{ "id": 4779396, "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. CURTIS EUGENE SMITH", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Smith", "decision_date": "1986-06-03", "docket_number": "No. 521A84", "first_page": "100", "last_page": "110", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "317 N.C. 100" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "306 S.E. 2d 846", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "64 N.C. App. 81", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526210 ], "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/64/0081-01" ] }, { "cite": "462 N.Y.S. 2d 369", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.2d", "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "juvenile suspect's attempts to contact parents should have been interpreted as request to consult parent which was equivalent of request to consult attorney, invoking fifth amendment privilege" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "118 Misc. 2d 868", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Misc. 2d", "case_ids": [ 810142 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "juvenile suspect's attempts to contact parents should have been interpreted as request to consult parent which was equivalent of request to consult attorney, invoking fifth amendment privilege" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/misc2d/118/0868-01" ] }, { "cite": "491 P. 2d 793", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "a minor's request to see his parents, made during custodial interrogation, constituted an invocation of the minor's fifth amendment rights" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "6 Cal. 3d 375", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2274657 ], "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "a minor's request to see his parents, made during custodial interrogation, constituted an invocation of the minor's fifth amendment rights" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-3d/6/0375-01" ] }, { "cite": "446 U.S. 291", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6182222 ], "weight": 7, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "301" }, { "page": "308" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/446/0291-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 L.Ed. 2d 631", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "case_ids": [ 6206467 ], "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "642" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/475/0625-01" ] }, { "cite": "451 U.S. 477", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6187603 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "484-85" }, { "page": "386" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/451/0477-01" ] }, { "cite": "305 S.E. 2d 605", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "309 N.C. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4762828 ], "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/309/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "259 S.E. 2d 496", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "298 N.C. 502", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8572844 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/298/0502-01" ] }, { "cite": "304 S.E. 2d 134", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "308 N.C. 549", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4705131 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/308/0549-01" ] }, { "cite": "324 S.E. 2d 241", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "312 N.C. 553", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4753359 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/312/0553-01" ] }, { "cite": "468 U.S. 420", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11338811 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/468/0420-01" ] }, { "cite": "429 U.S. 492", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 7010 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "494" }, { "page": "718" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/429/0492-01" ] }, { "cite": "305 S.E. 2d 685", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "699" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "309 N.C. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4762828 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "23" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/309/0001-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 879, "char_count": 22803, "ocr_confidence": 0.8, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.967290281293981e-07, "percentile": 0.738873192993105 }, "sha256": "96ed09e91b41d1bed5f8ae73b37820c1d9fca877b8e762cd64401c37e163e8d9", "simhash": "1:afbbb137604c205f", "word_count": 3801 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T14:55:24.016055+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. CURTIS EUGENE SMITH" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "FRYE, Justice.\nDefendant seeks a new trial because of an alleged error committed by the trial court. Defendant, a juvenile, contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress his confession because it was obtained in violation of his right to be free from compelled self-incrimination, to have counsel present, and to have his mother present. Having carefully reviewed the record and the relevant law, we conclude that defendant\u2019s confession was obtained in violation of his juvenile rights as set forth in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595, and that the motion to suppress was improperly denied. Defendant is entitled to a new trial.\nDefendant was charged with murder in the first degree. Evidence for the State tended to show that on 29 November 1983, between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., Paschal Oil Company in Mount Holly was robbed and Marvin Hunt, an employee, was severely beaten. Hunt died as a result of the inflicted injuries. Judson Lee Ross was identified as a suspect by witnesses near the scene of the crime. Upon police questioning, Ross stated that he and defendant planned and executed the robbery and assault at the oil company.