Summary:       The Defendant filed a motion to suppress statements that he made to law enforcement officers, arguing that he was subject to custodial interrogation without first being read his Miranda rights and that his statements were involuntarily made as a result of mental limitations. The Court denied the motion, finding that the Defendant was not in custody for purposes of Miranda. The Court determined that mental limitations alone are insufficient to render statements involuntary – there must also be evidence of coercive police activity. The Court found that the record was devoid of any evidence that police engaged in overreaching or coercive conduct. The Defendant’s statements to law enforcement officers are admissible.


Case Name: USA v. Kyle Ray DeCoteau

Case Number: 4-08-cr-37

Docket Number: 40

Date Filed: 3/17/09

Nature of Suit:

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA

NORTHWESTERN DIVISION
 

United States of America,

Plaintiff,

-vs-

Kyle Ray DeCoteau,

Defendant.

)
) ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S
) MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE
)
) Case No. 4:08-cr-37
)
)
)
)
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