
¶ 116. Knapp argues that the clothing seized, in particular his sweatshirt, is the inadmissible fruit of an Edwards violation, and that the physical evidence obtained through that illegal questioning should be suppressed.
¶ 117. The State disagrees with Knapp's arguments and asks this court to uphold the ruling of the circuit court, which rejected Knapp's argument that the physical evidence should be suppressed for a violation of the rule in Edwards.
¶ 118. Since we have determined that the motion to suppress the evidence (the sweatshirt) seized as a direct result of the intentional Miranda violation at the apartment should have been granted, there is no need to determine whether the alleged Edwards violation should also result in suppression of the sweatshirt seized.
IX. ISSUE FOUR — KNOCK AND ANNOUNCE
¶ 119. Knapp, arguing that there is another reason for suppression of the sweatshirt, asks this court to reverse the circuit court's ruling that police officers did not have an obligation to knock and announce prior to
¶ 120. Contrary to Knapp's position, the State asks this court to uphold the circuit court's rejection of Knapp's challenge to the police entry into the apartment stairway. The State argues that the circuit court decision was fair, supported by the evidence, and legally correct.
¶ 121. Since we have determined that the motion to suppress the sweatshirt seized as a direct result of the intentional Miranda violation at the apartment should have been granted, there is no need to determine whether the alleged Fourth Amendment violation, relating to a failure to knock and announce at the exterior doors prior to entering the premises, should also result in suppression of the sweatshirt seized.
X. ISSUE FIVE — SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE WARRANTLESS SECOND SEARCH
¶ 122. The State asks that the circuit court's order suppressing evidence seized during the second search should be reversed, because the defendant's brother had either actual or apparent authority to consent to the search. Alternatively, if the court holds that the brother did not have valid authority to consent to the search, the State asks that circuit court's order be reversed due to the "inevitable discovery doctrine."
¶ 123. Relying on United States v. Matlock,
¶ 124. Moreover, the State argues that Kieffer,
¶ 125. Based upon the totality of the circumstances, and upon well-established case law, the State argues that George possessed the authority to consent to a search of the defendant's bedroom.
¶ 126. Finally, the State argues that not only did George have actual authority to consent to the search of the defendant's bedroom, the police acted upon the reasonable belief that George had the power to consent to such a search, and therefore, there was apparent authority for George's consent.
¶ 127. In assessing third-party consent to search, the State contends the critical question is "the sufficiency of the consenting individual's relationship to the premises to be searched .. . ." Kieffer,
¶ 128. Alternatively, the State argues that the evidence seized in the second search should not have been suppressed because it would inevitably have been discovered through use of a search warrant. The State claims that if the court concludes that George did not have proper authority to consent to the search of the
¶ 129. Knapp disagrees and asks this court to uphold the ruling of the circuit court. Knapp maintains that the circuit court correctly suppressed the evidence seized during the second search of Knapp's bedroom on December 13, 1987, because George did not have actual or apparent authority to consent to the search, and the evidence is not admissible under the doctrine of inevitable discovery. Knapp maintains that the search of his bedroom, following consent by George, was a violation of Knapp's Fourth Amendment rights, because Roets intentionally by-passed Knapp, rendering the consent invalid.
¶ 130. Knapp argues that courts in similar circumstances have held that when police intentionally bypass a suspect who is present and known to have a superior privacy interest in the place to be searched, in order to gain consent to search, the validity of a third-party consent is questionable. United States v. Impink,
¶ 131. Knapp contends that the search of his bedroom following consent by George was a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights because George did not have actual or apparent authority to consent to the
¶ 132. Knapp argues that here the inquiry was non-existent. The circuit court found that Roets simply determined that George and his wife paid rent on the apartment. (R. 107:23; Def. App. 269). There was no further inquiry beyond that point. Knapp argues that the evidence illegally seized from his room at the time of his arrest and during the search upon George's consent is not admissible under the doctrine of inevitable discovery.
¶ 133. To avail itself of the inevitable discovery doctrine under State v. Schwegler,
(1) It is reasonably probable that the evidence would have been discovered by lawful means but for the intervening police misconduct;
(2) Before the misconduct occurred, the police already had the leads making the discovery inevitable, and
(3) The police were actively pursuing these leads at the time of the illegality.
¶ 134. The State argues that: "it is readily infer-able that if George Knapp had not consented, Detective Roets would have applied for a search warrant, a
XI. ANAYSIS OF ISSUE FIVE
¶ 135. This court employs a two-part test in reviewing an order to suppress evidence. First, as to the circuit court's findings of fact, "this court will uphold the trial court's findings . . . unless they are clearly erroneous." Harris,
¶ 136. A search of property, conducted without a search warrant and probable cause, is constitutionally valid if based upon proper voluntary consent. Schneckloth v. Bustamonte,
¶ 137. Permission to search the premises of a target individual may be obtained from a third party who possesses common authority over the subject pre
¶ 138. The determination of "common authority" is not predicated upon a technical application of property law. Rather, practical considerations are more appropriate in this analysis.
The authority which justifiés the third-party consent does not rest upon the law of property, with its attendant historical and legal refinements, but rests rather on mutual use of the property by persons generally having joint access or control for most purposes, so that it is reasonable to recognize that any of the co-inhabitants has the right to permit the inspection in his own right and that the others have assumed the risk that one of their number might permit the common area to be searched.
