Hignite v. State

George Rose Smith, Justice.

Hignite was convicted of rape and was sentenced to imprisonment for 22 years. His three points for reversal all relate to the voluntariness of his statements to the investigating officers.

At a Denno hearing outside the presence of the jury three officers testified. Their testimony was to the effect that Hignite’s Miranda rights were explained to him, that he appeared to understand the explanations, and that no force or threats were used during the interrogation. There was also a written statement by a State Hospital psychiatrist to the effect that Hignite had been…