Judge denies suppression motion, admits recorded interview and certified transcript

The court denied a defense motion to suppress a recorded post-arrest interview and its certified Spanish transcript, finding the defendant voluntarily and intelligently waived his Miranda rights.

At a hearing outside the presence of the jury, the state presented Detective (Sergeant) Jesse Arias Jr., who testified he conducted and reviewed the interview recorded as State's Exhibit 217A and that a certified Spanish transcript (State's Exhibit 217) accurately reflected the recording. Defense counsel argued the recording and transcript did not demonstrate a clear, knowing waiver because several Miranda questions lacked explicit yes-or-no verbal answers and relied on non-verbal nods or brief acknowledgements in the tape.

The prosecutor responded that the record shows the defendant followed along, provided acknowledgements (including saying "yes" and clarifying words), and voluntarily agreed to speak; the prosecution also noted a certified translation by a licensed Spanish interpreter had been prepared. After reviewing the video and the transcript, the judge ruled the defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his rights, denied the motion to suppress, and admitted the exhibits for the hearing and trial record.

The court then instructed counsel to prepare to bring jurors back into the courtroom. The judge later indicated the trial will continue with witnesses and evidence before the jury and set the next appearance to resume Monday at 1:30 p.m.