Matlock,
¶ 139. In this case there is no dispute as to George's ‘ voluntary consent. He voluntarily consented — in writing and after being advised him of his right to withhold consent (R. 101:33) — to a search of the apartment. (R. 101:35). There is no evidence that the consent was made under coercion or duress. Thus, the only question that remains for us to determine is whethеr George had authority to consent to a search of Knapp's bedroom.
¶ 140. The State argues that George was legally empowered to consent to a search of the apartment,
¶ 141. In Matejka, the prosecution intended to use evidence obtained from the defendant's jacket during a consensual search of a car in which she was a passenger. Id., ¶ 11. This court held that it was constitutionally reasonable for the police to search and seize the property of a non-consenting passenger when the driver/owner has consented to a search of the car in which the property is found. Id., ¶ 20. This court held as a prerequisite, however, that there be common authority by the two parties over the premises to be searched. Id.
¶ 142. The State contends that it is clear from the facts of the case that George had a superior authority over the entire apartment, and at very least, a common authority with the defendant over the bedroom in which the defendant only occasionally stayed.
¶ 143. Knapp disagrees and asks this court to uphold the ruling of the circuit court. Knapp maintains that the circuit court correctly suppressed the evidence seized during the second search of Knapp's bedroom on December 13,1987, because George did not have actual or apparent authority to consent to the search.
¶ 144. The circuit court found as a matter of fact that Knapp paid rent. Therefore, Knapp argues that this case is similar to Kieffer,
¶ 145. Based upon these facts, the Kieffer court stated: "This testimony is indicative of a respect for the expectations of privacy held by the defendant and his
¶ 146. Contrary to the State's position that Knapp's residency was loose and transitory, the circuit court found that "... the defendant lived there." (R. 107:22; Def. App. 268). The testimony established a clear expectation of privacy on the part of Knapp in the bedroom:
(1) Knapp had his own key to the apartment. (R. 101:24; Def. App. 324).
(2) He was given that bedroom because it had a door with a lock and was the most private bedroom. (R. 101:21, 30; Def. App. 321, 327).
(3) Knapp kept the door closed when he was not home and left it open occasionally when present. (R. 11:30-31; Def App. 327-28).
(4) Knapp brought with him a television, personal papers, clothing and effects, a dresser, and "pretty much everything" he owned. (R. 101:22-23, 29; Def. App. 322-23, 329; R. 104:9; Def. App. 412).
(5) George testified that he would have no need to enter the room to retrieve hunting rifles because during the time Knapp lived there hunting season was over. (R. 101:31; Def. App. 328).
(6) The circuit court found that the presence of the guns in the room was "simple continued storage of items in [Knapp's] bedroom." (R. 107:22; Def. App. 268).
(7) George and Knapp had an understanding that George would not go into that room without asking Knapp first. (R. 101:23, 32; Def. App. 323, 329; R. 104:10; Def. App. 413).
(8) Knapp moved there specifically because he wanted more privacy than he could expect at his parents' house. (R. 104:154; Def. App. 424).
(9) George tried to respect Knapp's privacy as much as possible. (R. 101:23; Def. App. 323).
(10) George would not have entered the room even to retrieve his belongings while Knapp was not home. (R. 107:22; Def App. 268).
Based upon the facts above, there was no "mutual use" of the bedroom or "joint access for most purposes" as required by Matlock,
¶ 147. We agree with Knapp's assertion that George did not have actual authority to consent to a search of Knapp's bedroom. Knapp and George did not have "mutual use for most purposes." Matlock,
¶ 148. In reaching that conclusion, we note that this case is substantially similar to Kieffer in that Knapp's expectation of privacy in the bedroom was superior to George's, thus obviating George's authority to consent to the search.
¶ 149. Additionally, Knapp's plans to continue to reside at George's apartment and pay rent for his use of the bedroom were sufficiently open-ended to establish that he was a permanent resident. This sufficiently distinguished this case from State v. Fountain,
¶ 150. The State's reliance on Matejka does not persuade us to admit the evidence seized during the second search. First, the facts of Matejka are distinguishable. Matejka involved a jacket left in the passenger compartment of a car, not a separate room within the living quarters. Second, the court in Matejka still required common authority over the premises. Matejka,
¶ 151. As for the State's alternate claim that if George did not have actual authority to consent, he had apparent authority to do so, we agree. When the police execute a search based on consent from someone they reasonably believe to have the authority to consent, the search may be held valid and the evidence thereby derived may be admitted. See Rodriguez,
¶ 152. In this case the police officers that obtained the consent and conducted the second search acted upon a reasonable belief that George and Knapp had at least common authority over the room, and they proceeded with the consensual search on the basis of the consent given by George. Here the officers determined that George and his fiancée were the persons who rented the apartment from the landlord, and they paid the rent. They certainly had access to the bedroom since they kept personal property there, including two hunting rifles, two shotguns, a couch, a bed, and a dresser. The record seems somewhat unclear as to whether the officers learned all of this information before, during, or after the consent search. George expounded further about the personal property in his testimony at a hearing on the motion to suppress:
Q. So in the approximate two years that you were staying there, you were living there before the Defendant came to stay with you, what was the second bedroom used for?
