Chapter 26

I scanned my papers. Elena returned to her rostrum, near the bench. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ivan leave. I knew Elena wasn’t going to call him. I talked to him the night before. Ivan wasn’t present in the interrogation room until after Gary taped Frank’s statements.

“Your Honor, I have no more questions. I would like the court to consider my motion to suppress, the arguments outlined and the testimony here to exclude the taped recorded statements of my client, Frank Peoples.”

Elena started. “Judge, from the testimony—”

Judge Garner held out his hand. “I’ve heard Detective Bush’s testimony. I’ve also reviewed the transcripts from the recordings. It’s clear to me that Frank Peoples was at the police station voluntarily, that he was not being interrogated, and he was not in custody. Therefore, the police did not have to give Miranda warnings. Your motion, Mr. Chandler is denied.”

So that’s it. The statements come in.