People v. Saucedo CA2/6

DISCUSSION

Admission of Saucedo’s statements Saucedo contends the trial court erred when it admitted the statements he made during the prepolygraph interview because

2 Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436.

2 they were obtained in violation of his Miranda rights. We disagree. 1. Background Saucedo has been diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder, autism, ADHD, anxiety, and temporal lobe epilepsy. After his arrest, Saucedo’s attorney declared a doubt as to his competency. The trial court found Saucedo incompetent to stand trial and suspended criminal proceedings. Proceedings were reinstated nine months later. Proceedings resumed with a hearing on Saucedo’s motion to suppress the statements he made during the prepolygraph. At the beginning of the suppression hearing the trial court took judicial notice of the existence of the records showing that Saucedo had previously been found incompetent. The court also took notice of Saucedo’s developmental disabilities. At the hearing Virgil testified that Saucedo volunteered to participate in a polygraph. Virgil made no threats or promises to Saucedo about his participation. He told Saucedo that the polygraph would be conducted at…