A. Storage
Q. Of—
A. Of—
Q. —what sort — ?
A. Of extra clothes, my hunting, fishing stuff. You know, just items like that.
Q. Was it also the guest room then; say, when your daughter came to visit, that's where she would stay?
A. Yes. And then that's exactly where my daughter would stay, yes.
Q. And the, the bed that's shown in the pictures there, —
A. (Reviewing photograph.) Mm — hmm.
Q. —that was the bed that was in the room?
A. Yes.
Q. And that was yours or Helen's?
A. That was Helen's.
Q. As well as the dresser?
A. The white — the white dresser was.
¶ 153. Prior to giving his written consent George had come to the police department voluntarily. Roets testified that he told George of the nature of the investigation involving Knapp, and he told George that he was interested in looking into his trash cans or areas of his apartment where Knapp may have placed clothing. He also testified that he knew Knapp stayed at the apartment, but didn't know for certain the length of time that Knapp had been staying there. George testified that Knapp had been staying there for a couple of weeks at the time of his arrest. George also testified that Roets explained to him that he didn't have to consent to a search of the apartment, and that he was given the opportunity to confer with Knapp before signing the consent form. Nevertheless, George consented to the officers' search of the entire premises.
Q. And Detective Roets went over this with you before you signed it, correct?
A. Yes. He said he wanted to search my house.
Q. And you agreed to let him?
A. To search the house, yes.
Q. And you read through this before you signed it, right?
A. Correct.
Q. And you read that you agreed to consent to a search of the —
A. There was the — "to take any letters, papers materials or other property which they may desire."
Q. From, from the premises at South Fifth Street?
A. From my house, yes.
Q. And that includes the room Matt was staying in, correct?
A. There was no conversation about specifically searching that room, no.
Q. Well—
A. He said, the house.
Q. Well—
A. And when we walked in the front door, he went directly to Matt's bedroom.
Q. When he said "the house," you didn't say, "Yes, but not Matt's bedroom," did you?
A. No, I did not.
Q. And your house included Matt's bedroom; did it not?
A. Correct.
Q. And this form doesn't say anything about "the premises except the bedroom where the Defendant was staying,"—
A. Right.
It seems quite clear that George did not limit his consent to search in any way. From the time George orally agreed to the search, to the time he talked with Knapp and then met with Detective Roets once again to sign the consent form, George never constricted his consent, and he permitted the officers to search his entire home.
¶ 154. Moreover, once the officers were in his residence, George escorted them to Matt's room, as is evidenced by his testimony. George testified:
Q. And you took them right into Matt's bedroom, and said, "This is his room," didn't you?
A. I showed them where the room was at, yes.
Q. It would be fair to say, Mr. Knapp, that that was yours — yours and Helen's house, correct?
A. Correct.
Q. You were, you were the keepers of that—
A. Correct.
Q. —residence?
Thus, it appeared to the officers that George was in control of the premises and could make decisions whether or not to allow the police to search his residence.
The Constitution is no more violated when officers enter without a warrant because they reasonably (though erroneously) believe that the person who has consented to their entry is a resident of the premises, than it is violated when they enter without a warrant because they reasonably (though erroneously) believe they are in pursuit of a violent felon who is about to escape.
Rodriguez,
¶ 156. In the alternative, the State argues that the evidence found during the second search should be admitted under the inevitable discovery doctrine. Since we have held that there was apparent authority to consent, there is no need to address this argument.
¶ 157. Knapp filed a motion under State v. Denny,
¶ 158. The circuit court ruled the statement by Borchardt to Farrell regarding his observations of Maas's behavior admissible, but the court excluded Borchardt's statement that Maas mumbled something about getting rid of some clothing. (R. 92:6; Def. App. 108-09).
¶ 159. The State argues that the circuit court erred in admitting the testimony regarding Borchardt's personal observations of Maas because:
(1) it does not qualify as "other suspect" evidence under Denny; ■
(2) it was not admissible as a statement of recent perception; and
(3) the court erred in relying on Chambers because it is not "critical evidence" as contemplated in Chambers.
Chambers v. Mississippi,
¶ 160. The State maintains that the circuit court erred in ruling that item 21(a) of Knapp's Offer of Proof — an unreliable hearsay statement with no genu
¶ 161. The State argues that even if Knapp can show that Brunner had a motive to kill his wife, and that he had a general opportunity to do so, the fact that he and Maas stopped by the Borchardt house on the night of the crime does not create a direct connection to his wife's murder.
¶ 162. The State argues that the offered evidence is inadmissible under Wisconsin's Rules of Evidence. The circuit court concluded that Borchardt's statement to Farrell on his observations of Maas were only "arguably" admissible as a statement of recent perception under Wis. Stat. § Rule 908.045(2). Defense counsel acknowledged that they lacked definiteness and certainty as to when Borchardt made his statement. (R. 110:65.)
¶ 163. Next, the State argues that the circuit court erred in its application of and reliance upon Chambers. Chambers,
¶ 164. Knapp disagrees with the State's arguments and asks that this court uphold the ruling of the
¶ 165. The State argues that the evidence in this case does not satisfy the Denny standard. Under Denny, evidence that a third party had the motive to commit the crime is admissible if it can be demonstrated that there was a "legitimate tendency" that the other suspect may have committed the crime.
