People v. Wright

We are asked today to consider whether a criminal defendant can voluntarily waive his Fifth Amendment rights without the knowledge that his attorney is trying to contact him. Further, we are asked to determine whether not providing a defendant with food, water, or the opportunity or place to sleep while he awaits questioning renders his statements involuntary.

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Defendant Rodney Agustus Wright shot and killed Clifford "Terry” Harrell during the early morning hours of March 7,. 1987. Around midnight, Mr. Harrell’s car became stuck in the mud across the street from defendant’s house. He asked…