Miranda v. Arizona: Ernesto Miranda's Arrest

Adrienne Hoar McGibbon

26 Mar 202202:05

Summary

TLDRThe transcript features a retired Phoenix police detective, Carol Cooley, recounting a significant moment with Ernie Miranda. During a lineup, a witness identified Miranda as the suspect but hesitated, suggesting she might confirm it if she heard his voice. Later, Miranda confessed to kidnapping, rape, and robbery. He wrote a confession voluntarily, which was well-written and accurate. The detective then describes the old city jail where Miranda was held, providing details about the facility and Miranda’s time there. This reflection highlights the process leading to Miranda's confession.

Takeaways

🔍 The witness initially identified Ernie Miranda as the suspect but expressed uncertainty.
👂 The witness mentioned that hearing the suspect's voice might help confirm the identification.
😶 The speaker, a detective, hesitated before responding to Miranda's question about how he did.
💬 When asked, Miranda admitted involvement in the crime after the detective suggested it was a good idea to confess.
✍️ Miranda voluntarily provided a written confession, stating that he was not coerced or promised anything.
📝 Miranda's written confession was concise, well-written, and accurate in describing the crimes.
🚔 The script describes the old city jail where Miranda was processed after his arrest.
🏢 Miranda was kept in the felony tank in the jail for a few days to about a week.
👮‍♂️ The speaker, retired Detective Carol Cooley from the Phoenix Police Department, narrated the events.
📖 The script covers the events surrounding Miranda's arrest, confession, and processing in jail.

Q & A

Who was the 'number one guy' referred to in the lineup?
-The 'number one guy' in the lineup was Ernie Miranda.
Why was the witness unsure about identifying Ernie Miranda in the lineup?
-The witness said that it looked like Ernie Miranda, but was uncertain and suggested that hearing his voice might help make the identification positive.
What did Ernie Miranda say after the lineup?
-After the lineup, Ernie Miranda asked how he did, and when told that he didn't do well, he responded by saying that he guessed he should tell the truth about the incident.
What did Ernie Miranda confess to?
-Ernie Miranda confessed to the kidnapping, rape, and robbery.
What was Ernie Miranda asked to do after his confession?
-After his confession, Ernie Miranda was asked to sign a written confession that began with a statement saying he gave the confession voluntarily without coercion or promises of immunity, and knowing his legal rights.
How was the written confession described?
-The written confession was described as being well-written, with excellent spelling, and an accurate description of the act.
Where was Ernie Miranda taken after his arrest?
-Ernie Miranda was taken to the old city jail on the fifth floor of the old city-county courthouse.
What was the procedure followed after Ernie Miranda was brought to the jail?
-After being brought to the jail, Ernie Miranda would have been searched, processed, and shown his quarters in a tank, specifically in the felony tank.
How long did Ernie Miranda stay in the jail after his arrest?
-Ernie Miranda stayed in the jail for possibly a week, but it could have been only a couple of days.
Who provided the information about Ernie Miranda's time in the jail?
-The information about Ernie Miranda's time in the jail was provided by retired detective Carol Cooley from the Phoenix Police Department.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ Identification of Suspect by Witness

The witness initially identifies the suspect, Ernie Miranda, from a police lineup, stating that the first person in the lineup resembles the perpetrator. However, she is unsure and suggests that hearing the suspect’s voice might help her confirm her identification.

🤔 Interrogation and Confession

The detective narrates how he interacted with Ernie Miranda after the lineup. When Miranda asked how he did, the detective implied that things didn't go well, prompting Miranda to confess to kidnapping, rape, and robbery. The detective then asked Miranda to sign a written confession voluntarily, which he did.

✍️ The Written Confession

Miranda's written confession was brief, clear, and concise. It contained an accurate description of the crime and was written voluntarily without coercion. His writing and spelling were noted as excellent.

🚔 Arrival and Processing in Jail

The scene shifts to the old city jail where Miranda would have been processed like any other prisoner. He would have been searched, shown his new quarters, and placed in the felony tank of the jail. Miranda likely stayed there for a few days to a week.