¶ 166. The State concedes that motive and opportunity have been established. Third party "connection" to the crime is at issue. Knapp contends that the evidence at issue connects Brunner and Maas to the crime in a number of ways:
(1) The evidence puts Brunner in Watertown in relative proximity to the homicide at the time of the murder.
(2) It also establishes that he lied to investigators about his whereabouts at the time of the murder.
(3) Maas was with Brunner at the time his wife was murdered, and Maas was observed a short time after Resa's murder carrying a paper bag and getting into Brunner's waiting truck.
¶ 167. Knapp argues that the circuit court appropriately looked first at all the evidence to determine whether it sufficiently established Brunner's motive, opportunity, and connection to the crime. The circuit court then analyzed each of the offers of proof to determine the evidentiary basis for admissibility. The circuit court applied the proper legal standard and appropriately exercised its discretion in admitting this evidence under Denny.
¶ 168. Next, Knapp argues that the evidence is admissible as a statement of recent perception. As noted before, the State argues that even if the evidence
¶ 169. Knapp states that the lack of specificity as to when Borchardt made his statement is a product of the State's failure to interview Borchardt before his death, and the State had ample opportunity to do so. Knapp points out that the circuit court found that the lack of specificity was due to the failure to interview Borchardt and the conscious decision of the police not to prosecute Knapp until 12 years had passed and critical witnesses had died.
¶ 170. The circuit court held that the police should not profit from its own blunders. (R. 110:75-76; Def. App. 314-15). In State v. Stevens,
¶ 172. The State argues that this evidence is hardly the type contemplated by Chambers. (PL-Appellant Br. at 34). Chambers did not limit its rule only to evidence labeled "critical," instead it stated: "where constitutional rights directly affecting the ascertainment of guilt are implicated, the hearsay rule may not be applied mechanistically to defeat the ends of justice." Chambers,
¶ 173. Regarding the standard of review for admissible hearsay evidence, "Questions concerning the relevance of particular evidence are to be determined by the trial court's exercise of discretion." Denny,
¶ 174. The State offers three distinct arguments showing that the circuit erred in admitting Maas's hearsay testimony regarding Borchardt's personal observations:
(1) it does not qualify as "other suspect" evidence under the Denny standard;
(2) it was not admissible as a statement of recent perception under Wis. Stat. § 908.045(2); and
(3) the court erred in relying on Chambers because it is not "critical evidence" as contemplated in the holding of that case.
A. The Denny Analysis:
¶ 175. In Denny the defendant argued that he was denied his constitutional right to present a defense when the trial court refused to allow evidence suggesting that a third party had motive and opportunity to commit the crime for which he was accused. Denny,
¶ 177. The general rule, adopted by this court, concerning the issue is that evidence tending to prove motive and opportunity to commit a crime regarding a party other than the defendant can be excluded when there is no direct connection between the third party and the alleged crime. Id. at 622.
¶ 178. The Denny court adopted the "legitimate tendency" test gleaned from an early U.S. Supreme Court decision of Alexander v. United States,
¶ 179. In summary, Denny expressly states that "as long as motive and opportunity have been shown and as long as there is also some evidence to directly connect a third person to the crime charged which is not remote in time, place, or circumstances, the evidence should be admissible." Id.
¶ 180. The State concedes that motive and opportunity regarding Brunner are not at issue in this case. Therefore, this court must determine whether the testimony of Maas and Farrell presents evidence showing a "direct connection" between Brunner and the murder with which Knapp is charged.
¶ 181. Denny offers an illustration to exemplify what type of evidence could show a "direct connection" to a degree of certainty required by the legitimate tendency test. "By illustration, where it is shown that a third person not only had the motive and opportunity to commit the crime but also was placed in such proximity to the crime as to show he may have been the guilty party, the evidence is admissible." Id. at 624. See Perry v. Watts,
¶ 182. The evidence at issue in this case connects Brunner and Maas to the crime in a number of ways: (1) It establishes that Brunner lied to investi
¶ 183. Based upon that information, we hold that the circuit court correctly determined that the evidence established Brunner's motive, opportunity and connection to the crime. Further, we hold that the circuit court applied the proper legal standard and appropriately exercised its discretion in admitting this evidence under Denny.
B. Admissibility Under Wis. Stat. § 908.045(2)— Statement of Recent Perception:
¶ 184. We find no clear error in the circuit court's determination that the third-party hearsay evidence in. item 21(a) of Knapp's offer of proof comes within the recent perception exception under Wis. Stat. § 908.045(2),
C. Chambers Analysis:
¶ 185. As stated earlier, when the focus of a circuit court's ruling is on a defendant's asserted due process right to introduce evidence, the issue is oftentimes characterized as one of constitutional fact, and is, therefore, subject to de novo review. See Stutesman,
¶ 187. A defendant's right to present a defense may in some cases require the admission of testimony that would otherwise be excluded under applicable evidentiary rules. Id. See Jackson,
¶ 188. This court is presented with the question of whether the hearsay evidence presented in this case, which may be excluded by traditional Wisconsin Rules of Evidence, is nonetheless admissible under the protections afforded to citizens through the United States and Wisconsin Constitutions.