\nAs a result of Ross\u2019 statement, two police officers picked up defendant from his home around 10:48 a.m. and took him to the Mount Holly Police Station for questioning. An officer read defendant his juvenile rights on the way to the station. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595 (1981). At the police station, defendant was taken to the police chief s office and read his juvenile rights in the presence of Officer Moore. Pursuant to those rights, defendant requested the presence of his mother during questioning. At that point, the interview ceased and Officer Cook went to locate defendant\u2019s mother. This occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. Defendant told Officer Cook that his mother had gone to the Gaston County Jail in Gastonia to take care of an unrelated matter. Officer Cook called the jail twice and learned that defendant\u2019s mother had not yet arrived. He decided to drive to Gastonia to locate defendant\u2019s mother and to secure a search warrant for defendant\u2019s home.\nMeanwhile, around 12:55 p.m., defendant\u2019s mother returned home. She was told by officers at her home that defendant was at the Mount Holly Police Station. Officer Cook arrived at the house ten or fifteen minutes later. The evidence is conflicting as to whether Officer Cook told defendant\u2019s mother that defendant had asked to see her.\nSometime between 11:52 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., while Officer Cook was attempting to locate defendant\u2019s mother, Officer Moore returned to the room where defendant was waiting. He told defendant that he wanted to explain some things to him and asked defendant not to say anything. Around 12:15 p.m., shortly after Officer Moore began talking to defendant, Chief Huffstetler, Mount Holly Police Department, entered the room. Officer Moore introduced defendant and told Chief Huffstetler that defendant had been advised of his rights and had requested the presence of his mother during the questioning. According to Officer Moore\u2019s testimony, Chief Huffstetler talked briefly with defendant and asked defendant if he wanted to \u201cstraighten\u201d it out, apparently referring to the assault and robbery at the oil company. Officer Moore left the room hut returned shortly thereafter. Upon his return, Officer Moore informed defendant that the crimes being investigated, robbery and assault, were quite serious; that if the victim died it could be murder; that Judson Ross had implicated him in the crimes; that Ross would be a witness against him if the case went to trial; that he wanted him to tell the truth; and that a confession could be considered as a mitigating circumstance by the trial judge.\nAt 12:30 p.m., defendant told the officers that he wanted to make a statement but did not want his mother present. Defendant was advised of his rights, stated that he understood them, and signed the waiver of rights form. Mrs. Nan Oates, a bookkeeper for the City of Mount Holly, witnessed these acts. After signing the waiver, defendant confessed to having committed the charged offenses. He stated that he entered the side door of the building while Ross waited at the front. He hit Marvin Hunt with a stick \u201cin the back of the head\u201d and when Hunt tried to \u201cget a hold of [defendant],\u201d he \u201cswung the stick at him some more.\u201d Defendant didn\u2019t know whether he hit Hunt again during this struggle. Defendant opened the front door for Ross. They took money from the cash register and left separately.\nDefendant\u2019s motion to suppress his confession was denied 24 May 1984. On 29 May 1984, defendant, pursuant to a plea bargain agreement, entered a plea of guilty to murder in the first degree. On 14 June 1984, following a sentencing hearing, a jury, after finding no aggravating circumstances, unanimously recommended that defendant be sentenced to life imprisonment. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-979(b) permits a defendant whose motion to suppress is denied to plead guilty and appeal the ruling of the judge on the motion. If the appellate court sustains the trial court\u2019s ruling on the motion, the conviction stands; if the ruling on the motion is overturned, the defendant is entitled to a new trial wherein the evidence will be suppressed. See Official Commentary, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-979 (1983).\nAs grounds for suppression of his incriminating statement, defendant contends that it was obtained in violation of his fifth amendment right against compulsory self-incrimination, his sixth amendment right to counsel, and his right to have a parent present during police questioning in accordance with N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a)(3). We find it unnecessary to address defendant\u2019s arguments which rely on the United States Constitution, since this case is fully resolvable under our own statute, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595.\nIn determining whether there was a violation of defendant\u2019s rights under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a), we must first determine whether defendant was in custody when his confession was obtained. The trial judge concluded that it was unnecessary to determine whether defendant was in custody at the time he confessed since he had earlier concluded that none of defendant\u2019s rights under the state or federal constitutions had been violated in obtaining his confession. Nevertheless, the juvenile\u2019s rights under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595 arise, under the specific language of the statute, only if the juvenile is in custody. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine whether defendant was in custody within the meaning of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595 at the time his confession was obtained.\nThe standard objective test for \u201ccustody\u201d is whether \u201ca reasonable person in the suspect\u2019s position would believe himself to be in custody or that his freedom of action was deprived in some significant way.\u201d Oregon v. Mathiason, 429 U.S. 492, 494, 50 L.Ed. 2d 714, 718 (1977); see also Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420, 82 L.Ed. 2d 317 (1984); State v. Braswell, 312 N.C. 553, 324 S.E. 2d 241 (1985); State v. Jackson, 308 N.C. 549, 304 S.E. 2d 134 (1983); State v. Perry, 298 N.C. 502, 259 S.E. 2d 496 (1979). This Court, in Perry, looked to events occurring prior to, during, and after the investigative interview to determine whether there was \u201ccustody.\u201d The operative question is whether a reasonable individual would have believed under the circumstances that he was free to leave. State v. Perry, 298 N.C. 502, 259 S.E. 2d 496.\nThe evidence in the instant case shows that defendant was \u201cin custody\u201d when he gave his confession. Two police officers went to defendant\u2019s house after they learned that defendant had been implicated in the robbery and assault at Paschal Oil Company. Defendant was informed that he was a suspect in the crimes and was asked to accompany the officers to the local police station \u201cto talk about it.\u201d Defendant agreed to do so and asked if he could get dressed. Officer Cook answered in the affirmative and stayed with defendant while he dressed \u201cfrom the skin out.\u201d Defendant was driven to the police station in the back seat of an official police vehicle. The doors of the car could only be opened from the outside. On the way to the station, defendant was read his juvenile rights. Upon arrival at the station, defendant was escorted to a room and again read his rights in the presence of Officer Moore. When defendant requested the presence of his mother, one officer was sent to locate her while the defendant waited in the same room at the police station. While waiting, defendant, a sixteen year old youth, was confronted by the police chief and a police sergeant, both of whom were much larger than defendant. These officers \u201cexplained,\u201d among other things, that Judson Ross had implicated defendant and would be a witness against him at trial, and that the police had enough to charge him and would charge him whether he made a statement or not. At no time was defendant told that he was free to leave. In fact, the constant presence of law enforcement officers with firearms would suggest the contrary to a person of defendant\u2019s age and experience.\nUnder these circumstances, we cannot say that a reasonable person in defendant\u2019s position would have believed that he was free to go or that his freedom of action was not being deprived in a significant way. Therefore, we conclude that defendant was \u201cin custody\u201d at the time his confession was obtained.\nThe State contends that the facts of this case are so similar to the facts in Oregon v. Mathiason, 429 U.S. 492, 50 L.Ed. 2d 714, and State v. Jackson, 308 N.C. 549, 304 S.E. 2d 134, that those cases should control the decision here. In each of those cases, it was determined that the defendant was not in custody. However, we note that the defendant in each of those cases was an adult. We also note that in Jackson, the defendant was told that he was free to leave at any time, while in Mathiason, the defendant was not placed under arrest but was released immediately after his confession. Therefore, we do not find these cases controlling.\nThe State asks this Court to reconsider that portion of its opinion in State v. Fincher, 309 N.C. 1, 305 S.E. 2d 605 (1983), which held that any person who has not reached his eighteenth birthday, with a few exceptions not here applicable, is a juvenile within the meaning of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595. Specifically, the State asks that we hold that N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595 does not apply to a person who has reached his sixteenth birthday. Believing that our decision on this question was correct and that any change therein is for legislative consideration, we decline to make the distinction requested by the State.\nSince defendant was a juvenile in custody, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595 required that he be advised prior to questioning that he had a right to remain silent; that any statement he made could and might be used against him; that he had a right to have a parent, guardian or custodian present during questioning; and that he had a right to consult with an attorney, and that one would be appointed for him if he was not represented and wanted representation. Here defendant was advised of his rights in accordance with the statute and exercised his right under subsection (a)(3) by requesting the presence of his mother, \u201cif that would be all right.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(c) provides that if the juvenile indicates \u201cin any manner and at any stage of questioning pursuant to this section that he does not wish to be questioned further, the officer shall cease questioning.\u201d The statute makes no provision regarding a resumption of interrogation once the officer has ceased questioning the juvenile pursuant to the juvenile\u2019s exercise of his right to remain silent or to consult with an attorney or to have a parent present during questioning.