People v. Honeycutt, 570 P.2d 1050 (Cal. 1977). · Go Syfert
People v. Honeycutt, 570 P.2d 1050 (Cal. 1977). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
567 citation events (131 in the last 25 years) across 12 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Peo v. Brown (coloctapp, 2026-01-08)
Treatment trajectory · 1977 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1977 2001 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peo v. Brown
Colo. Ct. App. · 2026 · confidence medium
To the contrary, the detective told Brown at the outset that he was in custody and that he would not talk to him at all until he made sure Brown understood his rights. ¶ 24 Although the detective asked Brown pre-waiver if he would be willing to speak to him, he did not “exact [Brown’s] decision to waive” before advising him of his rights and then “offer [him] an opportunity to rescind that decision.” People v. Honeycutt, 570 P.2d 1050, 1055 (Cal. 1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Elwood Lewis Thomas v. Commonwealth of Virginia (2×)
Va. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
A police officer handed Thomas his Miranda consent form but then explained it away by stating, “we’re the government, and the government loves our forms.” The officer also told Thomas, “I know you’re going to have questions about everything, and I’m happy to talk about - 48 - that stuff with you, but we just have to do this first.” See People v. Smiley, 530 P.3d 639 , 649 (Colo. 2023) (Miranda warnings may be ineffective when the officers “downplay[] the importance of the advisement and the rights contained therein,” and “impl[y] that the advisement [is] a mere formality”…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Elwood Lewis Thomas v. Commonwealth of Virginia
Va. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People v. Honeycutt, 570 P.2d 1050, 1054-55 (Cal. 1977).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Elwood Lewis Thomas v. Commonwealth of Virginia
Va. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People v. Honeycutt, 570 P.2d 1050, 1054-55 (Cal. 1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Thompson
Cal. Ct. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
“Counsel is not required to proffer futile objections.” (Anderson, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 587 .) A juror may be constitutionally excused for cause if the juror’s views would “ ‘ “ ‘ “ ‘prevent or substantially impair’ ” the performance of the juror’s duties as defined by the court’s instructions and the juror’s oath.’ ” ’ ” (People v. Armstrong (2019) 6 Cal.5th 735, 750 .) It is settled that jurors may not consider a defendant’s possible punishment or “the consequences of their verdicts.” (Shannon v. United States (1994) 512 U.S. 573, 579 ; People v. …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Thompson CA6
Cal. Ct. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
“Counsel is not required to proffer futile objections.” (Anderson, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 587 .) A juror may be constitutionally excused for cause if the juror’s views would “ ‘ “ ‘ “ ‘prevent or substantially impair’ ” the performance of the juror’s duties as defined by the court’s instructions and the juror’s oath.’ ” ’ ” (People v. Armstrong (2019) 6 Cal.5th 735, 750 .) It is settled that jurors may not consider a defendant’s possible punishment or “the consequences of their verdicts.” (Shannon v. United States (1994) 512 U.S. 573, 579 ; People v. …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Young
Cal. · 2019 · confidence medium
In Honeycutt , we held that a Miranda waiver obtained "from a clever softening-up of a defendant through disparagement of the victim and ingratiating conversation" was involuntary, and the subsequent confession was therefore inadmissible. ( Ibid. ) But this case lacks what we *925 have described as "the two salient features of Honeycutt ." ( People v. Scott (2011) 52 Cal.4th 452 , 478, 129 Cal.Rptr.3d 91 , 257 P.3d 703 .) In Honeycutt , the interrogating officer had a long-standing acquaintance with the suspect and sought to ingratiate himself by engaging in a "half-hour unrecorded discussion"…
cited Cited as authority (rule) People v. Molano
Cal. · 2019 · confidence medium
He relies primarily on People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150 , 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 *662 ( Honeycutt ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Wismer
Cal. Ct. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Here the People make no serious attempt to argue that if misconduct occurred, it nonetheless did not influence the verdict.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Park CA2/2
Cal. Ct. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
(Id. at pp. 160-161.) The court noted that both of the two improper interrogation ploys expressly condemned in Miranda were utilized in Honeycutt: “The first was the Mutt and Jeff routine where one officer acts aggressively and hostile while a second officer, when alone with the suspect, seeks to gain his confidence by disapproving his partner’s behavior. [Citation.] The second was disparagement of the victim to induce in the defendant a feeling that his acts were justified. [Citation.]” ( Honeycutt, supra, at p. 160, fn. 5 , citing Miranda, supra, 384 U.S. at pp. 450, 452.) Here, althou…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Hicks
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157, fn. 4 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].)” (People v. Holt (1984) 37 Cal.3d 436, 458 .) CALCRIM No. 706 states, “In your deliberations, you may not consider or discuss penalty or punishment in any way when deciding whether a . . . charge[] has been proved.” The only issue before the second jury was whether defendant was guilty of second degree murder.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Soto CA5
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Id. at p. 154.) On appeal, the California Supreme Court concluded Honeycutt’s confession should have been suppressed because it “result[ed] from a clever softening-up … through disparagement of the victim and ingratiating conversation ….”15 (People v. Honeycutt, supra, at pp. 154, 160-161 .) Honeycutt is inapposite to the instant case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cunningham
Cal. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Cf. People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ] [a half-hour of “clever softening-up, . . . disparagement of the victim and ingratiating conversation” induced the defendant to agree to talk about the homicide well before being advised of his Miranda rights].) During the interview, defendant indicated several times that, for various personal reasons, he had decided beforehand to talk to the detectives about the case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Storz v. Pine Mountain Club Prop. Owners Assn. CA5
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(See, e.g., In re Stankewitz (1985) 40 Cal.3d 391, 399-400 (Stankewitz) [juror made misstatement of law based on his experience as a police officer]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157 (Honeycutt) [juror consulted attorney regarding questions of law involved in the case].) If, on the other hand, the juror’s statement reflects his or her deliberative process based upon the law as instructed by the court and evidence received in court, the statement is not admissible to impeach the verdict.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. McCurdy
Cal. · 2014 · confidence medium
(Cf. People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ] [conviction reversed due to the questioning officers’ “clever softening-up” of the defendant by ingratiating themselves and disparaging the victim].) The use of deceptive statements during an investigation does not invalidate a confession as involuntary unless the deception is the type likely to procure an untrue statement.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Diaz (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
For example, on the MAAC Video, both a prosecutor and a defense attorney make statements that suggest that those who are charged with alcohol-related driving offenses are likely to be found guilty. 13 Perhaps even more wrought with the potential for prejudice is footage in the MAAC Video of a judge stating that punishment is the “only message people truly understand ... in [these] type[s] of cases,” and that “punishment in this area has more deterrenft] [effect] than punishment for a lot of other crimes.” As Diaz argues in his brief, “There simply is no relevance to the conviction ra…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Isida CA2/8