The hearsay rule, which has long been recognized and respected by virtually every State, is based on experience and grounded in the notion that untrustworthy evidence should not be presented to the triers of fact. Out-of-court statements are traditionally excluded because they lack the conventional indicia of reliability: they are usually not made under oath or other circumstances that impress the speaker with the solemnity of his statements; the declarant's word is not subject to cross-examination; and he is not available in order that his demeanor and credibility may be assessed by the jury.
Chambers,
¶ 190. However, the Court in Chambers went on to say that "exceptions tailored to allow the introduction of [hearsay] evidence which in fact is likely tо be trustworthy have long existed." Chambers,
¶ 191. In the present case we have already held that the evidence in question qualifies for admission under the statutory exception to the hearsay rule of Wis. Stat. § 908.045(2) because it is sufficiently clear, given the passage of time, to be trustworthy. We now hold that the evidence is also critical to Knapp's defense.
¶ 193. Because the evidence in question here qualifies for admission under an exception to the hearsay rule, and is critical to the defense, it implicates "constitutional rights directly affecting the ascertainment of guilt" and should be admitted under Chambers. Chambers,
XIV CONCLUSION
¶ 194. Based upon the holding in Dickerson, we reverse the decision of the circuit court denying the motion to suppress evidence obtained as the direct result of a Miranda violation arising from the search conducted at the time of Knapp's arrest.
¶ 195. Moreover, we are convinced that Knapp provided statements to the DCI agents voluntarily, and the circuit court correctly applied Harris by admitting such statements solely for impeachment purposes during cross-examination.
¶ 196. Since we have determined that the motion to suppress the evidence (the sweatshirt) seized as a direct result of the intentional Miranda violation at the apartment should have been granted, there is no need to determine whether the alleged Edwards violation should also result in the suppression of the evidence (the sweatshirt) seized.
¶ 198. Furthermore, based upon the facts of this case, we find that George did have apparent authority to consent to a search of Knapp's bedroom and the circuit court incorrectly suppressed physical evidence obtained during the second warrantless search.
¶ 199. Finally, in light of Denny, Chambers, and the rules of evidence, we hold that the circuit court correctly granted a motion to admit hearsay evidence implicating a potential third-party in the victim's murder.
By the Court. — The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and the cause is remanded.
Notes
Miranda v. Arizona,
Harris v. New York,
Edwards v. Arizona,
State v. Denny, 120 Wis. 2d 614, 625,
Chambers v. Mississippi,
The circuit court found this claim inconsistent with Roets' testimony and found Roets to be more credible. (Def. App. pp. 257-58). The circuit court found that it was more likely that Roets was nonaggressive and polite during his encounter with Knapp.
All subsequent references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2001-02 version unless otherwise indicated.
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, "No person ... shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." The Fifth Amendment is applied to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment. Malloy v. Hogan,
Oregon v. Elstad,
The Third Circuit concluded that Dickerson had not abrogated or overruled Elstad's principle that the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine did not extend to violations of Miranda. United States v. DeSumma,
The Fourth Circuit concluded that Dickerson did not provide a persuasive basis for overruling its prior decision in United States v. Elie,
Wisconsin Const, art. I, § 7 states:
In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witnesses face to face; to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; and in prosecutions by indictment, or information, to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district wherein the offense shall have been committed; which county or district shall have been previously ascertained by law.
According to Miranda, police are required to warn a suspect in custody, prior to any questioning, that he has the right to remain silent; that anything he says can be used as evidence against him; that he has the right to the presence of an attorney during interrogation; and that if he cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed.
The following cases have held that the fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine applied with respeсt to Fifth Amendment violations. See, e.g., Nix v. Williams,
We agree with the court in Patane that "[b]ecause the physical fruits of a Miranda violation will be trustworthy evidence, it appears that in most cases the.. . analysis boils down to a rule excluding the fruits of a Miranda violation only when there is a 'strong need for deterrence.'". United States v. Patane,
Knapp cites Culombe v. Connecticut,
[T]he ultimate test remains that which has been the only clearly established test in Anglo-American courts for two hundred years: the test of voluntariness. Is the confession the product of an essentially free and unconstrained choice by its maker? If it is, if he has willed to confess, it may be used against him. If it is not, if his -will has been overborne and his capacity for self-determination critically impaired, the use of his confession offends due process.
Frazier v. Cupp,
In Walton, the court held that in light of the totality of the circumstances, and that the defendant there was not advised that he was the suspect in the crime, the confession was not voluntary. United States v. Walton,
In Veilleux the court found that the detective misled the defendant and concluded that his statements were involuntary and inadmissible. United States v. Veilleux,
United States v. Kruger,
Malinski v. New York,
Additionally, other courts have generally adopted similar factors when determining the voluntariness of inculpatory statements. "Factors to be considered in determining voluntariness include the accused's physical and mental capabilities, the conditions of the interrogation, and the conduct of law enforcement officials." Veilleux,
Knapp argues that State v. Albrecht,
United States v. Matlock,
[W]hen the prosecution seeks to justify a warrantless search by proof of voluntary consent, it is not limited to proof that consent was given by the defendant, but may show that permission to search was obtained from a third party who possessed common authority over or other sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to he insрected.
(1) The premises: The premises in this case was within one small two-bedroom apartment.
(2) The nature of the living arrangements: The landlord rented the apartment to George and his wife. No other person was authorized to live there, and the landlord would not have allowed George to sublet or permit Matthew to stay there.