\nIn resolving this issue, we find that while cases decided under the fifth and sixth amendments to the United States Constitution are not controlling, the principles established therein apply with equal force to the resumption of custodial interrogation under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595. In Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 484-85, 68 L.Ed. 2d 378, 386 (1981), the United States Supreme Court held that \u201can accused . . . having expressed his desire to deal with the police only through counsel, is not subject to further interrogation until counsel has been made available to him, unless the accused himself initiates further communication, exchanges, or conversations with the police.\u201d Whether using a fifth or sixth amendment analysis, advice of rights and written waivers \u201care insufficient to justify police-initiated interrogations after the request for counsel.\u201d Michigan v. Jackson, \u2014 U.S. \u2014, \u2014, 89 L.Ed. 2d 631, 642 (1986). We hold that the juvenile\u2019s right, pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a)(3), to have a parent present during custodial interrogation, is entitled to similar protection. Interrogation refers to \u201cnot only express questioning, but also to any words or actions on the part of the police (other than those normally attendant to arrest and custody) that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect.\u201d Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 301, 64 L.Ed. 2d 297, 308 (1980). The latter definition is often referred to as the \u201cfunctional equivalent\u201d of questioning. See Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 64 L.Ed. 2d 297.\nIn the case sub judice, defendant, after being advised of his statutory right to have a parent present during police questioning, requested that his mother be brought to the station. At this point, the police were obliged to cease all questioning until the mother was made available or defendant initiated further conversation with the police. Officer Moore testified that the interview ceased for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. Then Officer Moore returned to the room where defendant was waiting and told defendant that he wanted to explain some things to him about Judson Ross\u2019 statement and asked defendant not to say anything. A few minutes after this conversation began, Chief Huffstetler entered the room. Officer Moore told Chief Huffstetler that defendant had been advised of his juvenile rights and had requested that his mother be brought to the police station, and that another officer was trying to locate her. Chief Huffstetler talked to defendant and asked him if he wanted to \u201cstraighten\u201d it out. Officer Moore left the room but returned shortly thereafter and continued to talk to defendant. Officer Moore said: \u201c \u2018[defendant], you do what you want to; and certainly I don\u2019t want you to make any remarks until your mother gets here.\u2019 ... I said, \u2018just listen to me;\u2019 and I said, T want you to know these facts of the case. I want you to know the circumstances that surround what we\u2019re hoping to interview you about.\u2019 \u201d Officer Moore testified that he assured defendant that he was not expecting a response to his statement. Officer Moore proceeded to tell defendant that Judson Ross had confessed to being involved in the assault and armed robbery and had informed police that defendant was primarily responsible for injuries inflicted on Marvin Hunt. He further informed defendant that Judson Ross would be a witness against defendant if defendant went to trial; that the crimes being investigated were serious offenses and defendant could possibly face a murder charge; and that in his opinion the trial court could consider a confession as a mitigating circumstance.\nWhile the evidence shows that there were few express questions asked defendant by the police, we find that defendant was subjected to the \u201cfunctional equivalent\u201d of questioning. Given the fact that much of the conversation centered around defendant\u2019s participation in the crimes and the serious nature of the crimes, the police should have known that defendant was likely to respond in some way. Under the circumstances the officers\u2019 statements were particularly evocative. Cf. Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 64 L.Ed. 2d 297. Taken together, they clearly establish that defendant was subjected by the police to words that the police should have known were reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from him. Id. Since the juvenile\u2019s confession resulted from police-initiated custodial interrogation in the absence of counsel or a parent after the juvenile invoked his right to have a parent present during questioning, the confession was erroneously admitted. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595. Accordingly, defendant is entitled to a new trial wherein his confession must be suppressed. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-979(b).\nNew trial.\n. A charge of armed robbery against defendant was dismissed pursuant to a plea bargain agreement.\n. For similar treatment in other states, see e.g., People v. Burton, 6 Cal. 3d 375, 491 P. 2d 793 (1971) (a minor\u2019s request to see his parents, made during custodial interrogation, constituted an invocation of the minor\u2019s fifth amendment rights); People v. Castro, 118 Misc. 2d 868, 462 N.Y.S. 2d 369 (1983) (juvenile suspect\u2019s attempts to contact parents should have been interpreted as request to consult parent which was equivalent of request to consult attorney, invoking fifth amendment privilege).\n. For a similar result under more egregious circumstances, see State v. Hunt, 64 N.C. App. 81, 306 S.E. 2d 846 (1983).", "type": "majority", "author": "FRYE, Justice." }, { "text": "Justice MARTIN\ndissenting.\nThe record on appeal discloses that defendant was born on 16 December 1966. On the date of the murder, 30 July 1983, he was 16 years and 7Vz months old. It is to be remembered that defendant was charged with and pleaded guilty to murder in the first degree. The majority grants defendant a new trial for the reason that defendant\u2019s mother was not present when he confessed to the murder, holding that this violated defendant\u2019s rights under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a)(3).