Cal. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160-161 (Honeycutt); see also People v. Munoz (1978) 83 Cal.App.3d 993, 997 [same].) After the defendant in Honeycutt was arrested but before he was advised of his Miranda rights, the defendant and a detective with whom the defendant was familiar talked about unrelated matters for half an hour.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Bryant
Cal. Ct. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
The trial court instructed the jury to “reach your verdict without any consideration of punishment,” a correct statement of law. 5 (People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157, fn. 4 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Hord (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 711, 725 [ 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 55 ] [characterizing consideration of punishment a forbidden topic constituting misconduct].) The court shall address the existence of misconduct and prejudice anew if it is established by competent evidence on remand that the jurors considered punishment despite the court’s instruction to the contrary.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cissna
Cal. Ct. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
Rather, juror bias exists if there is a substantial likelihood that a juror's verdict was based on an improper outside influence, rather than on the evidence and instructions presented at trial, and the nature of the influence was detrimental to the defendant. ( In re Hamilton, supra, 20 Cal.4th at p. 294 ; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157-158 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Barton (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 709, 719 [ 43 Cal.Rptr.2d 671 ].) The question of what constitutes juror bias varies according to the circumstances of the case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cissna
Cal. Ct. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
(In re Hamilton, supra, 20 Cal.4th at p. 294 ; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157-158 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Barton (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 709, 719 [ 43 Cal.Rptr.2d 671 ].) The question of what constitutes juror bias varies according to the circumstances of the case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Yamada (2×)
Haw. · 2005 · confidence medium
However, the presumption may be rebutted by proof that no prejudice actually resulted. " Id. at 1188 (emphases added).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Gurule
Cal. · 2002 · confidence medium
We have explained that “[w]hen the waiver results from a clever softening-up of a defendant through disparagement of the victim and ingratiating conversation, the subsequent decision to waive without a Miranda warning must be deemed to be involuntary for the same reason that an incriminating statement made under police interrogation without a Miranda warning is deemed to be involuntary.” (People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160-161 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) But unlike in Honeycutt , neither Quinn nor McCarthy discussed the victim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Michaels
Cal. · 2002 · confidence medium
In support, he cites this passage from People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160-161 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]: “It must be remembered that the purpose of Miranda is to preclude police interrogation unless and until a suspect has voluntarily waived his rights or has his attorney present.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ramirez v. State
Fla. · 1999 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. People v. Honeycutt, 20 Cal.3d 150 , 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050, 1055 (1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Musselwhite
Cal. · 1998 · confidence medium
As the extract from the interrogation set out above shows, Bell did no more than note for the record that defendant and his wife had voluntarily accompanied the detectives to the station house, as a means of “showing defendant’s] degree of cooperation.” The whole of Bell’s one-sentence statement is nowhere close to the half-hour of “softening-up” of the suspect we disapproved in People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ], on which defendant relies.
cited Cited as authority (rule) People v. Williams
Cal. · 1997 · confidence medium
(See People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) 4.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Nichols
Cal. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
“The California cases, while recognizing the jury’s ‘undisputed power’ to acquit regardless of the evidence of guilt, reject suggestions that the jury be informed of that power, much less invited to use it.” (Id. at p. 1707, citing, inter alia, People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157, fn. 4 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ] [jury properly instructed that possible punishment is not matter for its consideration]; People v. Moore (1968) 257 Cal.App.2d 740, 750 [ 65 Cal.Rptr. 450 ] [rule that trier of fact must not consider penalty or punishment in arriving at decision on guilt…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Baca
Cal. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
(See People v. Fernandez (1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 710, 714 [ 31 Cal.Rptr.2d 677 ], discussing several of the authorities; People v. Miller (1990) 50 Cal.3d 954, 1009 [ 269 Cal.Rptr. 492 , 790 P.2d 1289 ], and cases cited; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157, fn. 4 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ] [jury properly instructed *1708 that possible punishment is not matter for its consideration]; People v. Partner (1986) 180 Cal.App.3d 178, 185 [ 225 Cal.Rptr. 502 ] [nullification rejected]; People v. Moore (1968) 257 Cal.App.2d 740, 750 [ 65 Cal.Rptr. 450 ] [rule that trier of fact must …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Von Villas
Cal. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
It stated the test this way: “Jury misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice, and ‘ “unless the prosecution rebuts that presumption .... the defendant is entitled to a new trial.” ’ (In re Stankewitz (1985) 40 Cal.3d 391, 402 [ 220 Cal.Rptr. 382 , 708 P.2d 1260 ]; People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) The presumption of prejudice ‘may be rebutted by an affirmative evidentiary showing that prejudice does not exist or by a reviewing court’s examination …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Juarez
N.M. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
See United States v. Perdue, 8 F.3d 1455, 1467 (10th Cir.1993) (coercive atmosphere of first interrogation pervading the second interrogation without any cleansing intervening factors); United States v. Hammond, 841 F.Supp. 421, 423 (D.D.C.1993) (pre-Miranda statements not voluntary where defendant was handcuffed to floor, told he had a big problem, told drugs were found at his apartment, and told that the foregoing “shone a bad light” on defendant’s girlfriend and therefore post-Miranda statements held inadmissible); People v. Honeycutt, 20 Cal.3d 150 , 141 Cal.Rptr. 698, 703 , 570 P.2d…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Esqueda
Cal. Ct. App. · 1993 · confidence medium
The “waiver” of his Miranda rights was clearly coerced by the combined effect of the unlawful interrogation that preceded it, the lies used by the officers, and the threats that were the prelude to the “admonition of rights.” When asked if he was willing to talk, Esqueda said, “I already did.” 21 The initial questioning by Valle is perhaps best described as a method of “clever softening-up” (see People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]), where the subsequent barrage of questions from Valle and Penalosa followed the classic “Mutt and …
examined Cited as authority (rule) People v. Von Villas (4×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1992 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Unless the prosecution can rebut this presumption by proving that no prejudice actually resulted, the defendant is entitled to a new trial.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Von Villas