(3) Financial arrangements: There is no evidence that Matthew paid utility bills; Knapp's evidentiary hearing produced no evidence that Matthew paid any rent. There was a verbal agreement that Matthew would pay rent, but never did. George stated, "We basically had an agreement that it would be approximately $150 a month for him to reside with us." (R. 101:19).
(4) Access & Use: The brothers had an understanding— George called it a matter of "common nature" (R. 101:23), perhaps courtesy — that George would ask Matthew before entering the spare bedroom (R. 101:23; R. 104:9-10). But Matthew acknowledged that he shared authority over the room with George. Under Matlock, the authority justifying third-party consent to search, "rests ... on mutual use of the property by persons generally having joint access or control for most purposes, so that it is reasonable to recognize that any of the co-inhabitants has the right to permit the inspection in his own right and that the others have assumed the risk that one of their number might permit the common area to be searched." Matlock,
(5) Lock: The spare bedroom had a lock, but no key. The spare bedroom was not detached from the house, rather, it was in the apartment.
Impink involved the police seeking consent of a landlord before they searched a tenant's property suspected of being a drug lab. The tenant was present at the time of the search and objected. The Ninth Circuit held the landlord's consent invalid. United States v. Impink,
Knapp states that to rely on the apparent authority of the consenter, the officer must have information at the time of the search that "would justify a reasonable belief that the party consenting to the search had the authority to do so." State v. Kieffer,
This is the constitutional claim that must be decided de novo.
Wisconsin Stat. § 908.045(2) provides:
Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness:
(2) Statement of recent perception. A statement, not in response to the instigation of a person engaged in investigating, litigating, or settling a claim, which narrates, describes, or explains an event or сondition recently perceived by the declarant, made in good faith, not in contemplation of pending or anticipatedlitigation in which, the declarant was interested, and while the declarant's recollection was clear.
Wisconsin Rules Of Evidence Handbook, Special Release (1974) provides:
Judicial Council Committee's Note. Sub. (2). This subsection is a major change in Wisconsin law which presently would characterize the statement as inadmissible hearsay. Note that this provision and all other provisions in this section are conditioned upon the unavailability of the declarant and contain limitations as assurances of accuracy not contained in the comparable provisions of the Model Code or Uniform Rules.
Federal Advisory Committee's Note. Exception (2). The rule finds support in several directions.. . . the rule excludes statements made at the instigation of a person engaged in investigating, litigating, or setting a claim. It also incorporates as safeguards the good faith and clarity of recollection required by the Uniform Rule and the exclusion of a statement by a person interested in the litigation provided by the English act.
A person's right to reasonable notice of a charge against him, and an opportunity to be heard in his defense — a right to his day in court — are basic in our system of jurisprudence; and these rights include, as a minimum, a right to examine the witnesses against him, to offer testimony, and to be represented by counsel.
In re Oliver,
Concurrence Opinion
¶ 200. (concurring in part, dissenting in pari). I join the majority opinion except in two respects: First, I disagree with the majority's conclusion that the physical evidence confiscated by police during the second search of Knapp's bedroom was admissible because Knapp's brother, George, consented to the search of Knapp's bedroom.
¶ 201. I conclude that the State did not prove by clear and convincing evidence that the officers were reasonable in their belief that George had apparent authority to consent to the search of Knapp's bedroom. Moreover, the physical evidence seized by the police during their illicit search is not admissible under the doctrine of inevitable discovery. Accordingly, I conclude that the physical evidencе seized was inadmissible.
¶ 202. Second, I conclude that the majority opinion errs when it holds that Farrell's testimony regarding Borchardt's personal observations was admissible under the hearsay exception for statements of recent perception. There is no evidence that the statements meet the foundational requirement of recent perception.
HH
¶ 203. The majority opinion correctly states the legal test for determining whether an officer may rely on an individual's consent to a search:
[D]etermination of consent to enter must "be judged against an objective standard: would the facts available to the officer at the moment... 'warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that the consenting party had authority over the premises? If not, thenwarrantless entry without further inquiry is unlawful unless authority actually exists. But if so, the search is valid." 4
The burden is on the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the officers were reasonable in their belief.
¶ 204. The record is clear. The only facts the officers knew "at the moment" they searched Knapp's bedroom were that George paid the rent for the apartment; that Knapp stayed at the apartment; that Knapp had his own bedroom in which he kept his possessions, including his clothing; and that George was cooperating with the police. This is not enough information for an officer to believe that George had authority over Knapp's bedroom.
¶ 205. The officers have an obligation to ask questions to clarify the power of the individual giving consent. Yet the officers made no inquiry of George at all. They did not even ask whether Knapp paid any rent to George. The information available at the moment of the search is readily apparent from the officer's testimony at a hearing on the motion to suppress:
Q. [counsel] You, at the time that you met with [George] in the office there to discuss this issue [of consenting to the search], never asked him about his agreement with Matthew Knapp as to Matt's living there or renting a room from [George] correct?
A. [officer] Correct.
Q. [counsel] Okay. You then went back to the office and idled out the Consent to Search form with George, right?
A. [officer] Yes, sir.
Q. And again, there is nothing in your report that you indicate you asked him any questiоns about his relationship with Matt relative to his using that room or living in that room, right?
