People v. Switzer

Defendant was charged with second-degree murder in the death of an eight-month- old child named Buford Schrader. Following a bench trial, he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, MCL 750.321; MSA 28.553, but mentally ill. Defendant has a history of special education placement and a measured IQ of 65 with a mental age of 10 or 11 years. He was sentenced to from 5 to 15 years in prison and appeals as of right.

The primary issue presented in this appeal— whether a confession found to be coerced by, and made involuntarily to, a private citizen is admissible in evidence in a criminal trial…