Cal. Ct. App. · 1992 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; In re Winchester (1960) 53 Cal.2d 528, 535 [ 2 Cal.Rptr. 296 , 348 P.2d 904 ].) It may also be rebutted “by a reviewing court’s examination of the entire record to determine whether there is a reasonable probability of actual harm to the complaining party. . . .” (People v. Miranda, supra, 44 Cal.3d at p. 117 .) Indeed, in People v. Marshall, supra, 50 Cal.3d 907 the court stated: “The ultimate issue of influence on the juror is resolved by reference to the substantial likelihood test, an objective st…
examined Cited as authority (rule) People v. Hill (8×) also: Cited "see"
Cal. Ct. App. · 1992 · confidence medium
We must determine whether the trial court correctly concluded that the presumption such misconduct is prejudicial had been dispelled. (8) Juror misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice. ( People v. Holloway (1990) 50 Cal.3d 1098, 1108 [ 269 Cal. Rptr. 530 , 790 P.2d 1327 ]; Hasson v. Ford Motor Co. (1982) 32 Cal.3d 388, 416 [ 185 Cal. Rptr. 654 , 650 P.2d 1171 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) "The presumption of prejudice is an evidentiary aid to those parties who are able to establish serious misconduct of a type likely to have had …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Chavez
Cal. Ct. App. · 1991 · confidence medium
(Id. at p. 207, citing People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156-157 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Pierce is not controlling, as here there was no discussion which related to any subject connected with the trial.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cooper (2×)
Cal. · 1991 · confidence medium
(People v. Holloway, supra, 50 Cal.3d at p. 1108; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) There was, however, no misconduct.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Deere (2×)
Cal. · 1991 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal. 3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) The analogy does not hold.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Martinez
Cal. Ct. App. · 1991 · confidence medium
(People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) A showing of juror misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice because it “challenges the fundamental rights to an unprejudiced jury and the fairness of the trial proceedings, . . .” (People v. Brown (1976) 61 Cal.App.3d 476, 481 [ 132 Cal.Rptr. 217 ].) Appellant’s position assumes the comments of prospective jurors are so inflammatory we must presume no unbiased and impartial jurors remained on the panel and any doubt reg…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Daniels
Cal. · 1991 · confidence medium
Misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice (People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Conkling (1896) 111 Cal. 616, 628 [ 44 P. 314 ]), which unless rebutted will nullify the verdict.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Kelly (2×)
Cal. · 1990 · confidence medium
(See People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 160 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Jackson (1980) 28 Cal.3d 264, 298 [ 168 Cal. Rptr. 603 , 618 P.2d 149 ].) As noted above, this single comment — while perhaps ill-advised — does not even remotely resemble the egregious misconduct that we have freely condemned elsewhere. ( People v. Hogan, supra, 31 Cal.3d at p. 841 .) Moreover, People v. Honeycutt, supra, 20 Cal.3d 150 , on which defendant relies, is clearly distinguishable.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Hedgecock (2×)
Cal. · 1990 · confidence medium
If Bailiff Burroughs did make the remarks that Jurors Bohensky and Saxton-Calderwood attributed to him, those remarks were presumptively prejudicial ( People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]) and of a character "likely to have influenced the verdict improperly" ( People v. Hutchinson, supra, 71 Cal.2d at p. 351 ; Evid.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Holloway (2×)
Cal. · 1990 · confidence medium
They cannot, under the oath which they take, receive impressions from any other source." ( People v. McCoy, supra, 71 Cal. at p. 397 .) (2) It is equally well settled that such juror misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice that may be rebutted by proof that no prejudice actually resulted. ( People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Wong Loung, supra, 159 Cal. at pp. 527-529; People v. Conkling (1896) 111 Cal. 616, 628 [ 44 P. 314 ].) As early as 1896, we said, "when misconduct of jurors is shown, it is presumed to be injurious to defen…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Allison (2×)
Cal. · 1989 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157, fn. 4 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]; People v. Holt (1984) 37 Cal.3d 436, 458 [ 208 Cal.Rptr. 547 , 690 P.2d 1207 ]; People v. Barclay (1953) 40 Cal.2d 146, 158 [ 252 P.2d 321 ].) But the precise issue here is whether avoidance of the special circumstance was a possible motive for defendant testifying as he did.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Karis
Cal. · 1988 · confidence medium
(In re Stankewitz (1985) 40 Cal.3d 391, 402 [ 220 Cal.Rptr. 382 , 708 P.2d 1260 ]; People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207-209 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 157 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Use of a dictionary to obtain further understanding of the court’s instructions poses a risk that the jury will misunderstand the meaning of terms which have a technical or unique usage in the law. *643 Defendant’s motion was based on a declaration by one juror that, “to the best of his recollection,” a juror stated during deliberations …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Keenan (2×)
Cal. · 1988 · confidence medium
Obviously Walker violated his duty of silence when he passed the note to a trial spectator, but any presumption of prejudice from this misconduct (see, e.g., People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ]) was fully rebutted.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Belmontes
Cal. · 1988 · confidence medium
(People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Our review of the record satisfies us that the presumption was rebutted and no prejudice actually resulted. .10.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Williams (2×)
Cal. · 1988 · confidence medium
The stigmatic effect of this circumstance, if any, was produced entirely by the voluntary act of appellants." ( Manson, supra, 61 Cal. App.3d at p. 157 .) (19a) Misconduct creates a presumption of prejudice that may be rebutted by a showing that no prejudice actually occurred. ( People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal. Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) (17b) Assuming arguendo that consideration of the remark constituted misconduct, any presumption of prejudice was adequately rebutted. (19b) "[W]hether a defendant has been injured by jury misconduct in receiving evidence outside of …
cited Cited as authority (rule) People v. Jenkins
Cal. Ct. App. · 1987 · confidence medium
(People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) In our view, the facts here necessarily created a presumption of prejudice.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Miranda (2×)
Cal. · 1987 · confidence medium
Jury misconduct raises a presumption of prejudice, and “‘unless the prosecution rebuts that presumption . . ., the defendant is entitled to a new trial.’ ” (In re Stankewitz (1985) 40 Cal.3d 391, 402 [ 220 Cal.Rptr. 382 , 708 P.2d 1260 ]; People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1977) 20 Cal.3d 150, 156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) The presumption of prejudice “may be rebutted by an affirmative evidentiary showing that prejudice does not exist or by a reviewing court’s examination of the entire record to determi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Blackwell
Cal. Ct. App. · 1987 · confidence medium
(People v. Pierce (1979) 24 Cal.3d 199, 207 [ 155 Cal.Rptr. 657 , 595 P.2d 91 ]; People v. Honeycutt (1911) 20 Cal.3d 150,156 [ 141 Cal.Rptr. 698 , 570 P.2d 1050 ].) Prejudicial jury misconduct constitutes grounds for a new trial.
The PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
HENRY HONEYCUTT, Defendant and Appellant
Crim. 19592.
California Supreme Court.
Nov 8, 1977.
570 P.2d 1050
Counsel, Douglas Shepersky, under appointment by the Supreme Court, Appellate Defenders, Inc., under appointment by the Court of Appeal, and Paul Bell for Defendant and Appellant., Evelle J. Younger, Attorney General, Jack R. Winkler, Chief Assistant Attorney General, Daniel J. Kremer, Assistant Attorney General, Karl J. Phaler and Cecilia H. Johnson, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Wright, Richardson.
Cited by 171 opinions  |  Published

