Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for appellant Michele A. Adubato, Designated Counsel, on the brief. Warren W. Hamett, Assistant Prosecutor, of counsel and on the brief. On the evening of February 4, , defendant Llewelyn James entered his aunt's boyfriend's house.
He found his aunt, her boyfriend, and two of their friends smoking cocaine and listening to music. Defendant shot and killed his aunt's boyfriend because he physically abused her, and then proceeded to shoot and kill his aunt and her companions.
The next night, defendant and a friend wanted to purchase marijuana from a man in a neighboring town. When his dealer refused to open the door, defendant shot, but did not kill him. Then, defendant proceeded to shoot and kill a man he encountered before he shot his dealer and a man he encountered after this shooting. Defendant thought these men might have seen him approaching or leaving his dealer's apartment.
Defendant was seventeen years old. He is serving an aggregate term of years in prison, almost years of which must be served before he is eligible for parole. We address two primary issues in this appeal. First, whether the court should have permitted the State to introduce statements made by defendant during a consensual intercept of a conversation between defendant and his cousin. Second, whether the court properly permitted the State to introduce statements made by defendant during a custodial interrogation.
(mh=OWvJoC_e40ZRoQa6)5.jpg "Sluts in Béthune")
We hold that the intercepted conversation between defendant and his cousin was properly admitted. We also hold the consent provided by a maternal uncle when the police could not contact defendant's mother was effective under the circumstances of this case and affirm.