👮‍♂️ Retired Detective's Reflection

The script concludes with a reflection from retired Detective Carol Cooley of the Phoenix Police Department, recalling the details of Miranda's detention and confession.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lineup

A 'lineup' refers to a police procedure in which a suspect is placed among several individuals, and a witness is asked to identify the person they believe committed the crime. In the transcript, the woman is shown a lineup and initially identifies Ernie Miranda as a potential suspect but hesitates, indicating the importance of voice identification for confirmation.

💡Ernie Miranda

Ernie Miranda, the main subject of the video, is a person accused of committing serious crimes including kidnapping, rape, and robbery. His case is significant because it relates to the famous Miranda Rights ruling in U.S. law, which mandates that individuals be informed of their rights before police questioning. In the transcript, Miranda is identified by the witness but is uncertain until further details emerge.

💡Confession

A confession is an admission of guilt in a crime, often written or verbal. In the transcript, Miranda confesses to his crimes after initially performing poorly in a police lineup. This confession is voluntary and later becomes an essential piece of evidence in his case. It is notable that the officer emphasizes that the confession was made without coercion.

💡Kidnapping

Kidnapping refers to the unlawful abduction of a person, typically to obtain a ransom or for some other malicious intent. In this case, Ernie Miranda was accused of kidnapping among other crimes. The term represents one of the serious offenses in Miranda's confession.

💡Rape

Rape, the crime of forced sexual intercourse without consent, is another grave offense committed by Ernie Miranda, as discussed in the transcript. The seriousness of this crime adds weight to the case against him and emphasizes the severity of his actions.

💡Robbery

Robbery is the act of taking property unlawfully, usually by force or intimidation. Miranda's confession includes robbery, rounding out the trio of crimes he admitted to. This aspect of the confession helps to frame the extent of his criminal activity.

💡Voluntary Statement

A voluntary statement refers to a confession or admission made freely, without threats, promises, or coercion. The transcript highlights that Miranda's confession was written voluntarily, which is crucial for the legal process to ensure that the defendant's rights were not violated.

💡Miranda Rights

Although not explicitly mentioned in the transcript, the entire narrative is closely related to the concept of 'Miranda Rights,' named after Ernie Miranda's case. These rights ensure that individuals are aware of their right to remain silent and to have legal counsel present during interrogations, a landmark ruling in U.S. law.

💡Detective Carol Cooley

Detective Carol Cooley is the retired Phoenix police officer narrating the events of the case. He is the one who interacted with Miranda, obtained his confession, and later detailed the physical process of booking him into the jail. His perspective provides an insider’s account of how the case unfolded.

💡City Jail

The 'City Jail' is where Ernie Miranda was processed after his arrest. As described by Detective Cooley, it was located on the fifth floor of the old courthouse and is depicted as the place where Miranda was held during his trial. This setting plays a crucial role in understanding the procedural aspects of the case.

Highlights

The witness initially identified Ernie Miranda as the suspect, stating it 'looks like him,' but wanted to hear his voice to confirm.

The investigator did not respond immediately, allowing time to pass before engaging with Miranda.

Miranda asked, 'How did I do?' after the lineup, indicating a level of awareness about the situation.

The investigator responded, 'You didn't do so good, Ernie,' prompting Miranda to confess.

Miranda voluntarily confessed to kidnapping, rape, and robbery without being coerced or promised immunity.

The confession was written clearly and accurately by Miranda, filling one short page.

The detective noted that both the spelling and writing quality in Miranda’s confession were excellent.

The description Miranda gave in his confession was accurate and detailed, aligning with the case facts.

Miranda was held in the 'felony tank' of the old city jail on the fifth floor of the city courthouse.

Miranda was processed like any other prisoner, searched, and shown his quarters in the jail.

The old city jail had four identical holding tanks, and Miranda was placed in one specifically for felons.

Miranda spent several days to a week in the city jail before the next stages of his case proceeded.

The detective described the conditions of the old city jail, where Miranda was held, providing historical context.

Retired Detective Carol Cooley from the Phoenix Police Department provided this account, offering firsthand insights into the case.

This confession and its circumstances became a key part of the Miranda case, which later influenced the Miranda rights ruling.