Lead Opinion

[*154] Opinion

WRIGHT, J. *

Henry Honeycutt appeals from a judgment upon a jury conviction of first degree murder. (Pen. Code, §§ 187, 189.) He contends that the foreman of the jury was guilty of prejudicial misconduct which requires that we reverse the judgment. We agree. Although we need not reach defendant’s further contention that it was error not to suppress an extrajudicial confession; we nevertheless conclude for guidance of the trial court on retrial, if any, that such confession was extracted without compliance with the proscriptions of Miranda v. Arizona (1965) 384 U.S. 436 [16 L.Ed.2d 694, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 10 A.L.R.3d 974],

Defendant spent the night of March 3, 1975, at William Batiste’s home. He discovered in the morning that $72 of his money was missing. When Batiste failed to respond to inquiries concerning the money, defendant kicked and beat Batiste who offered no resistance. In an attack lasting 45 minutes defendant stabbed and slashed his victim more than 100 times with a large two-pronged barbeque fork. A woman, who had also spent the night at Batiste’s home, implored defendant to stop the beating. When her requests went unheeded she left the premises and notified the police. When police arrived defendant fled but was apprehended four blocks away. Batiste died that afternoon. The coroner found Batiste’s body to have not less than 143 lacerations and puncture wounds covering his head, back, chest, abdomen, groin, penis and hip.

