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Criminal Procedure Keyed to Ohlin
Berghuis v. Thompkins
Citation:
560 U.S. 370 (2010)Facts
On January 10, 2000, a shooting occurred outside a mall in Southfield, Michigan. Among the victims was Samuel Morris, who died from multiple gunshot wounds. The other victim, Frederick France, recovered from his injuries and later testified. Thompkins, who was a suspect, fled. About one year later he was found in Ohio and arrested there. Two Southfield police officers traveled to Ohio to interrogate Thompkins. The interrogation lasted about three hours and was conducted in a room that was 8 by 10 feet, and Thompkins sat in a chair that resembled a school desk. One officer asked Thompkins to read the Miranda warning out loud. Thompkins complied. The officer later said this was to ensure that Thompkins could read, and the officer concluded that Thompkins understood English. During the interrogation, the officer asked, “Do you pray to God to forgive you for shooting that boy down?” Thompkins answered “Yes.” Thimpkins argues that his Miranda rights have been violated when the prosecution attempted to introduce the statement into evidence.
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