State v. Bradley

Harshbarger, Justice:

A Kanawha County Circuit Court jury convicted Richard Gale Bradley of murdering a fellow inmate in the county jail. The only problem with the trial we need probe is the propriety of introduction of testimony by policemen about oral statements made by Bradley that incriminated him in beating and incinerating the inmate.

The killing occurred on the morning of March 29, 1975. That evening, the county sheriff and two of his deputies approached defendant and read an “Interrogation: Advice of Rights” form:

“Before we ask you any questions, you must understand your rights.

“You…