Defendant, an alcoholic for many years, had been drinking heavily for a four-week period prior to the killing. Expert witnesses testified, not without dispute, that based on the elapsed time and blood alcohol determinations made after defendant’s arrest, that his approximate blood alcohol level was .24 percent at the time of the offense, sufficient to impair his ability to meaningfully reflect upon the gravity of any contemplated act or to understand the societal duty not to commit acts which involved the risk of great injury or death.

The jury began its deliberations on a Thursday. On Friday morning it requested and received reinstruction on, inter alia, involuntary manslaughter and diminished capacity. Deliberations continued through the afternoon when a weekend recess was taken. While the jury foreman was still at home on Monday morning he telephoned an attorney who was associated with the foreman’s business. The foreman advised the[*155] attorney that he was a member of a jury panel but he did not state that he was then involved in deliberations. The foreman asked if involuntary manslaughter was a felony or a misdemeanor. The attorney answered that his criminal practice had generally been limited to defending against charges of felony drunk driving, and that such an offense would be treated as a felony until sentencing when it could be reduced to a misdemeanor. When asked to explain diminished capacity, the attorney stated that it was a defense based on a defendant’s state of mind which, if established, would negate the existence of a specific criminal intent in cases wherein such an intent was an element of the crime and legal insanity could not be established. To illustrate his explanation he described how he had obtained a reduction of charges in the case of a client who, in cashing bad checks, actually intended to repay the victims. The attorney emphasized that he had not practiced criminal law for about five years and that his knowledge of the applicable rules might not be current. He advised that in any event the foreman should follow the judge’s instructions on the applicable law.[1]

After his conversation with the attorney the foreman reported to court for further deliberations. He later stated that he did not mention the conversation to the other jurors. On Monday afternoon the juiy was reinstructed on first degree murder, diminished capacity and malice aforethought. The following morning the jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder.[2]

[*156] When the attorney learned three days after their conversation that at the time thereof the foreman had actually been engaged in deliberations, he notified the court. Defendant moved for a new trial (Pen. Code, § 1181, subd. 3), and the attorney and the foreman testified at the hearing thereon. The court denied the motion concluding that although the foreman was guilty of misconduct, defendant had not been prejudiced thereby.

It is well settled that a presumption of prejudice arises from any juror misconduct. In an early case we said: “For, when misconduct of jurors is shown, it is presumed to be injurious to defendant, unless the contrary appears.” (People v. Conkling (1896) 111 Cal. 616, 628 [44 P. 314].) We have often restated the presumption. (See, e.g., People v. Wong Loung (1911) 159 Cal. 520, 528-529 [114 P. 829].) In Remmer v. United States (1954) 347 U.S. 227, 229 [98 L.Ed. 654, 656, 74 S.Ct. 450], the United States Supreme Court stated: “In a criminal case, any private communication, contact or tampering, directly or indirectly, with a juror during a trial about the matter pending before the jury is, for obvious reasons, deemed presumptively prejudicial . . . .” However, the presumption may be rebutted by proof that no prejudice actually resulted. (In re Winchester (1960) 53 Cal.2d 528, 535 [2 Cal.Rptr. 296, 348 P.2d 904].)

Juror misconduct has occurred in several forms requiring reversal when prejudice is presumed in the absence of evidence to rebut the presumption. The mere presence of an alternate although silent juror during deliberations has repeatedly been held to constitute prejudicial misconduct. (People v. Britton (1935) 4 Cal.2d 622 [52 P.2d 217, 102 A.L.R. 1065]; People v. Bruneman (1935) 4 Cal.App.2d 75 [40 P.2d 891]; People v. Adame (1973) 36 Cal.App.3d 402 [111 Cal.Rptr. 462]; cf. People v. French (1939) 12 Cal.2d 720, 770-771 [87 P.2d 1014] (presence of alternate jurors after submission but before commencement of deliberations held not to justify granting of a new trial).) The reading by jurors of newspaper accounts of trial proceedings and unauthorized communications between jurors and bailiffs or other court officers has also been condemned as prejudicial misconduct. (People v. Wong Loung, supra, 159 Cal. 520, 525-527.)[3]

[*157] When, as occurred in the instant case, a juror contacts an outside attorney for advice during deliberations in a criminal case, he is guilty of egregious misconduct. Such conduct in clear violation of the trial court’s admonitions interjects outside views into the jury room and creates a high potential for prejudice. In People v. Conkling, supra, 111 Cal. 616, 628, we stated that jurors cannot investigate the case outside the courtroom and that they must decide the guilt or innocence of a defendant based only on evidence introduced at trial. It is equally manifest that we cannot condone a practice whereby a juror receives outside counseling relative to the applicable law, as to do so would subordinate the court’s evaluation of the law to that of the juror’s outside source and would be contrary to legislative directives that the court shall instruct on the applicable law (Pen. Code, § 1127) and maintain control of the proceedings (Pen. Code, § 1044). We cannot, therefore, disapprove too strongly the foreman’s decision to disregard the court’s instructions and to solicit outside legal advice.