\nFor the reasons set out in my concurring opinion in State v. Fincher, 309 N.C. 1, 23, 305 S.E. 2d 685, 699 (1983), I dissent from the holding that N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a)(3) (1981) is applicable to defendant Smith. This statute applies only to juvenile delinquency proceedings.\nIn effect, the majority seeks to engraft an additional requirement upon officers before interrogating persons under the age of eighteen, who are being investigated on charges of murder in the first degree, by requiring that they be advised that they have a right to have a parent or guardian present during questioning. This result is reached by reasoning that the statute defines a juvenile as one who has not reached his eighteenth birthday; defendant is only 16 V2 years old, so he is entitled to the benefit of the statute. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-595(a)(3) simply does not apply to investigations of murder charges where the defendant is more than sixteen years old.\nAdditionally, in this case defendant expressly waived in writing the presence of his mother during his questioning:\nBefore you are asked any questions, it is required that YOU BE ADVISED OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.\n1. You have the right to remain silent, [si yes]\n2. Anything you say can be and may be used against you. [si yes]\n3. You have the right to have a parent, guardian, or custodian present during questioning, [si yes]\n4. You have a right to talk with a lawyer for advice before questioning and to have that lawyer with you during questioning. If you do not have a lawyer and want one, a lawyer will be appointed for you. [si yes]\n5. If you consent to answer questions now, without a lawyer, parent, or guardian present, you still will have the right to stop answering at any time, [si yes]\nWaiver of Rights\nI have read this statement of my Constitutional Rights and I intelligently understand what my rights are. I am willing to make a statement and answer questions. I do not want an attorney at this time. I do not want a parent, guardian, or custodian present during questioning. I understand and know what I am doing. No promise or threats have been made to me and no pressure or coercion of any kind has been used against me.\nSIGNED: Curtis Eugene Smith\nThe majority does not address the voluntariness of defendant\u2019s waiver, nor shall I. However, consideration of defendant\u2019s waiver is necessary under the majority\u2019s theory of the law in order to determine whether the perceived violation of the statute was harmless error. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1443(a) (1983).\nFor these reasons, I dissent.", "type": "dissent", "author": "Justice MARTIN" } ], "attorneys": [ "Lacy H. Thornburg, Attorney General, by Isaac T. Avery, III, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.", "Malcolm R. Hunter, Jr., Appellate Defender, by David W. Dorey, Assistant Appellate Defender, for defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. CURTIS EUGENE SMITH\nNo. 521A84\n(Filed 3 June 1986)\n1. Infants \u00a7 17\u2014 juvenile defendant in custody at time of confession\nThe evidence showed that a reasonable person in the sixteen-year-old defendant\u2019s position would not have believed that he was free to go or that his freedom of action was not being deprived in a significant way so that defendant was \u201cin custody\u201d when he confessed where it tended to show that two police officers went to defendant\u2019s house after they learned that defendant had been implicated in a robbery and assault; defendant was informed that he was a suspect in the crimes and was asked to accompany the officers to the local police station; an officer stayed with defendant while he got dressed, and defendant was driven to the police station in the back seat of an official police vehicle; defendant was read his juvenile rights on the way to the station and upon arrival at the station; when defendant requested the presence of his mother, one officer was sent to locate her while defendant waited in the same room at the police station; while waiting, defendant was confronted by the police chief and a police sergeant who explained that another participant in the crimes had implicated defendant and that the police had enough to charge defendant whether or not he made a statement; and at no time was defendant told that he was free to leave.\n2. Infants \u00a7 17\u2014 interrogation of juvenile \u2014 invocation of right to have parent present \u2014 resumption of questioning by police \u2014confession inadmissible\nA juvenile\u2019s confession was inadmissible where it resulted from the \u201cfunctional equivalent\u201d of custodial interrogation initiated by the police in the absence of a parent after the juvenile had invoked his right under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-395(a)(3) to have a parent present during questioning.\nJustice Martin dissenting.\nAppeal by defendant pursuant to N.C.R. App. P. 4(d) and N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-979(b) from a judgment imposing life imprisonment, entered by Owens, J., at the 24 May 1984 Criminal Session of Superior Court, GASTON County. Judgment entered upon a plea of guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree following the denial of a motion to suppress evidence. Heard in the Supreme Court 17 October 1985.\nLacy H. Thornburg, Attorney General, by Isaac T. Avery, III, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.\nMalcolm R. Hunter, Jr., Appellate Defender, by David W. Dorey, Assistant Appellate Defender, for defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0100-01", "first_page_order": 136, "last_page_order": 146 }