A. Right.
Q. In fact, the only information that you indicated in your report relative to any of the circumstances surrounding George Knapp's living arrangement in that apartment is that you indicate, once you're in the apartment during the course of the search with George, that you were informed that he lived there with his fiance [sic], right?
A. That George did?
Q. Correct.
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You never attempted to question George or ask him about whether he felt comfortable on his own entering Matthew Knapp's room in the apartment, right?
A. No. I don't recall any conversations like that.
Q. Whether or not he felt that he had the authority to go into that room to retrieve something, right, never questioned him on anything like that?
A. No, sir.
Q. You never questioned him about how long Matthew Knapp had lived there, right?
A. No, not that I recall.
Q. How long he anticipated Matthew Knapp living there?
A. That's correct.
Q. Never questioned him about any lease or arrangement that he had with his landlord?
A. No. I was aware of the fact that he [George] was in control of the apartment and was paying the rent at the apartment. I didn't ask him specifics about the length of his monthly lease or an annual lease, no. But I knew he was in control in paying the rent.
Q. How did you know he was in control of the apartment?
A. I asked him if he was paying the rent at the apartment.
Q. When did you ask him that?
A. At the police station.
Q. Again, that's not something noted anywhere. This is something you remember now?
A. He is the one that I approached to get the Consent to Search.
Q. I appreciate that. Other than the question regarding rent, you had no other discussion with him regarding Matthew Knapp's living in that apartment?
A. Right.
¶. 207. The majority opinion obviously struggles to base its holding on the meager facts known to the officers "at the moment" they embarked on the search. The majority opinion asserts that "[t]he record seems somewhat unclear as to whether the officers learned all of this information before, during, or after the consent search"
¶ 208. The record is clear, however, that these facts about George's personal property were not known to the officers "at the moment" of the search and are therefore not relevant to any apparent authority analysis. The officers learned the facts about George's personal property upon which the majority opinion relies only after they entered Knapps's bedroom. An officer so testified:
Q. [counsel] The — when you were searching in the bedroom, did you notice any guns or hunting equipment?
A. [officer] Yes.
Q. Camping kind of things?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you recall there being any discussion between you and George Knapp about whose items those were?
A. Yes.
Q. And did you have — did you ask him or did he volunteer, or don't you remember?
A. I believed he volunteered. I'm not absolutely certain.
Q. What did he say about whose guns and hunting gear that was?
A. He told me that they were — that was his equipment, and the guns were his.
George's testimony corroborated the officer's:
Q. [counsel] Well, didn't you stand there as they were in the bedroom and make a comment regarding the hunting equipment and firearms —
A. [George] They come —
Q. —claiming it was yours?
A. They come and asked me whose guns they are, and I said, "Them are all mine."
¶ 209. The majority opinion concludes that George had apparent authority based on the fact that he "was a resident, and it was reasonable to conclude
¶ 210. "In Wisconsin there is no presumption of common authority to consent to a search when an adult defendant lives with his or her spouse's parents or close relatives."
¶ 211. Indeed, the facts known to the officers at the moment of the search (and maybe even thereafter) cast considerable doubt on George's joint access or control over Knapp's bedroom or George's authority to consent to the search of the bedroom. The officers knew from their first visit with Knapp that Knapp spent time in the apartment that he shared with George, that Knapp had his own bedroom, and that Knapp kept his
¶ 212. Moreover, the majority opinion states that evidence of authority to consent can be found in George's consent itself. The majority opinion states, "It seems quite clear that George did not limit his consent to search in any way . . . and he permitted the officers to search his entire home."
¶ 213. Indeed, even if one agrees (and I do not) with the majority opinion's reading of the record as being unclear about what the officers knew when they entered the bedroom, the inescapable conclusion is that the State did not carry its heavy burden by clear and convincing evidence.
¶ 214. Because George did not have actual or apparent authority to consent to a search of Knapp's bedroom, the State argues that the evidence is admissible under the inevitable discovery doctrine. To admit the evidence under this doctrine, the State must prove the following by a preponderance of evidence:
(1) It is reasonably probable that the evidence would have been discovered by lawful means but for the intervening police misconduct;
(2) Before the misconduct occurred, the police already had the leads making the discovery inevitable; and
(3) The police were actively pursuing these leads at the time of the illegality.14
¶ 215. It is unnecessary to determine whether the first two prongs can be established in the present case, because the State fails on the third prong. The third prong cannot rest on speculation but must be supported by historical fact. Here, there were no historical facts in the record that the police were pursuing a lead at the time they searched Knapp's bedroom. Testimony that the officers would have obtained a warrant had consent not been given is not enough to satisfy the third prong.
h — 1 J — i H-i
¶ 216. Finally, I also disagree with the majority's conclusion that Farrell's testimony regarding Borchardt's personal observations was admissible under the hearsay exception for statements of recent perception. The concurrence in State v. Weed,
¶ 218. Accordingly, because the timing of the conversation between Borchardt and Farrell is uncertain, it is impossible to determine if the statement was made recently after the event. I therefore conclude that because Knapp failed to demonstrate that Borchardt's statement describes a recent perception, it was an erroneous exercise of discretion for the circuit court to admit the hearsay testimony under the statement of recent perception exception.
¶ 219. For the reasons set forth, I agree with the circuit court that the physical evidence seized on the second search of the bedroom should be suppressed. I also conclude that Farrell's testimony regarding Borchardt's personal observations was inadmissible hearsay. Accordingly, I dissent.