We next proceed to the question of prejudice flowing from this serious misconduct. The attorney advised the foreman, inter alia, that in his experience, which mainly concerned vehicular manslaughter, involuntaiy manslaughter is an alternative felony-misdemeanor depending on the sentence imposed. Although the attorney’s advice was accurate concerning vehicular manslaughter (Pen. Code, §§ 192, subd. 3, 193) it was inaccurate with respect to the particular charge of involuntary manslaughter (Pen. Code, §§ 192, subd. 2, 193), which can never become a misdemeanor upon sentencing. Such advice could have left the foreman with the impression that if defendant were convicted of manslaughter be might thereafter be sentenced only to county jail rather than to state prison. The foreman’s questions to the attorney can be interpreted to imply that he was contemplating a conviction of involuntary manslaughter because of defendant’s diminished capacity due to intoxication, but that he was concerned, in view of the gravity of defendant’s conduct, that if he were convicted of such lesser manslaughter charge he might escape state prison.[4]

[*158] The People point out, however, that the information provided by the attorney was essentially accurate and that all but two of the jurors executed statements that the foreman never mentioned his conversation with the outside attorney. Nevertheless the errant juror was the foreman whose perceptions and conclusions may often sway other jurors. With a belief that manslaughter can sometimes be a misdemeanor the foreman may have elected in favor of a murder conviction notwithstanding considerable evidence supporting the defense of diminished capacity. If so, and particularly if his conclusion influenced other jurors, defendant may have been deprived of the benefit of the jury’s full consideration of his diminished capacity defense. (Accord, Horn v. State (1953) 216 Miss. 439 [62 So.2d 560].)

Under these circumstances the presumption of prejudice was not rebutted but rather was reinforced by the evidence.

Defendant also complains that the court erred in failing to suppress an extrajudicial confession. It appears that following his arrest near the victim’s residence defendant was placed in the back seat of a patrol car. He was not advised of his Miranda rights. (See Miranda v. Arizona, supra, 384 U.S. 436.) Detective Williams tried to talk to defendant who looked back silently at the officer. During the short ride to the police station, however, defendant volunteered that Williams knew him under a different name. At that point Williams recognized defendant whom he had known through police contacts for about 10 years. They did not converse again while en route to the police station.

Upon arrival at the station detectives escorted defendant to an interview room. Defendant was initially hostile to Detective Tague, calling him racist epithets and spitting at him. Tague left the room and Williams engaged defendant in a half-hour unrecorded discussion. Williams testified that they discussed unrelated past events and former acquaintances and, finally, the victim. Williams mentioned that the victim had been a suspect in a homicide case and was thought to have homosexual tendencies. Although he stated that he did not expect defendant to talk about the offense, Williams testified that “It was my duty to continue the efforts to try to get him to talk. And I was successful in it.” In the course of their interview Williams “could see that [defendant] was softening up.” Williams said that they stayed away from a discussion of the offense, but by the end of the half-hour defendant indicated that he would talk about the homicide.

[*159] Defendant was first advised of his Miranda rights in the presence of a reporter three hours after his arrest. When asked whether he understood his rights defendant replied, “I heard what you said, Mr. Johnnie, but I have no rights.” Williams asked again if defendant understood his rights and defendant said, “Yes, I understand all my rights.” He then expressly waived his rights and confessed that he beat and stabbed the victim to force him to return the missing $72.

Defendant contends that the waiver of his rights was neither knowing nor voluntary. In the normal case, failure to warn a suspect of his rights results in the total exclusion of any statements he might make. (People v. Disbrow (1976) 16 Cal.3d 101, 106 [127 Cal.Rptr. 360, 545 P.2d 272].) If a suspect is advised of his rights and invokes them, all interrogation must cease and any subsequent statements must be suppressed. (People v. Superior Court (Zolnay) (1976) 15 Cal.3d 729, 736-737 [125 Cal.Rptr. 798, 542 P.2d 1390].) In the instant case, however, no incriminating extrajudicial statements were made by defendant until after the Miranda admonitions and defendant’s waiver of those rights. However, Detective Williams had, prior to explaining the Miranda rights, already succeeded in persuading defendant to waive such rights. Thus the critical question is what effect failure to give a timely Miranda warning has on the voluntariness of a decision to waive which is induced prior to the Miranda admonitions.

It is clear that routine booking questions and responses as to a defendant’s identity and other statistical information do not render involuntary a later waiver of constitutional rights. (See People v. Hernandez (1968) 263 Cal.App.2d 242, 253-254 [69 Cal.Rptr. 448].) Similarly, when a person who is not yet a suspect talks to the police without being admonished, such a conversation does not make involuntary his later waiver of rights after a proper Miranda warning. (People v. Hill (1969) 70 Cal.2d 678, 693-694 [76 Cal.Rptr. 225].) In Hill, we stated, “The initial statements made by defendant prior to receiving the required warnings of his constitutional rights were not in response to in-custody interrogation designed to elicit incriminating information.” (Id., at p. 694.) The instant case differs from Hill, however, in that here defendant was at all times the primary suspect and the conversation-waming-interrogation sequence was intended to elicit a confession from the inception of the conversation.

In Miranda the Supreme Court stated: “Whatever the testimony of the authorities as to waiver of rights by an accused, the fact of lengthy[*160] interrogation or incommunicado incarceration before a statement is made is strong evidence that the accused did not validly waive his rights. In these circumstances the fact that the individual eventually made a statement is consistent with the conclusion that the compelling influence of the interrogation finally forced him to do so. It is inconsistent with any notion of a voluntary relinquishment of the privilege. Moreover, any evidence that the accused was threatened, tricked, or cajoled into a waiver will, of course, show that the defendant did not voluntarily waive his privilege. The requirement of warnings and waiver of rights is a fundamental with respect to the Fifth Amendment privilege and not simply a preliminaiy ritual to existing methods of interrogation.” (Miranda v. Arizona, supra, 384 U.S. 436, 476 [16 L.Ed.2d 694, 724-725].)[5]

