Carden v. State

The issue in this case is whether the defendant's confession was voluntary, in light of certain statements made by the sheriff.

David Michael Carden was arrested for capital murder; see § 13A-5-40(a)(2), Ala. Code 1975. Carden filed a motion to suppress his confession, alleging that it had been coerced. The trial court found the confession to be admissible and denied the motion to suppress. The Court of Criminal Appeals held that Carden's confession was coerced and, therefore, that the trial court erred in admitting it into evidence. 612 So.2d 504.

The facts are as follows: The victim, George…