See majority op., parts X & XI, ¶¶ 122-156.
Majority op., ¶ 147.
Majority op., ¶ 151.
Majority op., ¶ 151 (quoting Illinois v. Rodriguez,
State v. Kieffer,
Majority op., ¶ 152.
Id.
Majority op., ¶ 155 (citing Rodriguez,
State v. Kieffer,
United States v. Matlock,
Id.
Majority op., ¶ 153.
Kieffer,
State v. Schwengler,
Majority op., ¶ 10 (emphasis added).
Concurrence Opinion
¶ 221. (concurring in part, dissenting in part). I dissent from the court's resolution of the certified issue, Part V of the majority opinion. The majority concludes that the United States Supreme Court's decision in Dickerson v. United States,
¶ 222. As the majority notes, the Supreme Court has generally distinguishеd between Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations for purposes of the "fruits" doctrine of Wong Sun v. United States,
¶ 223. This distinction stems from the difference between the constitutional rights sought to be protected:
But as we explained in Quarles and Tucker, a procedural Miranda violation differs in significant respects from violations of the Fourth Amendment, which have traditionally mandated a broad application of the "fruits" doctrine. The purpose of the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule is to deter unreasonable searches, no matter how probative their fruits. The exclusionary rule, when utilized to effectuate the Fourth Amendment, serves interests and policies that are distinct from those it serves under the Fifth. Where a Fourth Amendment violation "taints" the confession, a finding of voluntariness for the purposes of the Fifth Amendment is merely a threshold requirement in determining whether the confession may be admitted in evidence. Beyond this, the prosecution must show asufficient break in events to undermine the inference that the confession was caused by the Fourth Amendment violation.
The Miranda exclusionary rule, however, serves the Fifth Amendment and sweeps more broadly than the Fifth Amendment itself. It may be triggered even in the absence of a Fifth Amendment violation. The Fifth Amendment prohibits use by the prosecution in its case in chief only of compelled testimony. Failure to administer Miranda warnings creates a presumption of compulsion. Consequently, unwarned statements that are otherwise voluntary within the meaning of the Fifth Amendment must nevertheless be excluded from evidence under Miranda. Thus, in the individual case, Miranda's preventive medicine provides a remedy even to the defendant who has suffered no identifiable constitutional harm.
Elstad,
¶ 224. Thus, while a Miranda violation generally requires suppression of the unwarned statement, the twin justifications for suppression — ensuring the trustworthiness of evidence and deterring police misconduct —are less compelling in the case of derivative evidence obtained as a result of a Miranda violation. Id. at 308.
¶ 225. Elstad and Tucker were based in part on the status of Miranda warnings as a judicially-created "prophylactic" intended to protect the Fifth Amendment privilege against compulsory self-incrimination. Elstad,
¶ 227. This conclusion is borne out by language in Dickerson acknowledging the continuing difference between the application of the "fruits" doctrine in the Fourth and Fifth Amendment contexts:
The Court of Appeals also noted that in Oregon v. Elstad,470 U.S. 298 (1985), we stated that " '[t]he Miranda exclusionary rule ... serves the Fifth Amendment and sweeps more broadly than the Fifth Amendment itself.' "166 F.3d, at 690 (quoting Elstad, supra, at 306). Our decision in that case — refusing to apply the traditional "fruits" doctrine developed in Fourth Amendment cases — does not prove that Miranda is a nonconstitutional decision, but simply recognizes the fact that unreasonable searches under the Fourth Amendment are different from unwarned interrogation under the Fifth Amendment.
Dickerson,
¶ 228. The majority notes the split in the federal appellate courts on the implications of Dickerson for the "fruits" doctrine in the context of a Miranda violation. Majority op., ¶¶ 56-62. Only the Tenth Circuit has held that as a result of Dickerson, the "fruits" doctrine now applies to Miranda violations. United States v. Patane,
¶ 229. In contrast, the Third and Fourth Circuits have held that Dickerson did not alter the general inapplicability of the "fruits" doctrine to Miranda violations. United States v. DeSumma,
¶ 230. Dickerson left intact the Supreme Court's long-standing distinction between Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations for purposes of suppression of derivative evidence under the "fruits" doctrine. Dickerson's declaration that Miranda announced a con
¶ 231. Accordingly, I conclude that Dickerson does not require us to overrule State v. Yang,
¶ 232. Neither is suppression required as a result of an alleged Edwards
¶ 233. In Davis, the Supreme Court concluded that a suspect who says, "Maybe I should talk to a lawyer" has not clearly and unambiguously requested counsel. Davis,
¶ 234. The majority's conclusion on the certified question also means that it need not reach Knapp's claim that the officers had an obligation to "knock and announce" prior to entering the outer stairway to the upstairs apartment that Knapp shared with his brother. On this issue, I would affirm the circuit court's conclusion that the police had no duty to "knock and announce," because Knapp did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the staircase leading up to the apartment. See United States v. Jacobson,
¶ 235. For the foregoing reasons, I dissent from Part V of the majority opinion, and would instead affirm the circuit court's denial of suppression of the bloodstained sweatshirt. In all other respects, I concur.
Miranda v. Arizona,
Edwards v. Arizona,