Although the Miranda court nowhere expressly disapproved the conversation-warning-interrogation sequence that occurred here and the rule as generally stated is that the warning must precede any custodial interrogation designed to elicit incriminating statements (see People v. Dorado (1965) 62 Cal.2d 338, 353 [42 Cal.Rptr. 169, 398 P.2d 361]), we nevertheless conclude that in making his decision to waive a suspect should have that knowledge of his rights afforded him by Miranda. The self-incrimination sought by the police is more likely to occur if they first exact from an accused a decision to waive and then offer the accused an opportunity to rescind that decision after a Miranda warning, than if they afford an opportunity to make the decision in the first instance with full knowledge of the Miranda rights. (See People v. Enriquez (1977) 19 Cal.3d 221 [137 Cal.Rptr. 171, 561 P.2d 261], The police by applying practices condemned in Miranda cannot be heard to contend that they should benefit because they have violated only the spirit of Miranda. It must be remembered that the purpose of Miranda is to preclude police interrogation unless and until a suspect has voluntarily waived his rights or has his attorney present. When the waiver results from a clever softening-up of a defendant through disparagement of the victim and ingratiating conversation, the subsequent decision to waive without a Miranda warning must be deemed to be involuntaiy for the same reason that an incriminating statement made under police interro[*161] gation without a Miranda warning is deemed to be involuntary. The court thus erred in refusing to suppress defendant’s extrajudicial statements. As the judgment must be reversed because of the jury foreman’s misconduct we need not consider the prejudicial effect of the court’s failure to suppress such statements.

The judgment is reversed.

Tobriner, Acting C. J., Mosk, J., and Sullivan, J.,* concurred.

Retired Chief Justice of California sitting under assignment by the Acting Chairperson of the Judicial Council.

1

The attorney’s declaration states as follows: “I . . . hereby declare: That I am an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of California....

“I am acquainted with [the foreman], a scientist working for our company. On the morning of Monday, June 16, 1975,1 received a telephone call from [the foreman], who asked some questions concerning criminal law. He first asked what I knew of criminal law and the sentence for involuntary manslaughter. I told him that I had practiced criminal law several years ago. 1 explained that involuntary manslaughter, to my recollection, was either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending upon the sentence imposed.

“[The foreman] then asked about diminished capacity. I stated that this defense applied in cases where legal insanity could not be proven, and was used to overcome a requirement of a specific mental state. I mentioned that I had used the defense once in a ‘bad check’ case, but I had never argued this defense to a jury; and I told him I did not know the current state of the law.

“[The foreman] asked if I knew why he was asking the questions and when I said I did not, I believe he said he was being selected for jury duty. I told him that the judge would instruct him on all of the law to be applied, and my recollections of the criminal law may or may not be valid.”

2

The record discloses that the jurors were admonished on numerous occasions that except during deliberations with other jurors they were to refrain from discussing among themselves or with anyone else the evidence received during the trial.

3

Although research has disclosed no criminal case wherein a juror discussed during deliberations questions of law with an outside attorney, in several civil cases courts have resolved similar questions by applying a rebuttable presumption of prejudice. (Dimmick v. Alvarez (1961) 196 Cal.App.2d 211, 216-217 [16 Cal.Rptr. 308] (brief conversation between juror and party’s attorney held harmless); Maaskant v. Matsui (1942) 50 Cal.App.2d 819, 826 [123 P.2d 853] (juror’s discussion with a party’s attorney about a[*157] map introduced in evidence held harmless).) In personal injury cases jurors have consulted family physicians relative to a medical question which was a principal issue. (Cf. Walter v. Ayvazian (1933) 134 Cal.App. 360, 363-364 [25 P.2d 526] (misconduct prejudicial because juror reported her physician’s advice to the other members of the jury) with Kritzer v. Citron (1950) 101 Cal.App.2d 33, 36-37 [224 P.2d 808] (misconduct nonprejudicial because no report made to other jurors).)

4

A defendant’s possible punishment is not, of course, a proper matter for juror consideration, and the jury was so instructed in the instant case.

5

in reviewing police practices which made Miranda necessary the high court discussed two interrogation ploys. The first was the Mutt and Jeff routine where one officer acts aggressively and hostile while a second officer, when alone with the suspect, seeks to gain his confidence by disapproving his partner’s behavior. (Miranda v. Arizona, supra, 384 U.S. 436, 452 [16 L.Ed.2d 694, 710-711].) The second was disparagement of the victim to induce in the defendant a feeling that his acts were justified. (Id., at p. 450 [16 L.Ed.2d at pp. 709.-710].) Both of such ploys were utilized to elicit defendant’s waiver in the instant case.

Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court sitting under assignment by the Chairperson of the. Judicial Council.

Concurrence

RICHARDSON, J.

I concur in the majority opinion to the extent that it reverses the judgment based on juror misconduct, although, as discussed below, I believe that the majority has unduly emphasized the errant juror’s status as foreman. I respectfully dissent, however, from the majority’s application of Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436 [16 L.Ed.2d 694, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 10 A.L.R.3d 974], to the facts before us for in my opinion defendant’s confession was not elicited in violation of the Miranda rule.

1. Juror Misconduct

The majority stresses the special position of the foreman permitting him to influence other jurors, thus imparting to them any prejudice derived from his conversation with the attorney. Such speculation is unnecessary to the result. Because this is a criminal case, if a single juror, whether foreman or not, was prejudiced the entire verdict was infected. Accordingly, our principal inquiry, it seems to me, must ascertain whether there is any evidence in the record from which the trial court properly could have concluded that the presumption of prejudice had been rebutted. No such evidence appears.

In People v. Stokes (1894) 103 Cal. 193 [37 P. 207], we held that where juror misconduct raised the presumption that the verdict had been prejudiced, jurors could not overcome this presumption by swearing that the misconduct did not influence their verdict. Citing Stokes with approval in People v. Hutchinson (1969) 71 Cal.2d 342 [78 Cal.Rptr. 196, 455 P.2d 132], we held that Evidence Code section 1150, governing the admission of evidence concerning the validity of a verdict, limits jurors’ affidavits to “proof of overt acts, objectively ascertainable . . . .” (Id., at[*162] p. 349.) In the present case the presumption of prejudice was not properly rebutted by the foreman’s testimony that the conversation with the attorney did not influence his verdict, nor by the attorney’s declaration alleging the gist of his conversation with the foreman. Thus, I fully concur with the majority’s conclusion that defendant was prejudiced by the error and that the judgment must be reversed on this ground.

2. Admissibility of Defendant’s Confession

In holding defendant’s confession inadmissible, the majority opinion focuses on the following critical passage in Miranda v. Arizona, supra, 384 U.S. 436: “Whatever the testimony of the authorities as to waiver of rights by an accused, the fact of lengthy interrogation or incommunicado incarceration before a statement is made is strong evidence that the accused did not validly waive his rights. In these circumstances the fact that the individual eventually made a statement is consistent with the conclusion that the compelling influence of the interrogation finally forced him to do so. It is inconsistent with any notion of a voluntary relinquishment of the privilege. Moreover, any evidence that the accused was threatened, tricked, or cajoled into a waiver will, of course, show that the defendant did not voluntarily waive his privilege. The requirement of warnings and waiver of rights is a fundamental with respect to the Fifth Amendment privilege and not simply a preliminary ritual to existing methods of interrogation.” (Id., at p. 476 [16 L.Ed.2d at pp. 724-725], italics added.) The majority then reasons that although Miranda does not expressly disapprove the conversation-waming-interrogation sequence involved herein, nevertheless “When the waiver results from a clever softening-up of a defendant through disparagement of. the victim and ingratiating conversation, the subsequent decision to waive without a Miranda warning must be deemed to be involuntary for the same reáson that an incriminating statement made under police interrogation without a Miranda warning is deemed to be involuntary.” (Ante, pp. 160-161, italics added.)

I respectfully suggest that such a conclusion is neither mandated by Miranda nor required by notions of justice or fair play. Moreover, the opinion in this regard mischaracterizes the facts in the present case. The record clearly establishes that the waiver and confession in question were made after defendant was given the warnings required by Miranda. I find no basis for the majority’s conclusion, which is squarely contrary to that of the trial court, that any “softening-up” or “ingratiating conversation” rendered involuntary defendant’s willingness to confess.

[*163] Defendant was arrested and brought to a police station. Upon arrival he was taken to an interview room where he remained with Detectives Williams and Tague for approximately one-half hour. According to Williams, defendant initially cursed the officers and Williams made attempts to calm him and to communicate with him. Eventually, defendant conversed with the officers, although the circumstances of the offense were not discussed. Among other things, the officers and defendant talked about the victim, and the fact that the victim was a suspect in another homicide case, and was reportedly a homosexual. Contrary to the majority’s suggestion, other than the officers’ attempts to calm down defendant after his initial outburst of profanity, the record contains no evidence whatever of any “ingratiating” conversation or “clever softening-up” of defendant by the officers.'

Once defendant indicated that he would talk about the homicide a stenographer was called in and defendant was fully advised of his Miranda rights. Defendant was asked twice if he understood his rights and then, after expressly waiving his rights, he confessed that he had beaten and stabbed the victim.

Addressing the issue of voluntary waiver, the Miranda, court observed that, “No effective waiver . . . can be recognized unless specifically made after the warnings we here delineate have been given.” (Miranda, supra, at p. 470 [16 L.Ed.2d at p. 721].) The record before us reflects that the defendant ultimately was given the requisite Miranda warnings, stated that he understood his constitutional rights, waived those rights, and then made his incriminating statement. Notwithstanding this fact, the majority holds as a rule of law that such a waiver is inevitably invalid merely because the warnings are not given immediately upon a suspect’s arrest. Furthermore, the majority opinion inadequately explains with sufficient certainty precisely what type of police-suspect contact or conversation renders a waiver invalid. The terms “clever softening-up” and “ingratiating conversation” sound suspiciously vague as standards, particularly in the police investigation area which requires application of practical, readily understood rules of considerable specificity. Depending upon the interpretation given the foregoing phrases they may well prove unduly restrictive.

In summary, the majority not only adopts what seems to me to be an overly literal reading and interpretation of Miranda, but appears to extend that interpretation to create an irrebuttable presumption to the effect that, unless a Miranda warning is issued before any conversation[*164] with a suspect occurs, a subsequent waiver is ineffective. It would seem to me much more reasonable to leave to the discretion of the trial court the task of determining if, in the light of all the circumstances in the case, the suspect has been fully informed of his rights and has freely, knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights. Here the trial court made such a determination, and I find no evidence of threat, trickery or cajolery which would invalidate the waiver.

Accordingly, I dissent from that portion of the majority opinion and would hold that defendant’s confession was properly admissible at trial.

Clark, J., and Thompson (R. S.), J.,* concurred.

Respondent’s petition for a rehearing was denied December 8, 1977. Clark, J., and Richardson, J., were of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.